Tours to Przhevalsky Museum on shore of Lake Issyk-Kul.

"Twenty-five years ago, the famous explorer of Central Asia, Przhevalsky, passed away in the city of Karakol. The great traveler deeply loved and understood nature, and therefore he could not help but love the beautiful blue Issyk-Kul, the majestic Tien Shan and that small, modest city of Karakol, which in 1885 greeted Nikolai Mikhailovich and his entire victorious, but tired from great labors, expedition. This city, which Przhevalsky always remembered with pleasure, was soon destined to receive a second baptism and from that same memorable year of 1888 to be called Przhevalsky. Since then, the name of the great traveler has become dear and close to us; we are proud that Przhevalsky's ashes rest with us, and that Russia has entrusted us with protecting them. To the best of our ability and possibility, we take care of our dear grave and artistic mausoleum, which is the greatest adornment of our city. Now, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Nikolai Mikhailovich's death, the city plans to establish a museum named after him. We hope that this thought of ours will be pleasant to the soul of the deceased and are confident that Nikolai Mikhailovich would have taken the most ardent part in this undertaking during his lifetime."

Karakol city mayor A.A. Vlasov. October 20, 1913.

Grave of N.M. Przhevalsky is located at an altitude of 1634 meters above sea level, is located on territory of museum and memorial complex of N. M. Przhevalsky and K. Karasaev, is located in eastern part of village of Pristan Przhevalsky, 12 kilometers southwest of city of Karakol, 609 meters from Przhevalsky Bay (Lake Issyk-Kul), 1.5 kilometers from mouth of Karakol River, on territory subordinate to city administration of city of Karakol, Issyk-Kul region.
12 kilometers from the city of Karakol, on the picturesque shore of Lake Issyk-Kul, is the museum and memorial complex of Przhevalsky and Karasev. Here is the grave of the outstanding Russian traveler and geographer Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky, who made a significant contribution to the study of Central Asia. Przhevalsky died on October 20, 1888 in Karakol, while preparing for his fifth expedition to Tibet.
According to his will, he was buried on the shore of Issyk-Kul, in a place he himself chose during his travels. A massive granite monument with the carved inscription "To the traveler Przhevalsky from Russia" was erected over his grave. Przhevalsky's grave is not only a place of memory, but also an important historical and cultural site, which is visited annually by tourists and researchers interested in the history of geographical discoveries.
The silence, majestic mountain landscapes and the endless expanse of Issyk-Kul create an atmosphere of respect for the great traveler and his work. On October 20, 1888, Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky died of typhoid fever in Karakol. Before his death, he expressed several wishes: to be buried on the shore of Issyk-Kul in a field expedition uniform, so that the tombstone would only read "Traveler Przhevalsky."
He also asked to take a photo with a Lancaster rifle for his relatives, and bequeathed the weapon itself to V. I. Roborovsky, while the Purdey rifle went to P. K. Kozlov. He gave the books on mammals to E. A. Bichner, and the works on birds to F. E. Pleske.
The Cossacks and soldiers took upon themselves the protection of the body of the deceased, not allowing outsiders. The companions went in search of a burial site and by common decision chose the high steep bank of Issyk-Kul 12 miles from the city. Because of the hard ground, the soldiers dug the grave for two days.
Two coffins were prepared for the funeral: one made of wood, the other metal, covered with fabric and trimmed with braid. Local women wove a wreath of artificial flowers, and soldiers created a large fir garland. Every day, memorial services were held, which brought together many people - both Przhevalsky's acquaintances and simply those who respected him as a great traveler.
This continued until October 26, when a telegram arrived in the evening with permission for the burial. On the morning of October 27, the funeral procession began at 8:30. The 5th West Siberian Line Battalion, the orchestra, and the artillery battery lined up in front of the hospital barracks.
A field gun carriage was used as a hearse, since the heavy coffin could barely be carried to it. After the funeral service, the procession went to the burial site. There were so many mourners that even the women walked the entire way. Kirghiz people stood along the road with their heads uncovered, paying their respects.
Everything was accompanied by the singing of a choir and the sounds of an orchestra. The day was warm, and the sun shone almost like summer. At the burial site, the troops lined up, letting the funeral procession pass. When the gun carriage was delivered to the grave, Przhevalsky's companions lifted the coffin for the last time and lowered it into the crypt.
Cannon and rifle volleys spread the sad news throughout the surrounding area. A funeral prayer was said, the priest threw a handful of earth, after which Colonel Yaroslav Ivanovich Korolkov and Doctor Ivan Ivanovich Kryzhanovsky spoke with farewell words, the latter speaking through tears, touching everyone present.
After the speeches, the grave was covered with earth, and a large black cross decorated with a wreath was installed on top. On the board nailed to it, V. I. Roborovsky wrote: "Traveler Nikolai Mikhailovich Przhevalsky. Born March 31, 1839. Died October 20, 1888."
Thus, the last wish of the great explorer was fulfilled - to rest on the shore of Issyk-Kul, at the foot of the Heavenly Mountains. October 20, 1913 marked 25 years since the death of N. M. Przhevalsky. In honor of this date, the Imperial Russian Geographical Society sent its Honorary Member P.K. Kozlov as an official representative to participate in the commemorative celebrations.
Arriving at the burial place of the great traveler, P.K. Kozlov laid silver wreaths brought by him from the Imperial Geographical Society, the Academy of Sciences, the Peter the Great Botanical Garden and the General Staff. In addition, the district chief, Lieutenant Colonel Ivanov, laid wreaths on behalf of the Turkestan Governor-General, the Military Governor of the Semirechye Region and the residents of the Przhevalsky District.
During the ceremony, the inspector of public schools, Solovyov, made a short but heartfelt speech, and also laid wreaths on behalf of the girls' progymnasium and educational institutions. The city elder, a representative of the local population and a student of the city school took the floor.
On this day, almost all the residents of the city gathered at the Przhevalsky monument. After the funeral service at the grave, P.K. Kozlov announced that he had received a telegram from the deceased's brother, General Evgeny Mikhailovich Przhevalsky, who had donated 1,000 rubles to the city for charitable purposes.
The city mayor, A.A. Vlasov, also gave a speech dedicated to the traveler's memory. Soon, a collection of donations began to create the Przhevalsky Museum, and in just 15 minutes, 500 rubles were collected. Taking into account the donation from Evgeny Mikhailovich, the total amount was 1,500 rubles - a significant amount for a small city.
The further fate of these funds remains unknown. However, in 1957, by decision of the government of the Kirghiz SSR, the Przhevalsky Memorial Complex was created, which includes a grave, a monument and a museum dedicated to the outstanding explorer.
Geographic coordinates of grave of N.M. Przhevalsky: N42°34'25 E78°19'0

Authority:
Alexander Petrov.
"N.M. Przhevalsky. Issyk-Kul Memorial Complex". Authors V. Ploskikh, D. Mambetova. Bishkek "KRSU". 2005.

Photos by:
Alexander Petrov.
https://foto.kg/