Vladimir Vysotsky was a legendary artist, poet, and bard whose fame was so immense that it's almost embarrassing for a normal person. Maybe that's why Vladimir Semenovich Vysotsky lived and died the way he did. He could have been a superstar with sold-out concerts on the main stage if only he'd been a bit more... agreeable.
Today, anyone can get to know Vysotsky's life story in detail and visit museums dedicated to his work. One such museum is the State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, located in Moscow.
WHERE is it located? The museum is situated on Vysotsky Street, number 3, in Moscow. The nearest metro stations are TTAGANSKAYA-KOLTSOVAYA (it's actually closer), MARXISTSKAYA, and TTAGANSKAYA-RADIALNAYA (they're a bit farther away).
OPENING HOURS for the Vysotsky Museum on TTAGANKA are from 11 am to 6 pm, with Mondays being the only day off. Monday's not the best day for tourists in Moscow, as most places are closed.
The official website of the Vysotsky Museum on TTAGANKA (direct link) is super informative, with plenty of sections to read and explore. It's clear that the museum and its website were created with love and a desire to share their knowledge, not just to make money from ticket sales.
On the website, you'll also find information about free admission days, which is how our family managed to visit the museum on one such day – Moscow Museum Week, where every day for seven days, museums and galleries on the list offered free entry.
Moscow Museum Week, official site (direct link) - the page on the official site of the Moscow Government and the Mayor of Moscow, which (site) is important for city residents, but also interesting in itself and for tourists.
WHAT'S on display at the Vysotsky Museum on Taganka in Moscow (do we need to go there)) -
The State Vladimir Vysotsky Museum, Moscow. cinema hall
On the first floor, the exhibition is called 'The Beginning of the Journey' - young Vladimir Vysotsky, some things from his family, his childhood letters to his mom, various official statements from his adult years (how his handwriting changed, even though I took a graphology course);
The State Vladimir Vysotsky Museum, Moscow
State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscow. Letter from Vladimir Vysotsky to his mom.(the second-floor exhibit is probably more recognizable to modern young people, and not so much to others - a small movie theater, a posthumous mask of Vysotsky, Hamlet-Vysotsky...
the family members of Vysotsky are listed on the wall, with a prominent metal stencil; it's just an art object, but it's interesting and original
State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscow
State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscowxa0
behind the glass case are historical items and personal belongings of the Vysotsky family that have been preserved;
and for humanity (yes!) - bread ration cards from 1947, which were issued to families during World War II and for a few years after
State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscow. Bread ration cards from 1947.xa0
The Vladimir Vysotsky State Museum in Moscowxa0
The Vladimir Vysotsky State Museum in Moscow. A 1947 bread card.xa0
Right there, you'll find that famous first Soviet TV, the KVN. It's not the modern TV show 'KVN' - that's a completely different thing. 'KVN' is actually an abbreviation for the first Soviet TV, named after its creators.
The Vladimir Vysotsky State Museum in Moscow
The Vladimir Vysotsky State Museum in Moscowxa0
And in that hall, there's an interactive 'Timeline' on the wall - it's really cool. You can listen to Vysotsky performing his songs while you move along the timeline. The timeline lists various dates, events from around the world and Vysotsky's life, his songs, film and theater titles, and more. You can set a marker, press a button, and listen to Vysotsky - although I'm not entirely sure how to combine them, I didn't ask the museum staff for help;
The State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscow
The State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscow
The State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscow
The State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, MoscowThis living room is super recognizable for many, and a shocking revelation for most modern young people... (who even didn't believe the recent buzzworthy film about 'street slang,' thinking it was exaggerated, Hollywood-style)
The State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscow. Living room of a small apartment on Malaya Gruzinskayaxa0
Vladimir Vysotsky Museum, Moscow. Cozy living space in a flat on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street.
This cozy little corner (if you must know) is actually a living space from Vladimir Vysotsky's flat on Malaya Gruzinskaya Street.
The recreated living room is the same one where Vysotsky celebrated his new home in the flat on Malaya Gruzinskaya. The wall, furniture, sofa, armchair, TV – everything is exactly as Vysotsky had it set up back in the day. His favorite books line the shelves and cabinets, along with his audio equipment, gifts, and souvenirs with heartfelt messages from friends. Photos and audio recordings taken in that very living room capture the spirit of hospitality and genuine heartfelt friendship that filled the space.
