Guide to the State Museum of the History of Religion

If you have any interest in philosophy, religion, the afterlife, and other cultures, the State Museum of the History of Religion in St. Petersburg is a must for believers and skeptics alike.

The museum’s corridors are surprisingly vast. There’s a lot to see. In addition to the major religions, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, and Buddhism, there are exhibitions on religious belief in ancient Mesopotamia, Greece, Egypt, and various indigenous peoples’ Shamanism.

Plus, there are a fascinating couple rooms devoted to the relationship between Soviet power and the Orthodox Church. Take a look at this poster of a smirking kosmonavt hovering above a cupola with the caption “Бога нет (There is no God).”

Important Info

Only the titles of the featured artifacts are translated into English. This is not necessarily a huge drawback, however, as information overload is quite possible here.

The museum is closed on Wednesdays. Admission is 100p for students and 400p regular admission.

“Do you, uh, believe in…?”

James and Sasha are my companions at the museum. We’re in the dimly-lit Archaic Beliefs section, reading about Siberian Shamanism from a scroll hung on the wall. All around us, there are primitive, wooden ceremonial ornaments. There are “Carving of Headaches Spirit,” “Carving of a Spirit of Mental Disorder,” and “Carving of a Disease Spirit as a Tiger.”

As we stroll about, we delve into a bilingual discussion about spirits, the soul, and the connections between religious rites and theatre. A museum attendant reprimands us for being too loud. Museums are, after all, somewhat like churches.

“There’s been a recent surge of interest in Eastern spirituality here in Russia,” says Sasha, as we look at the resplendent Buddhist Paradise exhibition. “There are some meditation courses around Russia and the spots fill 5 minutes after registration opens. Personally, I think it’s fascinating that what the Buddha said 2,500 years ago about impermanence and the illusion of solidity has been proven scientifically.”

“As far as reincarnation goes, I’d love to be able to remember my past lives,” I add. I think I was a capybara in a past life. Isn’t the resemblance striking?

Jokes aside, I’d definitely recommend visiting the Museum of the History of Religion. It’s a great place to see religious artifacts, learn about history, and reflect on your own spiritual inclinations. If, of course, you’re into that sort of thing.

Read also: The Guide to the Church on Spilled Blood

Posted by Michael Mayberry