The Military Medical Museum of the Ministry of Defense of Russia in St. Petersburg, located on Lazaretniy Lane, is one of the most unusual thematic museums in the city. Its collection contains hundreds of thousands of unique exhibits that tell the story of medicine and the doctors and nurses who participated in military actions.

History of the Museum's Creation

Initially, medical exhibits were collected in the Kunstkamera, where rare anatomical specimens were brought. In 1863, the Surgical Museum was opened, but the development of science required the creation of a separate building for permanent exhibitions and the preservation of documents on medical support in combat conditions. This issue became particularly relevant during the Great Patriotic War when Soviet medics achieved significant successes in surgery and the treatment of infections.

In October 1942, in Moscow, Major General of the Medical Service Professor A.N. Maksimenko proposed a structure for a specialized museum, including several departments. On November 12, 1942, the project was approved with minor changes, and this date is considered the founding day of the museum.

1942-1944

Immediately after its founding, preparations for the first exhibition began. Photographers, artists, and specialists were recruited to go to the front lines to collect unique materials. Due to the large number of exhibits, the museum was placed in the Sanitary Testing Research Institute and partially on Bolshoy Kozlovsky Lane, 6. The first exhibition included materials from the Karelian and Volkhov fronts. In 1943, the museum was moved to Leningrad.

Leningrad Period

The move to Leningrad became possible after the lifting of the blockade. The main exhibition was placed in the buildings of the Semenovsky Regiment, while the archives and staff housing were on Ruzovskaya Street. The premises required repairs and re-planning, which was worked on by architect B.N. Zhuravlev. He changed the appearance of the facade, adding sculptures of famous scientists such as Pirogov and Pavlov.

The museum opened to visitors on September 25, 1951. The first floor housed a collection dedicated to N.I. Pirogov and the history of medicine up to 1941. The second floor was dedicated to medical support for the army during the war, while the third focused on epidemic prevention and scientific achievements.

Further Development of the Museum

With the development of science, the museum's exhibitions were constantly updated. In 1955, a collection on radiation sickness was presented, and in 1962, on medical support for space flights. A permanent exhibition dedicated to N.I. Pirogov was opened, featuring his personal belongings and instruments.

Since the early 1950s, workshops for creating educational materials and a film studio have operated in the museum, where the first color educational film was shot in 1954. In 1958, a military medical archive was opened, storing documents about the wounded and killed in the war. Thanks to this data, many were able to confirm their participation in combat actions and receive compensation.

With the expansion of the museum, the number of visitors increased, but in 1982, part of the exhibition was moved due to the condition of the premises. Educational collections for students remained in the main building.

The Museum Today

Modern medical technologies contribute to the opening of new exhibitions. International projects dedicated to World War II and space exploration are being implemented. The museum has created multimedia projects, such as the video journal "Masterpieces of Military Medicine," featuring overviews of collections.

The museum has an extensive library with modern and antique publications, including Ambroise Paré's treatise from 1607. A collection of paintings has also been gathered, including works by I. Repin and field artists.

Scientific and Patriotic Activities

The museum not only trains young specialists but also conducts scientific research. Specialists summarize the experience of medics who participated in military conflicts for scientific publications.

The museum actively engages in educational work with students and conscripts, offering interactive programs and quests.

The Military Medical Museum in St. Petersburg is a place worth visiting for the whole family. Here, you can see interesting exhibitions and participate in museum-pedagogical activities and temporary exhibitions.