General Staff Building
General Staff Building
4.5
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Admiralteisky
How to get there
- Admiralteyskaya • 4 min walk
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6,350 within 3 miles
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2,916 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
1,158 reviews
Excellent
876
Very good
209
Average
51
Poor
9
Terrible
13
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BrakiWorldTraveler
Belgrade, Serbia19,452 contributions
Apr 2021
Set in the very center, on the Palace Square, this is a unique building worldwide.
It's a very long (580 m) curved edifice with a Triumphal Arch in the middle, commemorating the victory over Napoleon.
During the Imperial era when St. Pet was the capital it was the Government seat with both, Foreign affairs and Finance ministry inside.
Today, one wing is still for military purposes, while the other belongs to Hermitage museum with an amazing collection of impressionist art.
It's a very long (580 m) curved edifice with a Triumphal Arch in the middle, commemorating the victory over Napoleon.
During the Imperial era when St. Pet was the capital it was the Government seat with both, Foreign affairs and Finance ministry inside.
Today, one wing is still for military purposes, while the other belongs to Hermitage museum with an amazing collection of impressionist art.
Written May 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrey Nikonov
Kolomna, Russia11,734 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
A good museum complex in the General Staff building. We always visit with great pleasure. This time interest was aroused by the temporary exhibition “Böcklin and his circle”. The exhibition hall is beautifully decorated. In the center of the exhibition is the artist’s masterpiece “Isle of the Dead.” Nearby are works of other famous masters of painting. The exhibition made an impression
Written May 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
olegkrylov
Ufa, Russia18,323 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
It was Karl Rossi who gave Palace Square its current appearance when he built this grandiose structure opposite the imperial residence. The General Staff building occupies the entire southern side of the square, its curved façade stretches for 580 meters. Built between 1819 and 1829, it consists of two semicircular wings connected by a majestic triumphal arch. Its decor is reminiscent of Russia's victory over Napoleon's army. The arch is crowned with winged Glory on a chariot by Stepan Pimenov and Vasily Demut-Malinovsky.
Written May 18, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sergey K
Moscow, Russia46,583 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
The semicircular façade of the building stretches for 580 meters. It closes the southern side of Palace Square with a semicircle of two symmetrical buildings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the General Staff with the Arc de Triomphe between them. Now the eastern part of the building is occupied by Hermitage exhibitions.
Written March 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chesham1234
London, UK77 contributions
Mar 2020
We didn't get anywhere else, and ran out of time, only allowing 90 minutes. A fabulous collection of Monet, Degas, and so on - I've never seen so many Cezanne. Decent coffee shop (better than the Hermitage which is always crowded).
Written March 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
𝓝𝓪𝓽𝔂 ® 👑
Moscow, Russia156,928 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
The General Staff building is also part of the architectural ensemble of Palace Square. Construction continued for a whole decade from 1819 to 1829. Carlo Rossi managed to create a majestic and large-scale building. The eastern wing of the General Staff building became part of the Hermitage in 1988.
Written November 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valentin
St. Petersburg, Russia1,450 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
A lot of famous paintings. This I have not seen anywhere! Impressionists I liked immediately. An interesting tour and I spent a lot of time there. Interesting and beautiful rooms in the Art Nouveau style.
Written October 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
suzanochka
Temecula, CA752 contributions
May 2016 • Solo
The collection of Impressionists paintings were transferred from the Hermitage to here, so people should know about this. It is very spacious so you feel a bit lost in the building but the collection is well displayed. You have to go up stairs and ask where exactly to find them. However once you do, it is well worth the trip.
Written May 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank D
Busby, UK32 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
The day after the main Hermitage complex we did the General Staff Building. The architecture of the entrance lobby / ticket hall / cloakrooms is all new and a brilliant use of space and light. But once you are through into the exhibition areas make your way to the very top and work down - not the way we did it!
