A Museum That'll Keep You Captivated for Hours + Tons of Photos

I've been walking by this museum for ages, but it wasn't until I saw a review from someone I trust that I finally decided to go inside. And boy, was I pleasantly surprised! So, if you're in the area, I'd definitely recommend checking it out.

The museum is located on the 4th and 5th floors, which is a bit weird, but I later found out that the entire second floor is used for government offices. That's probably why I never thought to go in before - I was worried about running into residents.

Grand entranceInterestingly, the famous Soviet politician Sergey Mironovich Kirov used to live on the 4th floor before his untimely death. It's crazy to think about how much history is packed into this building.

Memory PlaqueThe museum spans two floors: the fourth floor houses Kirov's memorial apartment and the exhibition 'The Soviet Man - The Emotional Man', which features Kirov as the main character. This exhibit showcases the Soviet man as an ordinary person experiencing various emotions (pain, fear, joy, pride, etc.). In the section on 'sorrow', there are numerous photos of Mironych's funeral, and it's clear that the people of Leningrad truly valued and mourned his passing as the first secretary of the Leningrad Oblast Committee. The most striking exhibit, however, is the recreated dentist's office, which is part of the 'pain' emotion theme.Dentist's Office from the Early Soviet EraOn the fifth floor, you'll find the ticket counter, coat check, restroom, and a small but noteworthy exhibit on Soviet childhood. I didn't take many photos of it, but there are some interesting details, such as the various options for Soviet revolutionary names.

Bathrooms for visitors, done the old way - with a partitionOkay, so besides the main attraction, they've also got some interactive exhibits in some of the rooms that weren't really important back in the day. They're all about the daily life of working-class people in the 1920s and 1930s - hunger, six-day workweeks, and all that jazz. They even have a little game that's both fun and educational.

I'm getting to the good stuff now - the main exhibit.

Sergey Mironovich Kirov was a true Renaissance man - he loved reading, classical music, and even sang opera arias with perfect pitch. He was also an avid hunter who'd often cook his own kill, and his flat is literally stuffed with taxidermied animals he'd hunted himself.

Walking into the apartment, I was blown away by how much of the original decor was still intact – the study and library were almost completely preserved, with about 90% of the original furniture. It's an incredible feeling, getting to touch these things, even if it's just with my eyes – it's like I'm getting a glimpse into history. That's the famous libraryThe record player cabinetTake the living room, for example – every piece of furniture is the real deal, and I can only imagine the countless meals that were shared at that table, including the time Stalin himself sat down with Kirov, who was basically his buddy.

A Table Fit for a Leader A Living Room Fit for a President I've always been impressed by the way Soviet leaders like Kirov showed their respect for Stalin - every room in his house had a portrait of the man. A First-Ever Soviet Plastic Pipe Unfortunately, the bedrooms and bathroom weren't preserved - back then, personal spaces were off-limits, so when the museum was first set up, those rooms were completely dismantled. However, the bedframe was later reconstructed from sketches and even using the same materials. If you're curious about how Soviet leaders spent their downtime, I recommend a visit to the museum. A Bizarre Bidet Replica The bathroom still has the sink, but the bathtub and bidet were reconstructed from blueprints - and that bidet is actually a papier-mâché replica! I wouldn't have guessed it if the guide hadn't told me. Besides the first-ever Soviet plastic pipe, the house-museum also features other unique items, like a perfectly preserved refrigerator-icebox

The Kirov IceboxNow, I've seen some old-school refrigerators in my time, but the Kirov Icebox from 1933 takes the cake. It was the first fridge in the Soviet Union, and it was a game-changer. The unique motor on top was a real showstopper, and it's amazing to think about how far we've come since then.

The First Fridge in the USSRThe last room in the museum is a real treat, with a recreation of Sergei Kirov's office from Smolny. It's a great way to see what life was like back then, and it's amazing to think about the significance of this building.

Kirov's Posthumous MaskBut the house itself is also a museum piece, with some of the original decor from 1912 still intact. It's a real time capsule, and it's amazing to see what life was like back then.

Check out this window, with its original frame still intact.

Original 1912 WindowThe kitchen is also a great spot, with a still-functional wood-burning stove and two sinks - one for dirty work and one for washing your hands after a long day.

The Remaining Wood-Burning StoveI was impressed by how well-preserved everything is, and it's clear that a lot of effort went into restoring this historic home.

I have to say, the museum really gets personal with Kirov's belongings on display, and it's so fascinating that I ended up walking around the museum before the tour, then again during the tour, and even a third time after I'd learned some new stuff.

So, if you're planning to visit, definitely take the tour - it's worth every kopek (around 400 rubles) because you'll leave with a ton of interesting, organized facts.

xa0

I'm still stoked about it even a week after visiting, and I'm not apologizing for my lengthy review.

xa0

Kirov Museum

Saint Petersburg

Kamenoostrovsky Prospekt, house 26-28