The best museums in Moscow in 2020

The Russian capital has a record number of museums attracting the attention of native Muscovites and visiting tourists. It will take more than one day to visit all of them. Therefore, connoisseurs of art and history traditionally choose the best and most interesting places. Large cultural institutions, where rich collections are kept, are especially popular. They are deservedly included in the list of museums that need to be visited in Moscow first in order to touch the rich historical heritage of our country.

Best museums in Moscow

State Historical Museum

Having got acquainted with the large-scale exposition of this museum, you can get the most vivid and complete picture of the historical events in Russia over several centuries. The museum was created by Emperor Alexander II in 1872. Then his unique collection began to form. A red brick building for this museum was specially erected on Red Square. For the first time, the museum received visitors in 1883. Then it was called the Imperial Russian Historical Museum.

Since then, the name of this cultural institution and its content have changed more than once in order to please the emerging situation in the state. The last major restoration on the museum building was completed by 2000. Its result was the return of the original historical appearance to the building and interiors. Now in the collection of the institution there are more than 5 million exhibits that provide a visual representation of the culture, economics, politics and other aspects of Russian life. The expositions cover the history of the state from antiquity to the 20th century.

The ceiling of the museum's main entrance is decorated with a family tree of Russian sovereigns. It was executed by the famous artist F.G. Toropov back in the 19th century. The exposition occupies 2 floors in the building and is arranged chronologically. Each room displays exhibits from a certain era. Among the exhibits are utensils and tools, old manuscripts and the first printed books, written sources and visual materials, clothing, weapons, coins, seals and many other interesting items.

• the richest historical museum;
• huge exposition;
• convenient division by halls and historical periods;
• flexible pricing policy;
• there are discounts and free tickets;
• convenient work schedule.

• not found.

Average cost of a visit for an adult visitor: 400 rubles.

State Tretyakov Gallery

The Tretyakov Gallery is rightfully considered the most famous Russian museum of national art. It is one of the most famous art museums in the world. This museum was founded in the middle of the 19th century. Its founder was a philanthropist, entrepreneur and hereditary merchant P.M. Tretyakov.He began collecting paintings and sculptures by Russian artists. The goal of this collection was to create the first public museum of fine arts in the state. To implement his plan, Tretyakov reconstructed his house, located in Lavrushensky Lane. In 1892, he handed over this mansion and the objects of art in it to the people. Now this building houses the main exposition of the Tretyakov Gallery. Here you can look at ancient Russian icons, paintings, sculptures, graphics and art products. The exposition covers the period up to the beginning of the 20th century.

Objects of art are collected in several thematic sections that tell about the development of Russian fine arts. It is in the Tretyakov Gallery that you can see the canvases of the great Russian painters Surikov, Repin, Shishkin, Levitan and many others. Also here are the works of painters who worked at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries.

In addition to the main building, the museum association includes the Church of St. Nicholas, the house-museum and apartment-museum of Vasnetsov, the house-museum of Korin, the museum-workshop of Golubkina and the building of the Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val.

• the richest collection of paintings, sculptures and other art objects;
• several buildings;
• convenient working hours;
• reasonable ticket prices;
• there are benefits and free tickets for certain categories of citizens.

• during school holidays there is a large flow of visitors.

Admission fee for an adult visitor: 500 rubles.

State Museum of Fine Arts named after A.S. Pushkin

This museum was founded in 1912. Then it was named the Museum of Fine Arts and was named after the Emperor Alexander III. Now this museum is the keeper of the largest collection of fine art from abroad in Russia. The museum was founded by Professor of Moscow University I.V. Tsvetaev, a former philologist and art critic. At the beginning of the museum's work, it was he who became its leader. The museum acquired its current name in the 1930s.

Now it is a large museum complex, located in several buildings. But the largest exhibit is in the main building. It was built in the neo-Greek style by the architect R.I. Klein. It is also a historical value and an architectural monument. There are 30 halls on two floors of this museum. Here you can see objects of art from antiquity, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well as paintings by European artists from the 17th to the beginning of the 19th century. The hall called "Greek courtyard" is especially popular with visitors. Here you can look at casts from antique reliefs and statues. Also interesting is the "Italian Courtyard" exposition, which conveys the atmosphere of the courtyard of the Florentine Palazzo Bargello. Here you can see famous sculptures by European masters. Separate rooms are dedicated to the works of such great creators as Rembrandt and Michelangelo.

