Shchusev State Museum of Architecture

The Shchusev State Museum of Architecture is an art museum in central Moscow that displays drawings, models, photographs, and documents about Russian buildings and design. The collection spans from recent times back to earlier centuries, showing how structures were conceived and constructed across different periods.

This institution was formed by merging two separate collections, the State Museum of Russian Architecture and the Academy of Architecture USSR, and officially opened to the public in 1964. The museum has preserved documents of Russian building history ever since.

The museum bears the name of architect Alexei Shchusev and displays works that document the evolution of Russian architectural design from the 15th century onward. The exhibitions reflect how Moscow's appearance changed through different periods and which design ideas shaped the city's character.

The museum sits on Vozdvizhenka Street near the Kremlin and is easy to reach while exploring central Moscow on foot. Allow at least two to three hours to take in the exhibitions at a relaxed pace and to visit the courtyard with its architectural remnants.

The museum's courtyard preserves architectural fragments from demolished buildings, including sections of Bove's Triumphal Arch and garden sculptures from the 18th century. These remnants allow visitors to see physical pieces of Moscow's lost urban landscape.

Location: Moscow

Inception: 1934

Founders: Ministry of Culture of Russia

Official opening: 1964

Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible

Opening Hours: Wednesday,Friday-Sunday 11:00-20:00; Tuesday,Thursday 13:00-21:00

Phone: +74956912109

Website: http://muar.ru/new/en

GPS coordinates: 55.75237,37.60722

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:53