The Naval Central Museum in St. Petersburg

In one of the most beautiful places in St. Petersburg, not far from the place called New Holland, there is a museum telling about the history of the Russian military fleet. It is one of the world's richest collections of models of ships, weapons collections, navigational instruments, documents and other items related to the naval forces of the country. This Central Naval Museum is the offspring of the Emperor Peter the Great.

Experience brought from abroad

At the turn of the XVII and XVIII centuries, during their trip to Holland and England - the countries that occupied the leading world position in shipbuilding at that time, Peter I studied in detail the organization of affairs at their shipyards. Among other things, his attention was drawn to the widely used model cameras. These departments simultaneously performed the role of storage facilities, where models and drawings of ready-made ships were launched, as well as design workshops where new vessel designs were developed.

Returning to Russia, the Emperor ordered the introduction in St. Petersburg of such an innovation, the usefulness and significance of which did not cause doubts. So in 1707 on the banks of the Neva appeared a domestic camera model, which was an analogue of Western models. It was located in the Admiralty building, adjacent to the shipyards.

The beginning of the future collection

Peter I issued a decree, according to which the collection of the model camera constantly expanded and replenished with new exhibits. Here, not only ships built at the shipyard began to arrive, but also those that were captured in sea battles. All of them were subject to detailed study. Over time, this repository became the basis on which the St. Petersburg Naval (Central) Museum was created.

By the mid-thirties of the XVIII century, the functions of the model camera had expanded considerably. It gradually became a kind of design bureau, where new ship designs were created and their large-scale models were manufactured. The future Central Naval Museum was actively replenished with all sorts of navigational documents, weapons samples and various naval instruments.

The new status of the former model camera

A new stage in the life of the child of Peter I came in 1805. Then, on the orders of Russian autocrat Alexander I, the model camera received a new status. It was transformed into the "Sea Museum". Its funds have significantly expanded due to the accession of collections of materials of the Admiralty Library. This scientific and educational center has become one of the largest in the world.

Much of the museum's exposition was replenished with all sorts of rarities brought from travel by many famous Russian seafarers. Today, the Central Naval Museum of St. Petersburg offers great opportunities for studying their lives and activities.

Years of decline of the museum

Entering the throne in 1825, Nicholas I was a short-sighted man. In his opinion, the "Marine Museum" and its collections did not represent a serious interest and were of little use. In 1827, this scientific and educational center is transferred to the Hydrographic Depot, and then completely disbanded. A unique collection of exhibits passes to storage in various state institutions, including the Kunstkamera. The Naval Central Museum in St. Petersburg again becomes a model camera. In her collection there are only about five hundred exhibits.

Deep state crisis and the need for reforms

As a result of the defeat in the Crimean military campaign and the deep crisis that engulfed the state, the need for radical changes in all areas of Russia's life, including in the reform of the navy, became evident. In an era when the ships of the leading countries had already switched to steam engines, they received armored protection and modern weapons, Russian squadrons still remained sailing. Along with the problems of technical equipment of ships, it was also necessary to revise the approach to training and training of crews as soon as possible.

Revival of the museum and restoration of its expositions

This gave impetus to the fact that in 1867 it was decided to revive the "Marine Museum". One of the main tasks assigned to his new leadership was the collection of former exhibits scattered throughout numerous institutions. In addition, it was important to present samples of the most advanced technical developments at the time in the expositions.

This task was brilliantly fulfilled by the newly appointed director of the museum, the talented engineer-gunsmith Lieutenant N. M. Baranov. Thus, the future Central Navy Museum opened a new page in its history. In 1908, during the celebrations associated with the bicentennial, the museum was given the name of its founder - Peter the Great.

Naval (central museum) in the Soviet period

After the events of October 1917, the new authorities pay great attention to the expansion and qualitative improvement of its funds. It receives exhibits from many state and private collections, and in 1939 the Naval Central Museum changes its address. From the Admiralty, he moved to Vasilievsky Island, the building that belonged to the Stock Exchange before (photo at the end of the article). This majestic structure, built in 1816, is one of the architectural masterpieces of the Northern capital.

In view of the fact that the museum funds contained a huge amount of materials, the move to the new premises was extended for two years. During the war, the most significant exhibits were taken to the deep rear. The rest of the collection remained in the besieged Leningrad, which was heroically preserved by museum workers. Thanks to their work and dedication, invaluable evidence of the history of the Russian fleet safely awaited the Victory Day. In July 1946 the Naval Central Museum again became in its entirety the property of visitors.

Today's Museum Day

In the following years he became one of the most visited museums in the city. A great place in his work was occupied by the organization of school excursions and thematic exhibitions. Along with the sections of the museum that displayed the history of the Russian navy in the past centuries, visitors were attracted by the materials of the recent past, telling about the heroism of Soviet sailors during the last war.

Currently, the Naval Central Museum is located in the restored complex of the Kryukov barracks, located in the historic center of the city. The decision on his move was made in 2009, during the celebrations associated with the 300th anniversary of the museum. The reason was the dilapidated state of the building on Vasilievsky Island, where he had stayed earlier. According to experts, for its restoration it was necessary to completely free the halls from the exhibits. This move was realized in 2013.

Today the Central Naval Museum in St. Petersburg is of great interest for its displays of models of military and merchant ships, historical documents related to navigation, military insignia, awards, banners, weapons and other exhibits telling about the glorious and heroic way of the St. Andrew's flag, - the main symbol of the Russian fleet.