What animal is depicted on the logo of the zoological museum. South Exchange Warehouse - Zoological Museum

Today our turn is the Zoological Museum of Moscow State University. And the emphasis in the topic will not be in terms of the exhibition of this magnificent museum, but as a remarkable architectural object of Old Moscow. The Zoological Museum of Lomonosov Moscow State University has a glorious history. And besides, it was in this museum that Vladimir Ipatievich Persikov, the main character of Mikhail Bulgakov’s science fiction story “Fatal Eggs,” worked. We will not leave history behind - and we will also examine this architectural masterpiece both from Bolshaya Nikitskaya and from the courtyard of Moscow State University.

The Research Zoological Museum of M.V. Lomonosov Moscow State University is one of the largest natural history museums in Russia. In terms of the volume of scientific funds, it is among the first ten largest museums in the world of this profile, and ranks second in Russia. Its scientific collections currently include more than 8 million storage units. The annual increase in scientific collections is about 25-30 thousand units. storage The most extensive collections are entomological (about 3 million), mammals (more than 200 thousand) and birds (157 thousand). The modern exhibition includes about 7.5 thousand exhibits: two halls are dedicated to the systematic part, one to the evolutionary-morphological part. More than 150 thousand people visit the museum every year.
02.

The museum was founded in 1791 as a “cabinet of natural history” at the Imperial Moscow University. Back in 1759, a natural science museum was formed at Moscow University, then called the Mineralogical Cabinet. After biological ones appeared among its exhibits, in 1759 a “cabinet of natural history” was created from them.

In 1802, Pavel Grigorievich Demidov, who had his own natural science museum, which included excellent collections compiled in the three kingdoms of nature (including minerals) and an excellent library, expressed a desire to transfer it to Moscow University and previously contributed 100 thousand rubles to the safe treasury, so that the percentage of the donated amount went to the maintenance of the museum and to the salary of that special professor of the newly formed department of natural history, who would become the custodian of the collections.
03.

Specially invited to Moscow in 1803, G.I. Fischer von Waldheim, in 1804, began organizing and describing the university collections and the P.G. Demidova. He completed the first inventory of the collections in 1806-1807.
04.

In the Moscow fire of 1812, the priceless scientific wealth of the museum was almost completely destroyed. Fischer, who remained in Moscow, managed to save only part of the conchological collection (mollusks). Fischer, having transferred all his personal collections and library to the museum, began to attract many naturalists and private collectors to the active acquisition of new funds and concerns about the restoration of the museum, and already in 1814 the revived museum had 6 thousand items of storage. In the inventory of the collections of the restored museum, published by G.I. Fischer in 1822, there were almost 10 thousand items. The zoological and mineralogical collections were finally separated - even territorially. The revived zoological museum was housed in a wing of the new classroom building. By the early 1830s, G.I. Fischer managed to increase the volume of the collection to 25 thousand items. Initially, the collection served primarily educational purposes. Since 1866, the museum has become publicly accessible. The building on Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street was specially built for the museum according to the design of K. M. Bykovsky (in 1892-1902) in the eclectic style. In the 1930s, the museum was included in the Biological Faculty of Moscow State University.
05.

The Zoological Museum consists of two buildings, placed at right angles along Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street and Nikitsky Lane. At the junction at the corner there is a semi-rotunda the height of the first tier with a portal framed by Tuscan semi-columns. The decorative elements use animalistic and plant motifs.
06.

Now, let's take a look into the courtyard of the Zoological Museum and, at the same time, Moscow State University...
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Before us is the Institute of Radio Engineering and Electronics.
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On the right is the building of the Institute of Asian and African Countries.
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To the left are the Research Institute and the Department of Normal Physiology.
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And this is the building of the Zoological Museum from the courtyard.
11.

The Zoological Institute became the setting for Mikhail Bulgakov’s fantastic story “The Fatal Eggs”. It was here that Professor Persikov invented a certain red ray, which contributed to the rapid development of animal organisms. Reptiles then overran the capital and surrounding areas, and a catastrophe ensued... The story was perceived by contemporaries as a libelous satire on the communist idea: behind Vladimir Ipatievich Persikov the figure of Vladimir Ilyich Lenin was seen, and the red beam was a symbol of the socialist revolution in Russia, which was carried out under the slogan of building a better future , but brought terror and dictatorship.

