"Thirty shells fired from long-range guns and two aerial bombs
hit the museum building’s causing considerable damage. Dozens of shells
and bombs exploded in the immediate vicinity, showering shrapnel onto
the facades and roofs, and through the windows onto the interior walls
and ceilings of the exhibition halls as well. More than 20,000 square
metres of glass was broken from the windows and skylights. The heating
system and water supply were put out of operation completely.
Alexander Sivkov
(1890–1968)
Chief Architect of the Hermitage from 1925
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