Kazakh Carpet Museum
Sometimes, the most unexpected wonders are tucked away in the courtyards of Shymkent. For example, stepping into an unassuming courtyard on Gani Ilyaev Street, you'll find a surprising sight: a display of carpets. However, these carpets are not the typical woven kind – they are painted on fences and garages. And yes, there are real carpets too.
History Woven into Every Stitch
In the heart of Shymkent, in the basement of a nondescript Soviet-era residential block, you'll find the only carpet museum in Kazakhstan. This museum is the creation of Dana Bektaeva, a dedicated researcher and carpet collector. Over more than a decade, she has amassed a collection of antique carpets, each with its own story to tell. Though Dana dreams of opening a full-scale museum, for now, her collection is housed in this small basement.
The basement is adorned with bright carpets from floor to ceiling, accompanied by ancient chests, musical instruments, yurt components, and other traditional items. However, due to the less-than-ideal conditions of the basement, Dana has hesitated to bring her most precious pieces here. Among her most prized possessions is the "Abylay Khan" carpet, its design mirroring the ornamentation on the ruler's headdress. Altogether, Dana's collection boasts around 1,000 carpets.
Dana Bektaeva is not just a collector; she is a passionate scholar of carpets. She believes that every pattern carries a deep significance, reflecting the history, beliefs, and traditions of the Kazakh people. Dana is convinced that ancient knowledge, now nearly forgotten, is encoded within Kazakh ornaments.
Art Breaks Boundaries
The Kazakh Carpet Museum extends beyond its basement confines – its art spills out into the courtyard. Eager to share her rarest pieces with the public, Dana had to find an alternative to displaying them outdoors. She and a team of artists, funded by Instagram supporters, painted carpets on fences, garage doors, playground enclosures, and entryways.
Each design is intricate and meaningful. One pattern, resembling the letter "П", symbolizes the transition to another world, according to Dana. Another, with four petals, represents harmony. If you look closely at another painted "carpet," you might spot the head of an owl. There’s so much to see, and each detail invites a deeper look.
While the carpet murals on the walls are a brilliant artistic solution, we still hope to one day see Dana Bektaeva’s full collection displayed in a dedicated museum.
How to get there?
Address: 40 Ilyaev St.
Located in Shymkent's old city center, the museum is easy to reach. It's just 250 meters (270 yd) from the TSUM bus stop, served by buses #12, 19, 26, 34, 67, 68, 69, 74, 84, 103, 104, 133, 169, and 182.
Other tourist attractions near the museum:
- Mega Planet Shopping Mall
- TSUM (Central Department Store)
- Central Park
- Classic Car Museum
- Shymkent Puppet Theater
- Kenbaba Family Park
- Satire and Humor Theater
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Shymkent, the third-largest city in Kazakhstan, boasts a rich, extensive history. It is one of the oldest cities in the region, having emerged as a vital hub along the Silk Road caravan routes.