State Historical Museum

Constructed in the late 19th Century, the State Historical Museum's red bricked walls, conical turrets and ornate cornices make a grand addition Moscow's Red Square. Inside the frescoed halls of the vast edifice, all manner of treasures await the prospective explorer, including a retrospective of Russian history, with artefacts dating right back to its Neanderthal beginnings - check out the 5,000 year old long boat - plus plenty of glitz and glam furnishing from the the Ruski royals and aristocrats of the 19th century. Throw in half a million works of fine art on top of all that and you've got plenty to keep you busy!

"Excellent historical museum, from prehistoric time up until the Russian Revolution. Two floors, 2nd floor prehistoric - 1700, 3rd floor 1700ish - 1900 (Alexander III). English tour book (200R) for second floor only (they don't have a 3rd floor book in Russian yet either). Well worth the time, excellent exhibits, especially the military halls. If you are a history buff, a must see. Takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Separate fee to take non-flash pics, and if you don't look Russian, the little old ladies will want to see your camera pass(75R). Combo pass for this mueseum and St. Basil's, camera pass good for both. Nice way to spend some time around Red Square."

J. Wrenn
United States
Aug.25.2006
Overall rating 4/5