We Visit The State Museum Of Russian History
Located in the Red Square of Moscow, the State Museum of History of Russia allows us to know the evolution of this country. A magnificent building that houses collections of all kinds of objects from the Paleolithic to practically the present day. We want to visit it to show you all the treasures it keeps, will you join us?
The history of the State Museum of Russian History
The museum was founded thanks to the imposition of the Russian Scientific Society, which aimed to spread Russian culture and build a place that would house important historical documents of the country and other treasures.
The place chosen for its construction was the one that occupied the headquarters of the Main Medicine Store. It was a building built in the time of Peter I the Great where different pieces of art from the Tsar’s personal collection were kept. Some of its rooms were also occupied by the Moscow State University.
Work on the new building began in 1875 and lasted until 1881. A striking building for many reasons. First of all, because of the red color of its facades. Second, because of its size. And, thirdly, because of the particular neo-Russian style of its design.
The interior of the building
But if the exterior is spectacular, the interior of the building is no less so. Some of its rooms are decorated in an elegant but ornate way, an ostentatious example of Russian romanticism. Renowned Russian artists of the time took care of the decoration, precisely.
Its interior is filled with domes, frescoes, statues and cabinets with carvings in bronze and other luxurious materials . The reddish tone continues to remain one of the main protagonists in its interior.
What to see inside the State Museum of Russian History
Over the years, the museum’s collection has been enriched and today it houses millions of pieces, some of great value, such as many of the works of art that the tsars acquired for centuries. It has also been receiving private contributions, so its rooms house very varied collections.
Today, it is possible to see from pieces found in archaeological sites to manuscripts, ancient icons, furniture, jewelry, weapons and even typical costumes of the country. You can also see some personal objects that belonged to Russian monarchs, including Ivan the Terrible or Peter the Great.
It also shows a wide collection of paintings made up of oils, watercolors and engravings. The collection of portraits of politicians stands out, not only Russians, there are also foreigners.
Some curious pieces
Among the pieces that make up the collections of this museum there are some really curious or significant. Among them, you can see a barge coming from the banks of the Volga River. There are also interesting manuscripts from the 6th to 12th centuries and countless pieces of traditional Russian pottery.
In addition, to all this, the museum keeps a spectacular collection of coins, made up of 1.7 million pieces. It is, in this way, the largest collection in the country.
In order not to miss anything, it is possible to visit with an audio guide, which will explain the importance of the most important documents and objects that are exhibited inside the State Museum of Russian History.
Moscow Red Square
We cannot leave the State Museum of Russian History without making a brief reference to the place where it is located: Red Square. It is a spectacular space 330 meters long by 70 wide in which you can admire some of the most representative buildings of the city, in addition to the museum.
To the west you can see the Kremlin, with its government buildings and cathedrals. To the south is the Saint Basil’s Cathedral, to the west the Lenin Mausoleum and on another of its sides are the spectacular GUM Warehouses.
As you can see, visiting the State Museum of Russian History is an excellent idea for your next trip to the city, since when you do, you will have many other things to see around it. Do not miss this opportunity!
Cover photo: George Groutas / Flickr.com
