Tretyakov Gallery
The highlight of Moscow
The Tretyakov Gallery is undoubtedly one of the top highlights in Moscow. Anyone traveling to the Russian metropolis should not miss a visit to this art museum. Around 140,000 works of art can be seen in two exhibition halls. The gallery is considered to be the world’s best collection of Russian art.
The beginning of a private collection
The foundation stone for this was laid by the passionate art collector and namesake Pawel Michailowitsch Tretyakov in 1851. With his brother Sergei he bought a two-story house, set up the business premises on the ground floor, he was a textile merchant, and on the upper floor he created rooms for his impressive collection of paintings, the increased in size over time. Tretyakov’s passion for art was as great as his business acumen. In 1874 he built a two-story building near his house to make more space for his art collection, which had since grown considerably. At the beginning of the 1890s he already had 1,500 works of art, including icons and sculptures, because Tretyakov no longer limited himself to paintings.
The modern age is also represented
Today, around 15,000 pictures, 4,500 icons and sculptures and around 100,000 drawings and graphics can be admired in the gallery. The works of art from the 11th to the beginning of the 20th century are housed in the main building in the old Moscow district of Samoskvorechye. Almost all well-known Russian artists of this era are represented there. But contemporary art has not been neglected either. There has been a department for modern art since 1986 in a new building on the Moskva. The house is easy to find, it is right across the street from the main entrance of Gorky Park. A permanent exhibition on the fourth floor takes the visitor on a remarkable journey through time through Russia’s 20th century art history. The influence of the Parisian art scene is unmistakable and is reflected in the Russian avant-garde.
Hermitage in St. Petersburg
On a study trip to St. Petersburg, you will not only learn exciting things about Russia’s turbulent history while visiting the Hermitage. Everywhere you come across witnesses of the past. But the Hermitage, as the largest and most important art museum in the world, is undoubtedly something special. The museum is located in the center of the Russian city and is partly housed in the Tsar’s Winter Palace. However, one building is not enough for the extensive collection. The three million exhibits are housed in five historical palaces and a total of 400 rooms.
Fantastic legacy of Catherine II.
The art treasure collection was started by Catherine the Great and is now the largest museum in the world. Catherine II of Russia was a passionate collector and created the Kunstkammer in 1764 for herself and a select few. The foundation stone was formed by 225 paintings from the Prussian collection of Frederick the Great, which they were able to buy from him for lack of money. In the following years she got into a real art frenzy and bought silver, jewelry, paintings, drawings, sculptures and books all over Europe.
The collection of an art obsessed
You should definitely plan a visit to the Hermitage on a city trip to St. Petersburg. It is one of the most important sights of this city, for whose architecture Peter the Great was inspired by Amsterdam. Even if you can just catch a glimpse of the fascinating exhibits, it is already worth entering the rooms. The painting collection includes over 2,500 valuable pieces by famous artists from all eras. All painters are represented, from Leonardo Da Vinci to van Gogh and Cezanne. A huge collection of coins and medals, porcelain, silverware, statues, clocks and precious stones, antique vases, the weapons collection, clothes and carriages of the tsar are also on display. The collection is ten times larger than that of the Louvre in Paris. So it is not possible to visit the Hermitage in one day.
Bolschoitheater
The Bolshoi Theater in Moscow is not only a popular destination for culture lovers from all over the world. No wonder: after all, the Bolshoi Theater is not only one of the most famous cultural institutions in all of Russia, but also one of the most famous theaters in the world. The theater, which opened on December 30, 1780, is also one of the most sought-after photo opportunities in the Russian capital. The Bolshoi Theater, which has a total of 2,300 spectators, impresses above all with its large stage and impressive acoustics. If you want to attend one of the top-class performances in the Bolschoitheater during your stay in Moscow, you should try to get tickets early. The program of the world-famous theater includes many top-class classics by famous Russian and foreign composers.
Open again since October 2011
After extensive renovation and restoration, which took a total of six years and cost more than 570 million euros, the Bolschoitheater has been shining in its old splendor since the end of October 2011. The entire theater is characterized by countless decorations and works of art. The heart of the 40,000 square meter theater is the 22 meter long and wide square main stage. In the basement of the Bolschoitheater, which is also known for its excellent acoustics, there is also a new chamber theater.
