Description of the attraction
The famous historical and local history museum of the city of Kingisepp (Leningrad region) is located on one of the picturesque banks of the Luga, which is in the central part of the medieval settlement, or Yamburg fortress, on Karl Marx Avenue. The old museum building was built on the lowest layer of the fortress wall and dates back to 1910. As for the museum collections, they number more than twenty thousand copies, and moreover, more and more new items are being supplied.
The opening of the museum took place in the fall of November 5, 1960. The main initiator of the creation of the museum was the Public Council, the main representative of which was D. I. Smolsky - it was this person who was the first director of a cultural institution.
In 1978, in one of the buildings of the Catherine Cathedral, which was built according to the order of Empress Catherine II by the famous architect Rinaldi A., for the first time a stationary exposition entitled "Old Yamburg" was presented. The exposition presents unique archaeological finds found in the area where the Yambur Fortress is located, as well as an unusual collection found at the site of burial mounds and represented by household items, jewelry, weapons, amulets and talismans. The found Swedish and Russian coins, dating from the 16-20 centuries, look unusual. As you know, the following peoples lived on the territory of the previously existing fortress: Izhora, Vodi, Finns, Russians, Germans, Estonians - all these peoples left behind a cultural heritage, represented by household items, folk embroidery, weaving, clothing and tools. In addition, in this section you can view the model of the Yamburg Fortress and learn about the most important events in the history of the region. Some of the most amazing exhibits in the exhibition are the holy face of an unknown girl, carved out of stone and military chain mail, dating from about 1703.
The second museum exhibition is called Stopped Moments. Here you can see the reconstruction of the photo salon, where you can get acquainted in detail with the historical development of photography, see the works of the most popular photographers of the 19-20 centuries and look closely at the collector's edition of cameras, as well as old, even pre-revolutionary photographs. A photographic apparatus dating from the early 20th century is highly respected by visitors.
The exhibition "We live on the same land" is a private collection of ethnographic objects dedicated to the way of life, life, culture and occupations of the Finno-Ugric peoples. As you know, these peoples settled the local territories for a very long time. The exposition presents more than three hundred valuable documents and items. In the very center of the exposition there are Izhora post sleighs, which make a great impression on numerous visitors. The hall is decorated in bright colors, which certainly complements the design of the stands, reminiscent of large family albums.
The third exposition is called "Yamburgskie citizens" and tells about the life of the entire city in the period of 19-20 centuries. The collection exhibition of Tula samovars arouses the greatest interest of visitors, the most popular of which is the samovar called "Egoist". The list of interesting items includes: fashion magazines, an electric incandescent lamp "Miracle", a bell for calling a servant, a collection of clocks, candlesticks, irons, and a harmonium.
The last hall "Kingisepp during the Great Patriotic War" is more than four hundred real evidence of the war, including photographs, partisan leaflets, personal belongings, front and military letters, as well as various awards. The most memorable exhibits were the things of the Baltic pilot P. P. Titov, discovered by the search party. Not only the found items, but also important documents were preserved in good condition, therefore they helped to establish the identity of the pilot, who had previously been included in the list of missing persons.
Not so long ago, large-scale renovations were carried out in the museum building.
Today the Museum of History and Local Lore in the city of Kingisepp is a well-deserved center of cultural and social life of the entire city.
