The first Russian sex museum was opened in May 2004 in St. Petersburg by a local gynecologist, as part of the Prostate Centre, a Russian clinic. The permanent exhibition hosts quite a lot of interesting objects, sculptures, and paintings. The opening got an extensive coverage on the press because the museum exhibits Rasputin's penis - quite a unique object by all means. They say the owner of the museum is going to buy the organs of Janne d'Arc on an auction in France to "get a girlfriend for the old man."Rasputin, nicknamed “Mad Monk” by historians was born in 1869 in Siberia, arrived in St. Petersburg in 1911 and within a few years had become one of the most influential men in government circles. His rise to preeminence was due to his close relationship with Nicholas II’s wife, Alexandra. The heir to the throne suffered from hemophilia, and only Rasputin could stop the boy’s bleeding. Because of this, Alexandra believed he was a holy man sent to protect Alexis and she kept him close by at all times.
However, many historians point to the unusual cult that Rasputin practiced at the Emperors’ court — a strange mixture of Christianity and sexual practices. Many of the noble women were believed to be in sexual relations with Rasputin, possibly including the Empress.
There is no entrance fee for the museum. You either have to be a patient or buy a souvenir. They have lots of souvenirs for sale ranging from a book on the voluminous History of Petersburg Prostitutes to a DVD with Russian sex lessons.
(sources: 1, 2, 3, 4)
I thought this was a pretty bizarre finding in my research and decided to open postings on my blog with this. The museum is actually part of a clinic, where "the erotic items help the patients relax, so they can more easily discuss their (sexual) problems with the doctor." I just think it's an interesting/vaguely weird/quirky display of modern sexuality in Russia.
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