Ukrainian culture is famous for its antiquity and exclusivity. If you have not yet familiarised yourself with it, International Museum Day is a great reason to explore it. Find out which museums in Ukraine you should visit to see the masterpieces of bygone years and familiarise yourself with the art of the present day

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International Museum Day, celebrated annually on 18 May, is an important event in the world of culture and art. This holiday was established in 1977 by the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to raise awareness of the role of museums in the development of society. On this day, museums around the world open their doors to visitors, organise special events and promotions, drawing attention to their collections and exhibitions.

In Ukraine, a country with a rich cultural heritage, International Museum Day is a great opportunity to discover unique treasures and works of art.

Kyiv museums

Ukraine is famous for its museums, which can impress even the most discerning art lovers. One such museum is the National Art Museum of Ukraine in Kyiv. Founded in 1899, it is one of the oldest museums in the country and is a true Ukrainian Louvre. It contains a wealth of Ukrainian art, ranging from ancient icons to contemporary paintings and sculptures.

No less interesting to visit is the National Museum of the History of Ukraine, which can be called a Ukrainian treasure. The museum was founded in 1899. Its collection includes historical memorabilia about Ukraine, including ancient Scythian gold. Other exhibits are also kept in the museum's funds.

Museums in Odesa

Another iconic museum is the Odesa Museum of Western and Eastern Art. This museum was founded in 1924 and is a unique collection of works of art from Europe and the East, making it a kind of Ukrainian Prado. In the museum's collection you can see the works of such prominent artists. In addition, there are exhibits from China, Japan, India and Iran, including exquisite porcelain, carved stones and decorative and applied arts.

The city also has the Odesa National Art Museum, located in the centre of Odesa, in the Naryshkins Palace. It is itself an architectural monument of the early 19th century. At the same time, the museum regularly hosts exhibitions that impress with their beauty.

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Lviv museums

Lviv is one of the most beautiful cities in Ukraine, located in the western part of the country. The city also has plenty of museums that are ready to give unforgettable emotions to their visitors. For example, all guests of Lviv should visit the Pharmacy Museum, which tells the story of the pharmacy of the last century. The most interesting thing is that the pharmacy has remained in operation and continues to produce the so-called Iron Wine.

The city is also home to one of the oldest museums in Lviv, the Andrey Sheptytsky National Museum, founded in 1893. The museum's storage facilities include more than 330,000 exhibits. The museum's expositions showcase the history of Lviv and the Galician lands from ancient times to the present.

Museums of Transcarpathia

For fans of historical artefacts and antiquities, the Mukachevo Historical Museum is a great place to visit. It was founded at the end of the last century. The biggest and most valuable asset of the Mukachevo History Museum is the Palanok Castle, which is an architectural monument of national importance. Mukachevo Castle is a unique example of medieval fortification architecture with a combination of different styles, an architectural monument of national importance.

The region also has the Yosyp Bokshay Transcarpathian Regional Art Museum, where the collection is based on works from the former Zemstvo Art Gallery. Here you will find works by prominent artists of the Renaissance (Jacomo Palma, Lambert Lombard), French Romanticism (Claude Joseph Vernet), Italian classicism (Francesco Albani), early Dutch realism (Cornelis Begh) and art from Central Europe: E. Enrashik, S. Holosi, D. Rudna, T. Musson, R. Aloisi).

Visiting museums in Ukraine allows you not only to enjoy works of art, but also to immerse yourself in the rich and multifaceted history of the country. International Museum Day is a great time to discover the amazing treasures of Ukrainian museums and enjoy their unique atmosphere.

We remind you! Earlier we wrote that street art, one of the global trends, has become particularly popular in recent years. Read more about the most beautiful murals in Ukraine, which have become real national symbols for Ukrainians, here.

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