Journey to Ancient Russia with the Tretyakov Gallery and Kremlin Museums
Whether you are a history and culture enthusiast or simply curious about the ancient art of Russia, do not miss this opportunity to visit the exhibitions dedicated to the Land of Vladimir and Suzdal and the history of warrior saints in Russian art. These exhibitions will take you on a journey through time from the 9th to the 20th centuries.
The Great Principality. Treasures of the Land of Vladimir and Suzdal
Open until May 10, 2023
The New Tretyakov Gallery welcomes visitors to the ancient cities of Suzdal and Vladimir, where history and culture come to life. These two cities, located in North-Eastern Rus, are among the oldest towns in Russia. Once the heart of the Russian Empire, they played a vital role in shaping the country's history and culture. The exhibits were brought from the collection of the State Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve, which is dedicated to the millennial anniversary of the first chronicle mention of the city of Suzdal, which will be celebrated in 2024.
The efforts of Prince Yuri Dolgoruky and his sons Andrey Bogolyubsky and Vsevolod the Big Nest turned Suzdal and Vladimir into the most prominent political and cultural centre in the 12th and 13th centuries. Even as Moscow began to gain influence, Suzdal and Vladimir continued to play a prominent role as a spiritual centre of the country for several centuries. Visitors to this exhibition will be able to experience the rich history and culture of these ancient cities when the Old Russian state was just beginning to exist.
The museum showcases approximately 600 items from its collection that are directly connected to the history of Vladimir and Suzdal, some of which are being presented to the public for the first time. The main part of the exhibition dates back to the late Middle Ages when Russian statehood was restored. Among the various artifacts are icon masterpieces, including one by Andrey Rublev, the famous medieval Russian painter.
How to get there:
The gallery is located near Park Kultury and Oktyabrskaya station. Exit 2 from Park Kultury or Oktyabrskaya station will both lead you there. The exhibition will take place in Hall 1 of the Gallery.
Address: Krymsky Val, 10
Ticket: 300–500 roubles.
Working hours: 10 am–6 pm Sun, Tue, Wed; 10 am–9 pm Thu, Fri, Sat.
The Heavenly Host. Image And Veneration
Open until August 20, 2023
The exhibition ‘The Heavenly Host: Image and Veneration’ at The Moscow Kremlin Museums is dedicated to the symbols of warrior saints and brings together well-known masterpieces and rarely seen works of Russian art.
The exhibition showcases over 130 masterpieces of iconography, sculpture, secular painting, numismatics, phaleristics, arms and armor, and jewelry, depicting the thousand-year history of warrior saints in Russian art. It covers the pre-Mongol period to the 20th century, highlighting the spiritual and cultural significance of warrior saints in Russian history. Visitors will be able to see the oldest surviving works of medieval Russian embroidery, examples of Russian church sculpture, and various depictions of the Great Martyr and Victory-bearer George.
The exhibition is held in the One-pillar Chamber of the Patriarch's Palace and the Assumption Belfry.
How to get there:
There are several ways to get to the Moscow Kremlin Museums: through exit 5 of Alexandrovsky Sad station, exit 1 of Biblioteka Imeni Lenina station, or exit 2 of Arbatskaya station. They are all linked together, but the first option takes the least time.
Address: Moscow Kremlin, 1.
Ticket: 500 roubles (tickets are available both online at the museum's website and at the entrance)
Working hours: 10 am–5 pm daily, except Thu.
Text by Lý Trang, second-year master’s student of Critical Media Studies, intern at the HSE University English website team