The museum hosts paintings, sculptures and other artifacts mostly from 19. century. This is the place where you can see the traditional Russian art and paintings. Pity to see that Russian art reached its peak in the 19th century and halted as soon as the Soviet revolution took place. At least they preserved their finest collections and present in this museum.

Museum filled with impressive and versatile arts. You start with super cool classics like Semiradsky, Vasnetsov, Shishkin and Aivazovsky, continue through statues and portraits, go through some more modern and weird things, and end up with royal furniture and old Russian utensils. Sometimes some of the key items are out of there, so maybe need to check up beforehand (I visited the place twice and never saw the Ninth Wave painting, as it was in Japan and Spain along with other paintings). A lot of information can be obtained with your smartphone, the personnel is polite. This is definitely one of Saint Pete’s must sees.

The Russian Museum today is a unique depository of artistic treasures, a leading restoration center, an authoritative institute of academic research, a major educational center and the nucleus of a network of national museums of art.The Russian Museum collection contains more than 400.000 exhibits. The main complex of museum buildings - the Mikhailovsky Palace and Benois Wing - houses the permanent exhibition of the Russian Museum, tracing the entire history of Russian art from the tenth to the twentieth centuries. The museum collection embraces all forms, genres, schools and movements of art.Over the past twenty years, the museum complex has grown to include the Stroganov Palace, St Michaels (Engineers) Castle and the Marble Palace. The complex also includes the Mikhailovsky Gardens, Engineering Gardens, Summer Garden (including the Summer Palace) and the House of Peter the Great.

Came here to see Shishkin’s paintings but didn’t get impressed by it. Instead enjoyed Grabar’s paintings. Angry babushkas watch-women on every corner would scold you for drinking water from a bottle or conversing too loud, its a bit annoying, realy

Spectacular… well curated and easy to navigate in. But…Please solve the language problem in St Petersburg.

There is a three day ticket offer, you should take it if you are planning to visit all parts. One day will not be enough. Take your time and enjoy it worth every penny.

Beautiful museum. Went today and it was wonderful to be free of crowds. The building and setting are lovely. Staff speak English, which is helpful when you get lost and cant find the cloakroom. Highly recommend

The State Russian Museum (Russian: Государственный Русский музей), formerly the Russian Museum of His Imperial Majesty Alexander III (Russian: Русский Музей Императора Александра III), located on Arts Square in Saint Petersburg, is the worlds largest depository of Russian fine art. It is also one of the largest museums in the country.

The first museum I visited in Russia. Lots of incredible masterpieces that will just amaze you. The tour guide was just a delight to listen to; his English was just impeccable. Made some new friends and that day was a good one I must say...💃

It is really impressive museum with different styles and genre of paintings!

Another art museum of the very first rank in Saint Petersburg. The large exhibition provides an insight into the diversity of Russian art. In addition to many well-known works, there are also many Russian artists to discover that I was unknown, but also have an excellent quality.The large cafe in the courtyard of the Benoit-wing invites you to take a break.

A beautiful building centrally located in St Petersburg, with a good fine art collection varying in periods. The building and the interiors are absolutely gorgeous. This is a great museum to visit in addition to the Hermitage. The coat check is very efficient (a necessary step when visiting) but the bathrooms definitely left something to be desired.

A must see in St Petersburg. The building and the artworks are monumental. A good glimpse into Russian art and culture through the various historic stages of the empire/union/federation. A full day is needed to see everything, if not a few. Make sure you dont miss the main collections on the second floor.

Have amazing paintings that must be appreciated. Must visit if you are interested in art and exhibitions. Also has other epic historical objects and work of arts.

Excellent collection of Russian paintings. Knowledgeable staff and very good caffee.

Very nice! Tip: go early and enter the exhibition hall on the 2nd floor from the exit (right turn). Most of the nicest ones are in the last rooms, so visit them first ;)

Collection of fine arts one of the best

It was more crowded when we visited in late May last year. This year, in early May on a Monday (when Hermitage is closed), it was not as crowded as we anticipated. The audio guide in English was again very useful. It was cold outside so we wore our down jackets which had to be deposited in the cloak room. Although the art here is wonderful, my pet peeve is that after one finishes ones visit, which usually ends at the Benois wing, one has to re-trace our way back to the beginning (in Mikhailovskiy Palace) to return our audio guides and collect our jackets. Wished there was a better way that did not require back tracking!

