Revolution Museum (State Museum of Contemporary Russian History)
Central Museum of the Revolution
This is the best twentieth century museum in Moscow. Exhibits range from stones thrown at policemen during the 1905 Revolution to a complete and level headed account of the revolution and coups of the early 1990s.
Central Museum of the Revolution, Moscow, Russia Ironically housed in the former building of the English Club, a notorious pre-Revolutionary haunt of Moscow's wealthy and privileged elite and practically the only place where political discussions were tolerated before 1917, the museum haphazardly navigates the visitor through the intricacies and complications of the revolutionary events that overthrew the Romanov dynasty and founded the Soviet regime that was to follow.
Housing an impressive, if somewhat disorganized collection of exhibits and displays, the museum's most memorable items are a number of stones that were thrown at policemen during the 1905 Revolution, an armored car that took part in the street battles of 1917, endless examples of Stalinist propaganda and several numbered grave posts from the Karaganda labor camp. Although none of the exhibits are captioned in English, the museum provides a balanced and interesting insight into the history of Russia in the 20th century and the museum shop is a must for all lovers of Soviet memorabilia.
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