The Hermitage is not only a big museum. The lecture hall of the Hermitage is working especially to open the world of beauty to people. It has two addresses: the first lecture hall is located in one of the new buildings of the depository, the second - in the former building of the General Staff on Palace Square. It is unlikely that you will be able to visit both halls in one day, so you should prepare for a meeting with art in advance.
Lectures of the General Staff of the Hermitage
A lecture hall has existed on Palace Square for many years. It is called the hall where the paintings of artists come to life. Here you can listen to several cycles of lectures. The themes are different, covering the entire history of mankind in the works of artists from primitive days to the present.
Careful employees work here who are happy to tell stories about the past. Under their unhurried monologue, all the slides shown on the screen no longer seem just beautiful pictures, but windows into past centuries.
A small room with red soft chairs is very cozy, each chair is equipped with a folding table for taking notes. The large slideshow screen is clearly visible from all seats. Slides allow you to examine in detail the art objects from a favorable angle. During the lecture, the guide pays attention to various details.
Traditionally, applause for the narrator after each session.
Lecture programs at the General Staff Building
The performances of the staff are composed in such a way that it becomes interesting for both specialists and those who come to the museum for the first time. Academic knowledge is delivered in a fun and accessible way.
Now this lecture hall of the Hermitage holds several programs:
- University of the History of Foreign Art - 3 courses.
- Eastern classes: ancient Egypt, India, China.
- Ancient world: Greece, Italy, Scythians.
- East: the Islamic world, Khorezm, about a forgotten empire.
- Western Europe: Venice, German Book, Natural Curiosities, Literary Heroes, 17th Century Paintings, French Weavers, Master Jewelers, Green Frog Service, English Watercolour, Early 20th Century Paris, German Expressionists, Sculpture 20-21 century, Three artists of the 21st century.
- Russia: about museum exhibits.
You can visit it on weekdays, ticket offices are open from 10.30 to 19.20. On weekends, work is reduced by two hours, at 17.30 the doors are closed for visitors. Monday is a non-working day.
Hermitage Lecture Hall in the Old Village
The historic district of the city, where the depository is located, is called the "Old Village". It is also the name of the nearest subway. The complex was built relatively recently - the first stage was commissioned in 2003. A new lecture hall opened its doors there.
If the lecture hall of the Hermitage on Palace Square looks liketo the chamber theater, then this new one - to a large university auditorium. Light green chairs rise in steps, they have the same folding tables as in the old lecture hall.
Evening concerts are held here. The spacious cozy hall gathers guests on Sundays at 17.30. Under the fading colors of the day, watching the sleeping garden outside the window, visitors hear the sounds of the music of the historical era, which is narrated by an art historian.
Lecture programs in the Old Village
Here you can listen to the following topics:
- From ancient times.
- Masters of the 19th century.
- About Ancient Greece.
- F. Goya.
- London. Museums.
- Tape weaving in Europe.
- Art of the 20th-21st centuries.
The following topics have been specially prepared for schoolchildren:
- European court dress 15th-17th centuries.
- Stories from the life of Hermitage masterpieces.
- Travel around the East.
- Myths and legends in the visual arts.
- Everyday life and holidays of the ancient world.
- Art is all around us.
- Secrets of palaces (2 parts).
On weekdays, the lecture hall awaits visitors from 10.30 to 19.00. On weekends, the working day is shorter by 1 hour. Monday, Tuesday - non-working days.
Visitor reviews
Those who start attending the lecture cycle can no longer refuse. It's a pity to skip another topic. Therefore, the advice of experienced visitors: buy a subscription. Truth,queue for him will have to defend a considerable - a lot of applicants. Some stayed for 6 hours. But it's worth it.
The history of foreign art is studied over the course of three academic years, classes are divided into 87 lectures. It is convenient to visit them - beginning at 19.00, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at the General Headquarters.
Fragments of lectures are quoted in many reviews. You can see that people really enjoyed it. It was unexpected to see an elderly museum worker, famously managing a computer. The excellent Russian language of the lecturers, dedication to what they love and an excellent sense of humor did their job - the audience sat for 2 hours, fascinated listening to the story.
Very different people visit the lecture hall of the Hermitage. The reviews of this motley crowd of young and old are unanimous: they had a good time, learned a lot of interesting things and got excited about visiting the museum exposition in order to see firsthand what was shown with the help of slides.
Addresses of lecture halls, how to get there
Both lecture halls are easy to find even for a person unfamiliar with the city. If you plan to visit the museum, then at the same time you can visit the nearby lecture hall of the General Staff.
You can get to Nevsky Prospekt by metro. Stations "Nevsky Prospect" and "Gostiny Dvor", exit to the Griboedov Canal. Next, we are guided by the spire of the Admir alty, to the right of it is the Winter Palace.
From the station "Admir alteyskaya", first we go to Nevsky, then we approach the Admir alty. The lecture hall of the Hermitage, whose address is Palace Square, house 6/8,has an entrance from the square.
The lecture hall in the Old Village is located at the address: Zausadebnaya st., 37 A. It is better to get there by metro to the Staraya Derevnya station.
Rules for visiting the museum
Museum is an object of culture. They do not come here in T-shirts and shorts, frivolous beach sundresses and similar attire. There is no dress code, but visitors are supposed to respect the heritage of many centuries.
High thin heels can hurt precious parquet floors, they are also better left at home. Large items, bags will be accepted by the wardrobe. Food and drink are not allowed on the museum grounds.
Here you can take pictures of exhibits for free. It is forbidden to do this only in the storerooms of the museum. In a lifetime, a person will not be able to see all three million exhibits of the Hermitage, so take the opportunity to learn about the most interesting ones by visiting the lecture hall.