In addition to the excursions that are held in the museum on the permanent exhibitions, there are periodically thematic events, lectures, concerts.

• the opportunity to see objects of art, painting and sculpture by European masters;
• interesting excursions;
• seasonal thematic exhibitions;
• many cultural events;
• reasonable ticket prices;
• convenient work schedule;
• there are benefits.

• not found.

Ticket price for an adult visitor: 400 rubles.

Cathedral of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin

Another name for this architectural monument of Moscow is St. Basil's Gathering. It is a working Orthodox church and one of the largest Russian museums.

The cathedral was built in the middle of the 16th century after the capture of Kazan. The initiator of the construction was Tsar Ivan the Terrible. The history of the construction of this unique architectural monument is still not fully understood. For example, it is not clear who the author of the project was. The cathedral has a very complex but well thought-out structure.First, 8 churches were built on a common foundation, which were crowned with multi-colored onion-shaped chapters. They were united around the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin. The temple, in turn, ended with an octagonal tent. A few years after the completion of the construction, another small church was built in memory of St. Basil the Blessed. The complex of churches is united by two galleries. One of them is internal, the other is external, intended for bypassing. To avoid getting lost in a complex, huge building, it is more convenient to visit the museum accompanied by a guide. In addition, such an excursion provides an opportunity to get acquainted with the details of the construction of the temple and get acquainted with the relics stored in it.

• a huge historical building;
• operating temple;
• organize excursions;
• affordable ticket prices;
• works seven days a week;
• there is a possibility of free admission for certain categories of citizens.

• complex architecture, easy to get lost.

Admission fee for adults: 500 rubles.

the Moscow Kremlin

The first museum in the Moscow Kremlin was opened in 1806. Then, visitors could visit the Armory. In Soviet times, in addition to the treasures of the Armory, it became possible to inspect the exhibits of several Kremlin cathedrals and churches, the Patriarch's Chambers.

The museum's expositions are located in different buildings, which themselves are historical and architectural monuments. The oldest of them were built at the end of the 15th century. Many buildings from this complex have retained their historic interior decoration. The Kremlin museums keep items related to different genres of art. From them you can get an idea of ​​how the ceremonies were held in different historical eras. It also houses old icons, manuscripts, prints and valuable photographs. Of particular value are metal products made by Russian and foreign craftsmen. Also interesting is the collection of horse equipment and carriages, state decorations.

The Museum-Reserve is engaged not only in organizing interesting exhibitions. Here they are engaged in educational work, organize seminars and conferences at the highest level, hold contests, lectures, creative concerts and festivals.

• unification of large museums;
• there is an opportunity to see exhibitions related to the history of autocracy in Russia;
• it is possible to purchase a single ticket to view several structures;
• provide benefits and discounts;
• there is a possibility of free admission for certain categories of citizens;
• group excursions can be organized;
• provide an audio guide upon request.

• high prices.

Admission fee for adults: 1000 rubles.

State Literary Museum

The date of the organization of this museum is 1934. Here are collected items related to Russian literature. Now the institution is one of the largest museums in the world of this kind. It comprehensively covers Russian literature, its history from its origins in ancient times, the period of formation and today's significant events. The museum contains a huge collection of works, manuscripts of authors, archival correspondence of writers, rare samples of publications, personal belongings of famous writers, photographs, sound recordings, valuable documents and other items. From the exhibits in the collection of the institution, more than a dozen memorials were organized, which are located in other buildings of the capital and the nearest Moscow region.

This institution not only organizes exhibitions and expositions. Creative meetings, literary readings, performances, concerts are often held here.

• many exhibits related to Russian literature of all times;
• organize concerts, literary readings, performances and other events;
• affordable prices;
• there are benefits and discounts;
• convenient working mode;
• organization of excursions;
• audio guide;
• individual guide;
• there is an opportunity to purchase a subscription.

