Visitor Regulations

1. General Provisions

1.1 These Regulations are intended to ensure public order and safety when visiting the museums of the Polotsk National Historical and Cultural Museum-Reserve (hereinafter — PNHCMR), to improve services to visitors, and are binding for the unconditional implementation by the staff of the Museum-Reserve and all persons who are on the territory of the PNHCMR.

1.2 The territory of the PNHCMR is the buildings, structures, and adjacent territories of the museums located at the addresses:

  • Museum of the History of Architecture of the Sophia Cathedral (Polotsk, Zamkovaya St., 1);
  • Museum of the Belarusian Book-Printing (Polotsk, Nizhne-Pokrovskaya St., 22);
  • Museum-Library of Simeon of Polotsk (Polotsk, Nizhne-Pokrovskaya St., 22);
  • Museum of Local Studies (Polotsk, Nizhne-Pokrovskaya St., 11);
  • Art Gallery (Polotsk, Streletskaya St., 4A-4);
  • Permanent exhibition "A Walk along Nizhne-Pokrovskaya Street" (Polotsk, Nizhne-Pokrovskaya St., 33);
  • Museum of Traditional Manual Weaving of Poozerye (Polotsk, Voikova str. 1);
  • Museum of Combat Glory (Polotsk, Tusnolobova-Marchenko St., 1);
  • Museum-Apartment of the Hero of the Soviet Union Z.M. Tusnolobova-Marchenko (Polotsk, 23rd Gvardeitsev St., 1);
  • Children's Museum (Polotsk, Nizhne-Pokrovskaya St., 46);
  • Nature and Ecology Museum (Polotsk, F. Skaryna St., 21);
  • Historical and Cultural complex "The Field of Glory" (Gomel Village, Polotsk district);
  • funds department (Polotsk, Tolstogo St., 15);
  • restoration workshops (Polotsk, Nizhne-Pokrovskaya St., 9A);
  • non-residential premises (Polotsk, Nizhne-Pokrovskaya St., 20)
  • non-residential premises (Polotsk, Lenin str., 3).

1.3 Interviews with museum employees by representatives of the mass media are carried out on request, agreed in writing with the director of the PNHCMR.

1.4 Visitors who have caused harm, material damage to the museums of the PNHCMR may be held administratively or criminally liable in accordance with the current legislation of the Republic of Belarus.

2. Working hours

2.1 The museums of the PNHCMR are open for visitors on the days and hours set by the opening hours. The working hours of the temporary and permanent expositions are determined by the orders of the Director of the PNHCMR.

2.2 The opening hours of the PNHCMR means the opening of the PNHCMR museums for the visitors and the beginning of ticket sales. The closing hours of the PNHCMR means the closing of the PNHCMR museums for visitors.

2.3 Information about the opening hours of the PNHCMR museums is posted on:

2.4 Permanent or temporary changes may be made to the opening hours of the museums of the PNHCMR, individual exhibition halls and temporary exhibitions.

3. Entrance to the museums of the PNHCMR and purchase of tickets

3.1 The entrance to the museums of the PNHCMR for individual visits, participation in events and excursions held on the territory of the PNHCMR is carried out strictly on presentation of an entrance ticket of the established form and a cash voucher purchased at the cash desks of the PNHCMR museums. The exception is the Historical and Cultural Complex "Field of War Glory" which is free of charge.

3.2 The list and prices of paid services provided by the museums of the PNHCMR are approved by the Director of the institution.

3.3 The visitor is obliged to show the entrance ticket with the receipt to the employee of the PNHCMR when entering the museum, and the ticket is cancelled and not supposed to be reused. The ticket and the receipt must be kept for the entire period of the visit to the museum.

3.4 A single museum ticket is valid for 6 (six) months from the date of purchase.

3.5 By purchasing a ticket to the museums of the PNHCMR the visitor undertakes to respect the public order on the PNHCMR territory and the established Regulations for visiting the museums of the PNHCMR.

3.6. PNHCMR reserves the right to determine a special (different) procedure for selling tickets to events, including excursions.

3.7 Purchase of tickets at the box offices of the PNHCMR museums is carried out on a first-come, first-served basis. The right of extraordinary purchase of entrance tickets is granted to the following categories of visitors, upon presentation of supporting documents:

  • Heroes of Belarus, Heroes of the Soviet Union, Heroes of Socialist Labor;
  • participants of the Great Patriotic War;
  • full Cavaliers of the Orders of Fatherland, Glory, Labour Glory, permanently residing in the territory of the Republic of Belarus.

