A beautiful Siberian city is located on the banks of two rivers - the Omi and the mighty Irtysh. A walk along the Irtysh along the well-maintained embankment can be an excellent starting point for a city tour. An excellent continuation of the route will be Lenin Street with many historical architectural monuments, after which it is worth exploring the architectural ensemble of Cathedral Square. In the center of it is the largest cathedral in Omsk - the Assumption.
You can learn about the difficult history of Omsk in the Museum of Local Lore, as well as inspect the place from which the city began - the Omsk Fortress. There are many theaters of different genres in the city - drama, musical, puppet. Interesting modern monuments, which are dedicated to ordinary people - a monument to the plumber Stepanich and the girl Lyuba, who lived in the 19th century, the memory of the kindness that the townspeople still keep.
The most interesting and beautiful places
List, photos with names and descriptions of the best sights of Omsk. He will help you plan routes for exploring the top tourist spots of the city and its surroundings in 2-3 days.
Irtysh embankment
The landscaped area along the stormy Irtysh is a favorite place for walks among residents and guests of the city, as well as a traditional place for photo sessions with newlyweds. The registry office or the House of Celebrations is located on the bank of the river in the former mansion of the merchant Batyushkov. On the embankment there is a sculpture of a deer and a tree of desires, on which tourists tie ribbons. The length of the embankment is 4 km. Cycling and jogging paths have been laid.
Lenin Street
Central historical street. It has preserved an architectural ensemble of the 19th century, included in the list of cultural heritage sites. The most notable buildings of the former male gymnasium, built in 1876, the Museum. Vrubel, Shanina's 1900 store with many decorations. Modern and interesting monuments have been erected - a monument to the plumber Stepanich, a monument to Lyubochka, several chapels have been erected.
Assumption Cathedral
The largest temple in the city. Located on Cathedral Square. In 1935, the cathedral, built at the end of the 19th century, was blown up by the Bolsheviks. For a long time in its place was the Pioneers Square. In the XXI century, the temple began to be restored. It reproduces the appearance of the original temple as accurately as possible. In the dark, the temple is illuminated by the illumination of more than 100 lamps, which emphasizes its grandeur and beauty.
Buchholz square
The central square of the city near the River Station. It is believed that it was in this place in 1716 that the fortress was laid, from which modern Omsk grew. In the center of the square there is a large ball "Derzhava". The plots depicted on it tell about the development of Siberia. The diameter of the ball is 7 meters, it is hollow inside. Because of this, in 2014, the ball rolled to the side in gusts of wind in a strong hurricane.
Chokan Valikhanov Street
Located in the historical part of the city. Tourists are most interested in the pedestrian zone of the street, which leads to the bank of the Irtysh River and the city beach. There are large awnings on the street, under which there are large tablets with information about the history of the city and the street. There are 8 monuments of architecture and history on Valikhanov. Modern art objects are interesting - large mirror crystals with water flowing along their edges.
Natural Park "Bird Harbor"
The park is located on the migration route of migratory birds. In autumn, up to 3000 individuals gather on the reservoirs of the park. The area of the park is over 100 hectares. The coastal part of the park has been landscaped - there are benches, lanterns, an ecological path "Following the footsteps of the birds" has been laid. Information stands with descriptions of bird and plant species are installed along it. Attention is drawn to the 12-meter lighthouse, on the observation deck of which you can climb.
Complex "Omsk Fortress"
A guard fortification, with the construction of which the history of Omsk began. Fragments of the already rebuilt fortress have survived to this day. The historical territory is located near the intersection of Omi and Irtysh. Museums are built on it, a public garden is laid out. The guides of the museums conduct walking tours and tell the story of the surviving buildings. An interesting object is the Tobolsk Gate - the original ancient gate of the Tobolsk tract.
