The State Russian Museum comprises the old Mikhailovskiy Palace and Castle, the Stroganov Palace, the Marble Palace and the Cabin of Peter the Great. The museum has in excess of 400,000 pieces of art, so it definitely needs the space to showcase them all in their splendour. Marvel at the sheer scale of the exhibits as well as the quality of work on display.
Czar Alexander III was an avid collector of his country’s art and his son, Nicholas II, set up the museum in memory of his father in 1898. He used Mikhailovsky Palace for the purpose, once the home of Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich. Carlo Rossi’s neoclassical building is a work of art in itself, with an imposing yellow and white exterior facing onto large well-kept lawns. Thanks to the Communist government seizing many priceless Russian masterpieces, the State Russian Museum has amassed a massive amount of works to exhibit.
Begin at the Mikhailovsky Palace, walking up past its landscaped lawns to inspect the façade in more detail. Notice the fine eagle and armoury sculptures, as well as the detailed relief crowning the palace. Go inside to start exploring the museum’s main collection. Some of the most popular permanent exhibitions in the palace include the religious icons from the depths of Russian history, paintings by the 18th-century Wanderers group, who wanted to create Russian art with a realistic edge. The otherworldly work of symbolist Mikhail Vrubel, who died in 1910, and fellow artist Nikolai Roerich are also worth seeing.
Head over to the Marble Palace to see one of the many temporary exhibitions staged by the State Russian Museum or its two permanent exhibits, Rzhevsky Brothers Collection and the Ludwig Museum, which house art from the turn of and the latter part of the 20th century respectively. The main attraction at the Mikhailovsky Castle is the host of sculptures it has from the last 200 years, while the fine collection of porcelain at the Stroganov Palace is also a must-see.
Use St. Petersburg’s metro system to access all the State Russian Museum sites. The museum complex is open every day except Tuesday. There is an admission fee to access its venues.