The State Zoological Museum of Moscow State University on Bolshaya Nikitskaya is the largest exhibition center in the capital.

It gives you the opportunity to appreciate how diverse the animal world is - even on the bas-reliefs on the façade there are images of animals, and the museum’s logo is a muskrat animal. This is an amazing building, full of the most amazing specimens of the fauna of our planet. I can’t even describe what it’s like to be in such a place... It’s better to see with your own eyes.

The building is located in the city center. Official information can be found on the museum website.

In contact with

History of origin

It was founded in 1791. At first, at the capital’s university there was a small office where natural history was studied. In fact, a small exhibition was created here a third of a century later, and it was called the “mineralogy cabinet.”

But when biological specimens were presented among the exhibition specimens, they were used to create a natural history cabinet. The head of the department was Ivan Andreevich Sibirsky.

It is important to know: P.G. made a great contribution to the formation of exhibits. Demidov, who at the beginning of the 19th century donated magnificent exhibits and a library to the center.

The first inventory of the new property dates back to 1806-1807. But a fire in 1812 caused great damage to the complex, its property was almost destroyed.

G.I. Fisher began active restoration; he attracted a large number of collectors and naturalists, and after some time the fund consisted of six thousand exhibits. And six years later, the center’s property doubled.

By the beginning of the 30s. In the 19th century, the collection volume consisted of 25 thousand items. The building on Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street was built at the beginning of the 20th century. The project for it was developed by K.M. Bykovsky. And by the 30s. last century, the institution was transferred to the Biological Faculty of Moscow State University.

Exhibitions

The exhibition in this case represents almost ten thousand copies. It begins with single-celled organisms, shown through artificial modeling, and ends with large reptiles and bison.

The main exhibition provides an opportunity to get acquainted with animals from all over the world and is organized according to class method (starting from the protozoa and gradually moving to the order of vertebrates).

The lower hall, located on the 1st floor, displays a wide variety of animals. Visitors can see here both a single-celled organism and a large reptile.

The number of exhibits is so huge that you could spend several days exploring. The 2nd floor is occupied by the upper hall, which is completely “populated” by birds and mammals. There is also a Bone Hall here. The exhibition in this case provides an overview of the animals from the inside. Visitors here can see:

• mammoth skeleton;
• fake rhinoceros;
• fake elephant;
• fake hippopotamus;
• stuffed crocodile and boa constrictor.

For visitors who want to learn more about animals, the staff of the establishment organizes lectures. They are carried out taking into account children's age characteristics.

On weekends, fascinating lectures for children and parents are given by the Biolektorium. The lobby and exhibition spaces display paintings by famous animal painters. There are works here:

• V.A. Vatagina;
• N.N. Kondakova and others.

What interesting things you should know about the zoo museum:

• The symbol of the museum is the Russian muskrat, listed in the Red Book of Russia. She is depicted on the emblem;
• The entomology department has a collection of 4 million insect specimens;

• In addition to lectures, the institution’s staff conduct interactive classes for children of different age groups and organize children’s birthday parties;
• Every Saturday and Sunday “Biolectory” holds lectures for parents with children aged five years and older. The features and secrets of biology are presented here in an easy, relaxed manner;
• The museum has a “Scientific Terrarium” that introduces visitors to the peculiarities of the life of reptiles. The opening hours of the “Scientific Terrarium” are from 11.00 to 17.00 on weekends. You will need a separate ticket to visit it. The price of such a ticket includes not only an exciting narrative, but also the opportunity to hold rare animals in your hands;

Interesting fact: at the end of the last century, the institution was given the name Research Zoological Museum of Lomonosov Moscow State University. After numerous changes of status, this name is still valid.

• A youth club was organized for high school and college students; it is based on the original development of researcher E. Dunaev.

Address

The exhibition complex is located at the address: Moscow, Bolshaya Nikitskaya street, building 6. It is not difficult to find. It is located directly in the center of the capital.

Is it difficult to reach by public transport? Not at all - having taken the metro to the Library named after. Lenin" or "Okhotny Ryad", you need to head to house No. 6 on Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street (this is the former Herzen Street). The location you are looking for is located nearby and can be reached in less than ten minutes.

Operating mode

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., it is open to visitors. Mondays only - days off. The last Tuesday of the month is also non-working.

Ticket prices

For adult visitors, the ticket price is 200 rubles. For school-age children, students and pensioners there is a discounted price of 50 rubles.

