The collection which started with Catherine the Great (someone fact check that) in a small room in the massive forest green winter palace is now a staggering collection of works from around the world housed in multiple buildings, including the winter palace which takes up at least an entire block. There are millions of pieces. Days and days worth of art. We almost literally jogged through some of the most famous collections: Da Vinci, Rembrandt, van Gogh, French impressionists, Spanish, and the list goes on. We were able to get in before the crowds and walk right up to priceless works. Even the Rembrandt piece that a lunatic dumped acid on a couple years ago (don't worry kids, now its behind glass and is well protected).
The palace itself is amazing. Carerra marble from Italy, huge jasper vases, doors inlaid with flattened turtle shells, the works. These people knew decadence. However, it took them a while to figure out that chimneys shouldn't be IN the wall. A couple massive fires later and they figured it out. Largely spared during WWII this palace is an amazing treasure. It's somehow not surprising tho that the Bolsheviks saw this excess and revolted. Oh well Russia, lesson learned! A touch of modesty next time maybe.
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