Scientific and museum centers of Almaty -
Scientific and museum tourism in Kazakhstan -
The Gylym Ordasy Scientific and Museum Center is one of the most iconic places in Almaty, combining the scientific, cultural and historical heritage of Kazakhstan. This complex is a center of academic thought and enlightenment, where the past, present and future of Russian science are combined. It houses unique exhibits, archival materials, rare books and documents related to the development of science in Kazakhstan.
The Gylym Ordasy Center (translated from Kazakh as "Order of Science") is located in the heart of Almaty and is a large scientific and educational institution that unites several museums and scientific libraries. The Central Scientific Library, the Museum of Archeology, the Museum of Nature, the Museum of Rare Books and the Museum of the History of Science of Kazakhstan are located here. This association allows visitors to explore the country's rich cultural and intellectual heritage in one place. The reconstruction of the burial chamber of Berelsky kurgan No. 11 from the Kazakh Altai occupies a special place in the museum's exposition.
The purpose of the center is to preserve, research and popularize scientific achievements, as well as to foster interest in knowledge among the younger generation. This is not just a museum, but a whole scientific complex where lectures, exhibitions, conferences and scientific symposiums are held.
History
After the founding of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR in 1946, it was here, in the building of the future "Gylym Ordasy", that a new era of scientific development of the country began. This place has become a kind of center of attraction for scientists, researchers and engineers who shaped the scientific potential of the young state. Meetings of the Academy's Presidium were held here, and the first major discoveries in the fields of geology, physics, biology, and archaeology were discussed.
Over the years, outstanding scientists, academicians Kanysh Satpayev, Saken Seifullin, Akhmet Zhubanov, and Alkey Margulan worked within the walls of this building, laying the foundations of the scientific school of Kazakhstan. In the post-war years, numerous expeditions began from here, exploring the bowels, flora and fauna of the country, as well as historical and cultural monuments.
In the 2010s, the building was reconstructed, and the modern scientific and museum center "Gylym Ordasy" was created on its basis. The main idea was to unite all the main museums of the Academy of Sciences in one space and make them accessible to the general public.
Architecture
The Gylym Ordasy building is one of the architectural symbols of Almaty. It is designed in the style of Stalinist neoclassicism and was built in the 1950s under the guidance of talented architects of the Soviet school, who sought to reflect in its appearance the greatness of science and the spirit of the era. The main composition is built around a spacious central hall with high ceilings and massive columns, arched windows, stucco molding and a spacious lobby create a sense of solemnity and grandeur.
The facade of the building is made of light stone, in harmony with the greenery of the surrounding park, decorated with carved friezes and decorative inserts. Large windows let in a lot of natural light, creating an atmosphere of openness and inspiration. The interior is decorated with restraint, but with taste: marble floors, wooden panels, stained glass windows and neatly built-in museum exhibitions create harmony between the rigor of science and the beauty of art.
The central staircase leading to the museum halls deserves special attention. It is made of polished marble, and its railings are decorated with brass elements with floral ornaments. The interiors combine the rigor of the classics and the comfort of an ancient scientific house: high ceilings, stucco, wooden doors and wrought-iron lamps create a sense of solemnity and intellectual atmosphere.
Thus, "Gylym Ordasy" is not just an architectural structure, but a real monument to the epoch, symbolizing the connection of science, culture and national identity of Kazakhstan.
Expositions
Each museum, which is part of the complex, represents a separate area:
• The Museum of Archeology preserves artifacts found on the territory of Kazakhstan: tools, jewelry, ceramics, clothing items and reconstructions of ancient settlements.
• The Nature Museum introduces the richness of the animal and plant world of Kazakhstan – here you can see stuffed rare animals, collections of minerals, herbariums and dioramas of natural landscapes.
• The Museum of Rare Books contains valuable publications, ancient manuscripts, documents and archival materials of scientists. Among the exhibits are the works of Abai, al–Farabi, Shokan Valikhanov and many other prominent personalities.
• The Museum of the History of Science of Kazakhstan talks about the development of national science, the first scientific discoveries, achievements and people who made a huge contribution to the development of the country.
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How to get there and visit -
The Gylym Ordasy Scientific and Museum Center is located in Almaty in the building of the Academy of Sciences of the Kazakh SSR at 28 Shevchenko Street, Medeu district, Republic of Kazakhstan.
GPS coordinates: 43°14'46"N 76°57'11"E
It is easy to get to Gylym Ordasy by bus No. 5, 5A, 5B, 29, 29P, 48, 65, 66, 120, 121, 141 ( along Dostyk Avenue to Shevchenko Street), No. 12 (to the Kazakhstan Hotel), No. 112 (along Kunaev Street to Shevchenko Street), by trolleybus No. 11, 19, 25 (to Shevchenko Street). The nearest metro station is Abaya, which is about 800 meters away on foot. The best way to get there is by taxi or private car.
Working hours: Monday-Friday from 09.00 to 18.30 (Saturday-Sunday – day off)
Contacts: +7 727 272 86 56
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Legend
There is an old legend among the people of Almaty about the place where the Gylym Ordasy building stands today. It is said that once there was a small village in which lived a wise man who devoted his life to the search for knowledge. He taught children to look at the sky and understand the language of the stars, talked about the mysteries of the earth and water. People called him the "Keeper of the Light." Before his death, the sage allegedly uttered a prophecy: "Here, where I rest, one day the House of Knowledge will be reborn, where people from all over the world will come to seek the truth."
When, decades later, the Academy of Sciences was built on this site, the old-timers remembered the words of the sage. They said that the prediction had come true, because it was here that the flower of Kazakh science gathered, and the Gylym Ordasy building became a real temple of knowledge, as predicted by the Guardian of Light.
Some claim that on quiet evenings, when the wind rustles in the crowns of old trees, you can hear the rustle of pages and a barely discernible voice reading ancient manuscripts – as if the spirit of the sage still roams the halls, protecting knowledge and inspiring scientists to make discoveries.
Modernity and significance
Today, Gylym Ordasy is not only a museum, but also an active scientific platform. Exhibitions, international conferences, lectures and seminars are held here. The Center actively cooperates with universities and scientific organizations in Kazakhstan and abroad, and serves as a platform for communication between scientists, students and anyone interested in science.
This place has become a symbol of Kazakhstan's intelligence and progress. It unites the memory of the great discoveries of the past and inspires new achievements. Visiting Gylym Ordasy allows everyone to feel respect for the work of scientists and realize that knowledge is the basis for the development of society and culture.
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