A very good place to be in case of rain, or for those who stay more than 2 days in the city. Exhibition rooms are well decorated. Free of tourist crowds.

Not so wonderful as Tzars and Putins palaces and dachas, but still nice mansion with proper wall decorations.

The museum is very large, many interesting halls and works of famous masters.

Incredible voyage through the Russian culture. Very well organized chronologically. If you can get a guide makes it even better.

The Mikhailovsky Palace is a beautiful building where you find the Russian State Museum in St. Petersburg. Built in 1819-1285, this was the home of the Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich. The palace is quite photogenic from front and back. Further, the interior halls are decadent and impressive, making for a great venue for viewing Russian fine art.

Interesting Museam ith are through the centuries, wood and bone carvings, toys through the centuries was very interesting too.

Beautiful museum! I went to Hermitage Museum but it was too huge for me to visit. So, instead I chose this one. It was beyond my expectation! Lovely museum and lots of interesting masterpieces. I recommend this museum.

Three hours were not enough to enjoy all the artwork from this museum! The paintings from Ayvazovsky are breathtaking.

The complex of several different remoted objects. The main part - Museum of Russian art in this Mikhailovsky palace - is second to Hermitage as a main museum attraction and second to none as an art museum. I do recommend for every classical art fan!

The Mikhailovsky Palace is a grand ducal palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia. It is located on Arts Square and is an example of Empire style neoclassicism. The palace currently houses the main building of the Russian Museum and displays its collections of early, folk, eighteenth, and nineteenth century art.It was originally planned as the residence of Grand Duke Michael Pavlovich, the youngest son of Emperor Paul I. Work had not yet begun on the Mikhailovsky Palace, when Paul was overthrown and killed in a palace coup that brought Michaels elder brother to the throne as Alexander I. The new emperor resurrected the idea for a new palace by the time Michael was 22, and plans were drawn up by Carlo Rossi to develop a new site in Saint Petersburg. The palace, built in the neoclassic style, became the centrepiece of an ensemble that took in new streets and squares. It was lavishly decorated, with the interiors costing more than the main construction work. It was gifted to Grand Duke Michael and his new wife, Grand Duchess Elena Pavlovna, by the Emperor in 1825. The grand ducal family had comfortable apartments furnished to their individual tastes. Grand Duke Michael carried out some of his military duties there, while his wife hosted salons that brought together many of the leading members of Saint Petersburg society and culture. The Grand Duchess continued this lifestyle after her husbands death in 1849, until her own death in 1873. The palace was passed on to the couples daughter, Grand Duchess Catherine Mikhailovna.Over the years of their residency, the family renovated and refurbished the palaces rooms in keeping with contemporary tastes. By the time of Grand Duchess Catherines death in 1894, the staterooms were no longer in regular use—the family resided for the most part in the palaces wings. With the death of the Grand Duchess, the palace was inherited by her children, who were members of the family of the Dukes of Mecklenburg-Strelitz. Concerned about the palace passing out of the Romanov family, Emperor Alexander III decided to buy it back for the state. He died before this could be arranged, but the negotiations were carried out on behalf of his son Emperor Nicholas II, by Minister of Finance Sergei Witte. Nicholas gave it to the newly established Russian Museum, in honour of his father, with the remit that it collect and display domestic art. The palace was extensively renovated to fit its new role, with some of the interiors retained. One wing was demolished and rebuilt, later becoming the Russian Museum of Ethnography, while a new extension, the Benois wing, was added in the 1910s.

Interesting museum with Russian masterpieces of art. Works of art (pictures and themes) what you rarely can see in other museums. E.g. Artic or Siberian landscape, explorers in Artic, Russian village, motives of russian fairy-tales etc. With ICOM entrace is free 👏👏👏

So pleased we had the opportunity to see such an incredible selection of artworks. Make sure you allocate enough time to enjoy this must see gallery

A collection of Russian Art that is second to none. The 4 palaces - 3 days ticket is a great deal.

One of the best museums in the world!!! Great masterpieces, beautiful design, well thought compositions, and unique atmosphere!!!

