State Historical Museum

The State Historical Museum is a national museum in Moscow located on Red Square between the Kremlin and the GUM department store. The museum was established in the late 19th century and is housed in a prominent red-brick building designed in the Russian Revival style.

Its exhibitions cover broad chronological material from prehistoric archaeology through medieval and imperial Russian history, including collections of coins, icons, textiles and archaeological artifacts. The building’s interior contains multiple halls arranged by period and theme, supporting both permanent displays and temporary exhibitions.

The museum’s construction and opening dates date to the late 1800s, and the institution has since become one of Russia’s principal repositories for objects illustrating national history. Its frontage on Red Square places it at the core of Moscow’s historic cityscape.

Visitors enter from Red Square and can view both the building’s ornate exterior and its interior galleries; the location makes it easy to combine with visits to adjacent landmarks.

• Founding era: Founded in the 19th century and opened to the public in the 1880s, the museum was established to present a national history collection and occupies a prominent site on Red Square.
• Collections focus: Collections include archaeological finds, medieval icons and artifacts that trace the history of the Russian lands; many important exhibits are on permanent display.

What to See #

• Permanent exhibitions: Permanent exhibitions that present Russian history from prehistoric times through the imperial and Soviet periods, arranged across multiple halls.
• Historic building: The museum building itself, a red-brick structure in the Russian Revival style with towers and ornate façades facing Red Square.