Yakutsk

Yakutsk (Russian: Яку́тск, yee-KOOTSK) is the capital city of Yakutia (a Russian republic the size of India) and one of the oldest and coldest cities of Siberia.

See: 17
Do: 9
Eat: 12
Drink: 3

17 places match

See

Abakayade Memorial

Памятник Абакаяде

At the intersection of Kirova and Poyarkova streets (Кирова, Пояркова). The statue represents the first interethnic marriage between a Russian settler and his Yakut wife, and also their child—the symbol of the coming together of the two peoples.

See

Mammoth Museum

Музей мамонта

This museum has one of the world's most diverse collections of exhibits from the Ice Age. The centerpiece of the collection is the cryogenically (and completely) preserved head of a woolly mammoth. The mammoth head often travels to museums outside of Yakutsk, so check ahead to make sure it's on display.

Daily 10:00-18:00

See

Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography of the Yakutsk University

Музей археологии и этнографии ЯГУ

The exhibits here show the history of the peoples of Yakutsk, exhibited in an interesting exposition of objects of everyday life and the mythology of the Sakha, Eveny, Evenki, Yukagiry, and other Yakutian ethnic groups since ancient times.

Tue-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat 11:00-16:00

See

National Art Museum

Национальный художественный музей РС(Я)

A huge collection of artwork, including works by Yakuts, Russians, international artists from the 16th century through today. The expositions also include a rich collection of traditional Yakut folk arts and crafts.

Daily 10:00-18:00

See

Oyunsky Memorial

Памятник П. Ойунскому

On Oyunskomu Square (which also goes by the Soviet name, Ordzhonikidze Square). The sculpture is of P. A. Oyunsky, a writer and prominent communist, who stands as a symbol of the fertile beginnings of reason, and a metal ark in the form of the Russian letter "П," engraved with Oyunsky quotes.

See

Underground Laboratory of the Institute of Cryogenics

Подземная лаборатория Института Мерзлотоведения

The only museum in the world of natural cryonics. The trip underground is accompanied by detailed lectures (in Russian, naturally) about the essence of this natural phenomenon, and also displays of the preserved exhibits within the natural "freezer." Do not forget to wear very warm clothes!

Call in advance to schedule a tour

See

Victory Stele

Стелла Победы

A large stele at the north end of Victory Square (Площадь Победы) dedicated to the Soviet victory in World War II, topped with a statue of the hero (N'urguna Bootura) of the Yakut national epic "Olonkho."

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Yakutsk Historical and Cultural Museum of the Northern peoples, Em. Yaroslavskovo

Якутский государственный музей истории и культуры народов Севера им. Ем. Ярославского

The main museum in the city, with an impressive collection of artifacts from various periods in the history of Yakutsk—beginning with the prehistoric and ending with the events of the 1990s. Of special interest is the rich collection of stuffed wildlife from the North, and one of the world's few complete woolly mammoth skeletons.

Daily 10:00-17:00Free

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The Lena-Friendship Historical-Architectural Museum-preserve

Ленский историко-архитектурный музей-заповедник

The museum is on the right bank of the Lena River, right on the spot of the fort that led to the creation of Yakutsk. The principal attractions in the museum are outside—reproductions of the Spassky Church of the Zashiversky Fort and the boat of Peter Beketov (the founder of the fort). No less impressive are the old examples of the architecture of the peoples of Yakutia. Inside the exhibited buildings you'll find expositions dedicated to the cultures and daily life of the peoples of Yakutia: clothing, worship, weapons, burial complexes, arts, etc. In the museum you can also try the food at a restaurant specializing in Yakut cuisine. In the spring there are folk festivals. One of the most memorable sights of the preserve is the observation on top of the nearest hill, from which opens a breathtaking view of the Lena River.

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The Old City

Старый город

The Old City, reconstructed in the architectural style of the 19th century, is in the very center of Yakutsk, and is bordered by the streets Ammosov, Arzhakov, and the Plaza of the Fallen Soldiers (Аммосова, Аржакова, плошадь Павших бойцов). The streets are off limits to traffic, paved as they are with wooden billets, and there are cafeterias, markets, all in the city's favorite place to relax. Here you'll find the restored Preobrazhenskaya Church, the founders monument, the memorial to fallen soldiers, a stone column dedicated to the 375th year anniversary of Yakutia joining the Russian Empire, and the M.K. Ammosov museum (Ammosov was a prominent Yakut political activist who led an active role in bringing Soviet power to Siberia).

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