Hermitage Portico with Atlantes, Granite portico entrance at New Hermitage Museum, Saint Petersburg, Russia
The Hermitage Portico with Atlantes is an entrance to the New Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg formed by ten monumental granite figures standing on pedestals. The sculptures support a balcony with their heads and hands and create a continuous row along the facade.
German architect Leo von Klenze designed the New Hermitage building in 1843 and submitted two entrance designs to the restoration commission. The first damage to the atlantes sculptures was reported in 1909 due to foundation settling.
The stone figures became an emblem of the city and inspired poet Alexander Gorodnitsky to write a song about figures holding up the sky. Visitors often pause before the sculptures and observe their monumental presence framing the museum entrance.
The sculptures stand on Millionnaya Street and are visible from outside at any time without entering the museum. Morning and late afternoon light offers favorable conditions for observing the details and shadow play.
In December 1941 during the Siege of Leningrad an artillery shell struck the portico and severely damaged one of the figures. The scar of that destruction remains visible on the sculpture today and testifies to the wartime history of the city.
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