Many indigenous people are unaware of the existence of a historical institution in the city, to say nothing of ignorant tourists. Almost until 2010, the metro museum in St. Petersburg on Primorskaya was open only to a certain circle of people. A simple person, "from the street", could not get into this building. However, even today, to visit a historical institution, you need to bring an identification document with you and call the museum management in advance in order to get an individual pass.
Why are the rules so strict?
The fact is that initially the museum was supposed to be made into a kind of repository of all data about the subway, carefully collected by its employees. Everything was literally gathered in pieces and was done not for profit and fame, but for the sake of preserving the memories and passing them on to descendants and simply interested people.
But already in 2005, the metro museum in St. Petersburg began to function. And, as it turned out, those lucky ones who, by old acquaintance, nevertheless managed to look at the exhibits at least out of the corner of their eyes, liked him so much that it was decided to make it more or less open to the public.
What to look at?
And there is something to look at in the museum: there are rare documents (it’s very interesting to find out that you could buy a living cow for a broken glass ticket in a train car). The form of train drivers, preserved from different times (unfortunately, you can’t touch it with your hands), real escalators and cars, as well as many interesting things like old turnstiles, vending machines for selling tokens and so on, can’t be listed in total - a collection of rarities is really going very long and carefully.
However, the metro museum in St. Petersburg will be able to tell you not only about the history of the Russian metro. A special room contains historical information and documents found on the history of the world metro. It is here that you learn interesting facts, for example, that Russia managed to get ahead of many European countries in the production of underground transport. That in the XX century for 2 years they could dig an underground path with a length of more than 19 kilometers (in our time they don’t even dream of such speed), and many other things that are no less exciting.
2015 is the year of change
2015 is the year of not only the sixtieth anniversary of the St. Petersburg Metro, but also of cardinal changes in the museum: after an almost complete change in the style and design of the halls, the building will turn into a real interactive platform for the future. A special screen will be installed in each hall, on which the entire history of the subway will be shown, and the hall itself will look like a platform or lobby in the subway.
In addition, each visitor will be able to virtually visit construction sites, distillation tunnels and understand the complex structure of an escalator and turnstile, thereby forever closing questions from the series: “Why does a handrail in the subway move faster than steps?”
When will the restructuring end?
Very soon, the city residents and guests will be presented with a rebuilt and updated metro museum (St. Petersburg), a photo of which you can soon take on your own.
The museum staff will bet on the realism of what is happening: all the equipment is specially created so that you feel not as tourists, but as real underground workers.
According to project managers, a complete reconstruction of the building will cost approximately 72-74 million rubles, and it is planned to complete all the huge work in August-September 2015.
All about the work of the museum
Exhibits are available for viewing the entire working week: Monday-Thursday from 10.00 to 17.00 hours, Friday - from 10.00 to 15.00 hours, on Saturday and Sunday the museum is closed. Attention, from 12.00 to 13.00 hours (all days) - a technical break.
Independent and free visits can be both group and individual. Group pre-registration is required (applications must be sent by fax: (812) 301-98-33). For people visiting the museum alone, a pass is issued according to any identification document.
Every Thursday at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., the Metro Museum in St. Petersburg conducts two-hour excursions for groups (for an additional fee, you must make an appointment in advance). The price includes photography in the clothes of drivers, a visit to the driver’s cab, a film screening and viewing of all museum exhibits. For an individual excursion (it is paid), time is allocated every day: 13-00 and 15-00 hours.
How to get to the metro museum in St. Petersburg? Its address is 29 Odoevskogo Street. In addition, a museum is open at the museum where you can purchase small gifts for yourself and loved ones.
