In the catacombs of the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia live several cats. The history of having so many felines in such close proximity to important places dates back to Empress Elizaveta Petranova.She actually signed a decree ordering cats to be brought to Russian court. By the time Catherine the Great ruled, there were cats everywhere in the Winter Palace.
Today, the same tradition is the reason so many cats can be found at this museum. Staff members contribute so there is enough food, and there is even a yearly “Tomcat Day” that allows visitors to see the cats and play cat related games. Most of these darlings have been rescued from various places in Russia, and all they have to do is lounge around and sleep near ancient art!
Awwwwwww… this explains the cats. They were everywhere. Courtyard was full of em.
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