3.8 The right of a privileged visit to view the expositions created at the expense of the museum's own funds is granted to visitors at least once a month. Information about the dates of concessionary visits to the museums of the PNHCMR is posted on:

3.9 The right to permanent free visits to museums to view exhibitions created at the expense of their own museum funds, upon presentation of appropriate certificates and documents, is granted to persons with disabilities:

  • persons with disabilities;
  • veterans of the Great Patriotic War;
  • conscripts of military service;
  • citizens performing alternative service;
  • children under 7 years old;
  • orphans;
  • children left without parental care;
  • persons from among orphans and children left without parental care;
  • persons with disabilities, who receive preschool, general secondary, specialized, vocational, specialized secondary education and persons accompanying them, at a ratio of not more than 1 to 5;
  • members of the public association "Belarusian Union of Artists" (only to the Art Gallery);
  • museum workers;
  • persons accompanying persons with group I disabilities;
  • persons accompanying an adult group of disabled persons of groups II and III, at a rate not exceeding 1 to 20;
  • persons accompanying students receiving preschool and general secondary education, at the rate of two accompanying persons per group;
  • persons accompanying students receiving vocational, specialized secondary, higher education in the full-time form of education, at a rate not exceeding 1 to 20.
4. Procedure of Visitor Service

4.1 An individual visit includes an independent examination of the permanent and/or temporary expositions by the visitor without the accompaniment of a scientific employee of the PNHCMR.

4.2 An excursion is an examination of the permanent and/or temporary expositions accompanied by a scientific employee of the PNHCMR. The PNHCMR reserves the right to consider a group tour of temporary or permanent expositions accompanied by a story told by one of the group members along the entire route of the group with regular stops near the exhibits, regardless of the commercial or free nature of this event for its organizer and participants. Group visits to the PNHCMR museums, positioned as conversations, walks, discussions, meetings in the exhibition, etc. are also considered to be excursions.

Excursion services for visitors may be provided only by the scientific staff of the PNHCMR.

4.3 The excursion service includes a single viewing of the permanent and/or temporary exposition accompanied by a scientific employee of the PNHCMR on the day and at the time specified in the application.

4.4 The number of excursion participants in one group is not more than 20 people.

The PNHCMR reserves the right to limit the number of excursion participants as well as the number of excursion groups simultaneously staying in the exposition halls of the PNHCMR museums.

4.5 Scientific employees of the PNHCMR conduct excursions for organized groups of visitors and excursions for individual visitors according to the schedule drawn up in advance.

Persons (groups) who have left a preliminary application at the excursion department of the PNHCMR (+375214465340) have a preferential right for excursion services.

4.6 The information about the types and topics of excursions, as well as about the order of payment for excursions is placed on the official website of the PNHCMR (http://polotsk.museum.by/).

4.7 Visitors may join the excursion group only by agreement with the scientific employee conducting the excursion and if the excursionists have no objections.

Visiting the museums of the PNHCMR by children:

4.8 Children up to and including 10 years of age are admitted to the exhibition halls for individual visits, participation in guided tours or activities only when accompanied by an adult.

4.9 The legal representatives of the children and their accompanying persons are obliged to inform the children about the rules of visiting the PNHCMR museums, and are responsible for their observance by the children. The employees of the PNHCMR museums do not carry out supervision, upbringing and care of the children, regardless of their age. All responsibility for the supervision, upbringing and care of children rests with the attendant.

4.10. Chaperones are responsible for monitoring the behavior of young children in order to prevent injury. If the child behaves inappropriately towards other visitors (if the child disturbs other visitors, creates a risk of harm to their health or the health and property of third parties), the PNHCMR employee has the right to terminate the excursion or interrupt the visit to the PNHCMR museums without a refund.

4.11. A child's group visits the museums of the PNHCMR must be accompanied by at least one adult (teacher, educator, parent committee representative or other tour organizer).

4.12. The decision about children's participation in activities organized for adult visitors is made by the child's legal representatives, who are responsible for it.

4.13. Children from 3 to 5 years of age attending the events with adults shall be entitled to free admission to the hall (without providing a separate seat) only for the events with the age limit of 6+.

Children under 3 years of age are not admitted to events with an age limit of 6+.

