National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve «Aziret Sultan»
The Republican National State Enterprise «National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve «Aziret Sultan»» under the Committee of Culture of the Ministry of Culture and Information of the Republic of Kazakhstan (hereinafter referred to as the Museum-Reserve) is one of the most significant museums in Kazakhstan.
The museum-reserve was founded on March 28, 1977, by Decree No. 144-R of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR as the «Republican Architectural Complex Museum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi», centered around the mausoleum built in the late 14th century by order of Emir Timur in honor of the great Turkic-Islamic poet and Sufi master Khoja Ahmed Yasawi (Aziret Sultan). In August 28, 1989 according to Decree No. 265 of the Council of Ministers of the Kazakh SSR and according to Government Decree No. 585 on the reorganization of state enterprises under the Ministry of Culture and Sports of Kazakhstan transformed into the Republican State Enterprise «State Historical-Cultural Reserve-Museum «Aziret Sultan»» in July 24, 2015. In December 19, 2023 granted the «National» status by Presidential Decree No. 415, making it the first-ever national museum-reserve in Kazakhstan.
The «Aziret Sultan» National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve operates through 12 departments and 1 scientific center, ensuring comprehensive management, preservation, research, and promotion of its heritage: «Administrative Management», «Legal and Documentation Department», «Financial and Economic Development Department», «Scientific Research Department», « Public Education Department», «Museum Fund Registration and Storage Department», «Excursion work Department», «Heritage Conservation and Monument Protection Department», «Exhibition and Display Department», «Architectural and Restoration Department», «Public Relations Department», «Yasawi Studies Scientific Center» and « Maintenance and Technical Services Department».
The museum includes 46 monuments of historical and cultural heritage: 1 has international significance, 21 are of republican significance, 2 are of local significance, and 19 monuments are listed in in the pre-registration list.
In 2003, the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi, which holds international significance as an unrivaled masterpiece of medieval architecture, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The monument also holds special importance as a national pantheon.
Besides the mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi the museum-reserve includes the underground mosque of Kyluet (12th century), the underground mosque Aulie Kumshyk Ata (12th century), the Octagonal Mausoleum (18th century), the mausoleum of Rabia Sultan Begim (15th century), the Eastern Bathhouse (16th century), the mausoleum of Yesim Khan (17th century), and others.
At this sacred place were laid to rest over 300 prominent historical figures, including Yesim Khan, Zhangir Khan, Tauke Khan, Abylai Khan, Kazibek Bi, Zhanibek Batyr, and Bogenbai Batyr. As a result of research conducted by museum-reserve staff 239 have been identified burial sites. The museum-reserve’s collection includes 25,594 valuable historical artifacts. To preserve written, archaeological, and numismatic materials was acquired and installed special modern equipment in the storage facility.
The National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve «Aziret Sultan» closely collaborates with all republican and regional museums of Kazakhstan and is the most visited museum in the country.
Through the collective efforts of its team, the museum-reserve was awarded the «Museum of the Year» diploma by the international ICOM association in 2015. In 2016, according to the National Business Rating program, the State Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve «Aziret Sultan» received the «Gold Rating» in the «Growth Rate» category, was recognized as an «Industry Leader» and was awarded the special gold medal «Altyn Qyran» (Golden Eagle) and an international certificate.
