Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
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A recreation of Jurassic Moscow and Cretaceous Chukotka, 3D reconstructions of dinosaurs that inhabited Russia, and a greenhouse-laboratory. This is what the "Biocluster" will look like.VDNKh— Russia's first and only natural science museum complex. Opened in June of this year, it currently houses two exhibitions: Pavilions 31, "Geology," and 29, "Floriculture and Gardening." We'll tell you which exhibits are already open, and which areas are in preparation for opening.
Exhibits as works of art
Biocluster is a large-scale project K.A. Timiryazev State Biological MuseumIt will become part of the VDNKh Museum City. As a center for popularizing science, the project will reach a wide audience—adults and children, amateurs and professionals.
"Biology encompasses many fields, such as zoology, paleontology, ornithology, and others. We want to introduce residents and visitors to the capital to its full spectrum, including important discoveries and cutting-edge research. VDNKh is Russia's premier exhibition complex, originally conceived as a venue to showcase the country's achievements. Here, visitors will be able to gain a closer look at the research work of scientists from various fields. Perhaps some young visitors will be inspired to become biologists, and then make breakthrough discoveries in medicine or ecology. The project differs from traditional museum exhibitions: here, technologies will become works of art, installations will be interactive, and experiments will be conducted in the labs," noted Igor Ryabokon, Director of the Timiryazev State Biological Museum.
The first Biocluster site opened in Pavilion No. 29, "Floriculture and Landscaping." The exhibition Morphogenesis. The Third Nature — is a synthesis of living nature and art. It features terrariums, each creating a unique world. In one, Madagascar cockroaches crawl over 3D-printed skulls, a reference to the saying that everyone has their own quirks. In another, trilobite beetles explore a spaceship that crashed on an alien planet. An Indian tiger tarantula weaves a web among dangling tangles of silicone thread. The exhibit is complemented by tropical plants: aglaonemas, cycads, philodendrons, and dracaenas.
The temporary exhibition will run until November of this year. The pavilion will undergo a major re-exhibition, followed by the opening of a botany museum. It will also combine scientific achievements with contemporary art.
The second exhibition that can be visited today is "12 Signs of Life" In Pavilion No. 31, "Geology," the exhibition explores how everything on our planet is interconnected. The exhibit is divided into 12 sections, each representing the 12 fundamental characteristics of living things: the unity of chemical composition, metabolism, movement, the ability to reproduce, heredity, and variability. The exhibition features exhibits from the Biological Museum: minerals, taxidermy and skeletons, and unique replicas of fruits and root vegetables. Visitors can also see a mammoth tooth, the largest egg in the history of Earth, and crystals growing on the human body.
When Nature Meets Art: Exploring the Biocluster Exhibition at VDNKhYou can study biology interactively at the biocluster at VDNKh.
A corner of the Mesozoic era and a giant beehive
This year, two more exhibitions will open. Pavilion No. 17, "Forest Industry," will serve as a portal between the present day and the Mesozoic era. At the "World of Dinosaurs" exhibition, visitors will encounter ancient dinosaurs and other animals that inhabited Russia. The journey begins in the Jurassic period, when the site of modern-day Moscow was once a sea. Next, guests will visit the Urals, Kemerovo Oblast, Krasnoyarsk Krai, and Transbaikal. The final stop is the Cretaceous period in Chukotka. Back then, the region's climate was completely different, with average winter temperatures hovering around 0°C to 5°C. By comparison, today's average winter temperatures in Chukotka range from -15°C to -39°C.
Exhibits include detailed models and 3D reconstructions of dinosaurs. These will include a diplodocoid (a large herbivore distinguished by a long, whip-like tail) that inhabited what is now the Moscow region, a kilesk (the first described predatory dinosaur in Russia), and the "great-grandfather" of Tyrannosaurus rex, native to Siberia. The immersive experience will be enhanced by recreated sounds and smells of that era.
The exhibition will dispel myths perpetuated by cinema. For example, some dinosaurs didn't roar, but rather made bird-like cries. And many weren't as gigantic as depicted in many films. The exhibition will feature fossils from the Biological Museum's collection. The pavilion will also feature Russia's first paleontological laboratory for visitors.
This year, another exhibition will be presented. Pavilion No. 28, "Beekeeping," will introduce VDNKh visitors to insects. The "Buzzing World" exhibition will not replicate the usual displays about bees and their byproducts. This multimedia space will help visitors understand the role bees and other pollinating insects play in our planet and see the environment through their eyes.
Live stingless bees will be housed in an insectarium (a special room for keeping insects). Honeybees will live in a glass hive. It will extend from the pavilion to the street, allowing the bees to move freely between their "home" and the outdoors. Visitors will be able to admire a giant replica of a bee and a model illustrating the stages of its development from egg to adult. One of the installations will replicate the shape of the hive, and visitors will be able to step inside. Sounds, lights, and special effects will help immerse you in the rhythm of insect life.
The pavilion will house Russia's first entomology laboratory. Using microscopes, visitors will be able to examine the structure of bees, flowers, and pollen grains. They will learn how to distinguish fake honey from real honey and learn about the scientific challenges being addressed by Russian scientists.
The "Buzzing World" and "World of Dinosaurs" exhibitions will open at the VDNKh biocluster.Interactive Science and Inclusion: How the VDNKh Biocluster is Changing Museum Standards
From fossils to cells
The opening of other themed areas is planned for the summer of 2026, including Pavilion No. 312, the "Museum of Life," which will be the heart of the Biocluster. This biology guide will teach visitors about the origins of life on Earth, evolution, and the diversity of organisms, as well as the history of important discoveries and contemporary research by Russian scientists. They will also learn how specialists discover fossils of ancient animals and prepare them for museum display. Here, visitors will also be able to learn about the journey fossils take from the excavation site to the museum display case.
In addition, guests will see fossils dating back millions of years, examine living cells under a microscope, and learn about the physiology of various animals and humans. One installation will demonstrate the similarities between natural and computer viruses.
"The Biocluster will have its own mascot. It will be Luca, the last common ancestor of all living organisms: bacteria, plants, fungi, and animals. This single-celled organism emerged approximately four billion years ago. You can interact with Luca via a mobile app and audio guides. He will become the project ambassador, accompanying visitors throughout the Biocluster's entire route," explained Igor Ryabokon.
Revival of VDNKh traditions
In 2026, a greenhouse-laboratory will be built for the Biocluster at VDNKh. Unique plants will live year-round under a glass dome. Equipment will create a microclimate in the greenhouse with the desired temperature, humidity, and lighting. The laboratory will host thematic classes, tours, and experiments. Unlike other greenhouses, this one will offer the opportunity to experience scientific experiments in botany.
"Greenhouses are a VDNKh tradition that we are reviving. There used to be many, but they've all been lost, with the exception of the one attached to Pavilion No. 14, 'Azerbaijan.' And in our climate, it's a pleasure to immerse yourself in a warm tropical haven in the middle of winter. The greenhouse will become one of the stops on the educational ecological route we're creating in the 'Biocluster' at VDNKh," said Sergei Sokolov, Head of the Architectural Department of the VDNKh Department of Capital Repairs and Construction.
A greenhouse with tropical plants will appear at VDNKh.Touch history and listen to nature. Explore the exhibition at the Biological Museum at VDNKh.Mesozoic nature, an eurypterid, and a megalodon tooth: what's in the State Biological Museum's collection
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