Children under seven years of age have the opportunity to visit exhibitions without tickets. This is also allowed for persons belonging to preferential categories.

If you come with the whole family or a group, you can book an excursion. For a group of 7 people it will cost 1,500 rubles.

If you arrive without a group, but want to ask for a guide, then just purchase a ticket for 250 rubles. for an adult and 100 rub. for a child and join any large excursion group.

Visitor reviews

The fact that this place is truly very interesting is evidenced by numerous positive reviews from visitors. Here are some of them:

• “I’ve lived in Moscow for almost 50 years, but this was my first time visiting the zoo museum. And I was pleasantly surprised. Everything turned out to be very educational. I recommend visiting, it won’t be a waste of time” Alexander, 48 years old, Moscow;
• “I went to the exhibition on the advice of friends, and did not regret it at all. The exposition turned out to be simply unique. Allowed to take free photos” Anastasia, 45 years old, Reutov;

• “I brought my seven-year-old daughter to the Zoological Institute. To make the excursion more interesting, we hired a guide. The child received a lot of impressions, especially impressed by the exhibition of animal skeletons” Lydia, 36 years old, Balashikha;
• “We came to get acquainted with zoology with our three children (9, 7 and 5 years old), we left the car in the parking lot. The establishment pleased me with its excellent exhibits and cleanliness. The whole family had great fun, the children were delighted with the starfish, the she-wolf with her cubs, the squirrel and the big sea turtle.” Evgeniy and Svetlana, Yegoryevsk, Moscow region;
• “The zoo museum has an exhibition of sea mollusks, and my son is very interested in them. We can say that we came for this exhibition. Immediately on the spot we became interested in other exhibits and had a pleasant time. All the information turned out to be informative and interesting. The staff here is very well-mannered and polite. It turns out that on Sundays they hold special classes for schoolchildren, you should definitely attend these lectures.” Angelina, 36 years old, Moscow.

What excursions are held at the Zoological Museum, see the following video.

Each task points to a specific place in the area where the second stage will take place. The address of a place can be given explicitly in the form of a street name and house number, or it can be encrypted in the form of a riddle, a photograph, or a partial address (for example, only the street name can be given). Some street names are based on an old map.

Each task could bring the team a certain number of points (from 1 to 4). Participants had to come to a given address and complete the task. At the same time, it was not necessary to visit all checkpoints (it was impossible to visit all points!). It was necessary to create a route that was optimal in terms of interest, length, number of points for tasks, etc.

Card given to participants at the start
Old card issued to members

Tasks of the first part (until the Intermediate finish)

To expand the answers, click on the task.

Start: Hermitage Garden(Karetnyi Ryad, building 3).
Karetny Ryad Street got its name from the craftsmen who lived here in the 17th-18th centuries and made carriages and carts.

