Русский музей /The State Russian Museum

The State Russian Museum is the world’s largest collection of Russian art. It was the first museum of Russian art, initiated by Emperor Alexander III. Later, in 1895, Emperor Nicholas II signed a decree ordering “The foundation of a special establishment named ‘The Russian Museum of Emperor Alexander III’”. The solemn opening of the Russian Museum took place on March 19 (7), 1898. The museum collection contains over 400 000 exhibits covering all major periods and trends in the history of Russian art, all main types and genres from the X to the XXI century. The main retrospective exhibition of the museum is located in Mikhailovsky Palace and in the Benois Wing. The collection is accommodated in buildings that are outstanding monuments of the XVIII-XIX century architecture: Mikhailovsky, Stroganov, Marble Palaces, and Mikhailovsky Castle. Mikhailovsky Garden, Summer Garden and Peter I’s Summer Palace as well as Cabin of Peter the Great are also part of the museum complex.