The Museum of Political History of Russia occupies the former mansion of the ballerina Mathilde Kshesinskaya, a building also known by her name. It stands on Kuibysheva Street in Saint Petersburg, in the north-west of Russia, and is the kind of place to visit if you want to understand how the country's politics developed.
What the museum covers
The collection follows Russia's political development from the 18th century up to the present day. Because the story runs across several centuries, a visit works well as a way of seeing how the country's institutions and public life changed over time, rather than as a single moment in its history.
The building
Much of the appeal lies in the setting itself. The museum is housed in a mansion associated with Mathilde Kshesinskaya, so the rooms carry their own sense of the period they come from. Visitors interested in architecture and in the lives of the people who lived in such houses will find the building as worth a look as the displays.
Planning your visit
- Address: Kuibysheva Street, 2-4, St Petersburg, 197046, Russia
- Telephone: +7 812 233-70-52, useful to check opening times and any current arrangements before you go
- Good for: visitors with an interest in Russian history and politics, and those curious about the Kshesinskaya Mansion itself
Saint Petersburg offers plenty to see nearby, so the museum can comfortably fit into a day of sightseeing in the city centre area, where you can combine it with other visits.
