Russian Museum

The State Russian Museum, housed in the Neoclassical Mikhailovsky Palace on Arts Square, is the world's largest depository of Russian fine art. Its collection spans Russian art from the 10th century to the 21st century, covering everything from old icon painting to contemporary works. The museum also includes several other historic buildings, such as the Summer Palace of Peter I, the Marble Palace, St Michael's Castle, and the Stroganov Palace.

Don't miss

• The Mikhailovsky Palace, a Neoclassical former residence of Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich, designed by Carlo Rossi (1819–1825).
• Italianate opulent interiors of the former imperial residence, still preserved in some halls.
• The Benois Building (Corpus Benua), designed by architect Leon Benois and completed in 1919.
• Kazimir Malevich's Black Square, part of the collection since the Russian Revolution.
• Russian art from the 10th to the 21st century, including old icon painting and contemporary art.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Russian Museum

Cheapest way inImagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art General Admission4.2★ · 24 travelers1-2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$5 per personSee dates →Most bookedVatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour4.5★ · 40,902 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$80 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleVatican Museum, Sistine Chapel & St. Peters Basilica Private Tour4.9★ · 39 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$408 per personSee dates →

Getting there

Know before you go

• The museum is located on Arts Square, off Nevsky Prospekt, Saint Petersburg's main avenue.
• The main building is the Mikhailovsky Palace; other buildings include the Summer Palace of Peter I, the Marble Palace, St Michael's Castle, and the Stroganov Palace.
• The collection covers all genres of Russian art from the 10th century to the 21st century.

A bit of history

The museum was established on April 13, 1896, by Emperor Nicholas II to commemorate his father, Alexander III. Its original collection came from the Hermitage Museum, Alexander Palace, and the Imperial Academy of Arts. The grand opening took place on March 17, 1898. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, many private collections were nationalized and moved here, including Kazimir Malevich's Black Square.