Discover a museum that no longer exists.

The electronic catalogue of the Mariupol Museum of Local Lore’s collections allows you to experience the cultural and historical treasures of the Nadazov region, which have been collected, preserved, and studied by museum staff for decades. Here you can find descriptions of collections based on digital copies of inventory books – from archaeological artifacts and ethnographic monuments to unique documents and works of art.

At the beginning of 2022, the museum’s collection consisted of about 60 thousand items that reflected the diverse history and culture of Mariupol and the region. The russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine shattered all these achievements and developments. The buildings of the museum and its branches have been destroyed. Almost 90% of the collection has been damaged by bombing and fire. The fate of the majority of the museum’s items is currently unknown.

Unfortunately, the museum does not currently have a complete database of digital images of its collection. Some of the original photographs of items in the collection have been enhanced using digital color correction. However, the main features of items and the compositions and color scheme of works have remained undistorted.

This catalog serves as a unique “virtual hall of memory” – a resource for scholars, researchers, and those interested in the cultural heritage of Mariupol and the Nadazov region. It also serves as important evidence of crimes against Ukraine’s cultural heritage and a step towards its preservation in the digital realm.

We invite you to explore the collections and help preserve the memory of a museum which will forever remain in history.