The Shchusev Architecture Museum keeps unique documents, drafts, photographs and models that illustrate the peculiarities of historic buildings in Russia, as well as the specifics of the architecture of many other countries.
The Shchusev Architecture Museum was founded in 1934 to become Europe’s first ever museum specializing in architecture. Its main task is to collect and present to general public the paragons of world architecture from ancient times to nowadays. The museum collection boasts the drafts, photographs and models of not only architectural monuments located in Russia, but also those of ancient Byzantine churches, Middle Eastern religious buildings, European architecture and even Polynesian huts.

The History of the Architecture Museum
The Shchusev Architecture Museum became particularly popular in the postwar years. Lots of the buildings, which were monuments of history and architecture, had happened to be destroyed during the war. It often turned out that the documents helpful in restoring the historical buildings could be found at the Architectural Museum only. It was thanks to this museum that a number of unique buildings and churches, which are part of the Russian cultural heritage, were restored nearly from the ruins.

The Collections of the Architecture Museum
The vastness and wealth of the Shchusev Architecture Museum is impressive, with over a million items in its funds. The exhibition contains unique documents, such as drafts, measurements and photographs of the monuments of architecture.
In addition, the museum has numerous collections of art works, such as engravings, sculptures, architectural models, tapestries, furniture, and even ancient gravestones, building materials, and the fragments of buildings as such.

The museum buildings, located in the center of Moscow, are also historical and architectural monuments. The museum is located in the Talyzins’ Estate, where there is also the Pharmacy Department Chamber preserved from the XVII century.

The Museum Tours
The enfilade of the former manor house and the outbuilding in the estate yard are used as the exhibition space and a lecture hall. The museum holds numerous outdoor exhibitions. The excursion program includes not only a tour around the museum’s exposition, but also walks along several Moscow streets. In the course of city excursions, the architectural features that dominated during the development of that particular area can be studied using real buildings as an example.
In addition to the lecture hall, the museum has a library and a photo library, which contains subject literature and a rich collection of architectural materials. Prior registration is required for visiting them.

Where: the Shchusev Architecture Museum at the address 5/25, Vozdvizhenka Street, next to the metro station Lenin's Library, Moscow.
Open hours: from 1 pm to 9 pm on Tue and Thu, f
rom 11 am to 8 pm on Wed, Fri – Sun.
See details on the museum’s official website

A Glimpse on the History of Russian Architecture
Russian Architecture of the 18th Century
Russian Architecture of the 17th Century
Russian Architecture of the 16th Century
Russian Style in Architecture – What is it?
The Russian Revival Style
White Stone Architecture of the Old Rus'
Architecture Monuments