• KP1 The name of this place in Moscow is associated with a very large cultural place in St. Petersburg. These places are also similar in that both have paintings or reproductions of paintings. What is the exhibition dedicated to in the Moscow location? (2 points)
  • Answer: The Hermitage Garden in Moscow is reminiscent of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. ON the outside fence of the garden hang reproductions of the paintings “Russian Cossacks in Paris in 1814.” The answer “Patriotic War of 1812” also counts.
• KP5 Of the buildings that stood on Tverskaya Street and are depicted in Photo 2, only one has now survived, although it is not so easy to see and find it (the photo was taken along Tverskaya away from the center from its intersection with Kamergersky Lane). Find this building and count the number of long round columns on the turrets. (3 points)
  • Answer: Of the buildings depicted in the photograph, only the building on the right side has survived - the Savvinskoye Compound. There are 7 long columns on the two towers of this building (there used to be 8, but one of them broke). The answer of 7.5 columns is also counted.
    Savvinskoye Compound, the pearl of Tverskaya Street, is an architectural monument of the early 20th century. The building was built in a fabulous Russian style with Art Nouveau elements by the architect I. S. Kuznetsov (1867-1942). The courtyard was the apartment building of the Savvinsky Monastery, its premises were rented out to residents and offices. In 1934, the threat of demolition loomed over the courtyard, which by that time had become an ordinary residential building, but in 1939 the house was simply moved 50 meters deeper into the block. Today this monument is completely hidden by Stalinist houses and the new Moscow Art Theater building on Kamergersky Lane.
• KP6 Solve the crossword puzzle (krossword.pdf (0.16 Mb) related to the renaming of streets, and come to the end of the encrypted street. Which continent is fully visible on the globe? (3 points)
  • Answer: See the solved crossword puzzle (solutions.pdf (0.07 MB)). From the letters highlighted in the crossword puzzle, Gazetny Lane is formed. The Central Telegraph is located on the corner of Gazetny Lane and Tverskaya Street. The globe on the telegraph rotates, so at any given time you can see certain continents in full. Each set of continents that can be seen on this globe is counted (each team saw its own set of continents depending on the time in which it arrived).
• KP7 Listen to the song at CP 30. The song talks about the making of cannons and a forge, but what other weapons could be made in this area? Look carefully at the map and find the lane whose name will tell you the answer. Walk along the alley and list all the theaters facing it. Pay attention to the beautiful lanterns on this side street (no need to count them). (2 points)
  • Answer: In this area there is Kopyevsky Lane, which reminds us of spears. Several buildings of the Bolshoi Theater and the Operetta Theater overlook this lane. For each extra theater named, 0.5 points were deducted (so the RAMT theater does not go onto the side street, since it is separated from it by the New Stage of the Bolshoi Theater).
• KP12 Next to the monument to Yuri Dolgoruky on Tverskaya Square you can see another monument. Write down what typical item for a monument to this person is missing here? (2 points)
  • Answer: On Tverskaya Square, in addition to the monument to Yuri Dolgoruky, there is also a monument to V. Lenin, but this monument does not have an object typical of monuments to V. Lenin - a cap. The answer “tablet” was also counted as partially correct (0.5 points).
• KP13 This lane is almost from the line “Milk River, Kiselnye Banks”, only the bottom one. Write, for whom was the jelly cooked in this alley? (2 points)
  • Answer: Nizhny Kiselny Lane is hidden. On this street there lived kiselniks who cooked a funeral meal - jelly for visitors to the cemeteries of the nearby monasteries - Sretensky and Rozhdestvensky. This is exactly what is written on the sign on the house in this alley.
• KP21 In 1883, the Korsh Theater (now the State Theater of Nations) opened at 3 Bogoslovsky (Petrovsky) Lane. Count the square tiles on the theater building. (2 points)
  • Answer: There are 27 square tiles (8+8+8+3) on the building.
• KP23 What metal animals “graze” in front of the Zoological Museum? (2 points)
  • Answer: opposite the Zoological Museum there are metal sculptures of a pig and a cow.
• KP24 One metro line connects three buildings of this university: the old (unpreserved), the famous historical and no less famous modern. Find the sundial on the second one (raise your head high). Who is the plaque under the clock dedicated to? Rewrite the month and year. (4 points)
  • Answer: Lomonosov Moscow State University has been chosen. On the university building on Mokhovaya Street there is a sundial, under which there is a plaque dedicated to A.S. Pushkin. The month and year had to be rewritten: September 1832.
• KP25 There are bas-reliefs at the Russian State Archive of Socio-Political History on the former Pushkinskaya Street in the Tverskaya Square area. Write how many people are depicted on them and list those whose names you can name? (3 points)
  • Answer: The building where the archive of socio-political history is now located (Bolshaya Dmitrovka Street) housed the Institute of Marxism and Leninism. The bas-reliefs on the facade of the building depict F. Engels, K. Marx, V. Lenin.
• KP31 Visit the Museum “Naryshkin Chambers” (Petrovka St., 28). You will receive the task at this point from the judge in the museum lobby. (3 points)
  • Answer: Judge's signature
• KP33 On the former Herzen Street, find the Great Hall of the Conservatory. There is a monument in front of him. Rewrite the years written on the benches that are part of the monument. (2 points)
  • Answer: The former Herzen Street is the modern Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street. In front of the building of the Great Hall of the Conservatory there is a monument to P.I. Tchaikovsky. Years on the benches: 1840 and 1893 (the year of Tchaikovsky’s life).
• KP35 Stoleshnikov Lane, building 11. Count the number of windows with a round arch. (1 point)
  • Answer: 32 windows
• KP36 Take a stroll along a boulevard that is not part of the boulevard ring. What animal is mentioned in “Tales of Old Moscow” on one of the information plates? (2 points)
  • Answer: on the information plate where “Tales of Old Moscow” is written, a monkey (monkey) is mentioned.
• KP40 Find an organization in the theater building near the Nikitsky Gate whose name is associated with a palindrome. Write this name. Do you know any other palindromes or can you come up with your own? Write them down in the notes box (each palindrome is worth an extra 0.5 points). (1 point)
  • Answer: The theater and art lounge of the theater “At the Nikitsky Gate” is called “Rose of Azora”. It is associated with the palindrome "And the rose fell on Azor's paw."
• KP44 There is a panel on Nikitsky Gate Square on the corner of the theater. What is it dedicated to? (1 point)
  • Answer: The panel on the wall of the theater “At the Nikitsky Gate” is dedicated to the October Revolution of 1917
• KP45 On the Petrovsky Gate Square there is a monument to Vysotsky. How many strings does his guitar have? (1 point)
  • Answer: V. Vysotsky’s guitar has 4 strings
• KP46 On Kuznetsky Most on building 3, under the roof, there is a mosaic with a bird. Write who owned this house. What bird would be logical to depict on it? (1 point)
  • Answer: The mysterious house is the apartment building of M.V. Sokol. The falcon bird is associated with the owner’s surname, so it would be logical to depict this bird in the mosaic on this house.
• KP48 In Photo 1 you see two pictures depicting approximately the same place in the late 17th and early 21st centuries. Which river is shown in the older drawing? Find the street named after this river (the street can be seen on a modern map of Moscow). Come to the place where they washed themselves on this river. What is the name of the restaurant that is located in house 14 (building 4) on this street? (3 points)
  
