GES-2 House of Culture is a free contemporary-culture centre on Bolotnaya Embankment in central Moscow, set inside a former 1907 power station that architect Renzo Piano transformed into a light-filled arts space. It is open daily from 11:00 to 22:00. Entry to the building and its central promenade is free (with advance registration), but since November 2025 most exhibitions carry a modest ticket price. If you have seen the Kremlin and the classic galleries and want something modern, this is one of the most rewarding stops in the city.
What is GES-2?
GES-2 opened in December 2021 as the flagship venue of the V-A-C Foundation. The building was originally a city power station that once supplied electricity to Moscow's tram network. Rather than demolish it, the foundation commissioned the Renzo Piano Building Workshop to convert the industrial hall into a "House of Culture" — a Soviet-era term for a community arts centre, reinterpreted for the present. The result pairs the original steel structure and towering blue chimneys with a bright glass roof, a birch grove, and generous public space.
Outside the entrance you will usually find Big Clay #4, a monumental sculpture by Swiss artist Urs Fischer that has become an unofficial landmark of the riverside.
Where it is and how to get there
GES-2 sits at 15 Bolotnaya Embankment, on Bolotny Island in the very heart of Moscow, across the river from the Kremlin and next to the Red October (Krasny Oktyabr) district. The nearest metro stations are Kropotkinskaya, Borovitskaya, Polyanka and Tretyakovskaya, each around a 10-15 minute walk away. For getting around the city by metro, a Troika card is the cheapest option — see our guide to the Troika card and Moscow public transport.
Hours, tickets and practical details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 15 Bolotnaya Embankment, Moscow |
| Opening hours | Daily, 11:00-22:00 |
| Admission | Building & promenade free (register in advance); most exhibitions 400-600₽ (all-exhibitions ticket 1,000₽); free on the first Wednesday of each month |
| Nearest metro | Kropotkinskaya / Borovitskaya / Polyanka / Tretyakovskaya |
| Time to allow | 1-3 hours |
Entry to the historic building and a walk along the Prospekt remain free, but you must register online in advance. Since 13 November 2025, most exhibitions are ticketed: around 600₽ for a show on the lower level (−1) and 400₽ on the second floor, or a single 1,000₽ ticket covering every exhibition. On the first Wednesday of each month, all exhibitions are free.
Programming rotates through the year. Exhibitions shown or scheduled in 2026 have included "The Whole World Finds a Home Here: In the Footsteps of Tagore" (winter-spring), "Formulas of Eternity" (26 February - 19 July), "Hanoi Ad Hoc. Landscapes of Optimism" (23 April - 30 August) and "Crisis of the Genre: Still Life, Portrait, Landscape" (2 July 2026 - 10 January 2027). Always check the official GES-2 website for the current calendar and to see what needs free registration versus a paid ticket.
What to see and do
GES-2 is more than a gallery. Under one roof you will find:
- The Prospekt — a soaring central promenade that runs the length of the building, used for large installations and events.
- Exhibition halls with rotating shows of Russian and international contemporary art.
- A cinema and a concert hall with a regular programme of screenings and performances.
- The Atelier, a creative area for children, plus a library and a bookshop.
- A restaurant and several cafés, an observation point with views over the Moscow River, and a birch forest behind the main hall.
Plan at least an hour; if you take in an exhibition and pause for coffee, two to three hours pass easily.
Combine it with the neighbourhood
GES-2 is perfectly placed for a half-day of art and riverside walking. Cross into the Red October district for design studios and cafés, or continue to two of Moscow's best art museums: the Tretyakov Gallery for Russian classics and the Garage Museum of Contemporary Art in Gorky Park. The Kremlin and Red Square are a short walk over the bridge. To go deeper with a specialist, you can book a guided art or architecture tour through GetExperience.
Tips for your visit
- Go on a weekday if you can — weekends and evenings are busier.
- Book ahead for exhibitions — popular shows sell out, and only the first Wednesday of the month is free.
- Bring cash or a Mir card — foreign Visa and Mastercard do not work in the cafés; see how to pay in Moscow as a tourist.
- Combine with a river walk at sunset for the best photos of the chimneys and the Kremlin skyline.
For planning the rest of your itinerary, our Russia travel guide covers where to go next, and a Moscow Pass can help you bundle entry to the city's paid attractions.
Frequently asked questions
Is GES-2 free to visit?
Entry to the GES-2 building and its central Prospekt promenade is free, but requires advance registration on the official website. Since November 2025, most exhibitions are ticketed — roughly 400-600₽ each, or 1,000₽ for all of them — except on the first Wednesday of each month, when exhibitions are free.
What are the opening hours of GES-2?
GES-2 is open every day from 11:00 to 22:00. Individual exhibitions or events may have their own times, so check the calendar before you go.
How do I get to GES-2 by metro?
The nearest metro stations are Kropotkinskaya, Borovitskaya, Polyanka and Tretyakovskaya, each about a 10-15 minute walk. GES-2 is at 15 Bolotnaya Embankment, across the river from the Kremlin.
How much time should I spend at GES-2?
Allow at least one hour for a quick look. If you explore an exhibition, visit the shop and stop for coffee, plan for two to three hours.
What is there to see at GES-2?
Highlights include the central Prospekt promenade, rotating contemporary-art exhibitions, a cinema and concert hall, a children's Atelier, a library and bookshop, cafés and a restaurant, and the Big Clay #4 sculpture outside on the embankment.
Programming, hours and registration rules can change; verify current details on the official GES-2 website before visiting.
