The Russian State Art Collection (St. Petersburg) opens in Málaga

The opening of the Russian State Art Museum from St. Petersburg has been somewhat overshadowed by the imminent opening of the first Pompidou Museum outside of France that will open in Málaga tomorrow.

I had high hopes for the new Russian Museum (having had the immense pleasure to visit the Hermitage over 20 years ago) and boy, am I NOT disappointed. It has exceeded my expectations and will surely become another real tourist attraction in the city of Malaga which seems to know no bounds concerning re-branding itself as a very important cultural centre in Europe. The powers that be reckon it may have 150,000 visitors a year (I suspect that the figures may well exceed that in a rather big way as word spreads!)

The Museum is housed in the old Tobacco factory (Tabacalera) to the west of the city centre (easily accessed by the Nº 15 or 16 Bus – a 10 minute journey) and an area well worth visiting for the beach, some good restaurants and another great Museum/Gallery, La Termica. The Tabacalera actually already houses a remarkable Museum – the Automobile Museum of Malaga which is home to vintage cars and beautiful clothing from the period that matches the era of each car. Now we have two extraordinary museums under the same roof!

160 of the works of art in the Russian Collection will be here in in the city of Malaga for ten years and a series of temporary exhibitions will be featured regularly. The opening exhibition is Russian Art from the Icon to the 20th Century and will run through to October. For me, the more intriguing one (as I spent 14 years with the Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet) is the “Epoque of Diaghilev” which will run until July and includes Stage Designs and Costumes from the Ballet Russe period – all very remarkable!.

So if you want to see the likes of Kandinsky, Chagall, Kancholovsky, Ivanov, Tatlin etc – all exhibited in a beautiful space then get yourself to this Museum. Absolutely not to be missed for art lovers.

Opening Times (except Summer): 9.30am to 8.00pm Daily except Monday when it is closed

Closed 1st January and 25th December

Summer Opening hours (15th June to 15th September) : 11.00am to 10.00pm

Price: Permanent Exhibition : 6€
Permanent and Temporary Exhibition: 8€
Temporary Exhibition : 4€

Special reduced prices for Pensioners
Unemployed and children under 18 and some students : Free entrance

Free entrance to all from 4.00pm on Sundays until closure.

Telephone Ticket sales : 902 646 289 (from 10..am to 2.30pm Monday to Friday)

Tickets will be available online shortly via this website with an English option (coming soon) : http://www.museosmalaga.net/coleccion-arte-ruso/