Saint Petersburg is a city with a rich history where traditions closely intertwine with modernity. In addition to architectural masterpieces and classical museums, there are unusual places here that are interesting to visit off the tourist trail. Do you love magic, are you interested in tricks and mystifications? Then you'll definitely enjoy the Magic Museum on Nevsky Prospect!
'Living' paintings. Photo: official VKontakte group of the museum
The first Magic Museum in Russia is an interactive space where every visitor can feel like a wizard. Here they perform magic tricks and reveal the secrets of great illusionists, expose cardsharps and explain the principles behind magical devices. Every hour the museum hosts an exciting show: an illusionist performs tricks with cards, coins, ropes and handkerchiefs, and reads the minds of guests.
Photo: official VKontakte group of the museum
The museum's exhibits include illusions — devices that allow you to understand the mechanisms of the most famous tricks and even reproduce them. Want to pierce a person with a sword? At the Magic Museum this is entirely possible and safe: visitors can take on the role of the magician or the 'victim' of the trick. Want to make contact with the otherworld? The museum stages reconstructions of late 19th-century spiritualist seances as a comedic horror performance.
Photo: official VKontakte group of the museum
Photo: official VKontakte group of the museum
An intriguing museum exhibit is a Chinese water torture chamber with a capacity of over 900 liters. A similar chamber was used as a prop for Harry Houdini's legendary trick. The tour explains which laws of physics helped the great illusionist escape from the water. After the program you can take magical photos: appearing to float above the ground, jumping out of a hat, or sitting on Harry Potter's famous broom, the Nimbus 2000!
Photo: official VKontakte group of the museum
The museum hosts a magic shop where you can find starter kits for beginner magicians, professional playing cards and many magical souvenirs from the Harry Potter universe: wands, chocolate frogs and Golden Snitches. The Magic Museum organizes birthday parties, corporate events, New Year events, graduation parties, and you can also book an off-site show. Guests can enjoy theatrical performances, interactive quests and spectacular debunkings.
