Moyka river Embankment 12
Tel. 571 3531
Open: 10am- 6pm
Wed- Mon
Closed: last Friday each month, public holidays
The Institute of Russian Literature, commonly referred to as the Pushkin House, stands as a premier scholarly institution and cultural repository in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Operated under the auspices of the Russian Academy of Sciences, it functions as the foremost authority on Russian literary studies, with a particular emphasis on the works and legacy of Alexander Pushkin—often regarded as a distinct academic discipline. Beyond Pushkin, its scope extends to the comprehensive examination of Russian literary traditions, folklore, and associated humanities fields. Importantly, it differs from the Alexander Pushkin Memorial Apartment Museum along the Moika River, which centers on the poet's last home and tragic demise; instead, the Pushkin House provides an expansive lens into the evolution of Russian literature through its archives, displays, and ongoing research initiatives.
Situated at 4 Makarova Embankment (наб. Макарова, 4) on Vasilyevsky Island, the Pushkin House enjoys a picturesque setting near the Strelka—the pointed eastern end of the island—overlooking the Malaya Neva River and the historic Exchange Bridge. This prime spot affords views of the neoclassical Old Saint Petersburg Stock Exchange and its iconic Rostral Columns, embedding the structure within the city's UNESCO-listed historic core. The building itself is a fine example of neo-Palladian architecture, originally erected between 1829 and 1832 by Italian architect Giovanni Francesco Lucchini to serve as a Customs House. Its facade boasts a grand pediment topped with bronze sculptures representing Neptune (symbolizing maritime affairs), Mercury (commerce), and Ceres (agriculture), reflecting its initial trade-oriented purpose. Behind this historic exterior lies a contemporary extension that accommodates expanded storage for the institute's extensive holdings and facilitates modern research needs. The interiors maintain a neoclassical elegance, with high ceilings and ornate details that evoke the grandeur of 19th-century design.
Founded in December 1905 amid the waning years of the Imperial era,
the Pushkin House emerged as the preeminent venue for research into
Alexander Pushkin, Russia's revered national poet. A dedicated
commission, chaired by prominent academics Sergei Oldenburg and Aleksey
Shakhmatov, recommended establishing a specialized museum to safeguard
Pushkin's manuscripts, personal effects, and related materials from
other notable Russian writers. Backed by figures like Grand Duke
Constantine Constantinovich, the vision included a bespoke neoclassical
odeon, though financial constraints halted this ambition. A pivotal
acquisition effort began in 1907 under Finance Minister Vladimir
Kokovtsov, targeting a vast Paris-based collection assembled by
Alexander Onegin since 1879; this trove was finally obtained in full
following Onegin's 1925 passing.
As a private entity initially, it
faced closure during the 1917 Revolution but was rescued and integrated
into the Russian Academy of Sciences in 1918. Key protectors, serving as
honorary directors, included Anatoly Lunacharsky (the People's Commissar
for Education), Lev Kamenev, and Maxim Gorky, who shielded it from
revolutionary upheavals. By 1927, the institute moved from its
temporary, confined spaces in the Academy's Kunstkamera to the current
Customs House site. Poet Alexander Blok immortalized this early phase in
his work "To Pushkin House," depicting the institution as a steadfast
anchor of cultural continuity during turbulent times. It persevered
through World War II's Siege of Leningrad, with vital staff and
artifacts relocated for protection. In the postwar decades, luminaries
like formalist critic Boris Eikhenbaum and cultural historian Dmitry
Likhachov advanced its scholarly reputation. Leadership has evolved
through a lineage of directors, from Nestor Kotlyarevsky (1910–1922,
1924–1925) to the current V. V. Golovin (since 2017), with interim
figures and honorary roles shaping its trajectory. The institute's
origins trace back even further to the 1899 Pushkin Exhibition at the
Academy of Sciences, which laid the groundwork for its Literary Museum.
Boasting one of the globe's most extensive assemblages of Russian
literary treasures, the Pushkin House safeguards materials dating from
the 13th century to contemporary times, encompassing around three
million precious autographs from writers, scholars, and public
figures—including an impressive 12,000 pages directly from Pushkin.
