Saint Petersburg has magnificent stately palaces that used to be residences but have now been transformed into museums.
The State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg – Russia covers several palaces or royal residences that were once the homes of the Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich, Peter the Great, Count Orlov and Emperor Paul.
Location
The State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg – Russia is located in the heart of the city, along Inzhenermaya UI. 4. It is opposite Ploshad Isskustv.
Getting There
The fastest way and also the most affordable means to reach the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg – Russia is via the subway. Subway trains run frequently around the city and pass through most of the tourist hotspots in the city.
Take the Metro going towards Nevsky Prospekt which will drop you off at the nearest point to the museum.
What to See and Do
The State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg – Russia has permanent and temporary exhibitions on display in the buildings it encompasses.
At the main museum complex which is the Mikhailovsky Palace, there is a permanent exhibit on the Folk Art of the 17th up to the 21st Centuries. The exhibit covers approximately one thousand and five hundred various works of arts and crafts starting from the Peasant art up to their progression into the 21st century.
Inside St. Michael’s Castle, you can view permanent exhibits on copies of the Epoch of Renaissance of Russian Artists such as Raphael, Titian and Veronese as done by various Russian artists.
Also inside St. Michael’s Castle are various antique subjects depicting Russian art.
In the Benois Wing, there are paintings and sculptures of the 20th century.
The above are only a few of the various works of art that you can view while visiting the museum complex.
Brief History
The State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg – Russia was founded in the year 1895 on the 13th of April, under Nicholas II in honor of his father, Alexander III.
The first collection it exhibited were those from the Hermitage Museum as well as the Alexander Palace plus the Imperial Academy of Arts.
Its main building, Mikhailovsky Palace was constructed between the years 1819 and 1825 depicting a Neo-Classical architectural design. It was constructed to be the residence of the Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich.
As the museum’s collection grew and the desire to exhibit more works of art both on a permanent and temporary basis, the museum included other historical buildings as venues for its exhibits.
These include the Summer Palace of Peter the Great which was constructed between the years 1710 and 1714; Count Olav’s Marble Palace, constructed between 1768 and 1785; Emperor Paul’s St. Michael’s Castle, between 1797 and 1801; and finally, the Rastelliesque Stroganov Palace, between 1752 and 1754.
The State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg – Russia used to be known as the Russian Museum of His Imperial Majesty Alexander III.
Cost
Entry fee to the State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg – Russia vary depending on which exhibits you will be viewing.
For the Mikhailovsky Palace and Benois Wing, tickets are 350 rubles per adult and 150 rubles per student and child aged 7 to 16 years old.
For Mikhailovsky Palace, Marble Palace, Stroganov Palace and St. Michael’s Castle; tickets are 600 rubles per adult and 300 rubles per student and child aged 7 to 16 years old. Amateur photography and video cost 250 rubles.
For the Stroganov Palace, Marble Palace, St. Michael’s Castle and Summer Palace; tickets are 300 rubles per adult and 150 rubles per student and child aged 7 to 16 years old.
Other Information
The State Russian Museum in Saint Petersburg – Russia is open everyday, excluding Tuesday; from 10 in the morning up to 5 in the afternoon. Mondays and pre-holidays, the museum closes at 4 in the afternoon.
