Timeless Treasures: State Russian Museum
The State Russian Museum boasts one of the largest collections of Russian fine arts globally, standing as a counterpart to Moscow’s Tretyakov Gallery.
Founded in 1895 by Nicholas II in honor of his father, Tsar Alexander III, the museum opened its doors to the public in 1898. The Mikhailovskiy Palace serves as its main building, and the museum proudly oversees various imperial structures throughout the city. Notable among them are the Summer Palace of Peter I, Marble Palace of Count Orlov, St. Michael’s Castle of Emperor Paul, and the Rastrelliesque Stroganov Palace. These sites regularly host diverse temporary exhibitions.
Spanning from the 11th century, the museum houses an exceptional collection of Russian artwork. The revolution significantly enriched its holdings as several paintings from private collections and other museums found a new home within its walls. In a departure from conventional museum layouts, the State Russian Museum opts for a collective display, presenting art from different centuries without allocating separate rooms to specific time periods.