4.14. The PNHCMR reserves the right to make changes to the procedure for children's attendance at individual events.

5. Obligations of visitors to the museums of the PNHCMR

5.1. Observe these Rules of Attendance, the legislation of the Republic of Belarus, public order and generally accepted ethical norms of behavior.

5.2. Fulfill the requirements of the PNHCMR staff to maintain public order and comply with these Rules of Attendance. Purchase tickets to visit the museums of the PNHCMR on a first-come, first-served basis at the cash desks of the museums of the PNHCMR.

5.3. Show the cashiers of the PNHCMR museums when purchasing tickets the documents confirming the right to purchase reduced or free tickets.

5.4 When visiting the museums of the PNHCMR presenting an entrance ticket with a receipt upon request of the PNHCMR staff: curators, research workers, managers, administration.

5.5 During visits to the exhibition halls, lectures, excursions, events turn off or switch to silent mode all means of communication.

5.6. Immediately stop the excursion upon the request of the PNHCMR staff, if it is not duly agreed with the administration of the PNHCMR.

5.7 If any unattended or suspicious packages, bags, boxes or other things or objects are found on the territory of the PNHCMR, immediately inform the museum keepers or other employees of the PNHCMR about it, and do not take independent actions to move them.

5.8. In case of material damage to the PNHCMR (museum objects, interiors, building, structures), compensate the damage in the amount assessed by the expert commission. If the visitor does not agree to compensate the damage, the PNHCMR has the right to recover compensation for damages in court.

5.9 If emergencies occur, to carry out the recommendations and instructions of the PNHCMR staff, as well as the staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, other bodies and special services involved in the emergency.

6. Rights of visitors

6.1 To get acquainted with the permanent and temporary exhibitions of the PNHCMR museums.

6.2 To examine the permanent and temporary exhibitions of the museums of the PNHCMR on their own or as part of a guided tour.

6.3. Take amateur photo and video pictures on the territory of the PNHCMR subject to the restrictions imposed by these Regulations, strictly for personal (non-commercial) purposes.

6.4. To buy souvenirs at the PNHCMR museums in the places specially designated for these purposes.

6.5 To leave feedback about the work of the PNHCMR Museums in the Book of comments and suggestions.

6.6. To appeal against the actions (inactions) of the PNHCMR staff by filing a written application to the Director of the PNHCMR in accordance with the Law of the Republic of Belarus on Appeals of Citizens and Legal Persons No. 300-3 of July 18, 2011.

7. Visitors to the museums of the PNHCMR are prohibited from

7.1 Violate public order and these Rules of Admission.

7.2 Touch museum items, exhibits and displays (except for items in interactive areas) with your hands or with any objects, lean against them, damage and tear annotations (labels), information stands and signs, leave notes on the walls, sit on museum exhibits, lean against walls, window sills and pedestals, interior elements.

7.3 Take pictures and video in the temporary display areas in cases where this is due to copyright protection or other agreements with third parties, provided there is a notice prohibiting the taking of pictures and video in the exhibition areas.

7.4. Make video and audio recordings of museum tours without the written consent of the Director of the PNHCMR.

7.5 Take professional photo and video recordings without the written consent of the Director of the PNHCMR. Professional filming means filming with a tripod, with additional light and/or sound recording equipment, with the use of color scales, additional power sources, in compliance with special conditions of preparation of the premises and exhibits for filming.

7.6 Being in a state of alcoholic, narcotic or other toxic intoxication. Drink alcoholic (low-alcoholic) drinks and beer, use narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues.

7.7. Bring and carry any animals, birds, reptiles and other representatives of fauna, regardless of their size.

7.8. Carry a backpack behind the back in the exhibition halls.

7.9. Carry firearms, gas, traumatic and cold weapons, piercing, cutting, explosive, flammable, combustible and easily breakable items, poisonous and corrosive substances, gas and spray cans with varnishes and paints, as well as items that contaminate the exposition premises and clothing of visitors.

7.10. Carry in pyrotechnic devices (fireworks, firecrackers, etc.), as well as use electronic cigarettes, matches, lighters in the halls, smoke on the territory of the PNHCMR.

7.11. Bring and drink water, any liquids in any container, including bottled drinks, drinks in thermoses, cardboard and plastic glasses, etc.; consume food products in the exhibition halls and other rooms, except for the specially designated place (bar).

7.12. Carry and ride scooters, bicycles, roller skates, boards, gyroscooters and other similar vehicles and sports equipment.