Library named after Pushkin
It is considered the main library of the city. Founded in 1907 by the decision of the City Duma. During the nationalization, a large number of book collections were transferred to the library funds, its funds began to amount to about 300,000 copies. The modern building of the library is decorated with a 30-meter relief and sculptures of significant historical figures with a height of 3.5 meters - Pushkin, Rublev, Yaroslav the Wise, Tsiolkovsky, Glinka.
PKiO named after the 30th anniversary of the Komsomol
A large park in the Oktyabrsky district. Its promenade paths are laid under the shade of trees and around a small pond. For those who prefer active rest, there is an amusement area, roller and bicycle rental, horseback riding, visiting a rope park and a go-cart track. There is a petting zoo and an ostrich farm. On holidays, the park organizes fun activities. An ice town is erected in winter.
PKiO "Soviet"
Opened in the town of Neftyanikov in 1974. The total area of the park is 36 hectares, 30 of which are occupied by a forest-park zone. Both coniferous and deciduous trees grow here. Among them there is a long bike path with excellent asphalt surface. From the park you can go down to the bank of the Irtysh. Alley of Veterans was laid, on which a monument to Yermak was erected. A playground with attractions is equipped for children.
Irtysh and Om rivers
In Omsk, two rivers merge - the little Om, which gave the name to the city, and the full-flowing noisy Irtysh. The mighty Irtysh is one of the largest rivers in Siberia. In the 1960s, due to the rise of water in the Irtysh, the Omi current stopped, which in a few hours turned the river into a swamp and created the threat of an ecological catastrophe. At the confluence of the rivers, there is an embankment zone, from which the difference between them is clearly visible.
Monuments and sculptures of Omsk
The most recognizable historical and modern monuments and monuments of the city.
Monument to Home Front Workers
The initiator of the installation of the monument was a resident of Omsk who worked in the rear during the war years. About half of the funds needed to install the memorial were raised by ordinary residents of the city. The monument is located at the intersection of Bohdan Khmelnitsky and Liza Chaikina Streets. The memorial composition is 10 meters high and 13 meters long. It consists of figures of home front workers - a nurse, peasants, factory workers, a shepherd boy.
Monument to the locksmith Stepanych
One of the most popular modern sculptures in the city among tourists. The monument was erected in 1994 on Lenin Street. The creators of the monument wanted to emphasize the importance and significance of a simple working profession. The plumber looks out of the manhole with a good-natured smile and looks at the people passing by. The townspeople fell in love with the sincere monument. They believe that if you hug Stepanich, then there will be no problems with plumbing in the house.
Sculpture "Lyuba"
The townspeople more often call the sculpture on Lenin Street affectionately - "the monument to Lyubochka". It is dedicated to a real girl who lived in the 18th century. Lyubov Gasford was the wife of the Omsk governor, and she earned the love of the city's residents for her gentle character, as well as for helping the poor and disadvantaged. At the age of 23, she died of a serious illness. The girl is depicted sitting on a bench with a book in her hand, as Love herself often sat.
Monument to lovers
The sculpture was installed in 2014 in a public garden near the river station - one of the favorite places for walking among Omsk residents. The figures of a young man and a girl in love are made of life-size bronze, the table and bench are made of cast iron.The authors of the good sculptural composition are Mishanina's father and son. The initiator of the installation is an Omsk businessman who, by creating a monument, preserved the memory of the place where he met his future wife.
Monument to Chokan Valikhanov
The bronze sculpture to the great scientist and traveler was installed in 2004 as a gift from President Nazarbayev to Omsk. It is located on a street named after him. Behind Valikhanov there is a cadet corps where the future scientist studied. The author is the Kazakh sculptor Azamat Bayarlin. The sculpture was made in Petropavlovsk. The opening ceremony was attended by a delegation from Kazakhstan and the Governor of Omsk.
The main theaters of Omsk
The best concert and theater venues in the city.
Omsk Academic Drama Theater
Founded in 1874. The building built in 1905, in which the theater is located, is an architectural monument. On its pediment there is a sculpture "The Winged Genius" by the Czech master Winkler. Theater performances often receive prestigious national awards - the Stanislavsky Prize and the Golden Mask. The repertoire is based on classical performances, but there are also experimental performances.
