The Central Naval Museum in St. Petersburg is one of the oldest museums in Russia and one of the largest maritime museums in the world. The museum is dedicated to the history of the Russian Navy and is one of the most famous museums in St. Petersburg.
The museum houses a wide variety of exhibits: ship models, weapons and military equipment, photographs and documents, awards and personal belongings of sailors, aircraft models, battle flags, and captured trophies. The museum is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the Navy, the history of Russia, weapons, and military equipment.
Photo: Visitors at the Naval Museum.
Tourist Information
Address: St. Petersburg, Truda Square, 5.
Nearest metro station: Admiralteyskaya (1.7 km).
To reach the museum, exit the metro station and turn left along Malaya Morskaya Street, past St. Isaac’s Cathedral, along Pochtamtskaya Street, then turn right and left.
Entrance fees in 2026 (main museum building, branch on the Cruiser Aurora):
Adult Russian citizens: 600 rubles.
Foreigners: 1,000 rubles.
Discounted admission is available.
About the Museum
The Naval Museum in St. Petersburg is one of the oldest museums in Russia. The museum traces its history to 1709, when Peter the Great ordered the establishment of the Model Chamber (from the Dutch model-kammer – a room or storage room for models), which housed models and drawings of warships. In 1805, the collection of models and drawings was transformed into the Maritime Museum (“Maritime Museum”). In 1908, the museum was named after its founder, Peter the Great. Since 1924, the name Central Naval Museum has been used.
The museum was originally located in the Main Admiralty building. In 1939, it was moved to the former Stock Exchange building. In 2011, the museum moved to the former barracks building at 5 Truda Square.
The naval museum’s branches include:
Cruiser Aurora. The D-2 Narodovolets submarine (located near the Lenexpo exhibition center).
The Kronstadt Fortress Museum (located in the Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt).
The Road of Life Museum (Leningrad Region, Vsevolozhsk District, Osinovets village).