State Historical Museum Moscow: Tickets, Hours and What to See

The State Historical Museum Moscow is the red-brick building with pointed towers at the north end of Red Square, the country’s largest national museum of history. State Historical Museum Moscow tickets cover its two floors of galleries, which run from the ice age to the 19th century and hold more than 4.5 million items.

Visitors often confuse it with the Kremlin or with St. Basil’s Cathedral, which is one of its branches. It is a separate museum with its own ticket and closing day, and it works best as a half-day visit combined with the rest of Red Square.

Quick Facts

Russian name	Государственный исторический музей
Built / opened	1883 (building 1875–1883)
Architect(s)	Vladimir Sherwood and Anatoly Semyonov
Address	Red Square 1, Moscow, Russia OpenStreetMap · Google Maps
District	Tverskoy
Metro	Okhotny Ryad (Line 1 (Sokolnicheskaya, red), about 5 min walk) Teatralnaya (Line 2 (Zamoskvoretskaya, green), about 6 min walk) Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Line 3 (Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya, dark blue), about 6 min walk)
Opening hours	The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Sources checked in October 2026 show Monday, Wednesday and Sunday 10:00–19:00 and Thursday to Saturday 10:00–21:00, though older pages list 10:00–18:00 on some days. From mid-May to mid-September the official page shows daily opening 10:00–21:00. The ticket offices close one hour before the museum, and the museum closes on a few set days in summer months (as of October 2026 – check the official site, shm.ru).
Admission	Adult tickets are moderately priced (₽₽) for foreign visitors, depending on the source; the rate for Russian citizens is lower. Branch museums have their own tickets.
Best time to visit	Weekday mornings are quietest, and days with late opening, usually from Thursday to Saturday, give a calmer evening visit. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. It is indoors and works in any season, so it suits cold or wet days. In summer it has longer hours.
Recommended duration	2.5–4 hours
Website	en.shm.ru/museum/gim
Last updated	October 6, 2026

What Is (and Isn't) Part of a Visit to State Historical Museum Moscow?

Part	Status	Notes
Main building galleries	Included in the standard ticket	The standard ticket covers the permanent exhibition on two floors, from prehistory to the 19th century.
Temporary exhibitions in the main building	Separate ticket or institution	May need their own ticket; check the official site.
St. Basil’s Cathedral Moscow	Separate ticket or institution	A branch of the museum at the south end of Red Square with its own ticket and hours.
Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812	Separate ticket or institution	A branch museum with its own ticket and hours.
Central Museum of the Russian Cossacks	Separate ticket or institution	A branch museum with its own ticket and hours.
Moscow Kremlin	Outside / not part of it	A different museum with its own entrances and tickets.
Lenin’s Mausoleum Moscow	Outside / not part of it	A free site on Red Square with its own queue and hours.
GUM and Kazan Cathedral	Outside / not part of it	Neighbouring places on Red Square with free entry.

Why Visit State Historical Museum Moscow?

The museum is a good way to see Russian history in order, from prehistoric finds and Scythian and early Slavic objects to the rooms of the Muscovite tsars and the 19th century.

The building is part of the visit. It was designed by Vladimir Sherwood in a Russian Revival style, and its halls have painted walls and ceilings with patterned decoration.

It also has practical advantages: it sits right on Red Square, it is indoors and warm in winter, and on some days it stays open until 21:00, which makes it a useful evening option after the Kremlin or the cathedral.

How State Historical Museum Moscow Is Laid Out

The museum occupies a large two-floor building at the north end of Red Square, between the square and Manezhnaya Square. Its galleries are arranged roughly in chronological order, from prehistory to the 19th century.

The easiest approach is to follow the route in order rather than choose rooms at random. Start with the prehistory and archaeology galleries, move on to the early Rus and Muscovite rooms, and finish with the 18th and 19th centuries.

The museum also runs branch museums elsewhere, including St. Basil’s Cathedral at the other end of the square, the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 and the Central Museum of the Russian Cossacks. These have their own tickets and hours and are not included in the main building ticket.

