A strange tale from St Petersburg's Hermitage Museum, which is celebrating its feline guardians against rodent intrusions. For three centuries, cats have prowled the corridors of the famous buildings, first invited in by Czarina Catherine the Great to get rid of the rats. Through the Russian Revolution of 1917 the cats were kept. Only during the 900-day siege of Leningrad did they disappear. Now, 50 felines are about in the Hermitage, but not for the specific purpose of catching rats. Poison has taken over that role. The cats have their own press-secretary, though.
I can guess what happened to them during the seige Guido.
ReplyDeleteInteresting piece of infromation.
Hope you have had the sunshine that we have been experiencing. I had to come indoors earlier as I was falling asleep in it. Haven't felt that warm outside for awhile.
Jeanie
They don't take to well to roaming cats here where I live...someone would be sure to call animal control........June:)
ReplyDeleteAhhh. A place that large, may as well be home to a few felines:) Never had a rodent problem (then again, I've always had cats).
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting.
ReplyDeletePam
I did quite a few cats there but I hadn`t heard that story. Very interesting Guido. :o)
ReplyDeleteLove Sandra xx
Wonderful story. Cats seem to carry their own spirituality wherever they may be found. Once they accept you, your never without a companion. (Hugs) Indigo
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear they don't have to depend on rats for their food. Yuck! However, I'm glad to know their are still cats roaming thru the building. Gabi thinks that neat, too. Linda in Washington state
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this story..although now I feel as though I am short changing my band of cats, they don't have their own press-secretary. ;)
ReplyDeleteLisa
http://journals.aol.com/wwfbison/life-on-a-bison-farm
Great story, i've heard that St Petersburg is a challenge to get around so i guess following a cat might not be a bad idea, if nothing else to get to this prestigous site!
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