The total area of Kolomenskoye Museum is 390 hectares. It is a part of the united preserve museum Kolomenskoye - Lefortovo - Lublino - Izmailovo.
Kolomenskoye is situated on the way from Moscow to the town of Kolomna and was founded by the citizens of that town in the middle centuries. It was first mentioned in the testament of Ivan I of Moscow “Kalita” in 1339. It had been the residence of Moscow princes.
Vasily III ordered to build a famous tent-like Church of the Ascension in 1529-1532 to commemorate the birth of his son, future Ivan IV “the Terrible”. The church also served as a watchtower during the Mongol and Tatar yoke to inform Moscow about the enemy approaching from the south.
The golden age of Kolomenskoye was under Tsar Alexis of Russia (reigned 1645 – 1676) as it was his favourite residence.
In 1667 under his order a magnificent wooden palace was constructed. It had 270 rooms and there was a big garden around the palace. In 2010 a replica of his palace was built in the Park of Kolomenskoye.
After the death of Alexis of Russia, the estate fell into decay as the capital was moved to St. Petersburg.
Peter I “the Great” also stayed in Kolomesnkoye for several times. He is known to have organized so called "amusing battles" - a kind of military trainings, on the fields nearby.
Under Empress Catherine II “the Great” the old palace was reconstructed, and she liked to spend summers in Kolomenskoye. Catherine's Palace was demolished during the time of Nicholas I (reigned 1825 – 1855).
The museum of Kolomesnkoye was founded in 1923. Several wooden structures were transferred to the museum from different parts of Russia.
In 1994 Kolomenskoye Estate was included into the UNESCO's World Heritage List.
Opening hours:
Territory 08:00 till 22:00 in April-October and 08:00 - 21:00 in November-March.
Exhibitions 10:00 - 18:00. The ticket office closes at 17:00.
Closed: Monday.
Timetable is subject to change without prior notice.
