The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is one of the oldest and largest museums not only in Kazakhstan, but also the entire Central Asian region. The collections of the museum include about 300 thousand objects. Currently, the museum has seven main stationary halls. Diverse collection provides a good picture of the paleontological past, of the ancient, medieval, modern and contemporary history and cultural tradition of Kazakhstan.

The creation of museum collections was initiated in the 30s of the 19th century in Orenburg, at Neplyuev Military School “Museum of the Orenburg region”. One of the organizers was a famous linguist, author of “Explanatory Dictionary” Vladimir Dal.

In different years the museum collection composed not only the museum collection of the Orenburg region (1924), but also the Zhetysu (Semirechye) Regional Museum (1929) and the National anti-religious museum (1941) which was placed in the building of the Voznesenski Cathedral in Alma-Ata city. This unique architectural complex was built in 1904-1907 and designed by the well-knownVerny architect A.P.Zenkov.

In 1944 the museum was assigned to the 1st category and received its present name – the Central State Museum of Kazakhstan.

This building was constructed by architects Yu.Ratushnyi, Z.Mustafin and B.Rzagaliyev in 1985. It is considered one of the finest buildings of modern architecture of the Almaty city. The total area of the museum building is 17,557 square meters.

Among the exhibits there are unique masterpieces: gold articles which reflect cultural tradition of tribes of early nomads of Kazakhstan. Found during excavations in Zhalauly, Pokrovka, Kargaly villages, Shilikty kurgan; collection of Scythian-Saka bronze boilers and altars (connected with the cult of fire and ancestors, made in the tradition of the animal style of Saks), personal seal of S.Toraigyrov, certificate of merit signed by S. Altynsarin, manuscript of Turagul about the father of Abai, the first issue of “Aikap” magazine, rifle of Imanuly, personal complexes of ShokanValihanov, Zhayu Musa, AmreKashaubayev, Alibi Zhangildin, SakenSeifullin, KulyashBaiseitova and others.

Great contribution to the formation of the museum’s collection made well-known figures of the Kazakh culture, literature and art, scientists, historians, politicians and public figures. Among them A.Baitursynov, A. Zhirenchin, G. Mustafin, K. Badyrov, A.Margulan and many others.

At present, the museum is headed by Nursan Alimbay – a well-known scientist-ethnologist in our country and abroad. He is the author of more than three hundred scientific and popular publications, including monographs on various aspects of traditional culture and ethnography of the Kazakhs, folklore and museology.

In recent years, with the support of partners of the museum have been implemented ambitious museum projects – exposition complexes: “Open fund. Archaeological gold of Kazakhstan”, “Museum of Anthropology”, “Hall of N.G. Khludov”. For the first time in the museum practice of Kazakhstan have been implemented the projects on creation of a series of scientific reconstructions of costumes and accessories of ancient archetypes – “Andronovo woman of Bronze Age”; “Kangui woman 1st century BC – 4th century AD”; “Kipchak Warrior IX-XI”; “Huns Warrior 2nd – 3rd century AD”; “Hun warrior 5th– 3rd century BC”.

Since 2008, in the museum launched its activity the Scientific Library, established on the initiative and with direct participation of Nursan Alimbay. During these years, was introduced the program “Museolog” e-cataloging and certification of fund collections, initiated by UNESCO, which is an innovation in museum practice of Central Asia.