Almaty City and Almaty Region Museums Tour -
Central Museum Tour -
The Central State Museum in Almaty is one of the oldest and largest museums in Central Asia and Kazakhstan in history and culture, located in the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau on Nazarbayev Avenue. The museum was built and opened in 1931 during the Soviet era. The museum has 4 halls in which various exhibits and expositions are presented, and each of the halls belongs to its own era. The first hall is dedicated to paleontology, the second to the history of ethnography, the third to culture and history, and the fourth to the modern history of the country. The museum holds more than 300,000 exhibits reflecting the history, culture and nature of Kazakhstan from ancient times to the present. His collection includes archaeological finds, ethnographic materials, art objects, archival documents and paleontological exhibits. The museum is actively engaged in exhibition, research and educational activities, offering guided tours, lectures and interactive programs for visitors. Republic Square is located next to the museum, where the Monument of Independence of Kazakhstan stands. The city Akimat (government house) and the residence of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan are located next to the square.
How to get there and visit -
The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is located in Almaty at the address: Samal-1 microdistrict, building No. 44, Nazarbayev Street, corner of Temiryazev Street, Medeu district, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°14'08"N 76°57'02"E
Opening hours: daily from 09.00 to 18.00
Contacts: +7 7272 64 22 00 (reception); +7 7272 64 55 77 (excursion department)
History and information -
The history of the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan begins in the 19th century: its predecessor was the Orenburg Regional Museum Collection, founded in the 1830s. Later, the collections were moved to the city of Verniy (present-day Almaty), and already during the Soviet period the museum received the status of the Central State Museum. The modern museum building was built in 1985 by architects Yuri Ratushny, Zeynulla Rysmagambetov and Boris Novikov. It is a monumental structure in the style of late modernism, characterized by massive shapes and harmony of concrete and marble.
The museum's collections number over 300,000 exhibits. The exhibition is divided into several thematic sections. The Archeology Hall presents unique finds from the Bronze Age and the Scythian period, including the famous reconstruction of the "Golden Man" found in the Issyk mound. In the ethnographic halls you can see traditional yurts, national costumes, household items and weapons of nomads, jewelry and carpet weaving. A separate section is devoted to the history of Kazakh statehood, the development of cities, trade routes, as well as the period of Kazakhstan's entry into the Russian Empire and the Soviet Union. Much attention is also paid to the modern stage of independence, achievements of science, culture and sports.
The museum's exposition -
The collection of the Central Museum of Kazakhstan has more than 2.5 million exhibits covering the entire history of the territory of Kazakhstan: from the Paleolithic and Bronze Age to the present. Unique artifacts found during the excavations of ancient burial mounds are stored here – golden ornaments of Sary-Arka (including the famous "Golden Man"), horse bridles, battle axes, helmets, costumes and household items of nomads, including representatives of the Saks, Usuns, Turks and other ancient tribes. The department of ethnography occupies a special place – the interiors of typical Kazakh dwellings are recreated here, national costumes from all regions of the country, jewelry, weapons, musical instruments such as dombra and kobyz, as well as rare manuscripts and ancient books in Arabic, Persian and Turkic languages are displayed. The museum's collections include over 10,000 objects of archeology, 40,000 ethnographic exhibits, more than 70,000 documents, photographic products and numismatics, including coins from ancient times to the Kazakh khanates. A separate section is natural history: minerals, fossils, fauna of steppes and mountains, demonstrating the richness of Kazakhstan's natural heritage. The modern exhibition, opened in the 2010s, is devoted to the history of the formation of the state - from the Kazakh khanates to the declaration of independence in 1991, including personal belongings of the first presidents, documents, photographs and videos.
The museum is actively engaged in scientific work, archaeological expeditions, and organizes international exhibitions and conferences. Cultural events, lectures, meetings with scientists, writers and public figures are held here.
The museum building itself is an architectural landmark of Almaty. It is located at the foot of the Zailiysky Alatau mountains, near other cultural and public facilities of the city, which makes it part of the historical and cultural center of the city.
The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is not only a repository of millennial history, but also a symbol of the spiritual heritage of the people. Its halls are like a bridge connecting the distant past, the heroic present and the future of the country. Here, every exhibit breathes life, every showcase preserves the memory of generations, and the majestic building reminds of the power and continuity of culture. Visiting the museum becomes not just an excursion, but a real journey through time, after which a feeling of pride and respect for the great history of Kazakhstan remains in the soul.
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