Project
Arms Gallery Exhibition in the Western Semi-Circle of Gatchina Palace
Category
Best Implemented Project of Temporary or Permanent Museum Exposition
About the project (provided by the applicant)
The exhibition features 210 museum objects: hunting firearms from the 16th–18th centuries, manufactured in Russia, Germany, Austria, the Czech Republic, England, Italy, Spain, Northern Europe, and the Ottoman Empire. The most interesting and valuable examples were selected for display.
The design allows visitors to circulate around the exhibits with accent lighting highlighting each object. Audio effects and custom wall paintings create a unique atmosphere, fully immersing visitors in the exhibition. For unprepared visitors, the mechanism of different types of locks and all elements required for firing are clearly demonstrated. This is complemented by textual information (explanatory notes and a glossary of terms), visual materials (maps of arms centers), and audio modules featuring excerpts from literature and music on hunting themes. QR codes provide detailed information on most exhibits, including English translations.
Location
Gatchina State Museum-Reserve, Gatchina Palace, Krasnoarmeysky Avenue 1, Gatchina, Leningrad Region, Russia
Project implementation year
2025
Project website
https://gatchinapalace.ru/events/exhibitions/58/
Extra visual materials
Video overview of the exhibition “Gatchina Palace Arms Collection”
https://vk.com/video-1475400_456240165
Applicant
St. Petersburg State University, Gatchina State Museum-Reserve
The Gatchina Museum-Reserve is a remarkable palace and park ensemble, one of the favorite country residences of the Russian imperial family. The museum includes Gatchina and Priory Palaces, the Palace Park, and the “Zverinets” park. Pavel I, Nikolai I, Alexander II, Alexander III, and, until the revolution, Empress Dowager Maria Feodorovna—the mother of Nicholas II—lived, hunted, and shaped Russian and European history here.
Authors of the project
Idea author — V.Yu. Pankratov, Director of the State Museum-Reserve “Gatchina”
Coordinator — Y.A. Nikolaenko, Deputy Director for Exhibitions and Display Activities
Curator — E.A. Rodionov, Senior Researcher and Keeper of the “Arsenal” Collection
Designers — E.A. Efimov and S.V. Kovaleva (Creative Association “TSEKH”)
Customer
St. Petersburg State University, State Museum-Reserve “Gatchina”
Photo
Sergey Ryatte, Development Department Specialist, St. Petersburg State University, Gatchina State Museum-Reserve
Status of the project
Implemented