7.13. Talk on a cell phone and other means of communication in the halls, use sound signals in a cell phone and other means of communication in the halls, as well as sing, dance, play musical instruments, perform artwork with special equipment without the approval of the Director of the PNHCMR.

7.14. Listening to audio-excursions through external speakers or using hands-free devices on mobile devices.

7.15. Use outlets to charge mobile devices and operate electrical appliances.

7.16. Stay in the museums of the PNHCMR after the end of their work.

7.17. To go behind the set fences (rails), as well as in the rooms and territories of the PNHCMR museums which are closed to the public.

7.18. To enter the office and technical premises of the museums of the PNHCMR without permission.

7.19. To write inscriptions and post posters, distribute any printed or other products and other advertising and information materials, conduct propaganda work without written approval of the Director of the PNHCMR.

7.20. To trade, distribute tickets, conduct commercial, excursion, advertising and other activities in order to generate income without written approval of the Director of the PNHCMR.

7.21. Demonstrate symbols aimed at inciting racial, social, national and religious hatred and hostility.

7.22. Damage museum items, interior elements, museum equipment and inventory, buildings and structures of the PNHCMR.

7.23. To litter and pollute the PNHCMR territory.

7.24. It is prohibited (in addition to the above requirements) on the territory of the PNHCMR museums:

  • walking on lawns and landscaped areas;
  • drink alcoholic beverages;
  • walking pets;
  • perform other actions which disturb the public order.

7.25. It is forbidden to comment on the explanations of the research assistant during excursions, to enter into polemics with him/her, and also to interfere with the excursion in other ways.

8. Responsibilities of the PNHCMR

8.1 Provide cashier service to visitors in the entrance area of the PNHCMR museums on a first-come, first-served basis. When purchasing privileged tickets, the cashier is obliged to check the visitor's ID proving that he/she belongs to a privileged category.

8.2 Provide visitors with an up-to-date and accessible navigation system for the PNHCMR Museums' territory, indicating toilets and evacuation plans.

8.3 Provide excursion services to visitors. When providing excursion services, the researcher is obliged to conduct an excursion in accordance with the program and topics on the route corresponding to the order.

8.4 Ensure the availability of labels, explanatory texts to the exhibits in the exhibition halls. The PNHCMR reserves the right to determine the language of labels, explanatory notes, and accompanying texts.

8.5 In winter time, provide approaches to the buildings of the PNHCMR by clearing them of snow and ice.

8.6 Ensure that visitors to the PNHCMR museums are treated courteously by the staff.

8.7. Ensure that the employees of the PNHCMR who directly interact with visitors have a nametag (badge) indicating their surname, name, patronymic and position or affiliation to a structural subdivision.

8.8 Organize the reception, registration and review of written proposals, applications of citizens, as well as responses to such appeals within the time frame established by law.

9. The rights of the PNHCMR

9.1 To change the work schedule of the museums of the PNHCMR, individual exhibition halls, temporary exhibitions on a permanent or temporary basis.

9.2 Temporarily stop visitors from entering the museums of the PNHCMR in case of:

  • emergencies;
  • high occupancy of the exhibition halls;
  • there are no empty seats at the event or the sale of tickets to the event is terminated;
  • holding a scheduled event.

9.3 Deny the visitor to attend (suspend attendance) of expositions, excursions, lectures, events on the grounds of:

  • the occurrence of an emergency situation;
  • if the visitor does not have a ticket with a receipt entitling him/her to visit the museums of the PNHCMR;
  • aggressive or insulting behavior towards other visitors and employees of the PNHCMR, expressed, including threats, curses, discrimination on the basis of age, health, gender, religion, ethnic or racial identity, or the use of physical force.

9.4 Restrict access to exhibition halls, individual showcases, and temporary exhibitions, including by closing exhibition halls and showcases on the grounds of:

  • unsatisfactory state of preservation of museum exhibits;
  • work connected with a change of exposition, installation/dismantling of temporary expositions;
  • conduction of restoration or repair work;
  • the necessity of a technical interruption in certain rooms due to the temperature and humidity levels that do not meet the norms set out in the museum's regulations for the preservation of museum items;
  • holding exhibitions and events in halls with a separate entrance with a ticket to this exhibition or event (if the visitor does not have the above-mentioned ticket).

9.5 Shorten the duration of the tour service in the event of a significant increase in visitor traffic.

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