Omsk State Musical Theater
The theater's repertoire includes several dozen performances, most of which are based on the works of Russian authors. The performances are of different genres - operettas, musicals, ballet, opera, children's performances. They invariably attract a large number of spectators, for which the largest hall in the city has been prepared - it can accommodate almost 1000 spectators. A small cozy square with a fountain is laid out in front of the theater.
Puppet theater, actor, mask "Harlequin"
The Omsk Puppet Theater was founded in 1936. The first performance "Kashtanka" was played on the stage of the drama theater. Now the theater is located in a modern building, which is called one of the best puppet theater buildings in the country. On the square in front of the entrance, there is a 3-meter sculpture of the Harlequin - the symbol of the theater. Several floors of the building are occupied by a museum. Its expositions have collected about 450 dolls.
Concert Hall of the Omsk Philharmonic
The modern concert hall of chamber and organ music of the Philharmonic is located on the site of the Khudozhestvenny cinema, where the first concerts of the Philharmonic were given since 1940. The new hall is equipped with modern technology; special acoustic chairs were made for it in Italy. For better sound reflection, the ceilings in the hall are finished with marble and granite. Hundreds of lighting fixtures create the illusion of a starry sky overhead.
Omsk Theater for Children and Youth
Created in 1937. Its first young visitors now bring their grandchildren to the theater. However, the theater's repertoire includes performances not only for children, but also for adolescents and adults. They will be interested in such performances as "Gamete" or "Stalker". Interesting events are held - creative meetings with actors, literary and musical evenings, lectures and backstage tours. In front of the theater, a beautiful Teatralny Square is laid out.
The best museums in Omsk
The most interesting museums in the city, which are definitely worth a visit.
Museum of Fine Arts named after M.A.Vrubel
A rich collection of art objects is located in the main branch of the museum on Lenin Street. In total, the museum contains about 27,000 items. Exhibitions of rare books and an archaeological collection are especially valuable. The pride of the permanent art exhibition is the canvases of Vrubel, Kandinsky, Goncharova. The Golden Storeroom exhibits Scythian gold, Faberge products, and precious stones.
F.M.Dostoevsky Literary Museum
The museum is located on the site of a former fortress in the center of the city. Dostoevsky often visited the house of the commandant of the fortress when he was serving hard labor in Omsk for 4 years. The expositions of the museum tell about the literary life in Siberia and directly in Omsk. The main exhibits of the exhibitions are dedicated to the work of Dostoevsky, his life in Siberia. In a separate room, the atmosphere of the convict's life is recreated - shackles, bunks, robes.
Omsk Museum of Kondraty Belov
An unusual museum, visitors of which celebrate the special comfort and soulfulness. It is located in a beautiful carved wooden house in the center of Omsk, which looks more like a tower from folk tales. The museum's exhibitions are dedicated to the work of the Siberian landscape painter Belov. It exhibits about 700 works by both Belov himself and other Siberian painters. The artist's personal belongings are displayed in a separate exposition.
Museum of Military Glory of Omsk
Created in memory of residents of Omsk who defended their homeland at the front. Several hundred exhibits tell about the soldiers' exploits. Each exhibition is dedicated to a specific event. Visitors will see a soldier's uniform and helmets, weapons, shrapnel, cartridges, there are things of German officers. Front-line music plays from the speakers in the halls of the museum. In the open air there is a site with military equipment of the war years - tanks, cannons, rocket launchers.
Omsk Museum of History and Local Lore
Founded in 1878, it is one of the oldest museums in the country. Over the years, the museum has amassed an impressive collection of exhibits - more than 230,000 exhibits. Among them, archaeological finds from the Bronze, Iron and Stone Ages are especially interesting. The museum is located in the city center near the museum. Vrubel. The entrance doors are interestingly decorated - they consist of dozens of squares depicting pictures with people of different professions.
