The Hermitage cats became a symbol of the State Hermitage Museum due to their centuries-old history and their important role in protecting the museum’s treasures from rodents. 18th Century: In 1745, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna issued a decree to bring thirty large cats from Kazan to combat rats and mice in the Winter Palace. These cats became the first "employees" of the palace, guarding it from rodents. 19th-20th Centuries: The cats continued to carry out their duties in the Winter Palace despite historical upheavals, including revolutions and wars. During the Siege of Leningrad in World War II, the cats died, leading to a rat invasion. After the war, thousands of cats were brought to the city from other regions to restore the population and protect the museum’s exhibits. Today, about 50 cats live in the cellars of the Hermitage, each of them with a passport and veterinary card. They continue to protect the museum from rodents and have also become an integral part of its culture and a symbol of Saint Petersburg. The museum actively supports its furry "employees" by providing them with comfortable living conditions and medical care. The Hermitage cats have become popular figures in art and literature, with films made and books written about them. The museum holds an annual "Hermitage Cat Day," drawing visitors' attention to its furry guardians and their history. Thus, the Hermitage cats are not only defenders of the museum's treasures but also a living symbol of the rich history and traditions of the Hermitage and Saint Petersburg.