Museums of myths and legends in the global tourism space

The article discusses a comparatively new phenomenon in today’s spheres of tourism and museum affair - a museum of myths and legends. It is a type of new, «non-traditional», museums, where this genre of national folklore extends beyond inherent in any museum institutions mysticism and becomes a separate object of tourism interest. The basic postulates of the article is grounded on two statements: 1) museums of legend - it is representatives of tourism legends, in other words, the form of their presentation to modern tourist; 2) myths and legends - it is a part of national folklore, involved in tourism activity, and all exhibited legend in museums of legend are touristic. Proceeding from this, the authors formulate their own definition of this museum institution. Museum of legend - it is a museum institution, where a legend is the main object of display, preservation and study. With that, the mythological space, part of which a tourism legend is, is mediately represented through tangible artifacts and interactive and theatrical forms of museum communication. Museum of legends - is a form of preservation, presentation and involving of tourism legends and other forms of national folklore in the tourism activity. The article formulates the basic characteristics and gives typology of museums of legends by number of features: form of museum organization, way of representation of information, method of exhibition organization, forms of prevailing museum communication, museum objects. In the course of identifying and exploring of museums of legends the authors have compiled rating TOP-20 of such institutions by popularity (references on thematic tourist sites, blogs, and individual guest reviews) and attendance. The examples of the most interesting and attractive museum of legends in the world are considered. It is concluded that the museums of legends in modern conditions is an integral part of the tourism industry, which deserves the attention of both tourists and researchers in the field of territorial tourism marketing.