SibTourGuide.com - Tour of Krasnoyarsk p.1

Observing tour: 3-4 hrs

Tour of Krasnoyarsk, or what you
really must see in Krasnoyarsk...

There are many interesting places in Krasnoyarsk. The city is old and has a long history. It was involved in numerous events of Russia’s history and cultural life. In fact, while Saint Petersburg is celebrating its 300 anniversary Krasnoyarsk is celebrating its 375 in 2003. We can always provide tour tailor made to your desires. We are offering here the descriptions of the most important places around the city and you simply decide what you would prefer to see or visit. Together we can work out the plan for you. If you are interested simply in seeing and taking some pictures of unusual buildings or churches we would be glad to help you. The places listed below are not the only selections available to you. For example, there are many interesting fountains all over the city. It is nice to go and have something to drink with a shashlyk (shishka-bub) in cafe under the shade. In 2001 the city received an award for its beauty based largely upon those fountains. In winter Krasnoyarsk is packed with many beautiful ice-sculptures as well. You can find them from large parks to individual sculptures just in front of shops. We are your one source of information and answers to questions about Krasnoyarsk.

The Church of Saint Paraskeva Pyatnitsa (Chapel).

Of course, any tour of Krasnoyarsk should begin with a visit to the Chapel of Saint Paraskeva Pyatnitsa. This place is included in the “10-rouble tour” and offers the wonderful view of the entire city. The Chapel is reproduced on the Russian 10-rouble banknote, and is the most famous place in the city. In 2002 a real and functioning cannon was set up there and they fire it once a day at 12 noon. So, if you prefer we could arrange to visit the Chapel at this time and witness the ceremony of firing at the canon. If you are really want we can provide you ear plugs because it is LOUD!

The Yenisey River Embankment.

It is always exciting to see different sights from the Yenisey river embankment. While in Krasnoyarsk I would suggest you take a walk along the river. You will see the Communal Bridge, which is also reproduced on the 10-rouble bank note, the Ostrov Otdykha (Island of Rest) with large buildings such as the Soccer Stadium and Yarygin’s Indoor Arena built in mid.80s for the all-USSR winter Olympics. Further along the river you will see the Local Lore Museum done in gorgeous Egyption style, nice modern building of the Cultural and Historical Center (Museum Center) and the nice modern building of the Grand Concert Hall. Our particular interests of a sightseer are the historical Trans Siberian Railway Bridge and steam paddle ship “Sv. Nikolai”.

The Steam Paddle Ship “Sv. Nikolai”.

I would recommend most highly a visit to the exhibitions aboard of the steam paddle ship “Sv. Nikolai”. This ship is more than 100 years old and was very involved in Russian history. In general it symbolizes the long history of shipping on the Yenisey river. But also, and more importantly the names of the first Soviet Leader – Vladimir Lenin and the last Russian Tsar - Nikolai II. Lenin took this ship to the place of his political exile, when as a young revolutionary he was caught by the tsarist police. His exile was located to the south of the Krasnoyarsk region. And Tsar Nikolai II being a heir to the throne, took a trip aboard of “Sv. Nikolai”, although in different time. It happened during his trip from Japan to Saint Petersburg. He stopped over in Krasnoyarsk to meet with local residents and to see the Yenisey. You can see wax figures of Lenin and Nikolai II on this ship in their respective compartments. There are various other exhibitions on that ship from time to time.

The Local Lore Museum.

One of the most exciting places is the Local Lore Museum. You could spend two to five hours to walk depending on what you wanted to see. They present all the periods of development of the Krasnoyarsk region. It starts from ancient times thousands years ago. As indicated by the many archeological there is also graphic evidence of ancient civilizations in the territory of the Krasnoyarsk region and Central Siberia. They have a huge exhibition concerning about all the different tribes populating the region, their ways of hunting, fishing style, pagan religious rituals. You will see a real skeleton of mammoth and many stuffed animals of contemporary wild life. A big part of the museum is dedicated to the history of the colonization of Siberia. There is a life size copy of a sailboat used in the settling of the city of Krasnoyarsk, much like the boat which carried the Cossack troop of Andrey Dubenski. They built the fort Krasnyi Yar and are now considered founders of Krasnoyarsk. There are interesting exhibitions of 20th century as well. There are numerous things connecting the city and the region with the World War I, the Revolution of 1917, the following Civil War, the Great Patriotic War (World War II), the GULAG, and the enthusiastic time after WWII, when the Soviet Government was investing tremendously in Siberia and its mineral wealth. Founded in 1889, the museum has one of the largest collections of Ethnography in Siberia. Over 286940 items are housed in the areas 3373 sq. m.

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