The Central Navy Museum

Russia's main naval museum tells the fascinating story of the development, growth and achievements of the Russian navy. With a collection of over 800 thousand exhibits, the museum displays some fascinating naval memorabilia, armaments, authentic maritime equipment, quality models of historically significant vessels and numerous paintings by marine artists.

The pride of the museum has to be the boat of Peter the Great, known as the "Grandfather of the Russian Navy". It was on this very boat that Peter learned to sail as a teenager and acquired his fascination for the sea, sea faring and shipbuilding. This fascination later prompted Peter the Great to found the Russian navy. If you are interested in military and naval memorabilia, this is THE place to go!

The museum is located on the eastern tip of Vasilyevsky Island, in the impressive white, pillared building of the former Stock Exchange. The building, inspired by the best examples of ancient Greek and Roman architecture, was constructed by the architect Thomas de Tomon between 1805 and 1810. Back in the late 18^th - early 19^th century this part of Vasilyevsky Island was still a seaport, and visitors can see high up on the portico of the Stock Exchange building an imposing statue of Neptune, the ancient God of the Sea. Two Rostral Columns, monuments to Russia's many naval victories, flank the modern home of the Naval Museum.

Visitors enter the museum through a small side door that faces the Hermitage.