  • Answer: In the painting by I. Vasnetsov the Neglinka River is drawn, but in the modern photograph of the Alexander Garden there is no river. Neglinnaya Street is named after this river. The Sandunov Baths are located on this street (marked on the map issued to participants). The Sanduny restaurant is located at building 14/4 on this street. For indicating only Neglinnaya Street, 1 point is given.
    The Neglinka River was first mentioned in the chronicle of 1401 as the Neglimna River. It’s hard to believe today, but in ancient times the Neglinnaya (Neglinka) was a deep river, which was used not only for fishing, building dams for water mills and as a means of communication, but also as an important structure that protected the walls of the Kremlin from the western and northwestern directions .In the period from 1817 to 1819, a three-kilometer section of the river was enclosed in a pipe, which was a brick vault.
    In 1997, an artificial channel of the Neglinnaya (Neglinka) was built on the territory between the Alexander Garden and Manezhnaya Square, where it once passed. Fountains were installed here and sculptures were installed.
    Sandunovskie baths are one of the oldest and most popular baths in Moscow. Inside there are huge halls decorated with stucco, gold painting and marble staircases, which make Sanduny more like a palace than a bathhouse. Sanduny was one of the few buildings that survived the Moscow fire of 1812. By the way, this is where the heroes of the legendary film “The Irony of Fate or Enjoy Your Bath” took a steam bath on New Year’s Eve.
• KP49 At house 6 Glinishchevsky Lane there is a bas-relief dedicated to two poets. Rewrite the last word on the sign, written in Latin letters. (1 point)
  • Answer: On the house there is a bas-relief of A. Pushkin and A. Mitskevich. The last word had to be rewritten in Latin letters: Mickiewicz.
• KP50 You will probably pass by the house shown in photo 6. How many sculptures are there under the roof of this building? (3 points)
  
  • Answer: The photograph shows a fragment of a building located at Kuznetsky Most, building 7. Under the roof of this building there are 30 sculptures (8+8+10+4).
• KP52 Walk to the National Hotel. What is located to the right of the entrance? (1 point)
  • Answer: There is a thermometer hanging near the entrance to the National Hotel. Also in this building to the right of the hotel entrance is the Composer restaurant, so this answer also counted.
• KP53 The name of which store is written on the hatch near building 9, building 2, Mokhovaya Street? (2 points)
  • Answer: the name of the store “MYUR and MERILIZ” is written on the hatch
• KP54 What does the monument depict, located on the square opposite the church in Bryusov Lane? (1 point)
  • Answer: the sculpture “The Message” is located on the square.
• KP56 Redraw the coats of arms from the gates of the Anglican Cathedral, located opposite the Theater “Near the Stanislavsky House”, located at 9A Voznesensky Lane. (1 point)
  
• KP60 Find the house shown in Photo 8 and write its number. What's in it? (2 points)
  
