The Decembrists' Museum arose from an unusual circumstance: a potential heir saved the ruined estate on Stara Basmannaya. Despite the fact that history has not been particularly kind to the ancestors of Muravyov-Apostol, the Swiss businessman and Russian nobleman considers this place his ancestral home. He restored the estate at his own expense and created a museum within it. For this unique act, he received the right, as the first in Moscow, to pay a symbolic rent: one ruble per square meter per year.

The estate is designed in the style of Moscow classicism. The basement, covering 298 sq. m with arched ceilings and wooden floors, recreates the atmosphere of the 18th century and includes a lecture hall. An impressive staircase leads to the second, grand floor. Here, there is an entrance hall, a pantry, an office, a bedroom, two living rooms, a ballroom, and a spacious hall where exhibitions and cultural events take place. In these rooms, exhibits from the auction house Christie’s have been displayed, and events for the Photo Biennale have been held.

There is currently no permanent exhibition in the museum, but the estate can be visited during exhibitions or by booking a tour in advance.