Travel through Russia of XVI–XIX centuries with Presidential Library

From December 25th, 2024 until May 7th, 2025 the Presidential Library hosted the grand opening of an exhibition titled Book Monuments of the Presidential Library: Russia Through the Eyes of Travelers.

This exhibition is based on 16th-20th century publications from the collection of the Presidential Library, many of which can be considered national book monuments, and some even world book monuments.

Visitors to the exhibition will be able to see historical documents - rare publications that tell the story of various types of travel in Russia, including diplomatic visits, scientific expeditions, and visits to different cities and regions.

The first exhibition hall presents the memories of foreign visitors - members of diplomatic missions and travelers from the 16th to 19th centuries. These publications contain a wealth of unique information. For instance, in Notes on Muscovy by the Austrian diplomat Sigismund von Herberstein (1551), the first of its kind, a map of the Russian state from the 16th century was published. Description of a Journey to Muscovy, through Muscovy to Persia, and Back by Adam Olearius (1669), is particularly valuable due to its detailed description of life in Russia at that time and includes a unique plan of Moscow that shows the changes after the fire in 1626.

The Presidential Library holds foreign books about Russia as well as those about the travels of Russian rulers.

Russian editions from the 18th and 19th centuries, works by famous Russian explorers and travelers, including expedition materials, travel notes, maps, and guidebooks, are on display in the second exhibition hall.

The subject of special interest is rare scientific works about remote areas of the Russian Empire. For example, the works of the scientist Peter Simon Pallas contain unique materials on zoology, botany, paleontology, geology, geography, economics, history, and ethnography. These materials are collected in the rare edition of Journey through different provinces of the Russian Empire (1773-1788).

A special place at the exhibition is also occupied by books about pilgrimages to holy places. For instance, The Complete collection of historical information about monasteries and churches in Russia (1852) and Description of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra (1826) provide valuable insights into the history and culture of these sacred places. Additionally, there are unique editions of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra from the early 18th century.

The exhibition Book Monuments of the Presidential Library: Russia Through the Eyes of Travelers will be open until May 7, 2025. To attend the exhibition, please make an appointment by calling by tel. (812) 334-25-14 or sending an email to excursion@prlib.ru.