Photography and filming are permitted throughout the museum, except in areas where they are specifically prohibited (for example, temporary exhibitions, the Treasure Gallery and the Staraya Derevnya Restoration and Storage Centre).
Filming or photography must not pose a risk of damage to the exhibits or disturb other visitors. Touching museum objects or interior elements is not allowed.
Free Amateur Photography (for personal use)
Photography during exhibition viewing. Conducted for personal, family, home, or other use not associated with generating profit, creating mass-produced merchandise, public display, etc.
- You may use a smartphone or conventional camera.
- The use of flash, tripods, selfie sticks, additional lighting or other specialized equipment is not permitted.
- No additional ticket is required.
Staged Amateur Photography/Filming (weddings, photoshoots)
The main distinguishing feature: the visitor's primary purpose is to conduct a photoshoot, not to view the exhibitions. Such photography implies an organised process, posing, retakes. The use of props, costume changes, and prolonged stops in one area of the exhibition are possible. The photography is not associated with generating profit, creating mass-produced merchandise, public display, etc.
- Specialized equipment may be used, but without flash or additional lighting.
- The group must not exceed 5 persons, including the one photographing or filming.
- The entrance zone administrators have to be informed in advance: tel. +7 (812) 710-90-79 or e-mail tickets@hermitage.ru.
- In addition to standard entrance tickets, one special permit ticket (costing 10,000 roubles) must be purchased.
- Participants' clothing must not disrupt the museum atmosphere: sportswear, beachwear, dress that is transparent, revealing or otherwise inappropriate for museum interiors is prohibited.
- Any museum attendant or member of the Security Service is entitled to request to see the permit for staged photography/filming.
Professional Photography/Filming
Conducted for:
— publication or broadcast in mass media or on the internet;
— placement on internet channels for the purpose of public broadcast;
— inclusion in audiovisual works intended for subsequent distribution, rental, public broadcast;
— creation of three-dimensional models of museum objects;
— production of visual, printed, souvenir, gaming, and other mass-produced merchandise regardless of its distribution conditions;
— public display.
- Permitted only after approval from the museum administration.
- The rules apply to filming both inside the museum and on the grounds adjacent to the buildings of the State Hermitage Museum.
- For more information on how to submit a request for professional filming, please click here.
The following types of photography and filming are NOT permitted at the Hermitage:
- Advertising – i.e., content for promoting a product, service, brand, or individual.
- Feature films.
- Fashion shows.