Highlights of State Historical Museum Moscow

The Russian Revival building

The museum was built in 1875–83 by Vladimir Sherwood with the engineer Anatoly Semyonov. Its red brick, pointed towers and decorative details were designed to fit with the Kremlin and St. Basil's, in what became known as the Russian Revival style.

The founding date is 9 February 1872, when Alexander II gave permission for the museum. The facade is free to see from Red Square.

Tip: See the facade from the middle of Red Square, where the towers line up with the Kremlin wall.

Prehistory and archaeology

The galleries open with the earliest history, from the ice age and mammoth hunters through to the first peoples of the territory of present-day Russia. Archaeological finds make up one of the museum's core collections.

Expect cases of tools, ornaments and weapons rather than large single objects, so the visit rewards slower looking.

Tip: Read the maps on the walls; they explain how the finds link to different regions.

The decorated halls

The first 11 halls opened in 1883 during the coronation celebrations of Alexander III, and many rooms have painted walls and ceilings in patterns drawn from Russian history and folk art. The painter Viktor Vasnetsov is among the artists linked with the decoration.

The rooms are as much a part of the visit as the objects in the cases.

Tip: Look up as you enter each hall; the ceilings often carry the best decoration.

Rooms of the Muscovite tsars

Several galleries show furniture, utensils and clothes from the time of Ivan the Terrible to the early Romanovs, giving a picture of daily life as well as court life.

These rooms are a good place to slow down, since they connect directly to what you see outside, in the Kremlin and at St. Basil's.

Tip: Come here after seeing the Kremlin or the cathedral for the best sense of context.

Weapons, coins and applied art

The museum holds collections of weapons, numismatics, ancient manuscripts and decorative arts alongside its archaeology. The collection as a whole contains more than 4.5 million items and about 14 million sheets of documents.

Only a small share is on display at any time, so what you see depends on the current arrangement of the galleries.

Tip: Pick two or three themes rather than trying to see everything; the museum is large.

St. Basil’s Cathedral (branch)

St. Basil's Cathedral at the south end of Red Square is a branch of the State Historical Museum. It is a separate visit with its own ticket, hours and rules.

The main building ticket does not cover it, which is why many visitors are surprised to find two different ticket offices on the same square.

Tip: Check the separate St. Basil's article for hours before planning both on one day.

Atmosphere

From Red Square the museum looks like a row of steep red-brick towers and small pointed roofs, a little crowded with decoration. Inside, the mood is calm and a little formal.

The halls are painted in deep reds, blues and golds, and the lighting is soft, so the colors seem warmer than outside. Visitors move slowly, often in quiet groups, and school groups fill the galleries in the middle of the day.

In the evening on days with late opening, the galleries are quieter, and the red facade glows against the dark sky outside. Winter visits feel especially snug after the cold of Red Square.

History of State Historical Museum Moscow

The State Historical Museum was founded on 9 February 1872, with the permission of Emperor Alexander II. The idea of a museum of national history was supported by scientists, army officers, artists, industrialists and members of the royal family. Among its founders were Ivan Zabelin and Aleksey Uvarov.

A competition led to the choice of Vladimir Sherwood’s Russian Revival design. The building was constructed in 1875–83 specifically to house the national collection, with the engineer Anatoly Semyonov involved in its construction.

The first 11 halls opened in June 1883, during the coronation celebrations of Emperor Alexander III. Artists and architects designed the halls, and many rooms were decorated with painted ornament drawn from Russian history and folk art.

After the revolution of 1917 the museum became a state institution. Its collections grew through the transfer of other museums and private collections. It became the largest national museum of Russian history.

In later decades the museum extended its work with branch museums in other locations, including St. Basil’s Cathedral at the south end of Red Square, the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 and the Central Museum of the Russian Cossacks. The building and exhibitions were restored over a long period.

Today the collection contains more than 4.5 million items and about 14 million sheets of documents, covering archaeology, numismatics, ancient literature, weapons, and fine and decorative arts. The main building shows Russian history from the ice age to the 19th century.

Tickets and Booking for State Historical Museum Moscow

Ticket	Price	Includes
Adult ticket, foreign visitors	₽₽₽	The permanent exhibition in the main building; sources differ, so check the current price.
Branch museum tickets	Own prices	Each branch, including St. Basil's Cathedral, sells its own ticket; see tickets.shm.ru.

