|
KUNSTKAMERA
The Kunstkamera, German for "Chamber of Art," houses
the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (not to be
confused with the Museum of Ethnography). Located
across the Dvortsovy Bridge from the Winter Palace,
the green and white, dome-capped Kunstkamera building
was commissioned in 1718 by Peter the Great as the
Academy of Arts and Sciences. He later placed here
his collection of curiosities gathered during his
foreign travels and established St. Petersburg's
first museum. A legend of reputable authenticity says
that in order to attract visitors admission was free
and included a complimentary shot of vodka and a
slice of salo. Unfortunately both inducements have
been done away with so you'll need to bring your own
bottle and pay to get in.
The exhibition of life and culture of peoples from
Asia, America, Africa, and Australia is eclectic;
among Japanese and Polynesian art you can also find a
collection of Aleutian hats, neanderthal sculptures,
and New Guinean musical instruments. But the star
attraction is most definitely Peter's collection of
curiosities, displayed on the first floor in the
Round Hall. The collection includes a vital organ
assortment, deformed fetuses, Siamese-twin infants, a
two-faced calf, and other oddities of questionable
taste but undeniable interest. It's not the kind of
thing you see every day, nor would anyone in their
right mind want to, but it sure is weird and worth
checking out. Fresh tip: Time your visit here so that
it is not right before lunch or dinner.
Universtiteskaya Naberezhnaya 3. Metro: Nevsky
Prospekt then trolleys 1, 7 or 10 across the bridge.
Entrance is from Mendeleyevskaya Liniya around the
side. Ticketing office open 11:00-17:00, museum open
till 18:00. Closed Thursday. Tel: 218 1412.
|
Articles 