Jordan Staircase, Hermitage

The Jordan Staircase is the main starcase of the Winter Palace of Hermitage in St Petersburg. Starting from the Main Gallery, the white marble staircase then divides into two flights meeting again on the level of the first floor. Full of light and gleaming with gilding and mirrors, the staircase extends for the whole height of the Winter Palace. In the 18th century the staircase was known as the Ambassadorial Staircase because the envoys of foreign countries ascended it when going to the palace for official receptions. Later the staircase received the name of the Jordan Staircase - on the Epiphany day religious processions from the Grand Church of the Winter Palace went down the Jordan Staircase to the Neva River.

サンクト・ペテルブルクのエルミタージュ美術館、冬宮の入り口の壮麗な階段。かつては「大使の階段」と呼ばれ、現在ではキリストがヨルダン川で洗礼を受けたとされる祝日にちなみ、「ヨルダン階段」と呼ばれる。