The name of Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky is inseparably linked to St. Petersburg. Here, the writer lived and worked, and the characters from his works resided as well. The phrase “Dostoevsky's Petersburg” has long been used by cultural scholars and tour guides.
In the city center, just a few minutes’ walk from Nevsky Prospekt, is the Literary and Memorial Museum of F.M. Dostoevsky, which I would like to tell you about today.
How to Get There by Metro
The museum of the famous writer is located close to the transfer hub of “Dostoevskaya” and “Vladimirskaya” metro stations. After exiting the metro, you need to walk about 200 meters along Kuznechny Lane, which is located to the right of the Church of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. The entrance to the museum will be on your right, in the basement part of the building at Kuznechny Lane, 5/2.
The cost of an adult entrance ticket is 150 rubles (summer 2019). I also recommend getting an audio guide; it makes the museum tour much more interesting. The cost is also 150 rubles.
Discounts are available for pensioners, students, and schoolchildren, and on the third Thursday of each month, visitors under 18 can enter the museum for free. For all other categories, there are free admission days, such as Dostoevsky’s memorial day or his birthday. More detailed information about the conditions and prices can be found on the museum's website.
A Bit of History
The Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky Museum was opened in 1971. In the house where the exhibition is located, the writer lived twice: in 1846 and from 1878 until his death. The Dostoevskys' apartment was on the second floor and included six rooms.
Today, visitors can see recreated interiors in the apartment, which include both items specially selected by restorers for the museum and exhibits directly related to the life of the famous writer. For example, in the study where Dostoevsky died, there is a clock that belonged to his brother, and in his wife's room, there is a notebook with financial records that she maintained. The apartment's decor was recreated based on photographs, old plans, and the memories of Anna Grigoryevna.
The writer's apartment is not the only exhibition space in this museum. In a neighboring room, there is an extensive literary exhibition dedicated to Fyodor Mikhailovich. Each display stand is numbered, and visitors can listen to information about various periods in Dostoevsky's life by selecting the corresponding item on the audio guide. Here, the writer’s life story is revealed in the fullest detail, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Dostoevsky's life and the lives of those around him.
It’s worth noting that if you decide to explore the exhibition with an audio guide, be prepared to spend at least two hours in the museum. There are many audio recordings, and they are quite lengthy. Don’t worry if you get tired; there are small benches in the “literary” part of the museum where you can take a break.
By the way, a distinctive feature of the museum is the large number of foreign visitors. Not the ones who are taken around the city in large buses, but individual visitors who have consciously chosen this museum. This is, of course, due to Dostoevsky's popularity worldwide. Overall, there are quite a few visitors in the museum. If you are concerned about getting distracted, just bring your own headphones; they can easily be connected to the audio guide.
If this tour inspires you (which I am sure it will), you can continue your acquaintance with Russian culture at the Memorial Museum-Apartment of A.S. Pushkin.
In summary:
- An excellent exhibition with an interesting audio guide;
- There are free admission days;
- Conveniently located near the metro station, Nevsky Prospekt, and the attractions in the center of St. Petersburg.
