Central Museum of Ancient Russian Culture and Art named after Andrei Rublev

The Museum of Old Russian Culture and Art is located on the territory of the Spaso-Andronikov Monastery, founded in the middle of the XIV century and associated with the Battle of Kulikovo and other events of Russian history and culture.

In the oldest architectural monument of Moscow, the Spassky Cathedral (20th years of the XV century), in the window openings of the altar there are frescoes by Andrei Rublev, the great icon painter of Ancient Russia. He was a monk in this monastery and was buried here in 1430.

Until 1950, the museum housed the archives of the Ministry of State Security. When Rublev was officially recognized as a great Russian artist, there was no better place for his museum. The decree on the establishment of the museum was adopted by the Soviet government in 1947 on the anniversary of the 800th anniversary of Moscow.

Initially, the funds contained only copies and photographs. Then came the icons, written off by dilapidation from provincial funds, removed from the walls of frescoes. Now the museum has more than 5 thousand icons, and among them there are works by Dionysius. In addition to the icon fund, the museum owns a collection of iconic salaries, liturgical objects, handwritten and printed books (including liturgical and singing old rite).