Visiting museums is part of understanding the culture of a country, its history, and its symbols. It is the perfect way to engage with the community you are visiting and to be inspired. When staying in Rostov, make sure you explore the Museum of Local Lore to learn about the history of the region. This museum is one of the must-see sights in this beautiful city by the Don River.
A historic building
The museum opened in 1910 and remains in the same building to this date, having survived the civil war and the revolution. The opening was an initiative by artists, scientists, and enthusiasts that wanted to represent the culture of the area and preserve elements that belonged to antiquity. One of the first displays consisted of objects that embodied the life of Russian writer Daniil Mordovtsev.
What you'll find
In the current displays, you will see the biggest sturgeon caught in the Don River, one of the highlights and part of the big pride of the city. An important exhibit is the one about the history and traditions of the Cossacks – the east-Slavic warriors that occupied southern Russia and served to the tsars in the different centuries to conquer territory, such as Siberia. The display narrates their story from the beginning of the Middle Ages and features an important collection of weapons used in the wars by the Cossacks. The Cossacks culture was extinct during the Soviet era, but since the 1990s there has been a revival and different Cossack organizations have been set around the world to promote the culture as a symbol of patriotism. In fact, during the World Cup in 2018, more than 300 modern Cossacks helped the local police keep Rostov streets safe. Elsewhere, you will observe an exposition on music featuring barrel organs, phonographs and the story of the music box. Discover also the story of Rostov during the Civil War Period, the post-revolution period and the current contemporary Rostov.
Offered tours
The museum offers different tours to explore beyond their exhibitions. Take the walking tour of the historical Armenian cemetery. This tour introduces you to the story of the city of Nakhichevan-on-Don, which was founded by Armenians in 1779, but in 1928 it became part of Rostov. It is an important part of the heritage of the region. The second tour offered is the Walking Tour Four Squares of Nakhichevan-on-Don, which includes a visit to the Kecharis Monastery – a medieval Armenian complex from the 11th century. Both tours last about two hours and must be reserved with anticipation. Check their website and give them a call beforehand.