This place is must have to visit while in Sankt Petersburg. Amazing exhibitions. Friendly staff. Very interesting and educational individual tours.

One of our favorite museum in city, four rooms with exclusive icons, paintings and sculpture representing the great history of Russia. We recommend this visit.

Good and interesting place. The price to visit the museum and tower is 1.000 rubles. Discount for student

We enjoyed this museum and found the staff very friendly and helpful. The museum offers student discount tickets with valid ID. The museum has modern and older Russian artwork. The paintings are stunning, and so are the other items. I would suggest spending a few hours here and install a QR code reader on the phone to scan codes near exhibits. The cafe downstairs has some great options for lunch along with beer, tea, and coffee once youre done with the museum I suggest exiting thru the back into the gardens.

Nice musioum of art. Not as tourist friendly as expected from a city leading museum.

Arguably, but I would prefer to visit this museum rather than the Ermitage. Huge collection of the pieces of art with the essence of the native soul.

Bloody huge !It will take you hours to do the whole thing. I would recommend having an idea what you want to see first. Play attention to the opening hours and make sure you have some way of communicating in Russia. Lady at that help desk is the most helpful person I’ve met in Russia

The best museum in St.Peteraburg!

A place to know more about Russia’s art and history.

Friendly, helpful staff. An amazing building and I loved the art. Worth hiring an audio guide as it gives a lot of additional information.

One of my favorite cities in the World, Visited in December. The museum is amazing Gold Walls, artifacts, halls where Czars ones partied it is better if you speak Russian or get a translator, it is cheaper than trying to do it your self. Once they know youre not Russian, they could try to take advantage of you by charging you more money. Also the best sushi restaurant in Nevsky prospekt Ive ever been to Called Yakitoria chain of Japanese restaurants. Shopping experience was awesome, I went to an opera house a ones in a life time experience with the magnifying glass. I attended a professional Ice skating performance, I loved it. I did a full tour of the city, visited the statue of Alexander the Great, Church of the Split Blood. SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA There is still bullet holes from World War 2 where they had a standoff with the Nazi. So much history, the food is amazing the women are very beautiful. I will definitely go again

Great exposition, but the staff is not really friendly.Very soviet kind of experience. For example, there is no sign that coffee is not allowed, but if you try to enter with coffee there is no trash can to throw it. So you need to exit and re-enter.The collection itself is great, I just hope they get rid of the rude staff.

The best Russian paintings gallery

Excellent permanent exposition, engaging and mind challenging temporary exibitions

Beautiful museum, only wish it wasnt that cold in Petersburg and Moscow during our visit. Worth the visit, Russia is superpower

You will find some amazing paintings and artifacts here. Must try!

Great paintings from 15-19 century.

An unexpected collection of Russian art jems. A must for every art lover in Saint Petersburg.

Loved our guide, as I have a medical problem, I found it too much so decided to let the rest of my family go around with the guide and Id sit it out in the Musium cafe. As we booked a private guide and not our cruise ship one, we was allowed in earlier than the other excursions. So the cafe was closed until 10.30. I sat on a red seated bench seat waiting for it to open. I went to order a coffee and something to eat as I didnt have a breakfast, I asked if they took Euros € or card, the answer was NO! I had to sit for 2 hours waiting.Would I go again? Yes! But when Im fit & well, and have eaten. You are not allowed to take liquids into the building so no bottled water etc as a few years ago a nutter decided to through acid at one of their paintings. So, make sure you have Russian money when you use the cafe!

Amazing works! And great for a rainy day

A must visit of Saint Petersburg. Great art collection and an amazing building.

Excellent collection of Russian art. Visit twenties century exhibition in Benua wing.

Big museum prepare half day for it

Be sure to visit the Ivan Aivazovsky paintings, he is by far one of the most underrated painters in history

Excelent russiant art colection

Nice, but very crowded..

This museum has an excellent collection that shows all facets of Russian art and is a lot less crowded than the Hermitage. It also is situated in a beautiful building, of course not as beautiful as the Hermitage but still definitely worth a visit!

Absolutely loved it♥️

Good for people who love painting and arts.

Good place to learn Russian history and Russian art.

