Founded in 1856 by Pavel M.Tretyakov, the Russian merchant and patron of arts, it is Russia’s second largest museum of Russian art from the 11th through the 20th century? (after the Russian Museum in St.Petersburg).

Housed in the former brothers Tretyakov’s mansion, the museum contains the world's finest collection of Russian icons, 18th-century portraits, 19th-century historical paintings, and works of the Soviet period. The museum’s collection of icons includes the most worshipped icons in the Russian Orthodox Church: the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, the icon of Our Lady of Don, and the icon of the Holy Trinity (the latter painted by the great icon painter Andrey Rublyov).

The object of museum’s special pride is the superb collection of the late 19th century realist paintings by the Peredvizhniki (Itinerants). In 1985-95, the museum’s old building was reconstructed, and the museum’s branch - State Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky val - was built to house museum’s holdings that are no older than 1910, including the world-noted avant-garde paintings.

State Tretyakov Gallery
Address: Lavrushinsky pereulok, 12
Nearest metro station: Tretyakovskaya
Tel.: +7 495 230 7788, 238 1378
Open: 10.00- 19.30
Closed: Mon

State Tretyakov Gallery (on Krymsky val)
Address: ulitsa Krymsky val, 10
Nearest metro station: Oktiabrskaya
Tel: +7 495 230-7788, 238-1378
Open: 10.00-19.30
Closed: Mon