The entry fee for Russians visiting the State Hermitage Museum went up more than six times on Jan. 1, but certain people will still be able to enter at no charge and individual visitors will be able to enter free on the first Thursday of each month.

The entry fee for locals rose from 15 rubles (52 cents) to 100 rubles. The price for foreigners has remained the same at 350 rubles.

"We have not raised the price for three years and that has resulted in budget difficulties for the museum," Interfax quoted an unnamed museum spokesperson as saying. "An increase had been planned in 2003, however because it was the 300th anniversary of St. Petersburg, the managers decided not to change the price for tickets."

Fifty percent of the museum's visitors enter free. Those entitled to do so include people aged under 17 and students regardless of their nationality, residents of Leningrad during the Blockade, veterans of World War II, people with disabilities, families with three or more children, and members and staff of cultural organizations.

The free entry on the first Thursday of the month applies to individuals only and not to groups or those taking paid excursions. Taking photographs or recording on video inside the Hermitage requires the payment of an additional fee.

News source: www.sptimes.ru
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