Polytechnical Museum

Lonely Planet review

Occupying the entire block of Novaya ploshchad, this giant museum covers the history of Russian science, technology and industry. Indeed, the museum claims to be the largest science museum, not only in Russia, but also in the world. The permanent exhibits cover just about every aspect of Soviet scientific achievement, from a model of Lomonosov's laboratory to Mendeleev's development of the periodic table to Popov's first radio receiver.

While the museum's focus is scientific, this building is also architecturally interesting and visually appealing. Three different parts of the structure were built at different times and in different styles: the oldest, central section (1877) represents Russian Byzantium; the eastern section (1896) is inspired by 17th-century Russian styles while; the western section (1907) is Art Nouveau.