THE  HERMITAGE THEATER
Dvortsovaya Embankment, 32
1783-87. Architect G.Quarenghi

The Hermitage Theater building is the last in the set of buildings connected with the Winter Palace by 
means of a number of arches and passages. The famous arch over the Zimniaya Kanavka erected by 
Yu. Velten makes this integral architectural complex especially picturesque.
The first play was staged here in 1785, even before the decoration of the building was finally 
completed. The seats for the spectators are arranged in a semicircle. The walls are decorated with 
columns and niches with sculptures. The foyer was decorated in 1904 by the architect L.Benois. 
Royal opera and drama companies from Italy, France and Russia performed in the Hermitage 
Theater.