The Russian Museum in St. Petersburg is a true treasure trove of Russian culture and its main repository. In the spacious halls of the Mikhailovsky Palace, one can see famous paintings familiar to us from childhood. The Benois Wing houses the best works of talented Russian artists. In the Summer Garden, known for the walks of Eugene Onegin, one can enjoy nature and history. Mikhailovsky Castle holds magnificent sculptures and the mystery of its creator's demise.

The Russian Museum was founded on April 13 (24), 1895, by the decree of Nicholas II, but the initiative for its creation belonged to his father, Alexander III. He wanted Russian culture to be appreciated worldwide and began collecting works from the Wanderers for the future museum. The organization of the museum was overseen by Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich. The museum was housed in the Mikhailovsky Palace, which was reconstructed by architect Vasily Svinyin.

The main building of the museum, the Mikhailovsky Palace, was built in 1823 according to the design of Carlo Rossi, a renowned architect of St. Petersburg. Rossi not only constructed the palace but also created the Arts Square in front of it and laid out Mikhailovskaya and Engineer streets. The palace was erected for Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich according to his father's will, Emperor Paul I. Alexander III purchased the palace from the descendants of Mikhail Pavlovich to establish the museum.

Initially, the museum received exhibits from the collections of the Hermitage, the Academy of Arts, and the palaces of St. Petersburg, as well as the personal collection of Alexander III. After the October Revolution, the museum's collection significantly increased due to nationalized works of art. During the war years, museum staff managed to preserve the collection by evacuating it to Perm and hiding it in basements.

Today, the Russian Museum consists of several buildings, each unique. Its collection contains about 400,000 works of art. The museum actively participates in international exhibitions and has a branch in Malaga, Spain. The museum's library holds about 170,000 printed publications.

The Mikhailovsky Palace impresses with its grand staircase and halls showcasing artworks from Ancient Russia to the 19th century. The Benois Wing introduces visitors to 20th-century Russian painting. The Rossi Wing displays folk and applied art. Mikhailovsky Castle, steeped in myths, houses exhibitions dedicated to 18th-century sculpture and the history of Paul I.

The Summer Garden, conceived by Peter I, is part of the Russian Museum and is known for its sculptures and history. The Stroganov Palace, built by Rastrelli, is an example of Russian Baroque and holds collections of paintings and minerals.

Exploring the halls of the Russian Museum will take more than one day, and visiting all its buildings will require at least a month.