Blockade museum overview
The Siege of Leningrad museum is dedicated to one of the most difficult periods of soviet history. Starting from September 8, 1941 the city was surrounded by the enemy for almost 900 days and although the exact number of victims is still unknown, according to different sources from 300 thousand to 1,5 million people died during that period. The majority of them starved to death.
The Siege of Leningrad museum is a little bit off the beaten track – it address is Solyanoy pereulok, 9, but in fact it’s a short walk from the Nevsky prospect, the main street of the city. The exhibition space is rather small and I think that on average you’ll spend there about 1-1,5 hours.
Subjective impressions of the museum
Unfortunately the museum of the Siege of Leningrad lacks finances and it looks a little bit old-stile, but it has some English commentary near all the main showcases. They have guided tours, but this far they are in Russian and you need an interpreter to participate. My personal opinion that you’ll get much more from a visit to this museum if you have some Russian accompanying you there, because reading overview explanations is one thing, and being able to understand what is written in Russian on many exhibits is another. I will try to explain what I mean. For me the most interesting part of the exhibition are personal belongings of people who lived at that period – their letters, photographs, drawings and so on. You may read on the board that one of the main problems in the besieged city was poor nutrition, seeing photos – one of them depicts a young lady full of life, second – and realizing that these are photos of the same lady, but taken before and during war, is another. Or this child’s drawing with inscription on it: “Daddy, I am wounded, but I’m alive”.
In my opinion, you should visit the museum of the Siege of Leningrad only if you are interested in history, it’s not a place to put a necessary “I have been there” mark. Nevertheless, it’s a really moving experience. The museum had really difficult times as it was closed for some years during the Soviet period, but thanks to support of the citizens who donated some of the exhibits afterwards and museum staff it is open to the public.
Siege of Leningrad museum working hours
Address: Solyanoy pereulok, 9
Working hours: daily except Tuesday and Wednesday – 10:00 to 17:00, Wednesdays – 12:30 t0 20:00
Closed on Tuesdays, last Thursday of each month – sanitary day
Other top museums – Grand maket of Russia