  • Answer: The photograph shows house number 4 on Krapivensky Lane. There is an ensemble of residential buildings of the Patriarchal Metochion of Constantinople.
• KP69 It is possible that while you are walking today, you will see a house with Photo 5. What is in this house with St. George the Victorious on the roof? (3 points)
  
  • Answer: The photograph shows a fragment of the roof of a building located at Nikitskie Lane, building 5. The Moscow Department of Urban Planning is located there
• KP79 Which church is located 130 meters east of the place where Photo 7 was taken? (3 points)
  
  • Answer: The photograph shows the building of the Moscow Main Department of Internal Affairs at the address Petrovka Street, building 38. 130 meters east of the place where the photograph was taken is the Church of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign” behind the Petrovsky Gate.
    Every Muscovite and guest of the capital usually associates Petrovka with the legendary building on Petrovka, 38 and the Petrovsky Monastery, founded in the 14th century, from which it got its name. Petrovka is one of the oldest Moscow streets. In ancient times, it was a deserted road leading from the monastery to the Kremlin. Since the 18th century, this street was chosen by the Moscow nobility, and in the 19th century, Petrovka became one of the popular places among merchants, merchants and local artisans: numerous shops, manufactories, haberdasheries, and jewelry shops opened here.

Tasks of the second part (from the Intermediate finish to the finish)

• KP4 Look carefully at the map and find the lane that tells you how many Patriarch's Ponds there were originally. Go to house 9 along this lane. What is written above the arched entrance? (3 points)
  • Answer: Trekhprudny Lane is hidden. Above the arched entrance to this house is written "SUPPLIER TO HIS MAJESTY'S COURT"
• KP10 Look at Photo 3. What buses can you see now in the place where the trolleybus goes in the old photograph? Write down their numbers. (2 points)
  
  • Answer: The buses that can be seen in this place on Triumfalnaya Square are those buses that go straight along Tverskaya, without turning anywhere, and stop at a stop immediately after they pass the Garden Ring along Tverskaya to the center. At this stop you can see buses H1 and 12C.
• KP14 The central house of the Architect is located at number 7 in the alley, named after the courtyard where explosive artillery shells were made in the 16th century. Write what drawing tools are shown on the map. (3 points)
  • Answer: Grenade Lane is a mystery (the shells mentioned in the task are grenades). The card shows a compass and a goat's leg (similar drawing tools also counted)
• KP15 At 10 Bolshaya Sadovaya there is a museum of the famous writer. What birds “fly” over the entrance to the museum? (1 point)
  • Answer: 2 owls/eagle owls fly over the entrance to the Bulgakov Museum
• KP16 On the former Alexei Tolstoy Street at number 17 there is a mansion of the famous philanthropist Savva Morozov. Count the spiers on the roof of the building. (2 points)
  • Answer: 4 spiers
• KP26 Look at Photo 4 on the map and find what is now where the sun is. List the nationalities. (3 points)
  
  • Answer: in the place of the sun (the gate with the sun) there is now a monument to A. Pushikin, which at the time when the photograph was taken had not yet been moved to this side of Tverskaya Street. An excerpt from a poem by A. Pushkin is written on the monument:
    ...Rumors about me will spread throughout Great Rus'
    And every tongue that is in it will call me,
    And the proud grandson of the Slavs, and Finn, and now wild.
    Tungus, and friend of the steppes Kalmyk...
    Nations mentioned in the passage: Finn, Slavs, Tungus, Kalmyk
• KP28 Visit the Aquarium Garden near Triumphal Square. What musical instruments are played by the figures in the fountains? (1 point)
  • Answer: The sculptures in the fountains play the panflute and the lyre (the harp and harp also counted).
• KP30 Go to the Ermolova Museum at the address: Tverskoy Boulevard, 11. You will receive the task at this point from the judge in the museum lobby. (2 points) The task given at the point: “What is the floor you’re standing on made of?”
  • Answer: the floor is made of cast iron
• KP38 Write whose museum is located in the Ryabushinsky mansion. Please note the opening hours written on the sign on the mansion. (3 points)
  • Answer: The Gorky Museum is located in the Ryabushinsky mansion; Opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11-17.30
• KP42 Take a walk along Leontyevsky Lane and look for a sign that says the old name of this lane. Rewrite all the years that are on the tablet. (2 points)
  • Answer: On the sign in this lane it is written that in 1938 the lane was renamed Stanislavsky Lane, and in 1994 it was renamed back. That is, it was necessary to write two years: 1938, 1994.
• KP43 Bolshoi Gnezdnikovsky Lane, building 10. What was on the roof, according to the sign on the house? (1 point)
  • Answer: On the roof of the house, according to the sign on it, there was a winter filming pavilion for the film company “Partnership of V. Vengerov, V. Gordin.” This house in B. Gnezdnikovsky Lane is the first skyscraper in Moscow
• KP47