₽ budget · ₽₽ moderate · ₽₽₽ upscale · ₽₽₽₽ splurge. Price levels are estimates compared with typical prices for visitors.

Buy tickets on the museum’s official ticket site, tickets.shm.ru, or at the museum’s ticket offices. Audio guides were listed in Russian and English on an older page. The online booking window was not confirmed, so check the ticket page for your date; if a date does not show, sales for it may not have opened yet.

• Ticket office: closes one hour before the museum closes.
• Branches: St. Basil’s Cathedral and other branches need their own tickets.

Rates for Russian citizens and concessions differ, and foreign visitors pay a higher rate according to a recent guide. All categories are on the official ticket page, tickets.shm.ru.

Suggested Itineraries for State Historical Museum Moscow

2 hours

Walk through the prehistory and early Rus galleries, then the Muscovy rooms. Spend the last half hour in the decorated halls and leave through the museum shop.

3–4 hours

Follow the full chronological route from prehistory to the 19th century, taking a break halfway. Finish with a coffee at GUM across the square.

Half day

Visit the museum in the morning, then walk down Red Square to St. Basil's Cathedral, a separate ticket. Finish at Zaryadye Park for an evening view of the square.

How to Get to State Historical Museum Moscow

The museum is at the north end of Red Square, close to three metro stations.

• Okhotny Ryad (Line 1, Sokolnicheskaya, red): about 5 minutes on foot* through Manezhnaya Square.
• Teatralnaya (Line 2, Zamoskvoretskaya, green): about 6 minutes.
• Ploshchad Revolyutsii (Line 3, Arbatsko-Pokrovskaya, dark blue): about 6 minutes.

The official page also lists Kitay-Gorod (Lines 6 and 7) among nearby stations. Streets around Red Square are often closed to traffic, so a taxi may drop you a few blocks away.

Accessibility

No official accessibility details were confirmed. The building is a historic structure with two floors, so check the official site or the museum's information line before visiting if you need step-free access or assistance.

Food Nearby

There is no full restaurant on Red Square itself. GUM, across the square, has cafes and a well-known canteen-style restaurant, Stolovaya No. 57. Nikolskaya Street, off the north end of the square, and the Okhotny Ryad underground mall near Manezhnaya Square have many cafes and food courts. Check opening hours before you go.

What to Bring

Bring comfortable shoes* for long galleries and a light layer, as the halls can be cool. Large bags may need to go in a cloakroom.

Best Views and Photo Spots of State Historical Museum Moscow

Middle of Red Square

The red-brick facade with its pointed towers, seen with the Kremlin wall beside it, a classic view of the north end of the square.

Best time: Morning, when the light falls on the front

Resurrection Gate side

The gate frames the museum's towers and gives a sense of the museum as the end of the square.

Best time: Evening, when the building is lit

Manezhnaya Square

A side view of the museum with the gate and Alexander Garden, showing how it sits between two squares.

Best time: Winter dusk

Zaryadye Park

A more distant view of the museum along the length of the square from the park's heights.

Best time: Clear evenings

Photography Rules

Photography rules were not confirmed and may differ between permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions. Look for signs in each hall, avoid flash and follow staff instructions. The facade can be photographed freely from Red Square.

Family Suitability

The museum suits school-age children interested in history, with large objects and decorated halls to look at. Galleries are long, and cases hold small objects, so younger children may tire quickly. Allow breaks and choose a few rooms. Stroller access was not confirmed, so check with the museum.

Moscow Vibes Tips

• Do the museum in chronological order and skip rooms that do not interest you; with more than 4.5 million items it is not possible to see everything.
• Go on a day with late opening, usually Thursday to Saturday, to see the galleries when they are quieter.
• Look at the ceilings and painted walls as well as the cases; the decoration is part of the museum's character.
• Visit the museum after the Kremlin or St. Basil's rather than before; the objects make more sense once you have seen the places they come from.
• Check the museum's branches; the Museum of the Patriotic War of 1812 and the Central Museum of the Russian Cossacks are separate visits.
• In summer, use the long opening hours for a late-afternoon visit once the heat has passed.

