Semey Regional History Museum
The Semey Regional History Museum is one of the oldest museums in Kazakhstan, with its establishment dating back to 1883. Over the years, the museum has undergone several relocations. In 1978, it was moved to the former residence of the governor of the Semipalatinsk region, where it remains to this day. The museum is a one-story U-shaped building designed in the style of Russian classicism.
The museum boasts a vast collection of over 108 thousand exhibits, including artifacts collected by political emigrants and exiles. The exhibits are displayed in seven halls, each dedicated to a specific theme or historical period. For instance, the archeology hall showcases artifacts from the Bronze and Stone Ages.
One of the museum's halls is dedicated to the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, highlighting the challenging period when atomic bombs were detonated at the testing ground.
Visitors can also explore a hall focusing on the geology and paleontology of the region, where minerals and fossils found in the area are on display. Four dioramas illustrate the main stages of life formation on Earth.
Additionally, there is a separate hall dedicated to the region's nature, featuring a collection of insects and taxidermy.
How to get there?
Address: Kazakhstan, Semey, 90 Abay St.
You can reach the museum by buses #3, 8, 9, 20, 28, 33, 36, 41, 52, and 56. Disembark at the “History Museum” stop.
Opening hours:
Mon-Sat – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday – closed
Other tourist attractions near the museum:
- Anatomical Museum
- Irtysh River Embankment
- Abay Theater
- Central Square
- Memorial Museum of Fyodor Dostoevsky
- Nevzorov Family Museum of Fine Arts
- Central Park
- Yamyshevsky Gate
Recommended tours:
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On request
Embark on an exploration of the Soviet legacy on Kazakh soil! This tour takes you to the infamous labor camps of the Stalin era, Karlag and Alzhir, the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site, and various other landmarks from the Soviet era.