The Brest Regional Local History Museum is one of the largest museums of Belarus. Its collection and artifacts of the four branches reflect in detail the history of Brest region from ancient times to the present.

The decision to establish the Brest Local History Museum was made in 1940. It was opened in the spring of 1941, but its exhibits were destroyed during the Nazi occupation. After World War II it was decided to restore the museum and in 1945 the necessary funds were allocated. In 1948 the museum got its own building – a former building of the Holy Cross Church was converted for that. In 1950 the museum got its own staff. Repairs have been made and the necessary equipment has been purchased over the next few years.

On June 22, 1957 all the rooms with exhibits began to operate. There were 17411 exhibits in there. The year 1960 was important for the Brest Regional Local History Museum, as the first branch was opened in the Kamianieckaja Tower. From 1963 to 1964 the main building of the museum was closed for major repairs, a new permanent exhibition was prepared at that time. It was opened in 1965.

The museum staff took an active part in archaeological excavations. Their findings were the basis for the opening of another branch of the museum, which was named the archaeological museum "Biarescie". It is located on the Špitaĺny Island on the site of the ancient fortifications. Visitors can find a thousand of exhibits that date back to the ancient history of the region.

In 1989 one more unique branch of the Brest Regional Local History Museum was created. It was called "Saved artistic values" and holds confiscated works of art that have been attempted to be smuggled out of Belarus.

The fourth branch of the Brest Regional Local History Museum was opened in 2002, and its exhibition was located in a historically significant building – the South barracks, a former part of the Brest Fortress.

In 1990 the Brest Regional Local History Museum moved to another historic building that was built in the early XX century, where it remains to this day. Within its walls there is a historical exhibition illustrating the history of Brest region from ancient times to the present day.

Publication date: 10.07.2019.

---

For convenient navigation through the landmarks, use the FREE mobile program