Churches and temples of Omsk
The main places of worship in the city, beautiful religious sites.
Nikolsky Cossack Cathedral
Founded in 1813. It is located in the city center on Lenin Street. Most of the amount for the construction of the cathedral was allocated by the Siberian Cossacks, from which the name of the church came. The project of the temple was carried out by the architect Stasov. The cathedral was built in the style of late classicism and is an architectural monument. From 1928 to 1998, the religious building housed a cinema, a children's choir, and an organ hall.
Holy Cross Cathedral
A temple preserved from pre-revolutionary times with a high bell tower in the center of the city. Its construction began in 1958 by order of the Governor General of Gasford and was built with donations from the townspeople. In 1920, the Bolsheviks took away all the church property, and in 1936 the cathedral itself was nearly demolished. The parishioners managed to defend the old building, but the religious appointment was returned to it only in 1943.
Seraphim-Alekseevskaya chapel
The stone chapel was built at the Jubilee Bridge in 1907 in honor of the birth of Tsarevich Alexei. It was named after the patron saint of the royal family, Seraphim of Sarov. Historians disagree as to which of the architects was the author of the chapel project - A.D. Kryachkov or A.I. von Gauguin. The chapel was demolished in 1927, along with many other religious buildings in the city. In the 1990s, it was restored from old photographs.
Resurrection military cathedral
On the site of the modern building of the cathedral until 1958, there was an old cathedral of the 18th century. It housed a rich book collection with valuable items. In the Resurrection Cathedral, the artist Vrubel was baptized; Dostoevsky visited him. The restored building of the temple repeats its original appearance as much as possible. The white-stone cathedral has features of classicism and baroque, the walls are decorated with decorative elements.
Parks and squares of Omsk
Beautiful green areas of the city. Gardens and parks where you can take a walk and take a break from the bustle of the city.
Arboretum named after Henze
The protected natural area is located in the center of the city. This is a great place to spend your leisure time in the bosom of nature. The garden is beautifully decorated - landscaping, a pond with carp, gazebos where you can take a break from a walk. The arboretum is home to about 150 species of trees and shrubs. The blue spruce with green and blue needles, pyramidal poplars, and terry lilacs, artificially bred by Hense, are especially beautiful.
Square named after Dzerzhinsky
It is located in the city center, between Gagarin and Lenin streets.The park was founded in 1944. In 1958, a fountain in the shape of a tall vase appeared in it; the basin's bowl is made of red marble. The fountain is open all year round. In the dark, it is decorated with backlighting lights. At the entrance to the park, there are sculptures by the Czech master Winkler. After the reconstruction in 2016, cycle paths and sports areas appeared in the park.
Park of Culture and Rest "Green Island"
Located in the water area of the Irtysh in the Soviet District. Several centuries ago, this place was an island, hence the modern name of the park. The park on this site was founded in 1981. Now it is a landscaped green area with beautiful walkways. Attractions are installed, children's playgrounds and sports grounds are equipped. Concerts are held on the stage for visitors of all ages.
Park of Culture and Rest named after the 30th anniversary of Victory
Located on the left bank of the Irtysh near the Victory Bridge. Most of the territory is occupied by a forested area, there is a lake and several artificial reservoirs. In the center of the landscaped area there is a memorial complex dedicated to the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Every year on May 9, the Immortal Regiment is held here, flowers are laid at the monument. A memorial arch was erected in memory of the Liquidators of the Chernobyl accident.
Victory Boulevard
It was laid from Karl Marx Street to the Irtysh embankment. The boulevard is 500 meters long. It is equipped with a T-34 tank. The central object of the boulevard is the Glory to the Heroes memorial - a high obelisk dedicated to the heroes of the front line and home front workers. In the niches of the obelisk there are sculptures of a warrior with a rifle, a collective farmer with ears of wheat, a worker with a hammer. The boulevard is planted with trees, beautiful flower beds bloom in summer.
