Still Sunday, June 11, 2016 | still Russian and Rubles

Tonight we enjoyed an after-hours visit to the Hermitage. So vast and diverse is the Hermitage’s collection of fine art, porcelain, object d-art, royal regalia and more. It would take years to view it in its entirety.  We began with a specially arranged ceremonial winding of the Peacock Clock, the world’s largest timepiece-automation, which has become one of the symbols of the museum. The clock was made by British jeweler James Cox in the 1770s and purchased by Russian Empress Catherine the Great. Since the 18th century it has been delighting visitors with its automated performance and is now the only large example of 18th-century robotics to have survived unaltered into the 21st century. Continuing on the museum’s second floor we viewed the museum’s extensive collection of works by Rembrandt, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo and other Italian and Spanish masters.

Left, Leonardo da Vince’s Madonna and Child. Right, Rembrandt’s Portrait of an Old Man

Our royal treatment continued in the Hermitage Theater with champagne and a talk of how the museum’s treasures were protected during World War II. We concluded with a musical finale by the world-famous Andreyev Imperial Russian Orchestra. Founded in 1888, the ensemble celebrates its 130th anniversary this year. The orchestra relies heavily on traditional Russian instruments including domras, balalaikas and guslis, which I had never seen before. It was delightful. ?

We returned the ship around midnight, eager to jump into bed.