The Central Taurida Museum, the largest local history museum dedicated to the history and nature of Crimea, is located in the center of Simferopol. The museum's name is linked to the historical name of the region, Taurida. The museum is engaged in the collection, preservation, and study of valuable materials related to the history and culture of the region and is considered the largest scientific and educational institution in the republic. Its collection includes over 150,000 exhibits reflecting various historical eras and aspects of life in Crimea, making it a must-visit for anyone interested in history or wanting to learn about Crimea in a short time.

The museum building itself is a valuable object, protected as a cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia.

Visitors note that in its 130 years of operation, the museum staff has gathered an impressive and unique collection, which is systematized and presented in eight halls. The museum has branches, such as the archaeological reserve "Neapolis-Scythian" and the Alushta Historical and Local History Museum.

The museum's exhibition includes several thematic displays, each occupying a separate hall. The collections consist of archaeological finds, museum funds, and personal archives of historians.

The Past of Taurida:

Here, exhibits range from the Paleolithic to the Middle Ages, including coins, labels of Turkish sultans and Crimean khans, ancient Greek pottery, and finds from Genoese colonies. The exhibition also includes remains of ancient animals, tools, household items, and decorative applied art.

Crimea during the Russo-Turkish Wars:

This exhibition is open for the 230th anniversary of Crimea's annexation by Catherine II and includes cold and firearms from the 16th and 18th centuries, archaeological finds, parts of military equipment, battle flags, and personal belongings of soldiers. The informational part consists of copies of documents, maps, and portraits of commanders.

Taurida Province:

The exhibition covers events from 1783 and 1917, divided into three parts: the development of the province in the early 19th century, the Crimean War of 1853-1855, and the development after the reforms of Alexander II. It features interiors, household items, tools, weapons, and documents of that time, accompanied by illustrations and photographs.

Crimea during the Great Patriotic War:

The hall is dedicated to the defense of Sevastopol, which became a hero city, and includes weapons, awards of Crimeans, information about the partisan movement, and participation in battles on other fronts. The exhibition is accompanied by diagrams, posters, photocopies of newspapers, and photographs. The hall was opened in 2010 and continues to be updated.

Nature of Crimea: Paleontology, Geology, Relief:

This section tells about the formation of the region's relief, local rocks, and minerals, including rare minerals and photographs of unusual relief forms. The exhibition covers the history of the landscape and rock composition of the region from ancient times, supplemented by graphics depicting views of Crimea from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Protected Landscapes of Crimea:

Continuing the previous theme, the exhibits here are dedicated to the flora and fauna of the region, including herbarium samples and samples of living organisms. The hall is divided into sections according to various forms of relief, which depend on the plant and animal world.

Lapidarium:

Located in the museum's inner courtyard, it includes complexes of sculptures and monuments, such as the "Idol from Verkhorechye," gravestones, and architectural details of buildings, covering the period from the Bronze Age to the 20th century.

Golden Treasury:

Opened in 2012, this part of the museum showcases archaeological finds of special value, including jewelry made of precious stones, costume details, and a numismatic collection. Some exhibits were seized from smugglers and handed over to the museum. Here, more than 2,000 valuable items from various eras are presented, from the Bronze Age to late antiquity, telling the story of different peoples, including Scythians, Greeks, and Muslim peoples.