State Museum of A.S. Pushkin, Moscow

State Museum of A.S. Pushkin, Moscow

Photo by Орест Адамович Кипренский on Wikipedia

The State Museum of A.S. Pushkin is a scientific, cultural and educational centre and one of the largest literary museums in Russia, dedicated to Russia’s favourite poet, Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin. Pushkin is considered the founding father of the modern Russian language and literature, as he merged colloquial Russian with the language used by high society of the time into masterpieces which are still adored centuries later. The museum is a must-visit for anyone with an interest in Russian culture, particularly in the Golden Age of Russian literature - also known as the ‘Age of Pushkin’.

The museum’s 200,000 exhibits showcase the life and work of Pushkin and place him in his historical and cultural context. The exhibitions are spread over several museum branches and encompass portraits, book illustrations, engravings, lithographs, delicate period furniture, films, photographs, and a huge selection of literature from Pushkin’s epoch, including original books, magazines and manuscripts; there are over 90,000 pieces in the book collection alone. Aside from exhibition activities the museum has an active publishing programme and organises lectures, excursions, literary and musical evenings, concerts, festival events, and conferences.

What can you see at the State Museum of A.S. Pushkin?

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• Main branch

The main branch of the State Museum of A.S. Pushkin is situated in an Empire-style mansion formerly owned by the aristocratic Khrushchev-Seleznev family. During the Soviet period the building was home to the Museum of Toys, a literary museum dedicated to Vladimir Mayakovsky, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally in 1957 became the State Museum of A.S. Pushkin.

A number of permanent exhibitions are held in the museum. ‘Pushkin and his era’ occupies 15 halls of the main mansion and presents the poet’s life and creative path in the context of 19th century culture and history, through portraits, decorative and applied art, books, and manuscripts. ‘Pushkin’s Tales’ is an interactive exhibition of 3D scenes revealing the magic of Pushkin’s fairy tales. Visitors can also visit the bookshop and literary cafe, where all the dishes are based on Pushkin’s works.

• Memorial Apartment of A.S. Pushkin

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The museum is located on one of the oldest and most beautiful streets of Moscow, in a house formerly owned by the Khitrovo family. This is the only surviving residence of Pushkin, where he spent the first months of his married life (and his bachelor party!) here in 1831. Later, the house was the residence of the younger brother of Tchaikovsky, and then a Soviet-era theatre run by Vsevolod Meyerhold and Vladimir Mayakovsky. After the house was recognised as a monument of state significance, the museum was opened in 1986 on the 155th anniversary of the great poet’s wedding anniversary.

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The halls of the first floor are dedicated to the literary exhibition ‘Pushkin and Moscow’, and reflect the poet’s ties to the city. The exposition includes engravings, watercolours, literature and historical exhibits showcasing 19th century life in Russia’s capital. The second floor is occupied by Pushkin’s personal rooms, decorated in the 19th century style, with an exhibition of artwork, books, and gifts donated to the museum.

• House Museum of V.L. Pushkin

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Pushkin’s uncle was Vasily Pushkin, a famous poet working in the early 1800s. An exhibition showcasing his life and work has been organised here in his former residence, with its furniture and artwork conveying the atmosphere of the era. Visitors can discover the rooms where famous contemporaries joined literary salons, and admire Vasily Pushkin’s rich library.

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