Interestingly, a happy owner does not just get a cat, but also a status of “The Hermitage cat owner” and a lifelong free entrance to the museum. A French doctor has bequeathed 3,000 euros to celebrated cats that live in the basement of the Hermitage museum, a world-renowned art gallery in Russia’s second city Saint Petersburg. Around 50 cats live in the famous St. Petersburg museum -- or should that be mewseum? A French philanthropist has left a sum of money to some unusual beneficiaries in his will — the 50 cats living in the basement of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Nothing limits the cats, they can free walk around, but not in the exposition halls. As usual, the initial idea was to keep the rats down but their task is now taken care of by people. Wine tasting at andrew jackson’s hermitage. Cats guarded the palace's art galleries and cellars (the Hermitage has nearly 20 km of them!) The sum is not very big but it's very important when the person writes a will, when the French lawyers contact (us) and it's all not a simple (process) but this is all very interesting, isn't it?" The museum’s cat program employs four people and includes a small veterinary station and a special kitchen which prepares meals for the cats. The Hermitage News Day of the Hermitage Cat 2020. ALL MUSEUM FACILITIES ARE OPEN TO VISITORS What's On. (CNN) — A generous French philanthropist has left a sum of money to some unusual beneficiaries in his will — a bunch of cats living in the basement of the State Hermitage Museum in Russia. Another story suggests that the first cat Vasily was brought by Peter the Great himself from his trip to Holland. Cats still guard the palace’s art galleries and cellars (the Hermitage has nearly 20 km of them!) Cat lounging at the Hermitage Museum (YOUTH portal) There is a number of volunteers and 3 full-time caretakers who take care of cats all devote to the cats and know all their names. from rats and mice during the Napoleonic invasion, the … The museum houses 3 million works of art and artifacts and has been a home to cats since the 18th century. "Such a nice gesture that came from France," he added. "There have been cats in the Hermitage ever since the days of the Elizabeth Petrovna," says Maria Haltunen, Assistant to the Museum Director, and PR to the famous felines. They appeared again there after the war, and even two railway cars full of cats were brought to Leningrad. Thereby, it was ordered to bring the cats that definitely played their role well and rid the palace from rats and mice. Every cat has its own passport and a vet book. Now, they are taken care of by volunteers and museum staff, and supported by donations, according to the museum, which notes that the animals have their own washing machine and the services of a local veterinarian. News. The population of the Hermitage cats is limited by 50, extra animals are given away in good hands. The Hermitage cats are a group of cats living in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.The museum has a secretary for the news media about the cats. Moscow (CNN) — A generous French philanthropist has left a sum of money to some unusual beneficiaries in his will -- a bunch of cats living in the … Beautiful and Exciting, Russian Traditions. Not everyone can get a pet. Learn about art. There have been cats in the palace since Peter the Great’s daughter, Empress Elizabeth, issued a decree, in 1745, that the biggest cats, capable of … The Hermitage Cats have been in the Hermitage Museum since the 18th century, with the exception of the Siege of Leningrad during World War II. The museum, which is home to three million works of art, artifacts, and sculptures, is also home to the felines. "I think the cats will express their will -- our colleagues are well-versed in communicating with them and understanding their language," he added. Published on 31 of May 2020 from rats and mice. Join us on a 12-month journey to see them all, What did our food look like hundreds of years ago? Reproduction of images published on the st-petersburg.guide is forbidden without written permission issued by the St-Petersburg.guide. There are around 50 cats currently in the basement of the museum, and they are taken care of by volunteers and the museum's staff members. A generous French philanthropist has left a sum of money to some unusual beneficiaries in his will -- a bunch of cats living in the basement of the State Hermitage Museum in Russia. All rights reserved © Anna Gaplichnaya 2020. Cats have been residents of the Hermitage Museum since the 18th century, when Catherine the Great designated them as guardians of the art galleries. "Our French friend did a very good thing; this is brilliant PR for both the cats and charity. In the 18th century there were many rodents that ruined the wall of the building by making halls in them. Apparently they were first brought to the Winter Palace complex in 1745 by Royal decree. Catherine the Great, the founder of the Hermitage, gave the cats the status of guardians of the art galleries, Russian state-run news agency RIA Novosti reported, noting that the cats were housed to keep rodents from the premises. The date is dedicated to the ancestors of animals that were brought to the Winter Palace by the order of the Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. The cats of the Hermitage live in a large cellar of almost 20 km long. It is actually a series of events including an interview, as a result of which someone can get a cat. The cats of the Hermitage live in a large cellar of almost 20 km long. It was founded in 1764 by catherine the great and has been open to the public since 1852. A population of cats lives on the museum grounds and serves as an attraction. Cats have been living in the museum since the … Cats lounge at staff offices while they are not allowed to roam around in the galleries. Learn more about the options and pick the one you like the most. Explore the Hermitage. Historical accounts differ in terms of the cats. However, during the Great Patriotic War and the Siege almost all cats died. The cats even have a page on Wikipedia like influencers. Cultured Isolation” . Around 50 cats live in the famous St. Petersburg museum — (or should that be mewseum?) The cats which work for the Hermitage Museum (RIA Novosti, 2011) - the clip also shows us the black feline mascot of the icebreaker Krasin, now a floating museum at St Petersburg; as a