KUNSTKAMERA

The Kunstkamera, German for "Chamber of Art," houses the Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography (not to be confused with the Museum of Ethnography). Located across the Dvortsovy Bridge from the Winter Palace, the green and white, dome-capped Kunstkamera building was commissioned in 1718 by Peter the Great as the Academy of Arts and Sciences. He later placed here his collection of curiosities gathered during his foreign travels and established St. Petersburg's first museum. A legend of reputable authenticity says that in order to attract visitors admission was free and included a complimentary shot of vodka and a slice of salo. Unfortunately both inducements have been done away with so you'll need to bring your own bottle and pay to get in.

The exhibition of life and culture of peoples from Asia, America, Africa, and Australia is eclectic; among Japanese and Polynesian art you can also find a collection of Aleutian hats, neanderthal sculptures, and New Guinean musical instruments. But the star attraction is most definitely Peter's collection of curiosities, displayed on the first floor in the Round Hall. The collection includes a vital organ assortment, deformed fetuses, Siamese-twin infants, a two-faced calf, and other oddities of questionable taste but undeniable interest. It's not the kind of thing you see every day, nor would anyone in their right mind want to, but it sure is weird and worth checking out. Fresh tip: Time your visit here so that it is not right before lunch or dinner.

Universtiteskaya Naberezhnaya 3. Metro: Nevsky Prospekt then trolleys 1, 7 or 10 across the bridge. Entrance is from Mendeleyevskaya Liniya around the side. Ticketing office open 11:00-17:00, museum open till 18:00. Closed Thursday. Tel: 218 1412.