State Tretyakov Gallery
Quick answer
State Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, Russia — pavel Tretyakov began collecting Russian art in 1856 with the dream of a national gallery; he donated the entire collection to the city of Moscow in 1892. Open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; closed Mondays. Admission: 700 RUB standard admission. Allow 2–3 hours.
Visitor information last reviewed 30 June 2026. Check the official museum site for current details.
State Tretyakov Gallery at a glance: hours, tickets and time needed
| Opening hours | Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
|---|---|
| Closed | Mondays |
| Admission | 700 RUB standard admission |
| Booking | Tickets usually available on the day |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
| Best time to visit | Tuesday or Wednesday mornings at 10 AM opening. |
| Getting there | Metro: Tretyakovskaya (Line 6) or Novokuznetskaya — 5-minute walk |
| Address | Lavrushinsky Lane, 10, Moscow, 119017 |
| Official website | tretyakovgallery.ru |
Checked 2026-06-30 against the official website. Prices and hours change — confirm before you travel.
What is State Tretyakov Gallery known for?
Pavel Tretyakov began collecting Russian art in 1856 with the dream of a national gallery; he donated the entire collection to the city of Moscow in 1892.
The historic Lavrushinsky Lane building displays Russian art from eleventh-century icons to the early twentieth century, including Andrei Rublev's Trinity — the most revered icon in Russian Orthodoxy.
Tretyakov's portrait by Repin hangs at the entrance, and his stipulation that the collection remain intact and free to the public is honoured to this day.
A separate New Tretyakov Gallery on Krymsky Val covers Soviet and contemporary Russian art from the twentieth century to the present.
Best for: Art Lovers · History Enthusiasts · First-timers
How long do you need at State Tretyakov Gallery?
Allow 2–3 hours. A focused route through 4 must-see highlights at State Tretyakov Gallery without museum fatigue. Follow the stops in order:
- 1
The Trinity
📍 Icon gallery, Room 60
The most celebrated icon in Russian art — three angels seated at a table in a vision of the Holy Trinity.
- 2
Boyarynya Morozova
📍 Hall 10
The boyarina Feodosia Morozova arrested for her Old Believer faith, her hand raised in defiance as she is dragged through the snow — Surikov's masterpiece of Russian historical painting.
- 3
The Appearance of Christ Before the People
📍 Hall 20
Ivanov's epic canvas — twenty years in the making — showing John the Baptist pointing to Christ as the Messiah.
- 4
Morning in a Pine Forest
📍 Hall 10
Shishkin's luminous forest landscape with bear cubs — one of the most reproduced images in Russian art, painted by Shishkin with bears added by Savitsky.
What are the must-see works at State Tretyakov Gallery?
4 highlights that define the collection: The Trinity, Boyarynya Morozova, The Appearance of Christ Before the People and more.
The Trinity
Andrei Rublev · c. 1410–1420
📍 Icon gallery, Room 60
The most celebrated icon in Russian art — three angels seated at a table in a vision of the Holy Trinity. Restored and displayed in a dedicated climate-controlled case.
Boyarynya Morozova
Vasily Surikov · 1887
📍 Hall 10
The boyarina Feodosia Morozova arrested for her Old Believer faith, her hand raised in defiance as she is dragged through the snow — Surikov's masterpiece of Russian historical painting.
The Appearance of Christ Before the People
Alexander Ivanov · 1837–1857
📍 Hall 20
Ivanov's epic canvas — twenty years in the making — showing John the Baptist pointing to Christ as the Messiah. One of the largest and most ambitious works in Russian art.
Morning in a Pine Forest
Ivan Shishkin and Konstantin Savitsky · 1889
📍 Hall 10
Shishkin's luminous forest landscape with bear cubs — one of the most reproduced images in Russian art, painted by Shishkin with bears added by Savitsky.
Collections and highlights
- • Andrei Rublev's Trinity and medieval icons
- • Itinerants — Repin, Surikov, Shishkin, Levitan
- • Ivanov's Appearance of Christ Before the People
- • Russian portraiture from the 18th century
- • Avant-garde works before 1917
- • Tretyakov's original gallery building
Tips for visiting State Tretyakov Gallery
- 1.
Best time to visit
Tuesday or Wednesday mornings at 10 AM opening. Closed Mondays.
- 2.
Crowds & busy periods
Moderate — popular with Russian school groups. Icon gallery can be crowded.
- 3.
Tickets & booking
700 RUB standard; book online at tretyakovgallery.ru. New Tretyakov requires separate ticket.
- 4.
Food & cafés nearby
Café in the gallery; restaurants in Zamoskvorechye along Pyatnitskaya Street.
- 5.
Accessibility
Historic building has limited accessibility. Main floor accessible.
How do you get to State Tretyakov Gallery?
- metro Tretyakovskaya (Line 6) or Novokuznetskaya — 5-minute walk
- walk 20 minutes from Red Square through Zamoskvorechye district
- bus Multiple routes to Lavrushinsky Lane in Zamoskvorechye
Address: Lavrushinsky Lane, 10, Moscow, 119017
State Tretyakov Gallery: frequently asked questions
Is there a separate building for twentieth-century art?
Yes, the New Tretyakov on Krymsky Val displays Soviet and contemporary Russian art.
How long does a visit take?
Plan two to three hours for the main building.
How long should I spend at State Tretyakov Gallery?
Plan 2–3 hours for the highlights of State Tretyakov Gallery. Our 4-stop route — The Trinity, Boyarynya Morozova, The Appearance of Christ Before the People and more — is designed to fit that time. Add extra time for temporary exhibitions, the shop and the café.
What is State Tretyakov Gallery best known for?
Pavel Tretyakov began collecting Russian art in 1856 with the dream of a national gallery; he donated the entire collection to the city of Moscow in 1892. Key highlights include The Trinity by Andrei Rublev, Boyarynya Morozova by Surikov, The Apparition of Christ Before the People by Ivanov.
How do I get tickets for State Tretyakov Gallery?
Admission: 700 RUB standard admission. Tickets are usually available on the day, but booking online saves queue time in peak season. Official site: https://www.tretyakovgallery.ru/en/
Is Rublev's Trinity always on display?
Yes — it is permanently displayed in a dedicated case in the icon gallery. Viewing may be briefly interrupted during conservation checks.
How does Tretyakov compare to the Russian Museum in St Petersburg?
Both are essential — Tretyakov is Moscow's equivalent, with overlapping but distinct collections. Tretyakov is stronger on icons and the Itinerants.
Is State Tretyakov Gallery open on Mondays?
No — State Tretyakov Gallery is closed every Monday. It is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Plan a different museum for that day, and check the official website for holiday changes.
What are State Tretyakov Gallery's opening hours?
State Tretyakov Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, and closed Mondays. Hours can change for holidays and events, so check the official website before you go.
Is State Tretyakov Gallery free to visit?
No — standard admission is 700 RUB standard admission.
