Savitsky Karakalpakstan Art Museum
I.V. Savitskiy atındaǵı Qaraqalpaqstan kórkem-óner muzeyi
Dubbed the “Louvre of the desert,” it holds a major collection of avant-garde paintings banned in the Soviet era, along with Khorezmian artifacts.
The museum is named after its founder, Igor Savitsky, who risked a great deal in the 1960s and 1980s to collect tens of thousands of Russian and Uzbek avant-garde works that Soviet authorities had banned. They are displayed alongside Karakalpak national costumes, jewelry and Khorezmian archaeological finds, and the collection ranks among the largest in Central Asia. Galleries rotate their displays, and the museum holds far more works than are ever on view at one time. It is usually closed on Mondays and open roughly 9:00 to 17:00. Foreign visitors pay separately for admission and photography, so allow half a day. The museum is in the city center, and taxis are easy to find.
Opening hours
Approx. 9:00–17:00 (closed Mondays; check official source)
Nearby sights
- Karakalpakstan State Museum of History and Culture
- Nukus Central Bazaar
- Berdakh Museum
- Mizdakhan Necropolis
- Gyaur Kala (Khodjeyli)
- Chilpik Dakhma
- Aral Sea Museum (Moynaq)
- Moynaq Ship Cemetery