1945: Re-opening of the Museum after the conclusion of World War II

As the front retreated from Leningrad, the USSR Soviet of People's Commissars passed a resolution regarding restoration of the Hermitage buildings. Restoration began in the Pavilion Hall and the two galleries running along the sides of the Hanging Garden, in order to house an exhibition of items which had remained in the Museum during the siege as well as a number of newly acquired pieces. This exhibition opened on 7 November 1944 and ran until 10 October 1945, when the first two trains arrived from Sverdlovsk with works which had been evacuated there. On 9 May 1945 - Victory Day - the Hermitage staff and many volunteers were busy restoring rooms to accommodate the returned treasures and in just 20 days they had managed to make ready 69 rooms! On 5 November 1945 a ceremonial meeting was held in the Hermitage Theatre, at which the Museum Director, Iosif Orbeli, made a report on the opening of the Museum after the War. On 8 November 1945 the rooms were opened to the public, using the entrance portico with Atlantes for the first time in many years. Nevertheless, the full restoration of rooms and buildings destroyed by hits by 17 artillery and 2 air bombs continued for many years.

At the exhibition of items which remained in the Hermitage during the Siege
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First visitors to the exhibition. November 1944
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The exhibition in the western gallery of the Small Hermitage
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