State Geological Museum named after V.I. Vernadsky RAS

GGM named after V.I. Vernadsky RAS is the oldest in Russia scientific, educational, cultural and educational center in the field of Earth sciences. The museum is located in the center of Moscow in a historic building, built in 1918 by the architect R.I. Klein.

The history of the Museum originates from the “Mineral Cabinet” of the Imperial Moscow University – the first university in Russia, founded in 1755 thanks to the activities of the outstanding scientist M.V. Lomonosov. The "mineral cabinet", donated by industrialists Demidov, became in 1759 the basis of the first natural science museum in Moscow - the Museum of Natural History of Moscow University.

Today, the Museum’s collection includes over 300,000 minerals, rocks and fossils. Funds of the Museum were created by scientists, collectors and patrons of the XVIII-XX centuries. Unique historical collections, including the collections of the Demidovs, Count N.P. Rumyantsev, Count S.G. Stroganov, Princes Gagarin.

In the XIX - early XX centuries. in the Museum worked outstanding scientists who created geological science in Russia: G.I. Fischer von Waldheim, V.O. Kovalevsky, A.P. Pavlov, M.V. Pavlov, V.I. Vernadsky, A.E. Fersman and many others.

During this period, the Museum became the center of advanced scientific ideas, the main base for training and research work of generations of domestic and foreign geologists, specialists in the mining industry, the initiator of the organization of broad educational work in the field of natural science.

Today, the Museum, being an institution of the Russian Academy of Sciences, continues scientific, educational and educational traditions. Research is carried out in the field of geology, subsoil use and ecology, the history of geological sciences, active exhibition activities are conducted. The museum participates in various federal and international programs, carries out close cooperation with scientific, educational and public organizations.

In its activities, the Museum is guided by the main provisions of the teachings of V.I. Vernadsky on the biosphere and noosphere, the interaction of living and inert matter of the planet, the unity of nature and society, the responsibility of man for the preservation of the world around us.

Main exhibitions.
Mineral World The most unique samples of minerals from the collections of the Museum are presented - one of the world's best collections of Ural malachite by Count N.P. Rumyantsev; the largest crystal of mica-flogopite from Slyudyanka (Pribaikalia); a slab of native copper from Kazakhstan weighing about 500 kg, a huge amethyst geode from Brazil, a giant core of stone salt.

Planet Earth. The exposition introduces the internal structure of our planet, the origin of rocks, tells about the movement of lithospheric plates, the causes of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Rich paleontological collections give an idea of the development of the plant and animal world of the planet.

Historical collections of the late XVIII – early XX centuries. The exposition is the “golden” fund of the Museum and demonstrates collections of minerals, rocks, fossil remains of organisms, donated by Russian philanthropists and collected by professors of Moscow University.

"Geological Kunstkamera." The exposition acquaints visitors with unusual geological objects – creations of nature-architect, artist and sculptor, beauty and harmony of amazing natural combinations of color and form.

“Meritual minerals of Russia”. The exposition demonstrates the richness of the bowels of Russia, an amazing variety of types of mineral raw materials of our country - black, non-ferrous, rare and noble metals, oil, gas, coal, mining and chemical, construction and ceramic raw materials, diamonds, gems.

Geological sketch of the surroundings of Moscow. The exposition tells about the history of geological development and human development of natural resources of the Moscow region.


At certain times in the conference hall of the museum you can watch thematic videos (the list is presented in the box office of the museum). According to the preliminary request, the following excursions are carried out: “Overview”, “Amazing Journey around the Planet”, “The World of Minerals”, “Planet Earth”, “Geological Survey of the Neighborhoods of Moscow”, “Meanings”, “Historical Collections of the late XVIII – early XX centuries”. Alternative options for excursions by arrangement are possible. The cost of the excursion for a group of up to 15 people: for adults - 2500 rubles, for schoolchildren and privileged categories of citizens - 2000 rubles.According to preliminary registration, the museum organizes for schoolchildren and students visiting lectures and practical classes with a demonstration of minerals, rocks and fossils. The cost of practical classes for a group of 10 people is 3,000 rubles. Our museum hosts thematic exhibitions, seminars and conferences; there is a geological circle.
The museum halls are open to visitors 6 days a week:
(Monday is a day off)
Tuesday - Friday from 11 to 19 hours;
Saturday - Sunday from 12 to 19 hours.
Ticket offices are open until 18.15.