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Museums
The Tretyakov Gallery - home to the world's most extensive collection of Russian art, including everything from icons by the legendary Andrey Rublyov to portraits of some of Russia 's most prominent 18th and 19th century public figures.
State Historical Museum - museum charting the development of Russian civilization from Kievan Rus to the present day, housed in a magnificent dark redbrick building covered in ornate turrets and pinnacles, which was built in the 1870s and officially opened by Tsar Alexander III.
Address: Krasnaya Ploshchad 1/2, Moscow 103012
Tel: (095) 292 3731
Open: Monday, Wednesday - Sunday 11am - 7pm , closed first Monday of the month
KGB museum
KGB museum is included in Anastasiaweb cultural program. Visit the old KGB building, a focus of Russians' dread for years. There are four rooms showing the history of one of the world's most famous and feared security organizations. There are displays of their methods, as uncovered by former KGB agents. The museum was originally set up in 1984 to give new recruits to the Russian Secret Service an idea of the history of the organization, but its focus changed rapidly toward boosting the KGB's image and redefining its bloody role in Russia 's history. Groups are guided through the museum by a member of the service and fed the official version of the KGB's activities. No mention is made of the horrific torture and interrogation procedures that were commonplace during the Stalinist purges of the 1930s, nor is justification given for the very conservative estimate of 700,000 - 800,000 people that the KGB claims to have shot during its existence. Much is made of notorious foreign spies that were captured by the KGB and the bravery and skill of Soviet spies in Germany and Switzerland , who infiltrated the Nazi organization and gave warning of Hitler's invasion during WWII. Light-hearted displays feature some of the most wonderful gadgets used by the service over its numerous years in the espionage game, and the visitor comes away with an utterly fabricated and distorted impression of the role of the KGB this century. This is a curious museum and a must-see for all those interested in the Soviet history.
Address: 21 Tverskaya Ulitsa, Moscow
Tel: (095) 299-6724
Metro: Tverskaya
Open: Monday - Saturday 10am - 6pm , Sunday 10am - 5pm
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