St. Petersburg is a beautiful city! Its beauty and charm are inextricably linked with the historical and cultural heritage. The northern capital of Russia is famous for its museums, magnificent palaces and amazing architectural structures. And Peter himself is a kind of open-air art center, in which hundreds of stunning cultural and historical objects are concentrated, telling about its history and achievements.
The list of museums in St. Petersburg includes more than 200 items. Among them are architectural, artistic, scientific, historical and memorial, as well as a large number of cultural objects for children. In addition, the city on the Neva is famous for unusual institutions that surprise visitors with their extraordinary expositions.
A little about the history of St. Petersburg museums
Officially, the first such institution was founded in 1709. The honorary right to head the list of museums in St. Petersburg went to the Naval Museum, created under the Admiralty. Models of ships with drawings were presented to visitors. According to historical data, in 1703, by decree of Peter the Great, the foundation was laid for the Military History Museum of Artillery, Engineering and Signal Corps. But the Kunstkamera was the first object that ordinary people were allowed to visit. In 1764, Catherine II acquired the first collections of paintings that formed the basis of the future Hermitage. During the reign of Nicholas I, the building was built where the New Hermitage is located. In 1985, by order of Nicholas II, the Russian Museum was founded, where collections of paintings by Russian artists were presented. If you count all the museums of St. Petersburg today , the list will include more than 200 items, while it is constantly updated.
To get acquainted with the history and culture of St. Petersburg, as well as to “peek” at what is happening in its magnificent palaces and cathedrals, you need to go on a journey through the city streets. The city on the Neva is happy to open its doors to tourists ...
Museums of St. Petersburg (list with photos)
Having made a fascinating journey, you will get acquainted with the largest museums that are world famous.
Travel plan:
- Hermitage.
- Kunstkamera.
- Cruiser Aurora".
- Alexander Nevsky Lavra.
- Peter-Pavel's Fortress.
- Academy of Arts.
- State Russian Museum.
- Naval Museum.
- Ethnographic.
- Children's museums.
- Unusual museums.
The Hermitage - the pearl of Russian culture
The city on the Neva is famous for a large number of museums, which are a reflection of the culture and history of this beautiful city. They keep his secrets and wealth, revealing their secrets only to true connoisseurs of art. Among them, one can distinguish the main museums of St. Petersburg, the list of which is opened by the Hermitage. It is the largest center of art and spirituality in our country.
Going on an excursion, you can follow the whole path of development of rich Russian culture and see with your own eyes the delightful works of Russian and foreign masters. Undoubtedly, the main possession of the Hermitage is the beautiful Winter Palace. The first exhibits for the institution were collected by Catherine II herself. Today, the expositions present collections of primitive art and archaeological cultures of the territory of the former Union, collections of ancient antiquities, works of art from Western Europe, the East, Russia, as well as coins and gold items. You can visit the Hermitage at the address: Palace Square, 2.
Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography
At all times, a sense of fear attracted and attracted people. So the Kunstkamera , where human deformities are collected, has become one of the popular urban centers. Here you can see the most rare and unusual anomalies of the human body. A collection of human embryos and fruits at different stages of development is also presented here. The Kunstkamera collection includes exhibits telling about the life and traditions of local indigenous peoples. Fans of travel will be able to get acquainted with the history of India and Japan. The Kunstkamera is located at 3 Universitetskaya Embankment.
Museum on the water
We consider other interesting museums in St. Petersburg. The list continues with a unique ship museum, which is a symbol of the city.
On the cruiser "Aurora" you can go on an exciting journey through the waters of the Neva, as well as see many beautiful exhibits that tell the story of this amazing ship. Here are photos and documents that illuminate the entire life of the ship from the beginning of its construction. The cruiser Aurora is located on Petrovskaya Naberezhnaya 2, opposite the Nakhimov School.
Alexander Nevsky Lavra
The list of museums in St. Petersburg is impossible to imagine without the Alexander Nevsky Lavra . It is the largest sculpture museum in Europe, located directly under the blue sky.
On the territory of the institution there is a delightful Trinity Cathedral, a monastery and an old cemetery, where famous personalities are buried (for example, the wife of A.S. Pushkin and the Decembrists). Here you can also see the graves of cultural figures of our country, including M.I. Glinka, A.P. Borodin, B.M. Kustodiev, P.I. Tchaikovsky, M.P. Musorgsky and many others. In addition, there is a large collection of paintings, sculptures and wonderful architectural monuments that captivate with their beauty and charm. Address: Embankment of the Monastyrka River, 1.
Amazing museum complex on the banks of the Neva
When compiling a list of museums in St. Petersburg with addresses that you would like to visit, do not forget to include the Peter and Paul Fortress in it.
This is a complex of buildings, among which the Peter and Paul Cathedral, which is the tomb of the imperial family in past centuries, is noticeably distinguished. The Cosmonautics Museum is located here, where you can learn the history of space exploration, see a huge collection of monetary units of different times at the Mint, and also visit the Naryshkin Bastion, from where a cannon shot is fired daily at 12. Every summer, thousands of people gather at the walls of the fortress to admire the magnificent sculptures made of sand. Address: Peter and Paul Fortress, 3.
