Krasnoyarsk: Geographical Center of Russia

Andrey Dubensky Monument is on the so-called Strelka, where the Kacha River merges with the Yenisei. The dreadful Cossack governor indicates the construction location of the Krasnoyarsk ostrog (fortification), the patrol fortress, guarding the southern borders of Russia in the XVII century. The main task of the fortress was to collect yasak, a special Siberian tribute in form of fur, to the royal treasury and to defeat the attacks of the Kyrgyz tribes. In this way Krasny Yar, Krasnoyarsk in future, appeared at the foot of a hill (now — the Karaulnaya Mountain). 1628 is the foundation year of Krasnoyarsk.

When in 1735 the Siberian tract, the main transport artery of Eastern Siberia, was built through the city, it became clear that Krasnoyarsk had long grown out of the role of a defensive fortification. The opportunity to trade with other regions contributed to the development of crafts, ore mines and a metallurgical plant appeared around the city. The construction of the stone Orthodox Church of the Resurrection started. Immigrants flowed into the city attracted by the stories of local wealth.

But in 1773 Krasnoyarsk burned to the ground due to the chaotic wooden buildings and violations of ordinary fire safety regulations. The city was rebuilt according to all the canons of European architecture: Saint Petersburg was considered a standard of style in those days. Visiting Krasnoyarsk, in his memoirs Russian writer Anton Chekhov called it one of Russia’s most beautiful cities.

Immediately after the October Revolution in 1917 and the overthrow of the Tsar in Petrograd, the city quickly recognized the Soviet power. And just as quickly was disappointed by it: six months later, the new Bolshevik government was forced to seek safety in flight from there. And the fact that the commissioners took city treasury’s gold with them, increased the local population’s resentment towards them. The White armies of Kolchak, who was holding the area under control for nearly two years, entered the city. Only in January 1920 the Bolsheviks drove Kolchak’s forces out of Krasnoyarsk and the latter became part of the young Soviet state.

Unfortunately, all of these troubles could not but affect the city’s economy. Krasnoyarsk was impoverished, the number of its inhabitants no longer increased, and its former wealth and grandeur was recovered only towards the beginning of the 30-ies of the twentieth century. The aviation and engineering science was actively developing there, and the start of the Great Patriotic War in 1941 only contributed to this development. Many factories and enterprises were evacuated into the city; the logistics system was working to the maximum to help the front. Victory Memorial, erected in honor of the 30th anniversary of the victory over fascism, is a reminder about those heroic years.

Krasnoyarsk’s economic capacity allowed it a relatively bloodless transition period in the 90s, and it is now again an important industrial center and a million-plus city with its unique atmosphere.

You may be interested in spending time at Krasnoyarsk Regional Local Lore Museum, and the Historical and Ethnographic Museum-Sanctuary Shushenskoe. At the museums you will be introduced to both cultural characteristics of the taiga tribes and the ethnography of Siberia. A walk on Theatre Square with fountains will be a great pleasure. Parents with children and wildlife enthusiasts will certainly enjoy one of the largest zoos in Russia and Europe — the Roev Ruchey (swarms creek) Zoo. You can also immerse yourself in the taiga world in Krasnoyarsk’s Stolby (pillars) Nature Sanctuary. Tourism is developing rapidly there. Recently, the city has been included in the Red Road, designed specifically for tourists from China. The 2019 Winter Universiade, an international student sporting event, will be held in Krasnoyarsk.

The city is also interesting with its gastronomy. Despite its common roots with culinary traditions all over Siberia, the local cuisine has distinctive features. For example, the classic dumplings are an unchanging guest of any Siberian feast. In the local restaurants they can be found with dozens of fillings: meat, fish, mushrooms, as well as for foreign visitors -with exotic wild game, including bear meat, taiga bird, venison and others. Interestingly, locals freeze not only dumplings. Going on a trip on the Siberian tract travelers took along not only a bag of their favorite dumplings as «fast food», but also «rods» of frozen milk, soups and even frozen bread. They could quickly defrost all this in a road samovar and have a snack at an inn or a hostel. In the same way they used to take along frozen fish, meat and game...

Hunting here has been one of the means of survival since ancient times, and, of course, dishes of animals and birds killed in the taiga are not uncommon on local tables. In Krasnoyarsk, you can taste grouse cooked in feathers, hare stew with cranberry sauce and other delicacies. And everyone’s favorite stroganina- sliced, frozen venison, or its fish counterpart, patanka- slices of sterlet or nelma (Siberian white salmon), are perfect as a snack or appetizer.

Krasnoyarsk’s rivers and lakes are full of fish, just like the tables of the townspeople are full of fish dishes. It is believed that visitors in Krasnoyarsk must by all means try the famous trout, and then try themselves in catching the giant fish, as fishing is one of the most popular entertainment in the city. The fish broth called ukha, in all its numerous variations, and stuffed jackfish are also great dishes in Krasnoyarsk. Еach local family keeps their «most exact» recipe.

Recently, the gastronomy of the small nations of Krasnoyarsk Krai (region) has also revived in connection with tourism development in the region. It’s also worth a try, because ethnic cooking itself already means familiarity with the new interesting culture! Of course, these dishes are quite exotic: Evenki tea with saturan (fried flat cakes with deer oil), the northern sagudai (raw fresh fish with onion, salt and spices), flour soup with pike caviar, which Khunti hunters have been preparing for a long time.

And all this is served with abundant dessert of surprisingly delicious Siberian pie — with taiga berries and spring cherry, honey, jams and fragrant tea of medicinal plants.

The city often hosts various events. Special attention is paid to ethnic celebrations of small nations, as for a long time they have been unjustly forgotten. These include celebrations like welcoming the winter, and feeding the river, awakened under the ice, and the request to the taiga spirits for good hunting. Of course, you can’t see such festivities in a metropolis, but you need to visit the taiga villages to explore the folklore. And if you happen to attend such a show, it is a truly unforgettable experience!

In late June every year, Krasnoyarsk hosts the International Music Festival of the Asia-Pacific region. This is a wonderful occasion to get acquainted with the culture of the nearest neighbors in Eastern Siberia — the Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese and other peoples. Around the same time in the city you can attend the vibrant and dazzling circus festival called Strana Chudes (wonderland in English). In early autumn cold water swimming championship «Yeniseyushka» is held in Krasnoyarsk. Even in the warm weather, the river water is not warmer than 10 degrees, so this tournament is a real challenge even for experienced swimmers. A real Russian sauna followed by a dip in the icy water of the Yenisei is a traditional winter fun in Krasnoyarsk. Many bath complexes of the city are located on the waterfront and have a water-hole for introducing newcomers to the art of winter swimming.

Many visitors say that Krasnoyarsk stays in the memory: the natural beauty, plenty of leisure activities and interesting sights and quiet friendliness of local residents arouses their desire to revisit it.

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Красноярский аэропорт «Емельяново» принимает рейсы порядка двадцати авиакомпаний. Четыре авиакомпании выполняют регулярные рейсы Москва-Красноярск. Полёт занимает 5 часов. Столько же времени понадобится, чтобы долететь до Красноярска из Санкт-Петербурга. Самолёты соединяют Красноярск также с Пекином, Неаполем, Антальей, Сеулом, Дубай, Баку, Бишкеком и Душанбе. Из городов России есть регулярное авиасообщение с Екатеринбургом и Южно-Сахалинском.