Konstantin Balmont Literary and Local History Museum

About museum

In Russia the first museum dedicated to the life and work of K. D. Balmont — a Silver Age poet (1867–1942) — and to the history of his homeland, the Shuya region, was opened. This local history museum was founded in 1968 and is located in the historic part of the town, not far from the ancient kremlin, in the historical and architectural monument 'Uprava Gorodskaya'. Its collection comprises more than 40,000 items, including editions published during the poet's lifetime and the poet's personal belongings. Here you can learn about the industry and culture of the district town and also view an art collection owned by Honored Artist of the Russian Federation E. Ya. Mazurova. The coat of arms of Shuya depicts a bar of soap — a symbol of the ancient craft. The museum runs an interactive tour 'Shuya Soap, Dear to the Heart', during which visitors can become soap-makers themselves.