Description of the attraction
The Museum of Bread in St. Petersburg is the only museum of its kind in Russia. It was formed in 1988.
The essence of the museum is reflected in its name. The interest in bread as the greatest invention of mankind is not accidental. In the age of scientific and technological progress, bread still symbolizes the harmonious relationship between man and nature. The history of mankind is intertwined with the history of bread. In his honor, ceremonies were performed, songs, hymns were composed, holidays were organized associated with sowing suffering and harvesting. They greeted the bride and groom on the threshold of their house with bread and salt, a newborn, dear guests. In all this, human wisdom is manifested, a respectful attitude towards bread, passed down from generation to generation and instilled in a baby from the first days of his life. Bread as a cultural phenomenon allows you to see the life of society and its everyday side in an interesting and unusual form. In addition, the museum exposition shows the history of bakery in St. Petersburg.
A variety of pastries is a testament to the high skill of the workers of the bakery, bakery and confectionery shops of the capital in the 19th century. The museum also has a small town bakery, equipped with equipment. She usually served the poor in the capital. A special place in the exposition are materials dedicated to the tragic events of the history of Petrograd-Leningrad. In the section about the Second World War and the blockade, 125 grams of bread, consisting of oatmeal, oilcakes, hydrocellulose and flour dust, are presented. Nowadays, it was baked according to a wartime recipe developed in the main laboratory of the bakery trust.
Until the beginning of the 20th century, the baking traditions and customs of the device for baking dough products, used for centuries, did not undergo major changes. Shovels, shovels, hand mills, jars were widely used both in the countryside and in the city. The rapidly developing urban culture also contributed to the rapid change in the way of life of its inhabitants. In addition to traditional wooden and clay kitchen utensils, metal dishes and molds for making gingerbreads, muffins, gingerbreads and many other products are firmly in use. Many recipes for Russian and European cuisine organically blended into the lifestyle of St. Petersburg and served as the basis for the publication of a large number of culinary and cookbooks. Pastry shops and restaurants that appeared in St. Petersburg competed in the skill of preparing dishes that were offered to visitors in colorful and original menus.
The museum displays a collection of samovars, which are a symbol of the Russian bright and distinctive tea drinking custom. They appeared in the 18th century and gradually took the main place in residential buildings, inns and tips. The unique flavor of the Russian tradition of tea drinking was created by fragrant tea, candies and caramel, pretzels and figured gingerbread cookies, painted ceramic and porcelain dishes, and, of course, a sparkling samovar.
Spectacular packaging boxes were a kind of business card for confectionery manufacturers, which also served as an excellent advertisement for the product. They were designed according to the sketches of famous artists, and therefore were true works of art.
In the years of the first five-year plans, bakery activities gradually began to acquire industrial features. Bakery factories were opened, where all the main operations were mechanized. In addition to the traditional assortment, they made piece products with the image of the symbols of Soviet times: a 5-pointed star, a sickle and a hammer, etc.
The museum is engaged in active collecting, exposition and exhibition, research and educational work. The museum collection numbers about 14,000 exhibits. Nowadays, the museum has begun to complete a collection of paintings on the theme "Food and the world of painting".
