In the picturesque part of the city of Ulan-Ude there is an ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia. On its territory, which is approximately thirty-seven hectares, there are more than forty interesting architectural monuments, as well as an amazing exposition of eleven thousand items. It is considered one of the largest open-air museum complexes in Russia, the purpose of which is to acquaint visitors with the history and culture of this region.
Historical facts
The idea of creating such a unique complex belongs to the famous and talented academician Alexei Pavlovich Okladnikov, who brought his ideas to life in 1973. Thus, the ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia appeared.
It was founded thanks to the decision of the Council of Ministers of Buryatia. The department took care of the preservation of historical and cultural monuments of Transbaikalia, so it was decided to create such a museum complex.
Description
From the day of its opening to the present, this interesting exposition is very popular among the population of the Buryat Republic and its guests. Throughout the year, more than a hundred thousand tourists and local residents can come here on an excursion. This figure is a big indicator for this region. The Ethnographic Museum of the Peoples of Transbaikalia (Ulan-Ude) acquaints all its visitors not only with the history of the region, but also with its material and spiritual culture.
The whole complex is divided into several thematic departments, in which each of the visitors will be able to discover something new about the ethnic groups and nationalities of the republic. People's interest in this place does not weaken over time due to the fact that the ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia is in constant development. New expositions and exhibitions are regularly created here, which attracts visitors from all CIS countries.
What to see?
This park-type museum complex consists of six exhibition departments, which are isolated from each other with the help of natural landscapes. The sequence of their location coincides with the chronological periods of development of this region.
The ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia (Ulan-Ude) begins with its archaeological department, where you can see recreated and authentic monuments of ancient times, preserved from the time of ethnic Buryatia. Then comes the Even sector, where various utensils, plagues andstorehouses of this nationality.
After it follows the Buryat section, which is a whole collection of yurts made of felt and wood, in the center of which is a dugan - a religious building in the Buddhist religion. Then visitors get to the Cis-Baikal sector, where they can see how the houses of the Buryats, who had different incomes, looked like. The Trans-Baikal Department will introduce guests to the history of exile and hard labor of this region.
Then comes the old-timer sector, where you can see the farmer's house, built back in 1881. There is a barn, a shed and other outbuildings near it. The hut of the Cossack chieftain perfectly complements this exposition.
After it follows the Old Believer section, which is considered one of the most interesting places in the museum and can acquaint guests with buildings cut down in the tradition of wooden architecture. This exposition is made in the form of a traditional one-way street, on which the houses of the Old Believers exiled to the Siberian region in the eighteenth century are located. The ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia ends the exhibition with the urban sector. Here is a collection of residential buildings of old Verkhneudinsk.
All exhibitions of this open-air complex reflect the material and spiritual culture of the peoples in the form of various settlements that were characteristic of a particular ethnic group. Therefore, they can consistently tell visitors about the history of the settlement of the region and all the cultural processes that took place in this region from ancient times to the twentieth century.
Living Corner
In addition to the main departments, this museum complex has a wildlife sector. In it you can see almost all representatives of the Siberian fauna. This corner is regularly replenished with new species of animals and birds. More recently, Amur tigers, deer and red wolf settled here.
In this sector, you can also see rare animals of Transbaikalia and learn how to take care of them in order to avoid their complete extinction.
Activities
In addition, this museum complex also holds various traveling exhibitions in city educational institutions, thanks to which schoolchildren can get acquainted with the culture and life of the Buryats, Evenks and other peoples of this region.
Also, the staff working in the museum actively participates in various scientific practical conferences, and also conducts research activities. Even on the territory of this park-type complex, festivities are held every year in honor of the largest cultural events taking place in this republic.
Reviews
People like to come with their whole families to the ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia. Photos taken on its territory show that there are always many visitors of different age groups. The guests of this amazing complex like that all the exhibits that reflect the life and history of the peoples inhabiting the Buryat Republic are collected here.
The public who come here on excursions notes that all the buildings,collected here are authentic and brought from the countryside. Thanks to this, you can see how the people of this region used to live, and fully experience the spirit of the era.
Children love to come here to see the zoo animals and breathe in the forest air. It is easy to get to this complex with the whole family, as it works according to a convenient schedule.
Useful information
On Mondays and Tuesdays the ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia rests. Its opening hours look like this:
- From September 16 to June 1, the complex welcomes visitors from 09:00 to 17:30 on weekdays, and from 10:00 am to 18:30 pm on weekends.
- During the summer it opens at 10:00 and closes at 18:30 on weekdays, and on weekends from 10:00 to 19:00.
The cost of an adult ticket is 150 rubles, students can see the exposition for 100 rubles, and schoolchildren and pensioners - for 90 rubles.
Where is it?
You don't have to go far outside the city to see the ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia. Its address is as follows: the village of Verkhnyaya Berezovka, Museum Street, house 17 B. This picturesque place is located just eight kilometers from Ulan-Ude. Therefore, you can use public transport to come to the ethnographic museum of the peoples of Transbaikalia. Any local resident knows how to get there. For example, you can use bus number 37, which goes there from the Square of the Soviets. The road will takemore than twenty minutes.
The peculiarity of this park-type museum complex is that all its exhibits are shown in their original form and in the most authentic setting, although they were brought here from different places. Therefore, people can take a trip into the past here and see how their predecessors lived.