Holdings feature ancient manuscripts, author portraits, personal
correspondence, rare audio recordings of music and readings, ephemera,
and illustrations. A significant portion stems from the Onegin
collection, enriching its depth. These are primarily stored in the
modern annex, with highlights showcased in the public-facing Literary
Museum (Литературный музей), which offers an engaging introduction to
Saint Petersburg's literary legacy.
The museum organizes its displays
chronologically and thematically across dedicated rooms, spotlighting
key eras and figures tied to the city's literary scene—from the late
18th century's Golden Age through Realism and into the early 20th
century's Silver Age. Artifacts include original drafts, letters,
drawings, first editions, and memorabilia that illuminate authors'
creative processes, personal lives, and societal influences.
Golden Age Section: Highlights poets and writers like Gavrila Derzhavin,
Vasily Zhukovsky, Alexander Pushkin, and Nikolai Gogol. Derzhavin's
exhibit includes his official seal, portraits, and recreations of his
Fontanka River study, emphasizing his role in blending classical
influences with emerging Russian vernacular. Pushkin's materials feature
the 1814 poem "Recollections in Tsarskoe Selo" and the censored final
manuscript of "The Bronze Horseman" (1833), complete with Tsar Nicholas
I's notes, shedding light on his exiles and battles with authority.
Zhukovsky's items reflect his tutelage of Pushkin, with annotations and
sketches from the poet's final days. Gogol's display presents a censored
handwritten version of "The Inspector General," illustrations for "The
Nose," and reflections on destroying the sequel to "Dead Souls."
Mikhail Lermontov Dedicated Space: Explores his brief but impactful
life, from youthful artworks and Pushkin-inspired verses to Caucasian
exile drawings. A standout is one of the 15,000 clandestine copies of
"Death of a Poet" (1837), penned in mourning of Pushkin, which triggered
Lermontov's arrest and banishment. His prowess as both wordsmith and
artist is vividly illustrated.
Realism Area: Focuses on the
mid-19th-century pivot to authentic portrayals of societal realities,
featuring Fyodor Dostoevsky and Leo Tolstoy. Dostoevsky's corner
includes a periodical printing of "Poor Folk" from "The Contemporary,"
delving into psychological depths amid urban grit. Tolstoy's artifacts
encompass a first-edition "Anna Karenina," planning maps for "War and
Peace" depicting the Napoleonic campaigns, and images of his later
ascetic, populist existence.
Silver Age Display: Captures the
fin-de-siècle quest for social and spiritual renewal amid conflict and
change. It showcases Symbolists such as Fyodor Sologub, known for dark
prose, and Acmeists like Alexander Blok, with original drafts, photos,
and items linked to events like the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, and
the Bolshevik Revolution. Blok's evolution from emotive symbolism to
structural precision is a highlight.
Interactive audio guides in
Russian, English, and Mandarin enhance visits, activated via a pen on
mapped points for narrated insights. While modest in scale, the museum
complements specialized author venues across Saint Petersburg and
affiliates like Pushkin memorials in Mikhailovskoye, Trigorskoye, and
Tsarskoe Selo.
As a hub for advanced inquiry, the Pushkin House divides its efforts across specialized units, fostering in-depth analysis of literary texts, historical contexts, and cross-cultural ties. Key departments include Old Russian Literature, Russian Folklore and Records Archive, New Russian Literature, Pushkin Studies, Recent Russian Literature, Correlation of Russian and Foreign Literatures, Bibliography and Sources, Manuscript Division and Archive of Ancient Relics, and the Museum of Literature itself. These groups produce scholarly publications, host conferences, and collaborate internationally, advancing fields like textual criticism, folklore preservation, and comparative literature. Ongoing projects often involve digitizing collections for broader access and exploring literature's intersections with history and society.
The Literary Museum welcomes the public, though operating hours fluctuate; recent schedules indicate openings on Mondays and Tuesdays from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, with potential closures on weekends and holidays. Entry fees hover around 300 RUB, with reduced rates (150 RUB) for students, and audio guides adding another 300 RUB. For English-guided tours, advance booking via phone (+7 812-328-0502) is recommended. Consult the official website for updates, noting it's mainly in Russian but navigable for museum info. The atmosphere leans academic and somewhat vintage, ideal for literature aficionados seeking authentic, unpolished encounters with rare originals. As of late 2025, no major renovations or events have been reported, maintaining its status as a timeless scholarly gem.