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There are still many museums left in Moscow that I want to visit. So for this month’s museum of the month I wanted to visit a museum in Moscow that I have been wanting to go to for awhile, the State Historical Museum. Like I usually do before I go someplace, I was doing a little research online. On the website I saw that due to Cultural Heritage Day, the museum was free on the day I was visiting. How perfect is that!?

The State Historical Museum is an impressive building in the Red Square within the city center of Moscow.

The museum showcases the history of Russia through artifacts from the ice age to more current history. There is a wide variety of items in the museum including clothing, jewelry, weapons, paintings, and tools among other things. The numerous halls are organized in chronological order so there is a recommended flow to visiting the museum to ensure you go through the halls in order.

Also in my research I learned that most of the information was in Russian and an audio guide is helpful for English speakers. Feeling like I have not gained enough information from my latest museum excursions, I decided to go with the audio guide. Each hall had a number to listen on the audio guide to explain the time period of the room, a general overview and detailed information about a couple of items.

My sources were correct, there was very little information in English. If you want to know what you are looking at and any background information, the audio guide is necessary. The downside is that unlike a typical visit where you are able to go and look at and read the information that catches your attention, the audio guide restricts what you can learn about. Although I spaced out a few times when it went on and on, I still thought it was worth it to have.

What I enjoyed the most was the building itself and the artwork on the ceilings. Upon walking into the main hall you can see the Russian Tzars family tree on the ceiling.

Visiting Information

Where

Red Square, 1, Moscow, Russia                                                                                                                                  

How to Get There

 Nearby metro stations: Metro Stations Okhotny Ryad, Ploshad Revolutsii, Teatralnaya Ploshad. Read here for how to use the moscow metro.                                                                                                                 

Recommendations

Get the audio guide if you want any information on what you are seeing. The majority of the halls have no information in English.                                                                                              

Review

Due to the lack of written information in English and only having the audio, which I could not choose what I heard information about, it was not the most interesting history museum I have been to. Still I think it is a good museum for a visit to at least see the history of Russia and even for the building itself.

FYI                  

Like any museum in Moscow you have to go through security when entering the building and toilets and coat check are downstairs.

When listening to the audio guide you put in the number of the hall you are visiting.

Where to Stay

Find a great centrally located hotel in Moscow, Russia here.

 

Check out my Museum of the Month page to see all my museum reviews!

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