about the museum
The basis of the museum's collection
Collection of Suvorov's museum was initially formed mainly from the gifts of admirers of remembrance of the commander. The museum's funds are based upon three big collections.
In 1900 the owner of Konchanskoe settlement, descendant of Suvorov V.V.Molostvov made an exclusive gift to the museum - the original Suvorov Konchanskaya church with all furniture, where the awards of the commander were kept, as well as his spyglass and even the first tombstone established on a tomb of Suvorov at the day of funeral on May 12, 1800. This is the first collection of the museum by its value.
The second collection is a set of Suvorov's documents presented by emperor Nikolay II to the museum in the years 1902 to 1904, from courier's passports of sergeant Suvorov to draft copies of letters on his arrival to Saint Petersburg on April 23, 1800, including patents for ranks and letters on granting titles. By the way, the well-known picture by Surikov "Suvorov's march through the Alpes", being now in collection of the Russian museum, has also been presented by emperor to Suvorov's museum.
The third collection is a well-known set of items collected by the known astronomer and the admirer of Suvorov's talent, Vasily Pavlovich Engelgardt who collected relics, connected with the Swiss campaign of the commander. Thirteen boxes with gross weight of 955 kg were sent by him to the museum in 1902. This collection has got the name "Engelgardt's Suvorov collection". It includes cannon-balls, weapon and items of equipment found at locations of fights, models of monuments, raised in Switzerland, engraved portraits of Suvorov's fellow-fighters and opponents, samples of the Alpine minerals and even a stuffed Alpine eagle. The most valuable component of this collection is the album of photographs of Switzerland's views, setting down the path of Suvorov's army after a century.
A.V.Suvorov's memorial things
St. Andrey Pervozvanny Order, awarded in 1787 for the victory over turkish armies at Kinburn
1st class St. George's Order, awarded in 1789 for the victory over turkish armies at Rymnik
St. Alexander Nevsky Order ribbon, awarded in 1771 for the victory over the Polish army at Stolovichi
1st degree St. Vladimir's Order, awarded in 1783 for suppression of Nogays' revolt.
St. Anna's Order, awarded in 1770 for the victory over the Polish army at Orekhovo
1st degree Maria-Theresia Order (Austria), awarded in 1799 for the victories over the French army in Italy and Switzerland
The Red Eagle Order (Prussia), awarded in 1794 for a capturing of suburb of Warsaw - Prague
Sabre and the sword belonging to A.V.Suvorov
The letter about granting of the rank of chief-general to Suvorov, 1786.
Letters about granting to Suvorov count titles of the Russian empire with the name of Rymniksky and of the
Sacred Roman empire for a victory over turkish armies at Rymnik, 1789.
The letter about granting to Suvorov the rank of field marshal-general for the victory over the Polish confederates in 1794.
A.V.Suvorov's spyglass and the plume of his hat
Painting of the Russian artists of the second half of 19th century and beginning of 20th century
Painting collection of the museum includes more than 500 works by the Russian and foreign artists, - from tiny portrait miniatures to the huge multifigure battle compositions created at various times - from the second half of 18th century till present time. The painting collection existed in the museum from its very foundation. It was continually replenished through the purchase of pictures from Suvorov's descendants, collectors, private persons, and by way of gifts. Iconography of Suvorov, as well as his contemporaries and descendants is perfectly represented in the museum's collection, the most known pages of the military biography of the generalissimo are reflected.
The most significant role for the museum is the role of N.A.Shabunin and A.N.Popov artists - the founders of picturesque originals for the mosaic panels decorating nowadays the main facade of Suvorov's museum. Participants of a sketch in a station buffet of the Russian-Japanese war times in V.V.Mazurovsky's picture cause a smile. Episodes of battles from the history of wars with Napoleon in the pictures of B.P.Villevalde and Mazurovsky are full of expression and persuasiveness. In the portrait of grand duke Nikolay Nikolayevich by N.S.Samokish the characteristic appearance of the commander-in-chief of the Caucasian army, who looked particularly showy in a saddle, at the opinion of contemporaries, is reproduced with perfect similarity. The majestic mountain landscape behind the commander plays an important role in emotional perception of the picture. The horseman seems to merge with the environment, making one whole with it. Group portraits of militarians in the pictures of A.I. Hebens amaze with photographic accuracy and scrupulousness of reproduction of faces, the smallest details of military suit and equipment.
Regimentals of the end of 18th century
A.V.Suvorov State Memorial Museum (SMM) possesses the largest in Russia collection of regimentals of the Russian army of Paul I epoch. Not so many original things from this reign, famous for large number of various changes in the appearance of the Russian soldier, remain intact till the present time. And, these are critical for understanding sometimes inconsistent judgements of contemporaries about the military suit of Paul's times
Unique items
The funds of A.V. Suvorov SMM contain a lot of items which are not directly connected with the memory of the commander and sometimes seem unexpected, however representing a big historical value. The majority of them were rarely exhibited and consequently remain unknown for the general public. Here are some of them:
Kettle-drum of Horse life-guards regiment. The Polish gala kettle-drum of the end of 17th century seized by the army of Charles XII in the battle by Klishov of 1702 and presented by the Swedish king to his Horse life-guards. In 1709 it was seized by Poltava by Russian troops and transferred in his turn by Peter I to the life-squad of prince A.D.Menshikov which subsequently became a Horse life-guards regiment. Kettle-drum was kept there as a relic till 1917, being used for regiment's celebrations.
Grenadierial cap of a private soldier of Pavlovsk grenadierial regiment Alexey Ivanov punched by the French bullets in the battle by Fridland of 1807. In oder to mark heroism of this regiment, headdresses of its soldiers were royally ordered "to leave in the same condition as got out of the battle" forever. The cap was kept in the regiment till 1917 with the names of their first owners. This example is a copy made specially for Suvorov museum in the beginning of 20th century from the original, kept in the Artillery museum.
The Cross of St. John Ierusalimsky (Maltese) Order for awarding cavalier's ladies. Belonged to Maria Fedorovna, the spouse of emperor Paul I. The end of 18th century.
Officer's cavalry sword of the year 1798 design with Georgievsky sword-knot. Belonged to grand duke Mikhail Pavlovich, the brother of emperor Nikolay I, armoury master-general and commander of the Russian guards. The sword was stored in Kavalergardsky life-guards regiment museum, then was kept in emigration in France and subsequently presented to the museum in 1994 by the Russian military historian Vladimir Vladimirovich Zvegintsov (1914-1996).
The sword belonging to emperor of Manchou-Go generalissimo Pu E, the first half of 20th century. It was seized by the Soviet troops in 1945 in Manchuria and presented to the museum by the holder of Suvorov order M.P.Kovalev.
