The Central Soil Museum by V. V. Dokuchaev, Soil science museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
The Central Soil Museum is a collection of about 330 soil monoliths showing different types of earth materials from around the world. The pieces are organized by region and soil properties, making it clear how earth varies from one location to another.
The museum opened in 1904, one year after the soil scientist died, though his collection work had begun in 1880. His gathering of samples created the foundation for what is now an international archive of earth material.
The museum honors soil scientist Vasili Dokuchaev, whose legacy shaped how we study earth materials today. Visitors see soil samples arranged to show different types from across the globe, reflecting his pioneering approach to understanding what lies beneath our feet.
The museum is housed in the Northern Warehouse of the Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange building and is mainly accessible on weekdays. Plan time to view the different soil types and understand the variations between regions.
The museum conducts regular expeditions to gather fresh soil samples from different climates, from polar regions to other extreme environments. This ongoing work makes the collection an ever-growing record of earth science research.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