Art Museums of St. Petersburg
If you are interested in the art museums of St. Petersburg, the list of visits must begin, of course, with the Hermitage. But, besides him, the Academy of Arts is also very popular. It was designed by Peter the Great in 1718. In 1757, during the reign of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, the idea of creating such an institution finally came to fruition. In 1764, according to the decree of Catherine I, the I Academy received Imperial status.
Today her collection is famous for the works of Rokotov, Bryullov, Borovikovsky, Polenov and many others. In addition, a large exposition of sculptures of biblical and mythological heroes is presented here. In the works of famous sculptors - Kozlovsky, Pimenov, Anikushin - you can trace the entire history of our great country. Since 2007, the Academy of Arts has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit it at: Vasilievsky Island, Universitetskaya Embankment, 17.
Everyone knows that the most popular among tourists are the art museums of St. Petersburg. A list of the names of these magnificent objects cannot be imagined without the Russian Museum. It was founded in 1895 by decree of Nicholas II, was located in the Mikhailovsky Palace, acquired specifically for him.
By the time of the opening, the collection of the Russian State included about 450 paintings, more than 100 sculptural compositions, about 1000 drawings, as well as more than 5000 thousand objects telling about the history of Ancient Russia. Today, collections of funds include more than 400 thousand exhibits (X-XXI centuries), while expositions are constantly replenished. The museum is famous for the works of Andrei Rublev, Karl Bryullov, Ivan Shishkin, Dmitry Levitsky, Kazimir Malevich. In addition, exhibitions telling about the Stroganovs and the Rzhevsky brothers are very popular. To trace the history of portraits in the works of artists of different centuries, the exposition "Faces of Russia" allows. Detailed information can be found at: Engineering street, 4.
History museums of St. Petersburg
The historical museums of St. Petersburg are very interesting. The list of excursions should start with the above-mentioned cruiser Aurora and the Peter and Paul Fortress, in the territory of which the State Museum of History is located . He talks about the daily life of the city and the life of citizens. Here you can see photos of old Peter and models of all buildings.
The Naval Museum will tell the story of the development of the Russian fleet. It contains a rich collection of paintings, ship boards, ship models, weapons and navigation devices. The institution is located at: Bolshaya Morskaya street, 69a.
Ethnographical museum
Numerous museums of St. Petersburg (a list and photos are presented in the text) are very popular among residents and visitors of the city. The Ethnographic Museum is no exception. Below we briefly dwell on its features.
It was created in 1902 as one of the departments of the Russian Museum, and since 1934 it has become an independent unit. The institution acquaints visitors with the life of the Russian people, as well as neighboring countries - Ukraine, Moldova, Belarus, the Baltic States, Transcaucasia and Central Asia. In the expositions and exhibitions you can see what people did in the past centuries, how they equipped their life, what clothes they wore, and how traditional holidays were celebrated. Having visited the “Special Pantry”, you can see ancient jewelry, a collection of ancient weapons and exclusive religious objects. Address: Engineering street, 4/1.
Museums in St. Petersburg: a list for children
For little fidgets, the city has prepared a special excursion program. Kids will find many fascinating trips to the children's city art centers, which have saved pleasant surprises for them.
You should start with the Zoological Museum - it contains the largest collection of animals from different parts of our country. Rare species of fish, birds and animals listed in the Red Book are presented. An appropriate habitat has been created for each animal, allowing to imagine its life in real conditions. Address: Universitetskaya Embankment, 1.
The Puppet Museum will bring you to a fairy tale where thousands of toys will meet you. All of them are dressed in various outfits and represent different cultures. Visitors will be able to get acquainted with the history of the development of dolls from ancient times to the present day. Bright fairy-tale characters come to life here. Each doll is a masterpiece of art, filled with its own soul and inner charm. Amazing doll collections can be seen at: st. Kamskaya, 8.
The list of St. Petersburg museums for children can be supplemented by the World of Water , the Museum of Railway Transport and the Planetarium , where kids will have exciting adventures and pleasant gifts. Believe me, in any of the listed institutions children will not be bored!
Unusual museums of the city
Among the urban art centers, one cannot fail to note unusual museums, causing not only interest, but also surprise among visitors. They amaze with their collections and exhibits. Below is a list of museums in St. Petersburg, considered the most extraordinary in the city:
- Erarta Museum of Modern Art . It presents the largest collection of paintings of modern art.
- Museum of Soviet slot machines . Each visitor will be able to return to the world of childhood and play on old slot machines.
- Museum of Russian Vodka . A huge collection of items related to vodka is presented: bottles, corks, labels. You can also learn about the history of this popular drink.
- Museum of bread . Here you can see a variety of breads, visit a real bakery, as well as see the "bread" exhibition dedicated to various events in the country.
- Museum of art glass . The institution presents glass masterpieces created at the Leningrad Glass Factory.
- Freud’s Dream Museum - talks about the life of a psychoanalyst and his work.
St. Petersburg is rightfully the cultural capital of our country. More than 200 museums familiarize visitors with the history of the city, its achievements, victories, heroes, as well as many exciting things. Going on a tour, you can open the veil over the secrets of the city of Peter and enjoy its beauty.