Zerenda Butterfly Museum
A Museum with an Unusual Origin
Zerenda isn’t just a scenic holiday destination, it’s also home to Kazakhstan’s only butterfly museum. It was founded by Valery Sharov, a local resident. Interestingly, Sharov never collected butterflies himself. They fluttered into his life quite unexpectedly.
Sharov is an honorary citizen of the region, a master of sports in skiing, and a tourism instructor. Now in his 80s, he’s still active in sports and continues to mentor young athletes.
The butterfly collection originally belonged to his close friend, Ortwin Schlosser, a passionate collector. For years, Schlosser kept his specimens hidden away in storage, unable to exhibit them. When he needed money for surgery, Sharov stepped in to help. In gratitude, Schlosser gifted him the entire collection. Sharov transformed a room at the ski resort where he worked into a museum.
The Exhibition
Today, the museum houses over 2,000 butterflies from around the globe. Sharov shares fascinating facts with warmth and flair. You'll learn about butterflies that can freeze for four months and then give birth, how their chitin shells rival metal in strength, and what they have in common with bulletproof vests. The star of the show? A massive Vietnamese butterfly with a wingspan of 24 cm.
Sharov cares deeply for the collection. The room is kept between 15-20°C (59-68°F), with controlled lighting and meticulous upkeep of the display frames. Even a tiny crack in the glass can compromise the seal and the delicate specimens within.
Address: 124 Tauelsyzdyk Street, Zerenda village. The museum is located at a ski resort near the Central District Hospital.
How to get there?
By car from Astana, it’s about 320 km via the Astana-Kokshetau highway. Alternatively, take a train to Kokshetau, then a taxi to Zerenda (around 50 km / 31 mi).
Other tourist attractions near the museum:
- Lake Zerenda
- Zerenda Mountains
- Ulguli Waterfall
- Dragon Cave
- Karaultau Hill
- Korovye Lake
- Smolnaya Hill
- Akshoky Hill
- World War II Monument
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