Museum of Russian Political History, St. Petersburg

The building was formerly the home of St. Petersburg's most famous ballerina before the Revolution. Subsequently appropriated by the Bolsheviks, it eventually became the museum of the 'Great October Socialist Revolution.' Now containing a range of exhibits, including photos and paintings from Nicholas II's rule, the Civil War, the Second World War, perestroika and the pro-democracy movement, the tone is now very much anti-Soviet and the guides will cheerfully denounce prominent Communist figures as they take you around the rooms. Uniforms of both the Red and White armies of the Civil War stand off against one another in glass cabinets, original manuscripts arguing for insurrection by the likes of anarchist Bakunin and posters celebrating victory over Nazi Germany in World War II are some of the highlights in a must-see museum for anyone interested in some of the most turbulent times in Russia or anywhere.