Application letters from organizations wishing to conclude a contract with the State Hermitage Museum for the year 2025 should be submitted from 2 July 2024 to 9 August 2024 (inclusive) to the Development Service’s Department of Tourism and Special Programmes by sending the letter by e-mail ONLY in pdf format to arkhi@hermitage.ru and cc’ing zorina.tu@hermitage.ru
The special programmes that we offer are well suited both to people who have never been to the Hermitage before and want to make their first visit particularly memorable and to those who have already been to the Hermitage many times and are familiar with its collections but would like to see things that are not ordinarily accessible. The possibilities for special programmes include access to the museum in the morning, before it officially opens, or in the evening after it closes. While all major world museums are overcrowded, we offer a unique opportunity to feel as if the Hermitage belongs to you alone.
Special programmes are carefully thought through and arranged taking your wishes into account. You might visit the restoration workshops and chat with the restorers who are bringing seemingly lost masterpieces back to life, meet those responsible for keeping the museum’s treasures in an informal setting, or enjoy classical music in the halls of the museum.
You will be acquainted with the Hermitage by members of the museum staff with a high standard of professional knowledge. The programme for you, individually or in a group, will be completely drawn up by a specialist from the Tourism and Special Programmes Department, who will then accompany you during its implementation.
Special programmes within the Main Museum Complex
- A general guided tour as part of a visit to the museum outside its official opening hours:
“Early Opening” –before the museum officially opens for the day
”Evening Opening” –after the museum has officially closed - A guided tour of the Treasure Gallery: The Diamond and/or Gold Rooms (as part of a visit outside of the museum’s official opening hours)
- A meeting with a curator in the Treasure Gallery
- A general guided tour including seeing the Peacock Clock striking (outside of the museum’s official opening hours)
- Musical programmes (outside of the museum’s official opening hours)
- A musical programme for newly-weds
Special programmes at the various separate facilities of the State Hermitage:
- A guided tour as part of a visit to the museum outside of official opening hours around the General Staff building, the Winter Palace of Peter the Great or the Menshikov Palace
- Musical programmes outside of offical opening hours
For more detailed information, please download the booklet Special Programmes in 2024
Ordering special programmes
Special programmes can only be organized in response to requests that must be submitted between 3 and 15 full working days ahead of time, depending on the complexity of the programme.
Visits to the restoration workshops and storage facilities need to be ordered at least a month in advance.
More detailed information can be obtained directly from the State Hermitage’s Tourism and Special Programmes Department.
Telephone: +7 (812) 710-96-44
Fax: +7 (812) 571-18-55
e-mail: events@hermitage.ru
Russian-language page on the VKontakte social media platform
Information for tour operators and private individuals:
Special programmes are operated on the basis of contracts with the State Hermitage. During the preparation of programmes, we ask that you take into account the time needed for the completion of paperwork and the transfer of funds.
The museum takes care of everything necessary for smooth-running visits by people with special needs. For those with limited mobility, the museum can provide wheelchairs. An official request is required on the part of tourists with impaired vision who need to be accompanied by a guide dog.