Spending the Holidays in Moscow: A Visit to the State Historical Museum
Last weekend, I decided to visit the State Historical Museum in Moscow with my friends, and I'm excited to share our experience with you. The entrance is located on the side of Red Square, near the chapel, and the exit is near the Marshal Zhukov monument.
The adult ticket price is 700 rubles, but there are discounts for kids, students, and veterans - they get in for free, which is a great perk.
The State Historical Museum is a must-visit attraction in Moscow, thanks to its massive size and unique architecture. What sets it apart is that it showcases the history of the entire Russian state, not just a specific region or area.
I was really impressed by the building's design - it took 8 years to complete, from 1875 to 1883, with elements of Russian architecture. Check out those towers, arches, and more!
You can buy tickets online or at the ticket booths. Inside the museum, on the ground floor, there's a cloakroom and a super-clean restroom. After dropping off our stuff, we headed up to the exhibits, which are located on the upper floor. We had to climb a pretty steep staircase and turn left to get there.
As I walked into the first hall, I was struck by the ancient artifacts on display. The first few halls were dedicated to the daily lives of ancient people, their tools, and hunting equipment. I was amazed by the sheer number of different spearheads and tools on display, all showcased behind glass vitrines.
Right opposite, I found some incredible ancient animals on display, which gave me a real sense of what they looked like in life. The animal photos were also behind glass and lit up with special lighting.
The further I ventured into the museum, the more interesting it got. With 39 halls spread across three floors, each signed and labeled, I was blown away by the sheer scope of the exhibits. The first floor covered a massive time period, from ancient times to the reign of Peter the Great.
One of the standout features of this museum is the exhibit in the central hall. It's super informative, and I've seen groups of visitors with guides or school kids preparing for olympiads. The space is quite large, dedicated to Greek discoveries, with amphorae and wine, olive oil vessels, helmets, jewelry, and more from archaeological digs.
There's also a dolmen exhibit, which is really fascinating. They found remains of around 70 people, and it's estimated to be around 4,000 years old. It's believed to be a family tomb. To the left of the structure, there's a screen showing a reconstruction of how the dolmen was built.
Next to it, there's a wooden sarcophagus from the Kuban region, dating back to the first half of 2000 BC. Inside, they found a woman's remains and some personal items. The wooden structure is made from juniper wood. It was found inside a stone tomb.
Under the stairs leading from the first to the second floor, there are two adult carriages and one child's carriage. I saw a picture of one of the carriages, which is dated around 1760. It belonged to Countess A.A. Matyushkina and later to E.P. Glebova-Streshneva.
I was amazed by the historical significance of this carriage, which was delivered to the museum in 1928 straight from the Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo estate. These carriages were only used for ceremonial occasions, and it's amazing to think about the grandeur and opulence of the events they were part of.
And if that wasn't enough, the Historical Museum also hosts an exhibit called 'The Golden Treasury' - but don't expect to see gold scattered all over the place. Instead, it's a collection of items used by the wealthy and powerful, including things you'd find on a royal person's dressing table, gold coins, knight's armor, and more.
Check out this mitre, allegedly worn by a patriarch, adorned with precious gems and metal. The exhibit is a feast for the eyes, with stunning examples of churchware and sacred books. It's truly breathtaking.
I've got to say, this Naprestolnoe Evangeliye is a real showstopper. It's a silver gospel book with intricate enamel and gold details, dated back to 1749. And the frame? It's from 1785 - just stunning!
The Vas Vsenoshchny is another beautiful piece. It's a silver vessel used for blessing bread, wine, oil, and wheat during the evening service. And check out the gold details - it's dated back to 1789.
By the time we made it to the top floor, we were all pretty exhausted, but it was worth it to see this exhibit. And then we stumbled upon this incredible collection of Zakony Rossiyskoy Imperii - a complete set of Russian Empire laws. Each book is a thick tome that covers a specific time period, and there are 45 of them in total. The one lying open is the first one ever published.
I've seen some impressive thrones in my time, but this one takes the cake. This is the throne of Emperor Nicholas I, and it's a real showstopper. I love the fact that it was delivered to the museum from the Senate Chamber - you can just imagine it being used in all its glory. The upholstery is still in great condition, and you can tell it's been well-loved over the years.
Check out this photo of the field bed and greatcoat of an officer from the Imperial Guard. The greatcoat belonged to Nicholas I himself, and it's a real treasure. It's amazing to think that it protected him from the elements on his daily walks, and he even wore it at home. Talk about dedication to your uniform!
And look what's right opposite - a posthumous mask of the Emperor, created by the talented sculptor P.K. Clodt. This mask was used to create the famous monument to Nicholas I on Isaac's Square in St. Petersburg. It's a real masterpiece, and I'm so glad it's on display here.
The mask was created in 1855, and it's fascinating to see it up close. As an added bonus, the museum also has a mask of Nikolai Gogol - a real treat for literature lovers!
I was blown away by the sheer size of the museum's collection - it's massive! I only showed a tiny fraction of the exhibits, but trust me, there's something for everyone. We ended up spending about six hours there, and I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed.
Walking through the 39 galleries, it felt like we were taking a time machine through different eras of history. It's a real mind-bender, and I think that's what makes it so captivating.
I'd highly recommend this museum to anyone looking for a fascinating experience.