The Lapidarium in Kerch is a collection of ancient art, including finds discovered during excavations of the Bosporan Kingdom and on the territory of the Kerch Peninsula. It is one of the leading repositories of classical epigraphic monuments in the world. The collection features ancient Greek inscriptions on stone, sculptures, and architectural elements, as well as examples of Hebrew and Turkic tombstones.

The ancient Greeks, who founded their city-states on the northern coast of the Black Sea in the 6th century BC, brought their customs and traditions with them. The history and culture of the Cimmerian Bosporus are closely linked to Hellenic culture, but the Greeks also showed interest in local cultures and easily interacted with the peoples inhabiting the northern coast of the Euxine Sea. They adopted many religious rituals of the indigenous population, leading to the formation of a unique syncretic culture in the Bosporus, based on myths and religious beliefs.

Religion played an important role in the lives of the ancient Greeks. Nature was filled with divine spirit: nymphs inhabited streams, dryads in trees. The gods were represented in human form, but more perfect and beautiful. This sense of beauty found reflection in sculpture.

Ancient Greek sculpture has always been an important part of the exhibitions of the Kerch Historical and Cultural Reserve. The collection includes works made of stone, imported marble, and local limestone. All types of stone plastic art from ancient Bosporus can be seen in the exhibition "Monuments of the Lapidary Collection."

Sacred sculpture is represented by images of gods and heroes. The main patron of Panticapaeum was Apollo, the god of the arts and protector of the Bosporan city-states. In Panticapaeum, he was also revered as a Healer. An inscription on the pedestal of a bronze statue indicates that Demophon, son of Ergin, dedicated it for healing his wife Akiya in the temple of Apollo.

The Bosporans also revered Artemis, the sister of Apollo. In the exhibition, she is depicted sitting on a rock with a bull's head on her lap, symbolizing protection over animals and plants.

Apollo was the patron of the aristocracy, while Heracles was the beloved hero of all Greeks. In the exhibition, he is depicted on a marble herm with a lion's skin on his shoulders. Heracles is connected to the Northern Black Sea region as the progenitor of the Scythians and the husband of the "Snake-legged goddess," depicted in the exhibition with plant-like legs.

The "Snake-legged goddess" was one of the revered deities of the local pantheon, associated with fertility. Images of Heracles appear on tomb reliefs with afterlife feasts, symbolizing the deification of the deceased.

The Bosporan Greeks also worshiped local gods. In the lapidarium, there is a statue of the goddess Astar, found alongside a male statue and a pedestal with a dedication from Queen Komosaria. These sculptures were likely created to appease the underworld gods, as the area is known for its mud volcanoes.

The pedestal is kept in the Hermitage, the statue of Sanerg has been lost during the war, while Astar is exhibited in the Kerch Lapidarium, showing the intertwining fates of exhibits and museums.

In addition to sacred sculpture, the exhibition features portraits of Bosporans, memorial and decorative sculpture, architectural elements, and cult objects. The exhibition illustrates the life of Bosporan cities, accompanied by myths and legends of Ancient Greece related to the Cimmerian lands, and reveals the symbolism of ancient art, immersing visitors in a culture that is called the cradle of European civilization.