This is the oldest professional puppet theatre in Russia. It has been organized in 1918 by a group of city artists led by L.V. Shaporina- Yakovleva and named the Petrograd State Marionette Theatre. Its curtain has been lifted for the first time on April 12, 1919.In mid 1930's the theatre has been given a new building on Nevsky Prospekt, 52. The building has a great cultural and historical value. It has been first mentioned in historical documents in 1832. By late 19th and early 20th century the famous Schreder pianos have been exhibited here.