Museum of the Semipalatinsk Nuclear Test Site
In 1993, the Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology was established in Kurchatov as a branch of the National Nuclear Center of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The institute studies the former Semipalatinsk Test Site, aiming to normalize background radiation levels and cleanse the area from the effects of nuclear bomb testing that occurred over many years.
The institute has garnered popularity among tourists, largely due to the presence of the Museum of the Semipalatinsk Test Site within its premises. Established in 1972, the museum is recognized as one of the most unusual in the country. It features fragments of atomic bombs, monitoring equipment used during nuclear tests, documentation, models, and photographs from the era of the test site's existence.
Accessing the institute and exploring other attractions in Kurchatov, however, is not easy. Despite nuclear tests being a thing of the past, entry into the city still requires official authorization. To visit Kurchatov, one must purchase a tour, and the travel agency responsible for the arrangement applies to the National Security Committee, the Institute of Radiation Safety and Ecology, and the akimat of the town of Kurchatov. These entities then issue a pass within approximately 10 days, necessitating travelers to plan their trip at least two weeks in advance.
How to get there?
Access to the museum is available only through guided tours. Our company offers the Legacy of the USSR tour, a 6-day itinerary that includes visits to the Semipalatinsk Test Site, the Museum of the Semipalatinsk Test Site, the ghost town of Shagan, and various other intriguing landmarks from the Soviet era.
Museum address: Abay Region, the town of Kurchatov, 54B Krasnoarmeyskaya St.
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri, from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Sat-Sun – closed
Other tourist attractions near the museum:
- Monument to Igor Kurchatov
- Irtysh River
- Builders' Alley
- St. Kazan Church
- Square of Victory
Recommended tours:
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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.