The main building of the Hermitage Museum is the Winter Palace which was once the main residence of the Russian Tzars. Magnificently located on the bank of the Neva River, this three-story palace has 1786 doors, 1945 windows and 1057 halls and rooms. The Baroque Winter Palace was built in 1754-62 and Catherine the Great was the first monarch to live there.

February 21, 2004