The Rjurik Lonin Veps Ethnographic Museum in Šoutar’v, Ethnographic museum in Shyoltozero, Russia.
The Rjurik Lonin Veps Ethnographic Museum occupies a 19th-century wooden building and holds roughly 6000 objects related to Vepsian culture. The collection spans from the 17th century to modern times, filling rooms with items that show how a small northern ethnic group lived and worked.
The museum was founded in 1967 when Rjurik Lonin started collecting items in his home. Over time, the collection grew and moved to the historic Mel'kin House, where it remains today.
The exhibitions reveal how the Veps organized their homes and marked important moments, with traditional dress, cooking vessels, and instruments that played roles in celebrations and daily routines. These objects show the craftsmanship and practices that defined community life.
The museum is located in a smaller northern town and opens on weekday and weekend afternoons, closing at midday between sessions. Visitors should prepare for rural conditions and allow extra time for access from larger nearby cities.
The collection holds items that once belonged to Ivan Mel'kin, a stonemason whose skills contributed to building bridges in Saint Petersburg during the imperial era. His work connects this remote community to the grand construction projects of the time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