Explore Nearby State Historical Museum Moscow

Sights near State Historical Museum Moscow

• Red Square Moscow – about 250 m away (~4 min walk) · typical visit: 1–2 hours for the square, 3–5 hours with St Basil's and one museum
• St. Basil’s Cathedral Moscowabout 450 m away (~8 min walk) · typical visit: 45–90 minutes inside
• Lenin’s Mausoleum Moscow – about 250 m away (~4 min walk) · typical visit: 30–60 minutes including the queue; a few minutes inside
• Moscow Kremlin – about 400 m away (~6 min walk) · typical visit: 3–5 hours for Cathedral Square plus the Armoury Chamber
• Bolshoi Theatre Moscow – about 550 m away (~9 min walk) · typical visit: 3–4 hours for a performance; about 1 hour for a guided tour
• Moscow Museum of Archaeologyabout 100 m away (~2 min walk) · typical visit: About 45 minutes to 1 hour

Metro stations near State Historical Museum Moscow

• Okhotny Ryad Metro Stationabout 250 m away (~4 min walk)
• Ploshchad Revolyutsii Metro Stationabout 300 m away (~5 min walk)
• Teatralnaya Metro Stationabout 350 m away (~6 min walk)

Restaurants and cafes near State Historical Museum Moscow

• Kappo Hiroki Arakawaabout 200 m away (~3 min walk)
• Stolovaya 57about 250 m away (~4 min walk)
• Varenichnaya No. 1about 250 m away (~4 min walk)
• Belugaabout 300 m away (~4 min walk)

Nightlife near State Historical Museum Moscow

• Papa's Barabout 500 m away (~8 min walk)
• Let's Rock Barabout 650 m away (~10 min walk)

Hotels near State Historical Museum Moscow

• Four Seasons Hotel Moscowabout 200 m away (~3 min walk)
• Hotel National Moscowabout 250 m away (~4 min walk)
• The Carlton Moscowabout 350 m away (~6 min walk)

Events and traditions near State Historical Museum Moscow

• Golden Autumn Festival in Moscowabout 150 m away (~3 min walk)
• Gardens and Flowers Festival in Moscowabout 150 m away (~3 min walk)
• Moscow Traditions Festivalabout 150 m away (~3 min walk)

Related guides

• The St. Regis Moscow Nikolskaya: Luxury Hotel on Lubyanka Square
• Cofix: Fixed-Price Coffee Chain with Branches across Central Moscow
• Shokoladnitsa: Moscow Coffee Shop Chain Since 1964, Open Late
• Teremok: Russian Blini Fast-Food Chain with Branches across Moscow
• Rostic’s: Chicken Fast Food Chain across Moscow near Red Square

Browse more: More in Tverskoy · All Museums · All Sightseeing

?

FAQ: State Historical Museum Moscow

Is the State Historical Museum part of the Kremlin?

No. It is a separate national museum at the north end of Red Square, with its own ticket and closing day. The Kremlin has its own museums and entrances.

Is St. Basil’s Cathedral included in the ticket?

No. St. Basil's is a branch of the museum with a separate ticket and hours. See the scope section for the main building and branches.

Which day is the museum closed?

The museum is closed on Tuesdays, according to several sources, so check the schedule for your date. See the opening hours section.

How long does a visit take?

About two and a half to four hours, depending on how much of the chronological route you follow. A shorter selection of rooms takes about two hours.

What does the museum show?

Russian history from the ice age to the 19th century, with archaeology, weapons, coins, decorative arts and period rooms. It holds more than 4.5 million items.

Do I need a guide?

Not necessarily. Audio guides were listed in Russian and English on an older page, and the museum offers tours, so check the official site for current options.

Who designed the building?

The architect Vladimir Sherwood designed it with the engineer Anatoly Semyonov, in a Russian Revival style. It was built in 1875–83.

Is it close to the Bolshoi Theatre?

Yes. The Bolshoi on Teatralnaya Square is a short walk from the museum, which makes it easy to combine a museum visit with an evening performance.

Report an issue on this page

What is it about?
Opening hours or pricesDirections or metroClosed or movedWrong factSomething else

What is wrong?

The correct information (optional)

Send report

* Affiliate link: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.