Last week – hopefully – I brought the Street Art Hermitage to your knowing. I would today like to make you aware of another “hidden gem”, here in St. Petersburg: the The Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Centre. It is a “miniature” Hermitage, even though this expression could be misleading: here are stored all those exhibits too cumbersome to have a place in the main part of the museum, as well as the ones currently undergoing restoration.
Why should I go?
Among the thousands of paintings, the hundreds of frescos, icons and furniture stored at The Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Centre you will be given a chance to admire (and of which you will only see a selected part), the highlights are certainly the impressive oriental tents, gifted to the Russian Empress Catherine the Great and to Emperor Alexander III, the magnificent royal dresses, dating back to the very last years of the Czar period, and a birthday present to St. Petersburg, straight from Indonesia. The hall of cartridges is also striking, and gives you well an idea of past times and past riches. No visitor has ever regretted visiting this beauty, therefore you have no excuse not to go!
How do I get there?
This is a “hidden gem” mostly because, as well as the Street Art Museum, is a bit far from the city center, although not at all out of reach. The metro station Staraja Derevnya is only a short walk distant, no more than 4/5 minutes. The building is huge and beautifully designed, although is currently undergoing renewal and might seem closed, it is not. The visit is only possible through tours (from Wednesday to Sunday, four times a day, duration about 60/90 minutes), and the reservation is compulsory. You can both reserve a private tour or join an already existing one. Check the website or call the number for more information! It is absolutely a must, and its location should not prevent you from visiting it!
Have you already been to The Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Centre? Would you recommend it? Let us know in the comment section below!