Russian State Military Historical Archive, Military archive in Basmanny District, Russia
The Russian State Military Historical Archive is housed in Lefortovo Palace and preserves written records of Russian military history from the late imperial period through the early 20th century. The collection includes files on military districts, personnel records, and reports from various army units across different historical periods.
The building was constructed in 1699 as a residence for Franz Lefort, an influential military commander under Peter I. The palace was later transformed into an archive and now preserves written sources spanning centuries of Russian military history.
The collections include records of military districts, personnel files, and documentation from major conflicts involving Russian forces throughout several centuries.
Visitors must submit requests at least 20 days in advance, as processing can take considerable time. The reading room has limited opening hours, so it is wise to check current conditions beforehand.
The archive maintains special collections about fortresses such as Azov and the Saint Ann installation on the Don, which are rarely documented elsewhere. These records offer rare insights into the defensive history of individual strategic locations.
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