Open: 8am- 5pm
Entrance Fee: 16 Rubles
The Aksai Military History Museum (State Budgetary Cultural Institution of the Rostov Region "Aksai Military History Museum") is a large museum complex in the city of Aksai in the Rostov Region, Russia, dedicated to military history, Cossack culture, and regional heritage. The museum is located in the picturesque Mukhina Balka nature reserve, on the grounds of a former Soviet military command post. It is a branch of the Victory Museum in Moscow and actively participates in patriotic projects such as "Territory of Victory" and "Without Statute of Limitations." The museum attracts visitors with a variety of exhibits, combining underground structures, open-air military equipment displays, and historical reenactments. Founded in 1948, the collection began to take shape earlier, and the official opening of the modern complex took place in 1998. Today, the museum's collection contains over 70,000 exhibits related to archeology, paleontology, weapons, and art.
The museum originated from a school local history club in the village of Kobyakovo, where students collected items from World War II veterans and ancient everyday artifacts belonging to local residents. In 1992, the collection was granted the status of an independent museum and acquired a separate building. Since 1998, the museum has developed as a major regional center, regularly expanding its collection. It integrates historical and cultural heritage sites, including 18th-century underground structures and a Cold War-era bunker. The museum highlights the role of the Don River in Russian history, from the Russo-Turkish Wars to the modern era. In recent years, it has been involved in digital projects such as online broadcasts and ticket sales through the "Pushkin Card."
The museum consists of three main complexes, each representing a
distinct historical period and type of exhibition. They are located in
different parts of Aksay but share a common theme.
Military
History Complex (120 Gulaeva Street): This is the heart of the museum,
located on the site of a former underground command post of the North
Caucasus Military District (NCMD), built in the 1960s during the Cold
War. The complex includes a two-story underground bunker with a network
of corridors, halls, and rooms for command shelters. Above ground is an
open area with an exhibition of military equipment. This unique
combination of underground labyrinths and above-ground exhibits allows
visitors to descend into the bunker and examine the equipment.
18th-Century Customs Outpost (Mouth of Malaya Logaya Balka): An earthen
fortress built in the second half of the 18th century as part of Dmitry
Rostovsky's fortress. The complex includes underground stone structures,
brick walls up to 10 meters thick, ventilation ducts, and casemates.
This authentic site is associated with the customs service on the Don
during the Russo-Turkish Wars. The estate of the Don nobles Bobrikov and
Leonov has been recreated here, complete with underground cellars and
passageways.
19th-century post station (3 Budyonnovsky Spusk
Street): A reconstruction of a typical post station with a complex of
buildings, including a station house, stables, and a coachman's yard.
The exhibition immerses visitors in the atmosphere of 19th-century
transport and everyday life, highlighting the role of the postal service
in the region.
The museum also includes the Aksay Dungeons—a
network of underground structures known since the time of Peter the
Great, with catacombs, tunnels, and caves. Some of these structures are
open to tourists as an exhibition, including the underground
headquarters and customs dungeons.
The museum's exhibits cover a wide range of topics, from ancient
history to the present day. Main Sections:
Open-Air Military
Equipment Exhibition: The only collection of Soviet and Russian military
equipment in the Rostov Region, including tanks (T-62, T-72), armored
personnel carriers, artillery pieces, anti-aircraft guns, aircraft
(MiG-21, Su-25), missiles, and watercraft. Visitors can touch, climb,
and sometimes even go inside the exhibits—a favorite among children.
About 80% of the exhibits are from the Soviet era after WWII, but there
are also earlier examples.
"Weapons of Victory": Examples of small
arms, uniforms, and personal belongings of WWII veterans.
"Customs
Service on the Don in the 18th Century": Customs artifacts, documents,
and household items.
"Cossack House": A reconstruction of a Cossack
dwelling with furniture, utensils, and exhibits about traditions,
upbringing, and household life. Temporary exhibitions: From other
museums' collections, original and commercial. The museum hosts master
classes, lectures, and events, including night tours.
The
exhibits are generally modest, but interesting for lovers of local
history. Some reviews note that the equipment may appear rusty and
unkempt, but this adds to the authenticity.
Underground Structures: The North Caucasus Military District bunker
and customs dungeons are rare examples of military architecture,
appealing to all ages.
Interactivity: Interact with the equipment.
Patriotic Focus: Sections on veterans, the North Caucasus Military
District, and Nazi crimes.
Digital Services: Online tickets, lecture
streams, and the "#STAYHOME" news project.
Current Events:
Participation in cultural grants, volunteer programs, and exhibitions on
Victory Day themes. Latest news on the website.
Opening Hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (recommended to check
the website, as hours may vary by complex).
Ticket Prices (according
to the 2025 price list):
Museum Exhibitions: Adults - 60 rubles,
Children 7-18 - 40 rubles, Children 5-7 - 20 rubles, Concessions - 20
rubles, Children under 5 - Free.
Tours: 100-150 rubles per group.
Workshops and events: 60-350 rubles depending on the type.
Discounts:
For disabled people, veterans, pensioners (last Thursday of the month),
SVO participants and families, large families, children in camps, etc.
Free admission for Heroes of the USSR/Russian Federation, WWII veterans,
children under 5, and others.
Contacts: Administration - 110
Gulaeva St., Aksay, 346720. Tel.: +7 (86350) 5-28-13. Email:
avim06@mail.ru. Official website: https://www.aksay-museum.ru/. Social
media: VK (vk.com/aksaymuseum), Telegram (t.me/museumaksay).
Getting
there: The museum is located on the outskirts of Aksay, not far from
Rostov-on-Don. A car or public transportation is recommended. A visit
takes 1-2 hours, but a full day is required for a complete tour.
The museum is ideal for families, schoolchildren, and history
enthusiasts, offering not only exhibits but also an immersion into the
past. Advance booking is recommended, especially during peak season.