omsk - омск

Omsk was founded 1716. Now Omsk is the second largest city in Siberia after Novosibirsk. Despite its smaller size, Omsk is more attractive than Novosibirsk. The central part has retained some century-old architecture and is dotted with parks, museums and quirky public sculptures. In 2016-17 the historic part was thoroughly renovated.

The Tara Gate built in 1792. The only city gate that survived the test of time.

The art gallery named after Mikhail Vrubel (1856-1910) a famous Russian artist.

A statue of Mikhail Vrubel.

The drama theater stands right across the art gallery.

A statue of Mikhail Ulyanov a famous Soviet actor.

The music theatre.

The concert hall.

The colorful Assumption Cathedral.

The 2018 Resurrection Church.

The 1833 Saint Nicholas Church.

There are some buildings left from the original fortress built on the bank of the Irtysh River. The fortress is famous for the fact that Feodor Dostoevsky the famous Russian writer served his sentence here in 1851-55. The house of the prison chief is now a literature museum. A substantial part of its exposition is dedicated to Dostoevsky and his involuntary stay in Omsk.

Statues of Dostoevsky.

Omsk`s witty statues include a plumber emerging from a manhole, a 19th century beauty sitting on a bench and a 21st century young couple talking over a cup of coffee.

Kids feeding penguins. In what way penguins are related to Omsk remains a mystery.

In 1918-19 during the civil war Omsk was for some time the seat of Admiral Kolchak's anti-Lenin government. Kolchak's army launched a terror campaign against those who supported the revolution and the Red Army. There are several monuments commemorating victims of Kolchak's army.

In memory of 18 Hungarian revolutionary fighters.

The exterior of The Kolchak Irish Pub is decorated with portraits of prominent revolutionaries and anti-revolutionaries. They seem to have eventually reconciled here over a mug of beer.

The Tourist Hotel is decent, not expensive and conveniently located.

The river terminal and the Mayak Hotel.

Streetscapes.

The old fire station.

A shady alley.

A view over the Irtysh River on hot summer day.

On cool summer morning.

At night.

fyodorovka airport - аэропорт фёдоровка

It was supposed to be a new airport but in early 1990s the construction was abandoned.

OMSK oblast - ОМСКая область

achair - ачаир

The Achair Monastery is a photogenic riverside convent 55 km south of Omsk.

A peculiar feature of the monastery is a baptistery filled with warm mineral water flowing from the depth of 1168 m. Visitors are free to soak in the baptistery. Believers ascribe healing powers to the water and flock the monastery from all over the Omsk Oblast.

bolsherechie - большеречье

Bolsherechie is a big village 200 km north-east of Omsk. The village is a pleasant surprise for travelers. Neat, clean streets and a zoo with exotic animals.

A modest church.

tara - тара

Tara is a small town located 300 km north of Omsk. The town was founded in 1594.

The drama theatre and a statue of Mikhail Ulyanov a famous Soviet actor. He was born in Tara.

Yermak the conqueror of Siberia.

If you are tired of traveling by paved highways and look for something more exciting, try to drive from Omsk to Tobolsk in Tyumen Oblast via the town of Ust-Ishim in the north of Omsk Oblast. In rainy weather the road is somewhat muddy.

The border of Omsk and Tyumen Oblasts.

The road runs along the Irtysh River which you can approach for a coffee break.