Be careful not to lean on the glass partition – or you'll trigger the alarm, and a museum staff member will come over to remind you to be more careful, but they won't fine you... just be more mindful, okay?
The kitchen is, well, pretty standard, to be honest.
Vladimir Vysotsky Museum, Moscow. Kitchen
This building was once a regular residential flat, and the museum was actually created by one of Vysotsky's sons. The staircase to the second floor is narrow and steep; you can read more about it on the museum's website.
According to the website, even on free admission days, the Memorial Cabinet still requires a separate fee – we didn't get to visit that part, as our visit coincided with a scheduled session. You can find more information on the museum's website.
Vladimir Vysotsky State Museum, Moscow
Vladimir Vysotsky State Museum, Moscow. Memorial Cabinet of Vysotsky's working hours
I was blown away by the second-floor exhibit featuring a posthumous mask of Vysotsky's face behind glass. I know the sculptor who created the memorial for Vysotsky's grave on Vagankovskoye Cemetery was frustrated that he couldn't convince Vysotsky to remove the mask during his lifetime. Vysotsky would just laugh and say he didn't want to be turned into some kind of idol or deity.
Vladimir Vysotsky State Museum, Moscow. Posthumous mask of Vysotsky
If you're not familiar with Vysotsky's family, the museum has interactive displays that dive deep into their stories.
There's also a roundtable where you can sit back in comfortable chairs and listen to some of Vysotsky's songs in his own voice. It's amazing to hear how his voice was younger and smoother back in the day.
State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscow
State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscowxa0
I stopped in front of one of these interactive displays, which show on black-and-white photos how people really felt about Vysotsky - Vladimir Vysotsky passed away in the midst of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow, when there were extra security measures, and anyone in a group of three or more was viewed with suspicion by the police. It was a really somber atmosphere, and it's amazing to see how people came out to bid farewell to a 42-year-old man who had left such a huge impact on their lives.
State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscowxa0
State Museum of Vladimir Vysotsky, Moscowxa0
Old record players and tape decks aren't just on display at the Vysotsky Museum - it's thanks to Vysotsky's friends and later his fans that his songs were shared. At first, Vysotsky would give his friends his songs, they'd pass them on to their friends on these reel-to-reel tapes, and so on. That's how we listened to Vysotsky...
(and without any fancy arrangements, we could make out every word... nothing like the current ear-piercing 'singing' of our ...-pop idols)
Vysotsky State Museum, Moscowxa0
Vysotsky State Museum, Moscowxa0
Vysotsky State Museum, Moscowxa0
...How much time should you set aside to visit the Vysotsky Museum on Taganka.
At least a few hours. From the outside, the Dom-Museum building seems small, but inside, it's packed with interesting exhibits. And it's not just about the Vysotsky family - back then, every family's life was intertwined with the country's.
There are comfy sofas for resting in the first-floor hall, and comfy armchairs in the cinema on the second floor.
The Vladimir Vysotsky Museum in Moscow, a photo of the Hamlet exhibit.
How to get to the Vysotsky Museum on Taganka.
It's on Vysotsky Street, number 3. Look for the entrance and exit of Taganskaya-Koltsevaya metro station and the building of the Theater on Taganka. The museum is right between them.
You can also walk from the exit of Taganskaya-Radialnaya or Marxistskaya metro stations, and the Theater on Taganka is a great landmark to follow.
I highly recommend visiting the Vysotsky Museum on Taganka, even if it's just to say you've been. It's a piece of our history and culture.
The Vladimir Vysotsky Museum in Moscow
The Vladimir Vysotsky Museum in Moscow, another exhibit.
Other museums in Moscow that I also recommend visiting (if you're interested, that is) are the Zurbaz Tsereteli Museum-Workshop.
This museum features massive sculptures by Tsereteli.
The Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center in Moscow - I noticed it doesn't participate in Museum Week, but it has its own day for free admission.
The Museum of Victory in Victory Park on Poklonnaya Hill - honestly, it's a must-visit for young people! I'm dead serious.
The Tsar-Maker Museum-Diorama in Moscow - online, people often add VDNH to the name, but the Tsar-Maker is actually nowhere near VDNH; it's a great museum, not boring, interesting, and thought-provoking.
The Mega Museum of the USSR in Sochi - it's exactly where you can see everything people used to enjoy back in the days of Vysotsky, for example be careful with this museum - some say it can ruin your vacation vibe completely
Thanks for reading!
Keep moving forward... but don't forget about the past...