Polytechnic Museum

The Polytechnic Museum is a landmark for everyone interested in science and technology. Founded back in 1872, it became the first public museum in the capital and remains one of the largest science and technology centers in the world. Here, the past meets the future, and visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in the fascinating world of scientific discoveries and technological achievements.

How the Museum Was Created: A Journey of a Century and a Half

The birth of the Polytechnic Museum is linked to the work of prominent Russian scientists. In December 1872, the Museum of Applied Knowledge opened — that was its original name. The project was initiated by Professor of Geology Grigory Shchurovsky, anthropologist Anatoly Bogdanov, and other members of the Moscow University academic community. The first exhibits were displayed in a rented mansion on Prechistenka Street. However, just five years later, in 1877, the museum moved into a purpose-built building on Novaya Square. Interestingly, construction took place in stages — the central section was completed first, while the left wing with the famous Great Auditorium appeared only by 1907.

The Great Auditorium: The Heart of the Museum

The Great Auditorium quickly became one of Moscow’s main intellectual venues. Among those who spoke here were Nobel laureates Ilya Mechnikov and Niels Bohr; it hosted scientific demonstrations and experiments. The hall gained special fame for its poetry evenings, where Vladimir Mayakovsky, Sergei Yesenin, Velimir Khlebnikov, and Valery Bryusov read their works.

The Museum in the Soviet Era

With the advent of Soviet power, the museum’s priorities changed. Exhibits began to reflect the achievements of Soviet industry, and educational centers were opened to improve professional qualifications. A major milestone came in 1988, when the Polytechnic Museum was granted the status of the country’s main museum of the history of science and technology.

Major Reconstruction of the Historic Building

In early 2013, the building on Novaya Square closed for major restoration. Initially, the work was planned to be completed by 2021, but the complexity of the project and the COVID-19 pandemic postponed the completion to 2025. The reconstruction project envisions a radical transformation of the museum:

• The surrounding area will feature landscaped gardens
• An innovative transparent film roof will be added
• An underground floor will be constructed
• The building will regain its original pre-revolutionary gallery-style appearance

In 2019, the renovated façade was unveiled, and a museum park with an amphitheater and connecting zones was created around it.

What You Can See in the Museum Today

The Polytechnic Museum’s collection numbers over 200,000 exhibits. It covers a wide range of fields, from mining and metallurgy to radio electronics and computing.

The “Open Collection” Exhibition at Technopolis

While the main building is under reconstruction, the main exhibition is located in the former Moskvich factory — within the “Technopolis Moscow” complex on Volgogradsky Prospekt. Here you can find:

• Vintage cameras and telegraph devices
• The first computing machines
• Rare vehicles
• Miniature models of industrial enterprises
• A collection dedicated to space exploration

Among the unique exhibits are the only surviving car from the Russian Empire era, the first Soviet portable tape recorder not requiring mains power, and mid-19th-century mechanical clocks showing time across all world time zones using just two dials.

Ilyinsky Square: An Open-Air Museum

Opposite the historic building lies Ilyinsky Square, where temporary exhibitions are held. Glass showcases display archival documents, photographs, and other exhibits. The square is open around the clock, and entry is free.

The Polytechnic Library

The museum’s library was founded more than 150 years ago and today holds the country’s largest collection of scientific and technical literature. The collection contains 3.5 million items published from the 16th to the 21st century in various languages. Since 1921, it has received a copy of every Russian scientific publication on natural science and technology.

Visitor Information

Ticket Prices

Visits to the “Open Collection” exhibition are only available as part of a guided tour. Tickets can be booked on the museum’s official website. Ticket prices:

• Adult ticket — 400 rubles
• Discounted ticket (children under 18, students, pensioners, members of large families) — 200 rubles

Payment is accepted via the Pushkin Card. Free admission is available for children under 7, persons with disabilities and their companions, conscripts, combat veterans, and journalists.

Opening Hours

The “Open Collection” exhibition welcomes visitors:

• Tuesday — open
• Wednesday — open
• Thursday — open
• Saturday and Sunday — open
• Monday and Friday — closed

Specific opening hours depend on the tour schedule — please check the museum’s website for current information.

How to Get to the Polytechnic Museum

To the Exhibition at Technopolis “Moscow”

Address: 42 Volgogradsky Prospekt, Building 5 (entrance through checkpoint No. 4). The exhibitions are located on the second floor. Transport options:

1. By metro — Tekstilshchiki Station, 5 minutes on foot from the exit
2. By bus — routes No. 161, 438, 703, c790 to “Tekstilshchiki Metro” stop
3. By car — paid parking is available along Kolomnikova and Shosseynaya Streets

To Ilyinsky Square

Nearest metro stations: Kitay-Gorod and Lubyanka. You can also get there by buses No. e30, m40, e70 to the “Kitay-Gorod Metro” stop. Paid parking is available at Slavyanskaya Square.

What Else Makes the Polytechnic Museum Special

The Polytechnic is more than just a collection of historical exhibits. It actively develops as a modern cultural and educational space. It regularly hosts:

• Scientific lectures and discussions with leading scholars
• Workshops for children and adults
• Creative experiments and science shows
• Annual festivals of science, technology, and art
• Educational programs for schoolchildren and students

The Polytechnic Museum continues to fulfill its historical mission — making science accessible and understandable to a wide audience. Visiting this place offers a unique opportunity to trace the evolution of scientific thought, see how technology has changed over the centuries, and glimpse the future of scientific and technological progress. The museum remains a living organism that adapts to modern challenges without losing touch with its historical roots. After the completion of reconstruction in 2025, the Polytechnic Museum promises to become an even more impressive space where tradition meets innovation, and visitors can gain a new perspective on the role of science in our lives.