Omsk family attractions
The best places in town to relax with the whole family and have fun with the kids.
Omsk State Circus
Located on Marx Avenue. Has been working since 1922. The circus's own building appeared in 1973. In the early 2000s, its large-scale reconstruction took place, modern equipment was installed. A fountain was installed in front of the circus building. The Omsk Circus hosts tours of world famous bands - the Zapashnykh, Filatov, tiger and elephant shows, a circus on ice and on water, concerts of popular performers.
AquaRio water park
Indoor water park on Zavertyaeva street. Guests are offered a large entertainment complex - a wave pool, water slides, a SPA complex, a sauna. The most extreme slides for thrill-seekers are Free Fall, Space Fall, Loop Rocket. A separate town with water activities is equipped for young visitors. It is stylized as a jungle zone with snake slides and Indian symbols.
Omsk Zoo
It is home to over 1,500 animals and birds of 120 different species. A large area of the zoo is located on Zhukova Street. Large enclosures have been built, a separate pond has been equipped for waterfowl, there is a terrarium and aquariums in which piranhas and stingrays live. The zoo was created on the basis of the station of young naturalists, at present there are also about 30 clubs for young animal lovers working with it.
Beaches on the Irtysh river
On the banks of the Irtysh, there are several comfortable places for beach recreation. The most popular is the Central Beach, despite its small length - only 100 meters. Also on the right bank there are Kuibyshevsky, Sovetsky and Pervomaisky beaches. On the left is the Kirovsky beach, which is considered the cleanest. All city beaches have toilets, rescue stations, changing cabins.
Architectural landmarks of Omsk
The most famous historical buildings and structures, monuments of architecture and urban planning of Omsk.
The mansion of the merchant Batyushkin
An architectural monument of the 19th century, also known as "Kolchak's House". The leader of the White movement lived there in 1919. The old merchant's mansion is one of the most interesting buildings in Omsk and its visit is included in many tourist routes. Currently, it is occupied by the Center for the Study of the History of the Civil War. The architectural style of the mansion combines Rococo and Baroque.
Tara Gate
Many people call them the symbol of Omsk. The Tara Gate was built in 1792 as part of the city's fortress line. The gates led to the bastion, where Dostoevsky was serving hard labor, and Fyodor Mikhailovich, during his life in Omsk, passed through them every day. The original Tara Gate was dismantled in 1959, restored in 1991, in honor of the 275th anniversary of Omsk. They are located at the end of Tarskaya Street, not far from Cathedral Square.
House with a spire
Residential building designed by architect Liebgott in 1951. A striking representative of the Empire Stalinist architecture is located on Leningradskaya Square. Attention is drawn to the superstructure of the building with a high spire. Together with the spire, the building is 47 meters high. The original appearance of the building makes it a visiting card among the architectural sights of the city; it is often placed on souvenir products.
Fire Tower
The first fire tower in the city. Built on the site of a wooden tower from 1870. The stone tower was erected in 1915 according to the project of the engineer Khvorinov. The people often call the kalachu the "Old Tower". Its height is 32 meters, there is an observation deck at a height of 26 meters. In the 1960s, they wanted to demolish the tower after the Tara Gate, but the public were able to defend the architectural monument.
Bridge named after the 60th anniversary of Victory
The road bridge was connected to the metro bridge during construction. Despite the fact that the subway in Omsk was never launched, residents of Omsk call the bridge them. 60th anniversary of Victory "metro bridge". Its construction began in 1993, but due to lack of adequate funding, it ended only in 2005. A 5 km long girder bridge connects Frunze and Koneva streets. Its width is 32 meters.
Guardhouse building
The oldest stone building in Omsk. The building has a military purpose, the more interesting its design in the Baroque style becomes. Construction of the building began in 1781. The rectangular two-storey building has a high portico supported by 6 columns. One of the most picturesque old buildings in Omsk is located in the city center. Currently, it houses the Omsk military registration and enlistment office.
