Pushkin Museum-Lyceum in Tsarskoe Selo

In the city of Pushkin (until 1918 - Tsarskoe Selo), the former suburban residence of Russian emperors, now come to familiarize themselves with local sights - the Catherine Palace and the park, for an excursion to the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, which will take a little more than half an hour. Lyceum of Pushkin in Tsarskoe Selo is a special place that every tourist should visit.

Popularity of the place

Considering the fact that the number of people who wish to visit the royal chambers never decreases, it is better to buy tickets to the Catherine Palace in advance , but in such a way that you can walk around the famous educational institution before it, warm memories of which can be found in one of the works of the great poet and writer.

Pushkin Museum-Lyceum in Tsarskoe Selo offers visitors to plunge into the old way of life and see the desk, behind which sat one of the most talented people of Russia.

A bit of history

The first students of the Tsarskoe Selo Lyceum adopted in 1811. Thus, the date of its foundation falls on the period of the era of liberalism of Alexander I. Twenty-fourteen-year-old parents of very noble noble families brought their children to school because the educational institution was faced with a very difficult task: the graduate should be ready for "important parts of the tsar's service ".

The first arrivals were not even warned at first about the fact that they are to remain within the walls of the Lyceum for six whole years without the possibility to go home. They were presented with a surprise only at the end of the day of arrival, when the children regaled themselves with an evening dessert. Pushkin's Lyceum in Tsarskoe Selo had a special significance for high-ranking people of that time. Everyone wanted to send their children to be brought up by professional teachers.

Plan for the construction of the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum

Between the buildings of the Lyceum and the Catherine Palace a connecting arch with an altar part (choruses) of the court church was built. The construction of the school has 4 floors, each of which carried its functional purpose:

• The lowest floor was used for living quarters where inspectors, officials, employees and tutors lived.

• On the next floor there was a conference room with a nearby office, a hospital and a pharmacy, a canteen where employees and students were eating. The Pushkin Lyceum in Tsarskoye Selo is very popular among tourists. You can see photos of the museum in this article.
• A floor above in two classes passed the educational process. In one of them, classes were held after reading the lectures. Also on the third floor was a physical cabinet, and inside the arch, referred to above, was a room for periodicals - magazines and newspapers. In the assembly hall on the same floor, on October 18, 1811, in the solemn atmosphere, the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum was opened. And in 1815 another historical event took place - the lyceum student Pushkin, who was only 15 at that time, during the examination, recited his poem "Memoirs in Tsarskoe Selo", making even the old Derzhavin shed a few tears.
• The fourth floor was occupied by students. According to Pushkin, the rooms resembled very narrow "cells", which, as for the descendants of noble families, were furnished quite modestly, in Spartan, with a minimum of amenities. The furniture did not shine with luxury and was only a mirror, an iron bed, a chest of drawers, a desk and a table for washing. In one of these rooms, under number 14, Lyceum student Pushkin lived and spent his leisure time. The years of study were so imprinted into memory that, some time after the completion of his studies, Aleksandr Sergeevich, who had become famous, at the end of each of the letters addressed to his friends-lyceum students, put down the signature "No. 14".

Lyceum day schedule

Noble children had to live in Spartan conditions, the room was far from comfortable temperature of air - within 17 degrees. Pushkin's Lyceum in Tsarskoe Selo was an example of discipline. Lyceum students had to adhere to the following order of the day:

1. Every morning the rise, as in the army, is 6.00.
2. Strictly one hour was spent in order to wake up and wipe your eyes, consistently perform actions brought to automatic: the morning toilet, dressing, prayer, repetition of lessons.
3. Classes start at 7.00. Two of them were held before lunch for two hours with some interruption. During the first break, the students lunched with tea and a white bun, the rest of the time before the next two-hour classes were devoted to a small walk.
4. Then the next two hours of classes, after which it was allowed to walk, and then it was necessary to repeat the lessons.
5. 13.30 - dinner, which usually consisted of three dishes.
6. Afternoon three hours of classes were held in the classroom with three rows of desks.
7. Evening walk and obligatory physical exercises.
8. The students were having supper at 20.30.

Lyceum Pushkin in Tsarskoe Selo was respected, parents liked the strict order, which should be adhered to by children. In total I had to study for seven hours a day. The academic year began on August 1 and ended on July 1 of the next calendar year. In Tsarskoe Selo, the pupils were supposed to stay even during the holidays, which lasted a whole month. The six-year study period consisted of two parts: the first three years - the primary branch, and the next three years - the final separation. During this time the pupils managed to get not only secondary but also higher education. The program of training almost did not correspond to the one that was taught at the legal and philosophical faculties. And graduates of the lyceum were equated with graduates of universities.

Prices and operating mode

In addition to Pushkin, the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum graduated many more famous personalities, such as Pushchin, Delvig, Kiichelbecker, Korf, Gorchakov, and others.

Be sure to visit Pushkin Lyceum in Tsarskoe Selo. The working hours are from seven in the morning until eleven in the evening. The cost of the ticket is 120 rubles, children under 18 are free. Discounts are presented to pensioners, they will get a ticket to the museum at 30 rubles.