We were there in early April 2018 and the first couple of levels were virtually empty. Lots of walking through empty rooms getting disillusioned and disappointed following the stunning spectacle of the previous day. But the top floor is back to the breathtaking collections of masters that just leave you almost speechless; back to the guilt of casually strolling past pieces you should devote proper time to appreciate and giving them only a few seconds because there is so much to see!
Note also that there is a cafe and the “book cafe” on the ground floor, but they are outside the exhibition area and you can’t go back in on your ticket. You can only go through the barrier ONCE. You will be gasping for that coffee by the end of the day!
We were there in early April 2018 and the first couple of levels were virtually empty. Lots of walking through empty rooms getting disillusioned and disappointed following the stunning spectacle of the previous day. But the top floor is back to the breathtaking collections of masters that just leave you almost speechless; back to the guilt of casually strolling past pieces you should devote proper time to appreciate and giving them only a few seconds because there is so much to see!
Note also that there is a cafe and the “book cafe” on the ground floor, but they are outside the exhibition area and you can’t go back in on your ticket. You can only go through the barrier ONCE. You will be gasping for that coffee by the end of the day!
Written April 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mary G
Windsor, Canada3 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We were in St. Petersburg for the semi-final World Cup game France-Belgium. We planned a 2-day visit to the Hermitage and one of these days was spent in the General Staff Building exploring the Impressionists Exhibition. Dress modestly and wear good walking shoes. There is a free download for Apple smart phone at the museum entrance, but to date, was not Android friendly. We opted to take the audio tour and each of us had our own set. The fee is modest and enhanced our visit. The back stories of select works of art added to the enjoyment of the exhibition and helped to pace our visit. The rooms are set up with seating in the centre so that we could enjoy the works as long as we desired, and we could walk up to the paintings to observe the brush strokes as well. Dotted among the impressionist exhibition were works relating to the story of Psyche and Cupid, wall art as well as Rodin sculptures. Picture taking is allowed so long as you do not use a flash. Plan for a 3-hour visit to provide a leisurely pace to take in the art and the atmosphere. We ran out of time, not exhibits!
Written July 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
esiste la possibilità di una guida in italiano specializzata sull'impressionismo? grazie mille, roberto
Written August 9, 2018
WHAT ARE THE HOURS, & days that it is open?
General Admission? Is there a discounted Group admission. Is there a dual admission for both the Hermitage & General Staff Building?
approximate time necessary to see the modern European art & French Impressionist paintings?
Written June 16, 2018
Hi - is there a gift shop in the General Staff building or only in the main Winter Palace of the Hermitage complex?
Written June 12, 2018
Yes. There is a gift shop to the left as your enter or on the rout to the exit.
Written July 9, 2018
I have read in several places that the General Staff Building is poorly signed inside and the Impressionist exhibit hard to find. I don't want to miss the Impressionists! Please give directions! When I enter the General Staff Building, how do I get to the Impressionist exhibit?
Written February 23, 2018
We went up several flights of stairs to get to it. I don’t recall what floor but I used the map they give you as a reference. The impressionist exhibit was worth the visit. They had virtual reality history tour in the main lobby when you get in. If it is still available, I would recommend it.
Written June 7, 2018
Здравствуйте! Я хотела бы посетить экскурсию по импрессионизму в период с 29.03.17 по 5.04.17 . Нас два человека, взрослые. Что нужно для этого сделать? Ольга.
Written February 26, 2017
Здравствуйте, Ольга. Вам надо найти сайт Государственного Эрмитажа раздел Посетителям. Здесь помещают отзывы такие же туристы, как Вы.
Written February 27, 2017
Is the impressionist paintings in the Main Hermitage building or in the general staff building? If it has moved to general staff building is it close bye to the main building?
Written January 21, 2017
All the French 19th and 20th cent paintings which include the Impressionists are in the General Staff Building across the square from the main Hermitage building (amongst other lovely things). Much less crowded than the main building. Highly recommended.
Written January 21, 2017
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