Museum of Mountain Ecology and the History of Nature Use in the Ukrainian Carpathians.

The Museum of Mountain Ecology and the History of Nature Management in the Ukrainian Carpathians is the only and unique museum and one of the most famous tourist attractions in Zakarpattia. Since its inception, the museum has become widely known and popular not only in Ukraine but also in many countries around the world.

The museum exposition, which covers more than a thousand square metres, consists of two organically combined sections: Natural Ecosystems of the Carpathians and History of Nature Management in the Ukrainian Carpathians. The first section provides information on the history of the Carpathian Mountains, their geology, geomorphology, main types of landscapes, flora and fauna, as well as the mountains in general as a unique natural phenomenon. This section is complemented by an aquatic terrarium complex, which contains a working model of a mountain watercourse with characteristic aquatic and near-water inhabitants. Carpathian and alpine newts, fire salamander, brittle spindlefish, various species of frogs and fish, common snake and forest snake can be not only seen but also held in hands.

The second part of the exposition reveals the main directions of nature management in the Ukrainian Carpathians – from the origins of human settlement of these lands, which began in the Late Paleolithic period about 20,000 years ago, to the present day. The museum reveals the uniqueness and originality of traditional mountain farming, forestry, mountain meadow farming, etc., which are an integral part of the cultural heritage of the Ukrainian highlanders. 

A variety of exhibition forms and means were used to highlight the museum’s themes. These include dioramas, models, dummies, panels, complex stands, panoramas, etc. filled with natural exhibits and artefacts. Among them are rich geological, paleontological, zoological, archaeological collections, elements of folk life and culture. 

The Museum hosts various environmental events with schoolchildren, student groups, tourists and local residents, making it a real environmental, educational and cultural centre.

Interesting knowledge is the main treasure that visitors receive in our Museum: where the largest karst cave in the Carpathians “Druzhba” is located, the beech forests of the Carpathians – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site, the only plain area where the narrow-leaved daffodil grows, and much more. It will also be interesting to hear about when the first human settlements appeared in the Carpathians, or how mountain farming is carried out and bryndza, which has received a geographical indication, is made, or how timber was floated down rivers. You can also play the trembita, which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest wooden wind instrument in the world, the tsymbaly and the drymba. Another attractive service is taking photos in Hutsul costumes with traditional decorations such as embroidery, kutas, tassels, etc. 

Every year, the Museum is visited by thousands of tourists from Ukraine and abroad.

There are interesting objects around the Museum that will diversify leisure time and help you get closer to nature.

• Ecological trail “Respect Nature”
• Recreational area “Waterfall of Health”;
• Ecotourism route to the mineral spring (0.7 km, 15 minutes walk);
• Arboretum and collection area with local and exotic plants.

The museum can also serve as a starting point for travelling to the natural gems of the reserve and the Rakhiv mountainous region. After all, the geographical centre of Europe, the Lykhyi, Yalyn and Trufanets waterfalls, and the former Habsburg hunting grounds in the Kuziy tract are very close, or, as people say, just a stone’s throw away.