The Regional History Museum in Nukus, officially known as the State Museum of History and Culture of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, stands as one of the oldest and most significant museums in Central Asia. Established in 1929 with an initial exhibition organized by the Society of Regional Studies of Karakalpakstan in the town of Turtkul, the museum has since grown into a comprehensive institution housing over 65,000 exhibits across three primary departments: nature, archaeology and ethnography, and modern history.
The museum’s nature department offers a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric and natural world of the region. Among the notable displays are petrified remains of ancient animals and plants, as well as taxidermy specimens of rare and now-extinct birds and animals from the Aral Sea region. One of the museum’s most unique and poignant exhibits is the preserved specimen of the «Last Turanian Tiger.» Once roaming freely from the Altai Mountains to the Black Sea, these majestic tigers were hunted to extinction for their beautiful pelts. The last Turanian tiger was killed in the Amu Darya delta by local residents in 1949. The museum’s director at the time made significant efforts to secure the tiger’s remains for the museum, preserving it as a taxidermy exhibit to memorialize the species.
Climb Minaret of Islam-Khoja
Explore Ichan-Kala Fortress
Admire Kalta-Minor Minaret
Enjoy traditional Uzbek architecture
Visit local craft workshops