• not found.

Visit price for adults: 200 rubles.

Diamond Fund of Russia

The museum that stores most of the riches of Russia is located in the building of the Armory. The exhibits that are part of the Gokhran fund are kept here. Although the institution was formally created only in 1920, its collection began to be collected in the time of Peter I. By order of the emperor, things belonging to the state began to be kept here. The collection of the Diamond Fund was constantly replenished with various items adorned with precious stones. Now these art objects are of great material and significance for history.

When visiting the museum, guests can personally see the crown of the emperor, orders, signs, scepter, orb and other regalia of the supreme power. There are also other samples of jewelry, nuggets of precious metals, unusual precious stones.

• convenient work schedule;
• interesting exposition;
• there are benefits and the possibility of free admission for certain categories of citizens;
• affordable visit price.

• you can not take pictures;
• many other restrictions.

Visit price for adults: 500 rubles.

Polytechnical Museum

The impetus for the organization of this museum was the desire of Russian society in the second half of the 19th century for technical progress and knowledge in the natural sciences. The first exhibits were transported to the Museum of Polytechnic Knowledge from the All-Russian Polytechnic Exhibition held in 1872. Then this museum became known as the Polytechnic.

The sphere of interest of this museum was constantly expanding. Over time, the museum has turned from a simple repository of unusual devices and devices into an institution that popularizes science in various spheres of human life.

Now the museum is undergoing reconstruction. It involves the opening of three galleries of different themes in the main building. One of them will be devoted to energy, the other to information, and the third to matter. During the reconstruction, the ideas embodied by the Polytechnic Museum were revised. It is now an institution that is not afraid to conduct experiments and seeks to bring together past technical achievements, modern research work and future scientific achievements under its roof.

While reconstruction in the main building is underway, you can see the exposition, which is available on the territory of VDNKh.

• will be of interest to people interested in scientific achievements;
• affordable ticket price;
• constantly organize thematic exhibitions;
• there is a possibility of preferential visits.

• the main building is undergoing reconstruction.

Adult ticket price: 300 rubles.

Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics

The reason for the founding of this museum was the twentieth anniversary of the first flight into space of Gagarin. But even before 1981, not far from the main entrance of VDNKh, a monument was erected called the Conquerors of Space. The first exhibits of the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics were documents, materials in the form of photographs and filming, space technology, items belonging to designers and astronauts, collections of coins and stamps, paintings and other items related to space.

The reconstruction of the museum was completed several years ago. Its result was an increase in exhibition space, a complete change in appearance, the introduction of the latest developments in the museum business. In recent years, interactive exhibits have appeared in the form of a spacecraft simulator, a small section of a full-size space station, a miniature image of the Mission Control Center and others. For those who wish, you can organize a virtual tour.

• an extensive collection of items related to space;
• the possibility of organizing traveling exhibitions and corporate events;
• convenient working mode;
• convenient location in the city center;
• there are benefits and the possibility of free admission for certain categories of citizens;
• there is an opportunity to take pictures and shoot videos;
• audio guide;
• low cost of tickets.

• photo and video filming are paid.

Adult ticket price: 250 rubles.

Moscow Museum of Modern Art

This museum appeared relatively recently. Its creation was initiated by Zurab Tsereteli, who is the president of the Russian Academy of Arts. The museum was opened in 1999 and the first exhibits were items from the personal collection of the famous artist.

In the following years, the collection expanded rapidly. Now here are collected objects of art created from the beginning of the last century to the present in Russia and abroad. The main exhibition halls are located in the historical mansion on Petrovka, which is a building of the late 18th century by the architect Kazakov. In addition to this building, the museum has several more open areas.

In the historical part of the collection of museum exhibits, you can see the works of avant-garde artists Chagall, Malevich, Burliuk, Kandinsky and others. The further development of this direction of painting is also presented here. Other halls present the work of nonconformists, works of foreign artists. Here you can also see modern trends in painting, sculpture and graphics, art objects, installations and photography.

• different directions of modern creativity;
• works of avant-garde artists;
• contemporary creativity;
• organize excursions and exhibitions, master classes;
• low ticket prices;
• there are benefits and discounts.

