Pushkin Literary Museum

Lonely Planet review

Housed in a beautiful empire-style mansion dating from 1816, this museum is devoted to Russia's favourite poet's life and work. Personal effects, family portraits, (mostly) reproductions of notes and hand-written poetry provide insight into the work of the beloved bard. The elegant interior re-creates a fancy 19th-century atmosphere, especially the grand ballroom, decorated with mirrors, sconces, chandeliers and heavy drapes.

Several rooms are dedicated to Pushkin's specific works, demonstrating the links between his personal life and the poetry he produced. Perhaps the most interesting exhibit is `Pushkin & His Time', which puts the poet in a historical context, demonstrating the influence of Napoleonic Wars, the Decembrists' revolt and other historic events. This literary museum is much more in-depth than the Pushkin House-Museum on ulitsa Arbat.