About
The Kunstkamera stands on the Universitetskaya Embankment in Saint Petersburg, on the Vasilievsky Island side of the Neva River. It is known in full as the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography, and it holds a distinction that gives it a special place in the city: it is Russia's first museum, founded by Peter the Great in 1714.
What you will find
The museum's collections bring together anthropological and ethnographic material from around the world. For a visitor, this means the displays look at how people in different regions have lived, made things and understood the human body and culture over time. The building itself is part of the visit, as its founding date and its place on the riverfront make it one of the most historic sites on the island.
Planning your visit
- Location: Universitetskaya Embankment, 3, Saint Petersburg, 199034, Russia.
- Contact: +7 812 328-1412.
- Best suited to: visitors interested in history, science and world cultures, and those who want to understand why Peter the Great established the city's early institutions.
Because the museum sits on Vasilievsky Island, it pairs well with a walk along the embankment and with other sights nearby. Visitors who enjoy a slower pace may find the riverside setting a pleasant counterpoint to the displays inside. Check with the museum by phone before you go to confirm current opening arrangements.