The Zoological Museum of Moscow University is the oldest and largest Moscow museum, where visitors can get acquainted with the diversity of modern animals on our planet, and zoological specialists will find the richest scientific collections. Originating initially (1791) as a university natural history cabinet, in which animals and plants, minerals and coins were collected, the museum from the beginning of the 19th century became actually zoological. In 1902, the construction of the museum building on Bolshaya Nikitskaya Street was completed, which housed the museum’s collections and all its employees, and from 1911 to this day there has been an exhibition for the public.

The building of the Zoological Museum, built in 1902.

The Zoological Museum of Moscow University is one of the two largest and oldest museums of natural history in Russia, and in terms of the volume of scientific collections it is one of the 10 largest similar collections in the world. The history of the museum is filled with scientific discoveries, acquisitions of collections, the activities of outstanding scientists and the publication of fundamental scientific works. Three main directions of his activity gradually emerged:
collection and storage of zoological collections - unique scientific material that forms part of the country’s national wealth;
scientific research in various fields of zoology - systematics and faunistics, evolution and taxonomy, morphology and nature conservation;
education, namely, contribution to preschool, school and university education, popularization of zoological and environmental knowledge, publication of relevant popular science publications and teaching aids.

The museum's exhibition includes almost 10 thousand exhibits - from single-celled animals, which, of course, have to be shown using artificial models, to crocodiles, tigers and bison. The main exhibition introduces the diversity of the world's fauna and is built according to the classic systematic principle - from protozoa to vertebrates, class by class, order by order. The exception is a small but colorfully designed new exhibition dedicated to the unique deep-sea ecosystems that exist through chemosynthesis (“Lower Hall” on the first floor of the museum). The theme of the exhibition in the hall of comparative anatomy (“Bone Hall”, second floor of the museum) is the laws of evolutionary transformation of morphological structures.

The foyer and halls of the museum display works by outstanding Russian animal artists; exhibitions are regularly held.

Museum lobby

The scientific library of the Zoological Museum, formed, among other things, from the memorial libraries of many outstanding domestic zoologists, has approximately 200 thousand items. These are books, periodicals and individual prints in Russian and foreign languages, necessary for professional zoologists in scientific research and accessible to schoolchildren, students and other readers in need of scientific, popular science and illustrated zoological publications.

It is convenient for groups of schoolchildren and students to use the services of experienced guides when getting acquainted with the museum’s exhibition. About 100 thousand people visit the museum every year, and almost 1,500 excursions are conducted on a variety of topics.

The museum runs a biology club for schoolchildren. Lecturers are scientists, specialists in the field of biology.

At the Russian Academy of Sciences there is a Zoological Museum, which is the largest in our country both in terms of territory and in terms of the volume of funds. Second place is firmly held by a similar institution at Moscow State University. The Zoological Museum is not one of the ten largest similar institutions in the world.

Famous philanthropists of Russia

The story of its creation is as follows. In 1802, the state issued an appeal for donations for education. Among the first to respond was the learned naturalist and philanthropist Pavel Grigorievich Demidov (1739-1821), a descendant of a famous dynasty. His ascetic activity was very extensive - at his own expense, in 1803 he opened a school of higher sciences, which bore his name until 1919. At the same time, he donates funds in the amount of 100,000 rubles, an extensive library and the natural science collection he collected while traveling around the world to the future Moscow State University. The Zoological Museum will be created thanks to these donations. In addition, in 1805, P. G. Demidov transferred the Mints office to Moscow University, which contained the richest collections (several thousand) of medals and coins. These treasures subsequently formed the main fund of the “cabinet of natural history” formed earlier, in 1791.

Professional approach

In 1755, by decree of the Empress, the Imperial Moscow University - MSU was founded. The Zoological Museum is 36 years younger, which does not prevent it from being considered one of the oldest natural science organizations. He turned 215 years old.