One of the best museum with exposition of Russian artists. The full collection from icon painting to modern art. Audio guide is very useful.

Its interesting and you definetly find what you like.

Super amazing museum!

Palace with Russian art of last centuries, with very well known pieces. One of must-visit places in Saint-Petersburg to see history. But navigation inside is awful.

Beautiful paintings, especially Aivazovsky, Shishnkin, Vasnetsov, Vereshagin, etc...

Absolutely stunning interior, magnificent building and the collection of 20th century artists is amazing!

Very beautiful

Best place in saint Petersburg to see some Russian art. Bad lighting (sometimes light from windows shines on paintings too much and I wish they have better lighting)

Very interesting exhibition of Gift to Russian museum - from rather plain work to the very good and wellknown paintings.

Very nice.

Another must see after the Hermitage

Great musuem with Russian art. Must visit!

Building and collections are truly amazing

The russian museums is simply stunning and something not to miss when visiting the town. The building itself although not of my taste is imposing and very well worth a stop by. The paintings are all very interesting and the audio guide you are provided with very useful and helps you in appreciating what you are looking at.

Great art

Great place to visit

You will be blown away of the breadth and depth of Russian art.

Very nice art museum. Without any context, the paintings and sculptures mean little, but if you have a local with you to explain culture and context, its great. Absolutely beautiful ceilings in many places in the museum, too. Also notable - several large paintings were hung in rooms with sketches/details used by the artist in preparing the large final work. Very cool.

Good collection, we enjoyed our visit! But really, whats wrong with the corridors at entrance? Its some crazy maze! That was some fun trying to get in and out :D

This museum impressed me in childhood. Now, after about ten years, I see it not so great. I think the reason is that the other countries Fine Art museums (even in small countries like Riga) are mote interesting and comfortable.However, its one of must see in Saint-P because of some originals of great painters.One additional plus is for QR-codes for some pictures.One rather big disadvantage is the price, which becomes much higher with years (even for Russian citizens).

Open on Mondays !

Queues. Inefficient processing. Entry through half open door leading down to the cellar. This is on the right corner of the building.4 stars because it is beautiful. Damn art its genius. And it is spacious inside. You can sit during watching the exposition.

Wonderfull)

Beautiful art of Russia.. absolutely love it! We took individual tour for kids, it was good but not interactive, old Soviet style.

My favourite art museum in St.Petersburg! Very high recommended. Unfortunately there are not so many visitors, it deserves more

Excellent small museum with real Russian art from late 1800s through to 1950. Easy to explore and provides a window to Russia post the revolution

This museum is amazing for art lovers. Thousand of paintings are there which shows the history of Russia. Few amazing paintings shows the battles of Russia with other countries. Its located in Saint Petersburg close by Nevsky prospect. You need around 4 to 5 hours to see all the art work including painting, statues and other clay made object. I hope my review and pics will help you.

I love Perov and Aivazovsky!

Fabulous experience... everything showcased in this museum is a unique piece in it own.....Have travelled the world. ..this was superlative. ....will always be in awe of the fact that St. Petersburg is a place to visit and explore...at least 10 days ...

Nice museum.

Dont miss it on a visit to Saint Petersburg. A gem. Great alternative to the Hermitage. Discover Russian painters generally unknown in the West.

This museum is a must-visit if you are in St. Petersburg and have even a remote interest in art. Yes, the Hermitage is amazing, so this museum sort of takes a back seat, but I spent a splendid afternoon here taking in centuries of Russian art. Its fascinating to see how the artwork here parallels, contrasts with, and was influenced by western European art from the same time periods.

Really cool place to see inside. Izi. travel works perfect inside, unfortunately only in Russian. Complex launch not for visitors during working day was the only real minus. All other exceed expectation included but not limited to exposition and Palace itself. Hope this helps@

Good

For me as a Russian it was enjoyable and interesting. I am sure anyone interested in arts would find this museum very worth visiting

My favorite museum ( except for museum of artillery). Perfect exposition, almost all my favorite artist are there. Comparing too Hermitage this museum has smaller exposition but here you cant find too many tourists in one time. Because of that, this museum is best choice for summer months.

2 hours in the queue was definitely worth it. Priceless collection of art!

Very beautiful and historical. Came here with my school. It was nice