A Legacy of Feline Nobility

The story of these guardians dates back to the 18th century, when Catherine the Great ordered cats to be settled in the Winter Palace to protect the collection from rats. Since then, the cats have become part of St. Petersburg’s aristocracy — refined, intelligent, and proud.

They have outlasted shifting eras, revolutions, and even the Siege of Leningrad. After the war, they were brought back to the museum, resuming their posts as if they had never left.

Guardians in the Shadows of Masterpieces

Today, the Hermitage cats are more than just residents — they are an institution. There are several dozen of them, each with its own personality, habits, and territory.

Their mission remains unchanged: to protect the Hermitage from rodents. Rats are ancient enemies of art, capable of destroying not just grain, but books, canvases, and wooden frames.

The Museum’s Phantom Keepers

Museum visitors rarely see them, but staff know each one by name. Their fates vary. Some stay at the Hermitage for life, others are adopted by art lovers — the museum even runs an adoption program. But all of them share one thing: they don’t just live here — they belong here, woven into the atmosphere of the museum as naturally as the soft glow of light in an old master’s painting.