Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Mikhailovsky Palace was designed by Carlo Rossi and built between 1819 and 1825.
It was a gift for Grand Duke Mikhail (brother of Tsars Alexander I and Nicholas I) as
compensation for missing out on the throne. Nicholas II opened it as a public gallery
on 7 March 1898. The museum originated from the collection begun by Tsar Alexan-
der III, whose bust greets you on the magnificent main staircase.
The museum's Benois Wing houses the modern collection and was constructed
between 1914 and 1919. It is now connected to the original palace and is accessible
through an entrance on nab kanala Griboyedova. In 2002 all 8.7 hectares of the
Mikhailovsky Gardens
( 10am-10pm May-Sep, 10am-8pm Oct-Mar, closed Apr)
were
redesigned according to the original 19th-century plans. The gardens are absolutely
lovely and offer the most impressive perspective of Mikhailovsky Palace.
DON'T MISS…
»
Peter I Interrogating Tsarevich Alexey in Peterhof
- Nicholas Ghe
»
Barge Haulers on the Volga
- Ilya Repin
»
The Last Day of Pompeii
- Karl Bryullov
»
Portrait of the Poetess Anna Akhmatova
- Nathan Altman
PRACTICALITIES
»
Inzhenernaya ul 4
»
adult/student R300/150, combined 24hr ticket for all four palaces of the Russi-
an Museum adult/student R600/300
»
10am-6pm Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm Mon
»
Nevsky Prospekt
The Museum's Collection
The collection is ordered chronologically from medieval icons to the present day. It
starts on the 2nd floor and finishes on the 1st floor.
