Museums, Saint Petersburg

This is the oldest museum in St. Petersburg. It houses many historical artifacts from around the world, but the thing that most people come to see are the collection of oddities on the top floor! Deformed babies, weird animals, body parts, all nicely preserved in jars! Don't eat a big meal before you visit.

I didn't get a chance to see this museum until one of my last days in St. Petersburg. I had a couple hours to spare and stopped in, and it was absolutely worthwhile. I really enjoyed the exhibits of the shoes, and Jews, from Russia and central Asia (no, really - those were the two exhibits I saw, shoes and Jews). But also, as you can see in the photo, the marble interior upon entering the palace-museum is also incredible to see.

This is a great museum full of Russian art, not to be missed. While it isn't as overwhelming as the Hermitage, you definitely want to devote a good part of the day to this museum. If you're short on time, figure out what you want to see and head to that part of the museum. The first time I went, we started going around chronologically and didn't end up getting to the really neat collection of 20th century Russian art in the far wing of the building.

It is in this flat that Dostoevsky wrote one of his most famous books - The Brothers Karamazov. It is where he died in 1881. There are artefacts of the writer to be found here - such as his walking stick and umbrella. The rooms within have been restored to give you an idea of how things would have been during the time of Dostoevsky.

To visit the museum, only an hour need to be scheduled to see everything of interest.

This cathedral contains the museum of Religion (previously the museum of atheism under Stalin). Unfortunately during my trip, the building was closed for refurbishment. Given the work that seemed to be taking place, it will be closed for quite a while. I personally was disappointed at being unable to visit the museum as I studied the early 20th Century church in Russia. I suppose there will be something new for me to visit when I return to the city.

It is situated in the palace that once belonged to the ballet dancer Matilda Kshesinskaya. It was taken over by the Bolsheviks. As well as showing the political history of the country there are some rooms dedicated to the memory of the great ballerina.

It is worth having a guide as almost everything is written in Russian - though there are a few helpful attendents who seem all too eager to practice their English.

There seems to be a distinct lack of info from 1917 until the arrival of Gorbachev. There are various colourful posters and other literature that has managed to creep in though.

Open: Daily 10am to 6pm except Thursday

A great display of different cultures of the former republics of the Soviet Union and also from around the world. The collection includes costumes, tools and weapons.

My favourite part of the museum was Peter the Greats personal collection of curiosities which includes some preserved abnormal animals and body parts. The most noted exhibit is some Siamese twins which have been preserved.

Open: 11am-5.45pm(except Thursday)

Admission: 100R

There were a lot of rooms to visit in the General Staff Building.

The first part was filled with portraits, uniforms, weapons of Russian Officers.

In the second part there were a big collection of international gifts, which were given to the Russian Foreign Ministry.

And in the third part there was a lot of Russian religious art work.

Via a small staircase I arrived at the top floor, there was a small chapel. This chapel was decorated with some magnificent Icons.

Like the one at my picture:

Smolensk Icon to the Theotokos
It dates from the 19th century, frame made by Master Unger, St Petersburg.
Oil on panel, Silver, Gilded and Chased.