A.S. Pushkin Museum

The A.S. Pushkin Museum is one of the significant institutions of Kazakhstan’s spiritual and cultural heritage. This museum is located in the center of the West Kazakhstan Region - in the city of Uralsk - in a historic building that once served as the residence of the ataman of the Ural Cossack Army. This architectural monument, situated on one of the city's main streets, was built in 1825 according to the design of Italian architect Michele Delmedino and is an integral part of Uralsk’s historical urban ensemble of that era.

The museum was opened in 2006 within the framework of the Year of A.S. Pushkin in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The building it occupies is a historic house where the great Russian poet Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin stayed during his trip to Uralsk in 1833. Thanks to this fact, the museum has become a unique cultural space dedicated to the life and works of the poetic genius. The museum's exhibition recreates the atmosphere of a Russian noble household of the early 19th century, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the lifestyle and worldview of that time. It also presents information about the stays of other notable figures such as V.I. Dal, V.A. Zhukovsky, and L.N. Tolstoy in this house. The exhibition features original furniture from the period, household items, copies of historical documents, and rare book editions. Particularly striking for visitors is Pushkin’s death mask, which offers a glimpse of his true likeness.

One of the museum’s most valuable exhibits is an original painting by the renowned Russian artist V.T. Tropinin - a portrait of D.M. Borodin. Additionally, the exhibition includes antique editions of Pushkin’s works The Captain’s Daughter and The History of the Pugachev Rebellion. These works underscore the historical significance of the poet’s trip to Uralsk in 1833 and his scholarly pursuits. The displays also feature linocuts by artists, enabling visitors to visually explore historical locations connected with Pushkin’s journey, such as the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, the Michael the Archangel Cathedral, and the house of M. Tolkachev. Moreover, the museum houses copies of Pushkin’s manuscripts, eyewitness accounts of his visit, and valuable information and photographs related to the literary and historical processes of the 19th century.

Uralsk is the only city in Kazakhstan where the presence of A.S. Pushkin is historically documented. This fact enhances the significance of the Uralsk museum in the study of the poet’s creative and historical legacy, making it a center of cultural and historical research of both national and international importance.