State Museum of the History of Religion (St. Petersburg)

The State Museum of the History of Religion is one of the most famous in Russia and all over the world. It was founded in 1932, thanks to the initiative of Vladimir Tan-Bogorazov - a linguist and ethnographer. Among the three largest museums dedicated to this subject, one of which is in the UK and the other in Taiwan, the museum in St. Petersburg is the oldest, with the largest collection of exhibits. Bright and colorful museum expositions introduce the history of major religions, ancient beliefs and rituals. Walking through the halls, you can make a journey in time and plunge into the atmosphere of the world of followers of religious trends. In each room there are cult objects with a detailed description, understandable even for young visitors. Also, especially for children, the Museum of the History of Religion offers a "Beginning Beginning" department, where classes are held for children of all ages.

History of the Museum

In 1930 an exhibition was held on the territory of the Winter Palace, where various religious objects were brought from all over the world, as well as a large number of icons, ancient manuscripts, sculptures, paintings and graphics. It was a tremendous success, such that it was decided to create a museum of the history of religion.

St. Petersburg at that time was enveloped in ideas about the incompatibility of the church and scientific approaches, so the museum's goal was to talk about religion as a form of ideology and to show the development of materialistic and atheistic views. Due to these features, the Kazan Cathedral became the location of the museum. Originally its name sounded as follows: "Museum of the History of Religion and Atheism". In 1991, it was decided to return the building of the cathedral of Kazan Mother of God of the Orthodox Church, and the museum was given a room on Pochtamtskaya Street, where it is and still is. At the same time, he changed his name to the current one.

Exposition of archaic beliefs and rituals

In the first halls you can see the history of ancient beliefs, where the exhibits tell us that from the very beginning of humanity people tried to understand how the universe was arranged and to determine its place in it. Of course, the most incomprehensible event for primitive man was the cessation of life, so the funeral rituals and objects associated with them constitute a considerable part of the collection. Historians attribute the origin of religious rites to the era of the Paleolithic, where the Neanderthals take care of the dead, believing in the afterlife. The halls of the museum, thanks to a special acoustic system, convey the cave atmosphere, and on the walls with incredible accuracy recreated rock carvings.

Exposition of religions of the Ancient world

The next door, which opens the State Museum of the History of Religion, leads to the halls dedicated to the beliefs of Mesopotamia, Ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, the Minoan Crete. Here are exhibits such as Egyptian sarcophagi, ancient Greek vessels, funerary masks, and various small sculpted objects. This period has become a transitional period for humanity from the era of primitive to civilization.

Exposition of the religion of the Jews

Further museum halls tell visitors about the development of Judaism. There are ritual objects - monuments of culture, in the basis of the decoration of the walls - the motifs of the Bible and the Jerusalem temple.

To consider Judaism, you can choose several angles. The Museum of the History of Religion offers to get acquainted with the exposition, both with the biblical period, or as with the period of the emergence of monotheism, and also present the history through the eyes of the Jews.

Exposition dedicated to Christianity

This part of the museum details the history of the development of Christianity, tells about the Jewish sources, the first prophecies, the life of Jesus Christ, as well as the history of the emergence of the first churches.

There are halls dedicated to Orthodoxy, in which exhibits such as icons, vestments of priests, books and temple utensils are presented.

Separate branches of Christianity - Catholicism and Protestantism. About their history of occurrence and development it is possible to learn, having visited corresponding premises with expositions.

Exposition of the religions of the East

The Museum of the History of Religion has a large number of exhibits in this section. More than 1,000 monuments open the religious world of South, Central and East Asia. Here you can get acquainted with the various religions of China, Japan and India.

Virtual Museum

For people who do not have the opportunity to come to St. Petersburg, the Museum of the History of Religion offers a virtual tour. On the official site, by clicking on the bookmark "virtual museum" you can visit exhibitions and expositions, review collections, take part in discussions and get acquainted with the restoration process. In addition, the educational portal of the museum leads to several information resources, and the media library contains interesting documentary films.

The Open University of the History of World Religions offers to listen to lectures on various aspects of beliefs. On the topics and dates of lectures can be found on the official website of the museum.

Excursions in Moscow

If you are a resident of the capital, then you do not need to visit St. Petersburg to get acquainted with the world's doctrines. The museum of the history of religion, of course, is difficult to replace, but it is possible to create a common concept and plunge into the atmosphere of religious life. To do this, you should visit the tour entitled "World Religions in Moscow". The guide will tell in detail about the architecture of the churches, the role of symbols, the peculiarities of each of the creeds and much more. The program includes a visit to the mosque, Anglican church, Evangelical Christian Baptist church , synagogue, Lutheran and Catholic cathedral. The Museum of the History of Religion in Moscow is, as a matter of fact, a museum of churches, actually existing confessions for today.

Night of museums

As in Moscow, and in St. Petersburg, an annual action called "Night at the Museum" is held. At this time, all the museums open doors for visitors and offer to watch collections for free. In addition, special presentations, games and cognitive quizzes are held. The Museum of the History of Religion also does not ignore this action. During it, he acquaints residents and guests of the northern capital with ethnic music and dances, conducts fascinating quests and master classes, as well as invites to participate in traditional rituals of the peoples of the world. "Night of Museums", as usual, takes place on the night of 17 to 18 May. For children it will give unforgettable impressions, which will remain in your memory for a long time.

Programs for children

Presentations, interesting and informative programs, fascinating stories and much more for children of all ages can be viewed and heard not only within the framework of the action, but throughout the year. According to the state target program of creation of open education systems, the museum offers excursions and performances for boys and girls from 1st to 11th grade. This allows us to strengthen cooperation between the school and the museum, to raise the teaching and upbringing work to a qualitatively new level. The activation of the child's creative abilities is the goal of the entire museum pedagogy. It is worth noting that her museum reaches, and at the moment 1/3 of all visitors are schoolchildren.

Contact Information

In order to organize an excursion for children, you should contact the tour booking service by phone: (812) 314-58-38. According to the agreement, a special museum bus can come for schoolchildren.

To increase the level of their education, it is possible to participate in interesting discussions and listen to the course of fascinating lectures. For information on these aspects of the museum's activities, please call: (812) 571-47-91.

The official address where the Museum of the History of Religion is located: St. Petersburg, ul. Pochtamtskaya, 14/5.

The museum operates from 10 to 18 hours daily, except Wednesday. Cash desks - up to 17 hours.

Every first Monday of the month a social day is held, when it is possible to view all exposures for free.

You can get on 5 and 22 trolleybuses or on fixed-route taxis: 6, 62, 169, 190, 350 and 306.