Discover the Museum that Shows You Mini-Russia

We all know how big Russia is and that it’s quite a challenge to visit every part of the country. Therefore, in order to get an idea of ​​the diversity of Russian cities and landscapes for yourself, the best option besides actually travelling, is to visit the "Grand Maket Rossiya" Museum. I have been postponing my visit to the "Grand Maket" for a long time, because I thought that my expectations would not be fulfilled. Despite the many positive reviews, I was still skeptical. However, I finally made a decision, and went and bought a ticket to the museum.

This museum is a 1:87 scale model of Russia, with an area of ​​800 m², where the collective images of various regions of the Russian Federation are combined. It is the largest layout of it’s kind in Russia and the second largest in the world (after the Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg). The museum is located at 16 Tsvetochnaya st, 15 minutes from the Moscovskiye vorota metro station and 20 minutes walk from the Elektrosila metro station.

Unfortunately, discounts for ordinary students do not apply, but, I believe, what you see fully justifies its price. The display itself is located on the second floor and is divided into two parts. On the layout you can see the collective images of cities and regions of Russia from the North-Western Federal District to the Far Eastern Federal District, from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok. If you look at all the details, you can spend a whole day at the museum and still have something to see the next day. The layout is striking in its work. For example, in one place, surveyors work with a theodolite, in another, a group of friends launch a quadrocopter, cows graze somewhere, firemen work — they extinguish a burning house. In addition, the layout has a decent amount of events triggered by pressing a button: for example, the blades of a helicopter taking off rotate, the crane lifts a heavy beam, the lights of a nightclub shine, coal is loaded onto the train. Of course, there are other events that occur constantly. This is the movement of cars and trains. A very interesting idea for me was the change of day and night. It occurs every 8 minutes.

Of course, it could not be without St. Petersburg. I think that many people will be pleased to see their city on this layout. The most famous building here is the Peter and Paul Cathedral. Also, the city center is recreated with its beautiful five-story buildings. Unfortunately, there is no Lakhta Center and Gazprom-Arena at the expo. I hope that one day they will appear on the layout.

Near St. Petersburg is Moscow. The model presents the Kremlin, Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Ostankino TV Tower.

Also, on the layout there is a huge variety of attractions in other cities. The whole layout is equipped with roads and railways and platforms on which trains run.

During your visit to the museum, you may notice the museum photographers. They specifically observe and photograph museum visitors so that at the exit from the Grand Layout you can purchase commemorative magnets with your photo.

In the museum you feel as though you are a train driver. There is the "Lokodrom" where you control the trains from a small layout: adjust the speed, turn on the arrows. This so-called simulator is a great success with children.

In conclusion, I can say that Grand Maket Rossiya is a very interesting, informative, modern museum, which uses unusual technical solutions. For those who would like to get acquainted with different parts of the vast country, I would advise this museum. I kept postponing my trip to this museum, but after visiting I was extremely pleased with what I saw. And I hope that you will enjoy it too.