The Cats of the Hermitage: History and Legacy of Russia’s Imperial Feline Sentinels

The World’s Most Unique Job

There are countless professions in the world, but few are as distinctive as this one. Title: Official Museum Guard & Cultural Property Protector Workplace: The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia (one of the world's top three museums) Salary: Daily premium food and a warm bed Requirement: Must be a cat This is no joke. Today, dozens of cats are officially "employed" at the State Hermitage Museum. They reside in the museum’s basements, receive dedicated care from staff, wear official tags, and even possess identification cards that serve as passports. This fascinating tradition began over 300 years ago with the founder of the Russian Empire, Peter the Great.

Peter the Great’s First Cat: A Gift from Kazan

In 1745, Empress Elizaveta Petrovna issued a peculiar decree: "Find the largest and best cats in Kazan, capable of catching mice, and send them to the court." At the time, Kazan was famous for producing the finest cats in Russia—strong, hardy, and possessing a fierce hunting instinct. However, the true history of the Hermitage cats dates back even further to her father, Peter the Great. Peter the Great was a ruler obsessed with importing Western European culture to Russia. During his travels to the Netherlands and the UK, he observed the European practice of keeping cats in palaces to manage rodents. Since St. Petersburg was built on the marshy deltas of the Neva River, the damp environment was a paradise for rats. Even the Tsar’s palace wasn't safe; rodents destroyed precious documents and food supplies. Cats were the most natural solution. Over time, however, they evolved from simple mousers into something much more significant.

Catherine the Great: Elevating Feline Status

The birth of the Hermitage Museum is inseparable from Catherine the Great, who ruled from 1762 to 1796. An enlightened intellectual with a passion for art, she founded the "Hermitage" (meaning "hermitage" or "secluded place") in 1764 to house her massive collection of European masterpieces. She amassed over 2,500 paintings, including works by Rembrandt, Rubens, and Raphael. To protect these invaluable treasures from gnawing rats, Catherine actively utilized cats. She didn't view them as mere tools; she respected their independent and elegant nature, perhaps seeing a reflection of her own strong-willed personality in them. Under her reign, the cats became the "silent sentinels" of the imperial collection.

Daily Life in the Winter Palace: Imperial Cats

The 19th century was the golden age for these felines. They were officially recognized with a designated food budget and dedicated caretakers. These "Court Cats" lived in warm basement quarters and were fed fresh meals daily. Records show a fascinating hierarchy: the most skilled hunters received better quarters and more food. However, even retired or elderly cats were guaranteed food and shelter for life. Once a cat joined the Hermitage, its status was secured until the end.

The Siege of Leningrad: 872 Days of Silence

The darkest chapter in this history occurred during World War II. In September 1941, Nazi Germany began the Siege of Leningrad, which lasted 872 days. It was one of the most horrific sieges in history, marked by extreme starvation and cold. Tragically, almost all cats in the city, including those at the Hermitage, disappeared as starving citizens were forced to do whatever it took to survive. Following the liberation, the city was overrun by a massive rat plague that threatened the remaining food supplies and the museum's art. The Soviet government responded with "Operation Cat Transport." In 1943 and 1944, thousands of cats were gathered from Yaroslavl and Siberia and shipped to Leningrad by train and truck. For the citizens, the return of the cats symbolized the return of normalcy and hope. The Hermitage reclaimed its guardians, and the cats resumed their posts as the museum was rebuilt.

Modern Employees: Official Staff Status

Today, the Hermitage cats enjoy their most official status in history. Approximately 50 to 70 cats reside in the museum, a number carefully managed by the administration. Their official title is "Hermitage Cultural Property Protector." Official ID Cards: Each cat has a card detailing its name, birth date, coat color, and personality. The Names: Many are named after Russian aristocrats or famous artists like Titian or Akim. Dedicated Staff: Known as "Cat Managers" (Smotriteli za Koshkami), these employees handle feeding, health checks, and vaccinations. The Routine: They rest in the warm basement during the day (away from the public) and begin their real work—patrolling for rodents—once the museum doors close at night.

A Night in the Museum: Philosophy and Art

Long-time staff members often observe that cats seem to have "favorite" artworks. Some prefer the base of a specific statue; others patrol the same gallery corridors every night. Mikhail Piotrovsky, the long-time director of the Hermitage, once remarked: "The cats are a part of the Hermitage. They don't just catch mice; they guard the spirit of this place. Art is a living thing, and when living beings protect it, the art breathes." There is a paradoxical beauty in their presence. Amidst billions of dollars worth of Renaissance masterpieces and ancient Egyptian artifacts, the cats remain utterly unimpressed. They stroll past Rembrandts with complete indifference, sleeping wherever they find comfort. Perhaps this very "coolness"—a presence that refuses to be awed by human grandeur—is why the Hermitage has kept them close for three centuries.

The Heritage Continues

The museum doors close. The last visitor leaves, and the lights dim. In the silence of the massive halls, a cat wakes up in the basement, stretches, and quietly climbs the stairs. They walk past the halls of imperial portraits and the glowing canvases of French Impressionists. For them, it’s just another night at the office. 300 years after Peter the Great first brought them in, their mission—the one assigned by the Emperor—is far from over. Tonight, as they have for centuries, they remain on watch.