After the funds of the “cabinet of natural history” were significantly replenished through the efforts of philanthropist P. G. Demidov, the need arose to systematize them. This important task was entrusted to the already well-established (he compiled an inventory of a similar office in Paris) Russian naturalist G.I. Fischer (full name - Grigory Ivanovich (Johann Gottgelf, Gotthelf) Fischer von Waldheim, years of life - 1771-1853). A student and follower of the author of the dissertation “On the Respiration of Animals,” G. I. Fischer rejected the offer of the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, which invited him to systematize his “cabinet of natural history,” and remained in Moscow, at the future Moscow State University. The Zoological Museum was created through his efforts.

Ascetic activity

In 1806-1807, he carried out the first inventory of all collections, including coins and medals. As you know, in 1812 Moscow burned. A lot of buildings were destroyed in this fire; the priceless collections of the future Zoological Museum were almost completely destroyed. And the Russian patriot Grigory Ivanovich Fischer, who managed to save part of the conchological collection (shells and mollusks) during the fire, began to restore the “office”, transferring his own collections, collections and library to it. Then, using his personal authority and fame in scientific circles, he turned to naturalists and curators of private collections with a request for help in restoring the lost museum, the revival of which could be discussed already in 1814. The second inventory, carried out by G.I. Fisher, was completed in 1822, and its data were published. Simultaneously with the systematization of funds, the zoological collection was allocated, and a new museum at the university was created only on its basis. By 1830, thanks to the selfless activity of G.I. Fisher, the number of exhibits reached 25 thousand units.

Necessary reconstruction

The next improvement was carried out already in 1860. Then all the museum’s funds were divided into educational, scientific and exhibition. For visitors, the future Zoological Museum of Moscow State University named after. Lomonosov opened in 1866. Of course, throughout the years of its existence it developed dynamically, and by the end of the century the premises allocated for it became cramped. And therefore, in 1989-1902, a new specialized three-story building was built for the museum according to the design of the academician, hereditary architect K. M. Bykovsky, at that time the chief architect of Moscow University. He built university buildings on Bolshaya Nikitskaya, in addition to the Zoological Museum, K. M. Bykovsky erected a library and buildings of several faculties.

A beautiful building, made in a classical style, located in the very heart of the capital. The nearest metro stations are Biblioteka im. Lenin" and "Okhotny Ryad". The museum moved into it from the old building on Mokhovaya. After the move, the museum became public only in 1911.

In 1930, the Zoological Museum of Moscow State University in Moscow was given to the Faculty of Biology. A serious reorganization took place in the 90s of the last century. After all the ordeals, the museum acquires independent status. Today its scientific funds reach several million units.

It is visited by up to 150,000 people a year, the number of excursions conducted during the same time reaches 1,700. More refined and extensive information on each type of scientific collections is widely available. Three well-equipped observation rooms are given to visitors - two on the first floor, one (Bone Hall) on the second. All collections are arranged according to species proximity, from protozoa to vertebrates.

Serious scientific research

The Research Zoological Museum of Moscow State University carries out serious work - it studies and systematizes knowledge about animals in general, and modern ones in particular. Therefore, out of the available 10 million exhibits, only 8 are exhibited, among which there are unique representatives of the world fauna, for example, the largest and heaviest Goliath beetle and hundreds of other one-of-a-kind specimens. It is not surprising that Muscovites begin to visit this museum at a very young age - they come here with one-year-old children and are satisfied with the excursion. The Zoological Museum, about which most people have the most positive reviews, is really very good, keeps up with the times, providing all the “tricks” that can attract and interest the largest possible number of visitors. And the tour guides here are extraordinary people. But always, when visiting any museum in the world, there will be people who think that the guides speak quietly and the exhibits are covered with dust. The photo shows that this is not the case.

Ticket prices, reviews, interesting facts

You can see the colorfulness and high level of the collections by visiting the museum. The ticket price is only 100 rubles for a child in an excursion group of at least 20 people. For an adult with excursion service - 250 rubles, without excursion - 200. There is a flexible system of benefits, free days for special categories of citizens and one free night a year.

Periodic exhibitions are very interesting. Some visitors buy tickets in advance with prepayment. It remains to add a few interesting facts - for some time Marina Tsvetaeva lived in the apartment of Professor A.N. Severtsev, located in the building of the museum, which was the founder of the evolutionary morphology of animals. And he himself served as the prototype of the hero of “Fatal Eggs” by M. A. Bulgakov.