Few body parts in history have attained a status as mythical as the penis of Grigori Rasputin. Yes, you read that correctly. The Russian mystic and “mad monk,” who captured both the ear of the Romanovs and the desire of Russian high society, has been the subject of wild tales, political intrigue, and anatomical fascination for decades. Whether it is in a jar, a museum, or the annals of urban legends: these are the 10 most bizarre facts about Rasputin’s notorious member.
1. It was supposedly preserved… in a jar
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Persistent rumors circulate that Rasputin’s penis—reportedly 30 cm long—was severed after his death and preserved in a jar like a strange medical specimen. The most notorious version of this relic is on display at the Erotica Museum in St. Petersburg, which proudly claims to possess “Rasputin’s member.” Whether it is the genuine article? That remains a subject of fierce debate.
2. The penis in the jar is 28.5 cm long
Floating in the infamous jar is a dark, eel-like object in formaldehyde, measuring approximately 28.5 cm. Museum staff and some visitors swear it is real, but many skeptics argue it looks suspiciously like a cow’s penis. Real or not, it is undoubtedly Russia’s most infamous sex organ.
3. It was supposedly worshipped by a Parisian women’s cult
After Rasputin’s murder in 1916, a group of French women allegedly acquired his penis and declared it a sacred object. They believed the organ possessed mystical powers. The so-called “Rasputin cult” thought it could enhance fertility, sexual endurance, and even paranormal energy. Absurd? Absolutely. But it adds another strange chapter to the legend.
4. His daughter may have received it in a cigar box
According to a particularly bizarre story, Rasputin’s daughter Maria was once offered a cigar box containing her father’s penis. She reportedly fainted upon opening it. While this sounds like black comedy, it illustrates how grotesque and intertwined fact and fiction have become in the Rasputin narrative.
5. He was obsessed with his sexual power
Rasputin didn’t just have a reputation—he actively cultivated it. He believed that by sinning (especially through sex), one could cleanse the soul of earthly desires. His philosophy: “Sin to be pure.” This led to wild orgies, rumors of hypnotic seductions, and a flock of female admirers among the Russian elite.
6. The royal family was reportedly aware of his… gift
Tsarina Alexandra, wife of Tsar Nicholas II, allegedly shared a special bond with Rasputin—and not just on a spiritual level. Although there is no evidence of an affair, the court buzzed with gossip. It was said she was fascinated by his “healing powers,” but whispered rumors suggested other, more intimate motives.
7. Some believe it was severed before his death
The death of Rasputin is one of the strangest murders in history: poisoned, shot, beaten, and drowned. One theory claims his assassins severed his penis before he died, either as revenge or as a symbolic statement against his reputation as a sexual threat to the Tsarist house.
8. Freud would have loved this
The obsession with Rasputin’s penis is not just sensationalism—it reveals something deeper about fear, desire, and power. As a peasant and mystic with a supposedly hypnotic gaze and untamable libido, he symbolized the threat of chaos within the rigid structure of Tsarist Russia. His penis, however strange it may be, became the symbol of that threat.
9. Some historians call it “pure myth”
Many historians label the entire “penis in a jar” story as an urban legend. The original jar has never been officially verified. No DNA tests have been performed. Furthermore, there is no autopsy confirming an amputation. While the myth lives on, the truth may be much less spectacular—and a lot less preserved.
10. But he is still on display (or something resembling him)
The erotica museum in St. Petersburg claims to have Rasputin’s penis. (The specimen has never been tested to prove this) pic.twitter.com/nFcLljpjEK
— Whores of Yore (@WhoresofYore) April 4, 2017
Visitors still flock to the Erotica Museum in St. Petersburg to see the infamous large specimen. Whether it actually belonged to Rasputin or a random animal, it attracts the curious, the brave, and the prurient. In a strange way, it keeps Rasputin’s spirit alive—not through holy relics or history books, but through one highly questionable, pickled penis.
The legend of Rasputin contains everything: mysticism, sex, death, power, and now… genital preservation. Whether the story about his penis is true or complete nonsense no longer really matters—it has become a cultural artifact in its own right. Just like Rasputin’s life, his member has detached from reality and is forever incorporated into the bizarre world of myths.
