The History of the museum

Collections

The local museum in Viborg was arranged on the 13th of July, 1960.At that time it was located on Lenin Avenue (the central city street). There were 11 people on the staff, and the fund consisted of no more than 500 objects.

The first exhibitions opened on July, 30, 1961.They contained residental exhibitions "Viborg in 1917", "Industrial Achievements of 1946 --60", "Rural workers", "Viborg today ", "The USSR and Finland", "Architecture and Historical Places in Viborg".

In February, 1964 the Ministry of Defense gave the Viborg Castle to the museum. The following years the museum shared the museum with flats and offices.

Castle Island has been excavated and restored. The museum continues researching, collecting and educating activities.

Exhibitions currently on display:

• "The Old Town Guard " (some facts about Viborg Castle history),
• Swedish Viborg,
• Viborg as a town on border,
• Carelian Isthmus in World War II,
• Carelian fauna,
• "The secrets of the sea-bottom".

The museum's structure

The Research and Exhibition Department (the departments of History and Nature).
The Academic Secretary manages the researching, and the Head of the Department is responsible for the exhibitions.
The Funds Department (storage and accounting departments). The Chief Curator is responsible for the department.
The Educational Department (exhibitions, cultural and excursions departments). The Head of the Department manages it.
Scientific research department (includes technical and field service departments, and also the museum staff). The Chief Engineer heads thedepartment.
The museum accounting. The Chief Accountant is responsible for it.
Besides, there is a Security Specialist in the museum.

The Museum's Plan

Expositions (divided by rooms, topics, departments - brief characteristics, area)

In 1293 during the 3rd crusade, inspired by the Swedish Marshal Torgils Knutsson, the young king Birger's regent, Swedish troops destroyed the Carelian fortification and founded a fortress called Viborg on the Gulf of Finland. "Vi" means holy, "borg" means fortress (in translation from the Old Swedish) , so Viborg means "A holy fortress". The first building was 4-angle St. Olaf's Tower - the basis of Viborg Castle. The area continued to develop, and in 1403, the fortress Viborg obtained the status of a town. The castle changed too.

In the 15th century it was considered to be one of the most beautiful Swedish castles. The future king Karl Kristersson Bunde (the governor of the Viborg land from 1442-1448) wrote: "Viborg's owner spent a lot on the fortress, created the most beautiful rooms, covered them with a roof and shielded it with a pinion wall. The most beautiful castle cannot be found. (Carl's Chronicles, 15th)" Located on the crossroads of important trade-routes, the town has always been the apple of discord. It has been claimed by Novgorodian, Russian, Swedish, Finnish, and then regular Soviet troops. For more than 400 years Viborg was a part of the Sweden. After the Nothern War, it became a part of Russia. Only after signing the Peace Treaty in Fridrihgam (1809) there was a short period of calm. Two years later, Alexander I organized the Great Separate Finnish Land, that included Viborg and its territories.

However, peace did not mean the castle would be well preserved. Two fires destroyed the beauty of Old Town Guard. The Russian Military Office renovated the castle, further repairs after the Winter and Great Patriotic wars gave the building its current appearance. The exhibition also contains materials about the activities of the local Viborg museum.

Exposition "Our History During World War II".

A permanent exhibition, devoted to battles of 1939-1945 on the Carelian isthmus. On this territory the World War II was split into two wars: The Soviet-Finnish War (The Winter War) and the Great Patriotic War. During the wars the population of Viborg changed for three times - that is extraordinary for any Russian territory.

In March of 1940, after signing the Peace Treaty with Finland, the Finnish population left their homes and were replaced by Soviet immigrants. Until July of 1941, life in Viborg had settled, many factories started working, a library and a theatre were built, holidays were held.

On June, 22, the Germans bombed the city from the Finnish airfields. As a reply the Sovjet squadron attacked the Finnish airfields - thus the beginning of the Great Patriotic War on the Carelian isthmus. Regular regiments of The Finnish Army took the offensive and on August, 29, 1941 Soviet troops left Viborg. By the 30th of August the Finnish advanced to the Sestra river and comprised the northern part of the Leningrad blockade ring. Viborg's capture was possible only after running the blockade. Soviet troops had to overcome the Finnish line of defence, under the command of Finnish Marshal Mannergeim. These fortifications were called "the necklace of death". The Viborg operation lasted 10 days, and on the 20th of July, 1944, the town was taken. At that time Carelian population changed for the third time. The exhibition tells about two peoples' tragedy.

There are detailed plans of the battles on the Carelian isthmus, weapons, documents, photos and personal articles of the soldiers.

"Viborg as a Border Town".

The exhibition is based on material donated by the Viborg Customshouse. Throughout its history, Viborg was a border town, being on the crossing of important trade routes. The exhibition not only introduces the history of the Viborg customshouse and import and export goods, but also shows how customs can be used as a practical aid for the smuggler. One of the rooms contains real cases of smuggled goods, uncovered by the customs inspectors. Their equipment and a collection of confiscated items are on display.

"Carelian fauna"

This is the earliest museum exhibition (opened in 1970).

The Carelian isthmus formed 5,000 years ago as a result of Valdai freezening. Large pieces of ice 1000meters thick drifted down from the Scandinavian Mountains, dislodging crystal rocks and huge boulders along the way. The isthmus owes its relief features, variety of minerals, flora and fauna to the glacier.

In dioramas local animal life is displayed: from the capercailyes' marriage ritual, young nightingales' education, cunning fox behavior, to the behavior of lynx, and the winter life of crossbills.

THE MUSEUM'S MOST VALUABLE COLLECTIONS

1. Ditrich's and Kozlov's collections of sculptures and paintings - 33 objects.
2. The icon collection of the 18-20th century - about 200 objects
3. The numismatics collection (1 A.D. - present) - 8,525 objects.
4. The collection of Russian Orthodox Church brass castings of the 18-20th centuries - about 200 objects.
5. The collection of scenic and artistic postcards (Russian and Western European) - 2,119 objects.
6. The collection of Mude Mechev's engravings  -- 130 objects
7. The collection of objects found in excavations on Castle Island (metal points, osseous things, stone balls etc.), 18-19th centuries.
8. The collection of animals (including enthomology) - about 300 objects
9. The Easter eggs collection 19-20th centuries (ceramics, stone, glass, wood) - 52 objects
10. ARABIA ceramics collection (Finland)  -- about 100 objects.
11. The collection of items (books, photos, postcards, software etc.) about Andreev's activities - over 200 objects
12. The collection of casts from Italian cameos (casts of the 19-20th centuries) - 37 objects.
13. The collection of documents of the 7th and 8th Finnish regiments (19th century) - over 200 objects
14. The old photos collection (19-20th centuries) - more than 150 objects.