• not found.

The exact date of the construction of this estate is not known, but the first mentions of it are found in documents from the first half of the 14th century. At that time, by order of the kings, several churches were erected here, which have survived to this day. The estate reached its heyday during the reign of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, when gardens were planted here, palaces were built. Later, the estate became the residence of the young Tsar Peter I. Not far from it, the Tsar staged amusing battles. Later, other rulers of Russia made their changes to the appearance of the park and palace. Many of them have survived to this day. The museum was organized here in 1923. One of the directions of his activity was work on the study and restoration of historical monuments.

The Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve is now of interest to tourists from all over Russia and foreign countries. This is a large-scale structure with numerous architectural and historical monuments, beautiful nature and a rich collection of artifacts. In recent years, an ethnographic complex of buildings has been created here, consisting of a peasant's estate, a beekeeper's house, a stable, a forge, and a water mill. Now the institution is engaged in the construction of interactive forms that are designed to more fully immerse the guests of the museum in the historical era.

• a huge open-air museum complex;
• interesting expositions;
• free entrance to the estate museum;
• affordable prices for viewing individual expositions;
• benefits and discounts.

• not found.

Exposition inspection price for an adult: 100 rubles.

Information on location and ticket prices

Name	Address	Schedule	Visit cost
State Historical Museum	Red Square, 1	Monday - Sunday: 10: 00-18: 00 Friday, Saturday: 10: 00-21: 00 Tuesday - closed	From a free ticket to 900 rubles, depending on the day of the month, category of citizens, visiting program
State Tretyakov Gallery	Lavrushinsky lane, 10	Mon - Closed Tue, Wed, Sun 10:00 - 18:00 Thu, Fri, Sat 10:00 - 21:00	From a free ticket up to 500 rubles, depending on the category of citizens
State Museum of Fine Arts. A.S. Pushkin	st. Volkhonka, 12	TUE, Wed, Sat, Sun: from 11:00 to 20:00 ticket office (entrance) from 11:00 to 19:00 Thurs, Fri: from 11:00 to 21:00 ticket office (entrance) from 11:00 to 20:00 MON: day off	From a free ticket to 400 rubles, depending on the category of citizens
St. Basil's Cathedral	Red Square	November 8 - April 30: 11: 00-17: 00, daily May 1 - May 31: 11: 00-18: 00, daily First Wednesday of the month - cleaning day	From a free ticket to 1200 rubles, depending on the category of citizens, the visit program
the Moscow Kremlin	Red Square	from 9.30 to 18.00 day off - Thursday	From a free ticket to 1000 rubles, depending on the category of citizens, time and visit program
State Literary Museum	Petrovka, 28	Tue, Fri, Sat, Sun - from 11: 00-18: 00 (ticket office until 17:30) Wed, Thu - from 11: 00-21: 00 (ticket office until 20:30) Mon - day off	From a free ticket up to 4000 rubles, depending on the category of citizens and the chosen visit program
Diamond fund	Red Square	daily, except Thursday, from 10:00 to 18:15	From a free ticket up to 500 rubles, depending on the category of citizens
State Polytechnic Museum	Prospect Mira, 119	Mon-Fri 10: 00-19: 00	From a free ticket to 300 rubles, depending on the category of citizens
Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics	Prospect Mira, 111	Mon Closed Tue, Wed, Fri, Sun 10:00 — 19:00 Thu, Sat 10:00 — 21:00	From a free ticket to 650 rubles, depending on the category of citizens
Moscow Museum of Modern Art	Ermolaevsky lane, 17	Mon - closed, Tue-Sun 12: 00-21: 00	From 50 rubles to 2500 rubles, depending on the category of citizens and the chosen program
Kolomenskoe	Ave. Andropova, 39	daily, 8:00 am - 9:00 pm	From a free ticket to 850 rubles, depending on the category of citizens and the chosen program

The capital of Russia has a huge number of museums in different directions. Those presented in our selection are among the most visited and interesting for most visitors. Therefore, choosing one of them, you will spend your time interesting, informative and profitable for yourself.