kitten in 2006 he was spotted stranded on an ice floe, rescued by the crew and has remained ever since Hermitage Cats Today (Museum Secrets TV, 2012) The museum's general director, Mikhail Piotrovsky, said in a press conference earlier this month that the unnamed French philanthropist was so taken with the animals that he left a "small sum" to them in his will. he said. Every cat has its own passport and a vet book. The history of the Hermitage cats dates back to the 18th century when the museum, then called the Winter Palace, was an imperial residence in Russia's former capital. The Hermitage cats are official considered as highly-qualified specialists of cleaning the museum from rats. As the director of the state museum in Saint Petersburg says, the cats are even as popular as Rembrandt. It is well-equipped for comfortable living and hunting of the animals. Empress Elizabeth I -- daughter of Saint Petersburg founder Emperor Peter the Great -- in 1745 ordered cats to be brought to the palace to deal with a rat infestation. The State Hermitage Museum’s art collection might be one of the most impressive in the world — but for some sightseers, it’s the museum’s resident cats who make the visit truly memorable. During this time, the population of the city suffered widespread hunger and starvation. The Hermitage cats are official considered as highly-qualified specialists of cleaning the museum from rats. Some claim the cats were killed, while others say they simply didn’t survive due to a lack of food. Museum staff says that cats have become an integrate part of the Hermitage, and they have a special spirit of Saint Petersburg. Russian Ark (2002), the Russian film by Alexander Sokurov, was filmed entirely in the Hermitage Museum, showing the Winter Palace at various stages of its history. Aug 24, 2019 - About the cats that live and guard the famous museum in St. Petersburg, Russia. Scientific Projects and Publications. Petersburg on october 14, 2015. Guided Tours, Programmes and Virtual Academy. The hermitage cats are a group of cats residing in the hermitage museum in saint petersburg, russia. WINNERS of the art competition “The Hermitage Cats. -- which is home to 3 million works of art, artifacts and sculptures spread across buildings including the Winter Palace. The Hermitage as part of the Winter Palace complex. Virtual Visit. The cats live in the museum's basement.In the summer, they also go along the river bank and on the plaza.Cats have been guarding the museum for more than 200 years, since the Tsars ruled Russia. The funds will likely be used to repair the museum's basements, where the cats live, Piotrovsky said. It’ll be my pleasure to tell you more about Petersburg during a guided tour. The Hermitage's cats guard the museum's artworks from mice. The Hermitage's cats guard the museum's artworks from mice. The unnamed benefactor certainly wasn't the only person to have fallen for the cats' charms -- according to Piotrovsky, the former president of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Fortov, was a "constant friend" of the Hermitage cats. Art history may have the answers. The money will go to about 50 cats that live in the basement of the State Hermitage Museum in Russia. Photo: OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images. Nowadays, cats of the Hermitage operate mostly as a symbol of the city, rather than the actual rat hunters. They live in the basement and are not allowed to roam the galleries. Petersburg From Above. It adjoined the winter palace and served as a private gallery for the art amassed by the empress. Banya, Pelmeni and Matryoshka. St-Petersburg.guide is the exclusive owner of all images & textual information. Cats in the museum. A French philanthropist bequeathed a small sum of money to the cats who live in the basement of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, CNN reported. Keeping the furry animals in the museum is supported by some charity funds, both local and foreign. What’s Behind The Name ‘Hermitage?’ The word ‘Hermitage’ is derived from the word ‘hermit’, which … Among those visitors was a French man who left a generous sum of money in his will "for the cats living in the basement of the State Hermitage Museum in Russia." They’re not new – they’ve been there since the mid-1700s. It is well-equipped for comfortable living and … The site has been home to cats since the time of Empress Elizabeth, who reigned from 1741 to 1761, according to the museum. Annually there is a special holiday celebration in spring. Since then, the cats lived in the Winter palace. The hermitage's cats guard the museum's artworks from mice. The Hermitage museum has had cats in its service since the mid-18th century. Artworks, Buildings and History. — which is home to 3 million works of art, artifacts and sculptures spread across buildings including the … As the director of the state museum in Saint Petersburg says, the cats are even as popular as Rembrandt. There's a perfect beach for every week of the year. In popular culture Films. Fortov, who died last month, would sometimes stop by the museum to leave money for the animals, Piotrovsky said. About 50 cats live in the State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg. There is a cat cafe close-by called “The Republic of Cats” and a club “Hermitage cats’ friends”. The little animals are used to the museum's visitors who treat them with love. In the summertime, they prefer staying in the museum’s yard, enjoying the sun and not being bothered by the museum staff and guests. Exhibitions, Events and News. Every cat has its own dishes, sleeping basket and a toilet. The Hermitage Museum is also famous for the cats who live in the basement. A cat rests in the basement of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg on October 14, 2015. Don’t forget to take advantage of a visa free shore excursion if you visit St Petersburg on a cruise line. See more ideas about Hermitage museum, Hermitage, Petersburg. Three people take care of their daily needs. Support The history of the Hermitage cats dates back to the 18th century when the museum, then called the Winter Palace, was an imperial residence in Russia’s former capital. Research and Publications. Currently, there are 74 neutered cats living at the Hermitage. Forbidden without written permission issued by the empress century there were many rodents ruined. 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