National Museum of the Republic of Karelia
The National Museum of the Republic of Karelia is the largest museum of Petrozavodsk, which collects materials about the history and nature of the Karelian region. The museum was established in 1871 and today it is one of the largest museum institutions in the North-West of Russia. In its halls and storerooms stored more than 200 thousand exhibits.
Highlights
The most valuable collections of the National Museum of the Republic of Karelia are housed in the historical center of the Karelian capital. They occupy a beautiful building of the former residence of the Olonets Governor, which appeared at the end of the XVIII century. Nearby is the Governor’s Garden and an open-air area where cannon barrels and an old blast furnace, which was used to smelt iron, are on display.
.At the beginning of the journey through the National Museum, visitors enter the basement and find themselves in three small halls that tell about the natural features of the region. The objects and maps placed here introduce the geology of the republic, the traces of the Great Glaciation and the vast Karelian taiga. They are followed by halls with materials of archaeological finds – stone tools, restored Neolithic utensils, ancient amulets and granite slabs with petroglyphs.
On the two upper floors visitors can learn about the history of Karelia from the IX to XX century. There are ethnographic exhibits telling about the tribes “Korela” and “All”. Several halls are devoted to the construction of mining and weapons factories, the development of the Marcial Waters resort and Karelian Old Believers.
.Much attention is paid to the history of Olonets province and Petrozavodsk, the traditions of Olonets clergy and the life of city dwellers. Many visitors like exhibits related to traditional Karelian bylinas and runes. The museum exposition is completed by a large two-light hall of the Noble Assembly. In the XIX century it was used for meetings, balls, masquerades, performances and reception of high guests.
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Fauna and Flora of Karelia
The Nature Department of the National Museum of the Republic of Karelia is located 100 meters from the main building – in the two-story House of the Mountain Chief. At the entrance to the building there is a map of Lake Onega.
The museum halls exhibit materials about animals and plants of Karelia. Two large dioramas are devoted to the fauna of local forests and the White Sea. The stuffed animals installed in the showcases are successfully complemented by wooden beaks, casts of animal tracks, bird nests and audio recordings of birdsong and animal voices.
.Playroom
One of the rooms in the Nature Department of the National Museum of the Republic of Karelia is specially equipped for families with children. Part of the room is dedicated to the Karelian forest, and the other to a peasant hut. Parents bring their children here to play and get acquainted with national costumes, Karelian toys and traditional musical instruments. It is noteworthy that all the exhibits displayed in the playroom are allowed to touch with their hands.
The doors of the National Museum of the Republic of Karelia are open to guests from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00. It should be borne in mind that the cash desk stops working half an hour before closing time. The expositions can be visited independently and as part of excursion groups. For visitors are conducted overview and thematic excursions lasting from 40 minutes to 1 hour 20 minutes.
.How to get there
The main building of the National Museum of the Republic of Karelia is located on Lenin Square, 1, 1.5 km from the railway station. The department dedicated to the animal world of Karelia is located in house No. 5 on Engels Street, 100 meters south of the main building. You can get to the museum by buses and trolleybuses that run through the city center. You should go to the stop “Hotel Severnaya” or “Exhibition Hall”.
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