The Crimean Nature Reserve was founded in 1913 as the emperor’s Game Preserve.
In 1923 it was declared a state reserve. It is the largest nature reserve in Russia. Its protected area
measuring 44’175 hectares.
In 1976 the Crimean Nature Reserve organized of nature museum and center-zoo.
The museum’s exhibitions cover the unique natural complexes of mountain, forest, endemic and endangered species of flora and are found as the principles of the Nature protection legislation of Russia.
“bebyazhy islands” (Swan islands) panorama, housed in the museum gives one an idea of Crimea’s unique natural area, located in the northwestern part of the peninsula.