4 Amazing Libraries in Moscow
And because we are in the Year of Literature, I thought it was appropriate to tell you about some of the amazing libraries in Moscow I wholeheartedly recommend you to visit!
Российская государственная библиотека (Russian State Library)
Let’s start with the largest library in Europe and 4th largest in the world, known by many Muscovites as “Leninka”. This library has over 275km of shelves filled with more than 43 million items, 17 million of them being books. That’s insane. About 4000 people visit this library every day, not just to see the beautiful interior, but to work, study, read, attend book presentations, concerts, conferences, and more. Be sure to bring your passport – or a copy of it – with you: to access one its 34 truly grand reading halls you must be at least 18 years old. If you fit that description, you may become a “reader” of the library – basically, get access inside to enjoy its collections.
Address: 3/5 Vozdvizhenka Street
Opening hours: Mon-Fri – 9:00-20:00; Sat – 9:00-19:00.
Российская государственная библиотека для молодежи
(The Russian State Youth Library)
Although the majority of people who go there might be in their 20’s and 30’s, that doesn’t mean you will not like the place if you’re older than that! I guess it is what you call a modern library, so the interior is quite colorful and bright. Unless you prefer a more classic library, this is where you should go. Much smaller than the library previously mentioned, with “just” 650 000 books to choose from. They have many different rooms: Newspaper and Coffee Room, Music Library, Rare Books Room, Foreign Languages Rooms, and many others. I wouldn’t say you absolutely must visit this library if you’re in Moscow for the weekend, but definitely one to consider if you are staying there for a while. And if you are more of an evening person and prefer to study later in the day, you will be pleased to know that they close at 22h00 during the week, and at 20h00 on the weekends.
Address: 4 build. 1 B. Cherkizovskaya, Moscow
Opening hours: Mon-Fri -11:00-22:00; Sat & Sun -12:00-20:00.
Библиотека-читальня имени И.С.Тургенева
(The Turgenev Library and Reading Room)
“Turgenevka” has a unique historical atmosphere that attracts both locals and foreigners. Not only is it beautiful on the inside, but also the building itself is over 100 years old. A great place to read and relax while having a cup of coffee on the patio, but also where you can attend many different literary and artistic events.
Address: Bobrov Pereulok 6, building 1, Moscow
Opening hours: Mon-Fri -11:00-20:00; Sat & Sun -12:00-19:00.
Библиотека киноискусства им. С.М. Эйзенштейна
(Eisenstein Motion Picture Art Library)
This new cultural center is the first in Moscow and Russia public library dedicated to cinema. Here you will find materials on history and theory of motion picture and of other arts as well. The library regularly hosts meetings with leading filmmakers, screenings of various movies, lectures on history of Russian and world cinema, presentations of new books and video projects, exhibitions of art and photography.
Address: Karetniy ryad street, number 5/10
Opening hours: Mon-Thu – 12:00-21:00; Fri – 11h00 – 18h00; Sat – 12:00-18:00.
There are many more libraries in Moscow worth visiting, so if you want to know more, click here.
This blog was brought to you by Ana, currently studying Russian at Liden and Denz
