Hermitage is one of the largest museums in the world after Louver ( Paris ) and the National Gallery ( London ). The collection of it numbers over 3 million exhibits from prehistoric to modern times. It was founded by Russian Empress Catherine II in 1764, when she bought a large number of Western European paintings. For this collection she ordered to construct a new building.
Now the permanent museum display occupies five buildings, which form a brilliant architectural ensemble. The museum interiors were decorated by the remarkable architects and sculptors of 18 th -19 th centuries. A number of staterooms where official ceremonies used to be held preserve their sumptuous decor. The Hermitage acquired authentic masterpieces by the greatest painters and sculptures as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rembrant, Rubens, El Greco, Claude Monet, August Renoir and so on.
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