Glimpses of sightseeings in Abakan A Bus Tour around the City
Glimpses of sightseeings in Abakan A Bus Tour around the City
Tour Plan1 . Introduction.Dear guests! Welcome to Abakan, the capital of the Republic of Khakasia. We hope that you will enjoy your visit and have a good time in our city. Your guide today is Elena Babicheva. I am glad to see you and pleased to have this exciting excursion together with your group. Our route: from the airport to the hotel «Khakasia», a tour will last 1 hour. Subject of our excursion is «Abakan – the Heart of Khakasia». You will see both historical and modern sightseeing in our city, the most important and interesting places and monuments. The first bus stop will be near the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, it includes a short walk to amazing landscape park “Gardens of Dream”. Next stop will be near the new sport centre and there you’ll see a construction site of the new museum of peculiar architectural design in the form of yurt. Then along the Pushkin street we’ll arrive to the unique Alley of Stone Monuments created 3-2 thousands B.C found during archeological excavations. Then we’ll pass the Chernogorskiy Park with one of the main monuments of our city devoted to the soldiers of the Great Patriotic War. After it we’ll go to the city centre where we’ll see many cultural and historical buildings and places on the Lenin Prospect. Our bus driver would like you not to forget about the safety rules during travel and stops. Have a nice tour.
The map of the excursion1243
Some explanations about the name of our city. Let me give first some explanations about the name of our city. It is assumed that Abakan has got it’s name after the river where it is situated. One of explanations for it’s name is a Russian like sounding of Khakassian phrase “Akban such” which means “clean water”. Others believe that the word Abakan consists from two parts- aba and kan. The word “aba” could be a name of one of tribes inhabiting the river upsteam in the past and “kan” is a way or road. There is another point of view where ‘aba” means a bear and “kan” is misrepresented “kan” from blood. The whole name is bear’s blood. Still today no common definition about origin of the river Abakan.
A symbol of hospitalityRight at the beginning you can see a sculpture which is called Slelae Lora . It’s a symbol of hospitality on behalf of all people living in our Republic. Stelae Lora represents a true nature of Khakassian woman in a joy of welcome. The sculpture is made by А.D. Davidov.This name is not official, but approved by all citizens who gave it’s name after a former secretary of the city administration -Larisa Ivanovna Oreshkova.Of course the visual appearance of stelae doesn’t look like a real prototype but Larisa Oreshkova gave much efforts to put a monument.
The sculpture «Scythian reindeer»The next peculiar sculpture you can see on the left side of the prospect of People Friendship. This sculpture «Scythian reindeer» demonstrates from the very beginning that our republic and it’s capital is a unique archeological centre.Archeological objects found in one of the town districts helped the sculptor Konstantin Zinich In creation of his composition. The unique collection of reindeers shields dated back to 6-5 centures B.C. Such shields were used as averters. The basement is a big stone brought from khakas steppe. The stone is decorated with copies of ancient cave drawings.And a figure itself represents a famous Scythian shield- a golden reindeer which original is hold in Hermitage.
The Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy CathedralThere are very beautiful cathedrals in Abakan. Now we’ll have our first stop near the main Orthordox Cathedral in our republic. The amateurs of architectural masterpieces can take a picture of Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy Cathedral built in 1994. This majestic building with 12 bells due to it’s pure white colour is clearly visible from afar. It is of considerable dimensions – it holds 1000 people. The cathedral consists from two parts: bottom and top. The crosses of dome are at height of 50 m. The highest cross is over 5m. The dome clocks have the chimes. They were created according to existing mechanical clocks of the Holy Trinity and St. Sergius Laura
Monument of Pyort and FevroniaMonument of Pyort and FevroniaIn different countries all over the world people esteem and keep national symbol of love and marriage. The patrons of marriage and an example for all Christian families the Saint Peter and Fevronia personify heavenly –minded marriage in Orthodox Church. In Preobrazhensky park in the holiday of Protecting veil of the Holy Mother of God in 2000 was put a monument to Saint Peter and Fevronia. The monument for miracle –workers from Murom stands near a metallic oak tree where the newly married couples hang their personal locks and the key throw into a nearby pond. Nowadays the citizens and guests of our city can appeal to them for help in family life. The monument is made from bronze, it’s height is 2,6 m., with a basement of 4 m. Spiritual nature and solemnity of marriage are demonstrated by the sculptor Konstantin Zinich in the image of Saint Pyort and Fevronia. On July 8th according to orthodox calendar in Russia is celebrated a Holiday of Family, Love and Faith. A story of their true love within a long and happy life and their death in one day and hour exactly on July 8th 1228 is still alive in Russia after 500 years.
«Angel of Peace»Another monument you can see in this park is called «Angel of Peace». The opening festival of this monument took place in 2006. The height is 2.5 m. In the foundation plate of this monument is written a chronicle of the most prominent patrons of arts in Russia. The personal plates keep names of 60 prominent patrons of arts in the past: the count Sheremetjev, merchant Tretyakov, representatives of Morozov and Mamontov families. Practically each guest of Abakan has a picture with «Angel of Peace” on the background. It is possible to see a golden dome of the Cathedral through falling streams of fountain behind a sculpture.
«Dream Gardens»It is a real “pearl” of Abakan. Both local people and guests are fond of walking in this garden. Here one can walk among wonderful decorative buildings, have a look on Chinese ponds and see a mini copy of Eiffel Tower. The creator and inspirer was a gifted master Vasily Adamovich Antropov - he was the first who began to create figures though he had no any special training for this art.«Dream Gardens» appeared in Abakan in 2007. Here one can see copies of masterpieces of antique art as well as original projects like a giant kitten made from barley or panda created from sticks. Ladies will be attracted by splendid flower dress- it is impossible to leave a park without taking pictures. A visitor has a real trip through time and space like in a fantastic film, at one moment he is surrounded by ancient Greek sculptures, suddenly he “travels” to Japan or by mysterious way gets to Ancient Egypt. Everybody is proud of the Eiffel Tower. It is practically like original only it is not so high - about 14 meters.
Sport Centre “Abakan”Today, the sports complex "Abakan" is the leader of sports education and education of residents of Abakan ...Sport Centre “Abakan” is the biggest sport facility in the Republic of Khakasia. Today this sport centre is a major place of physical training and education citizens of our city and training centre for different sport games.Swimming pool in this sport centre is a popular sport and health centre. Swimming pool "Abakan" a modern fitness facility that includes two children's pools for swimming training and a large pool. The length of the large pool - 50 meters long and 21 meters depth from 1.90 to 2.12 centimeters. It is divided into eight tracks with width of 2.50 centimeters. In the children's pool length of tracks - 10 meters, width - 6 meters.
Project of the new building for Khakas national museum of regional studies As you noticed there is a construction site near the sport centre. It is a new building of reserve museum where we stop soon. The location is next to the Recreation and Entertainment park behind it. Museum building is made in one architectural design, the front sides are along the city streets, in general it’s form is like a khakassian yurt at front view and republic solar emblem from top view. Multi-level construction and complex front design demonstrate cycles and steps in development of nature and society creating harmony with surrounding environment due to smooth forms. Open exhibition halls are included too. In front of the main entry will be a recreation area for visitors; flower beds; benches and decorative lamps. Besides the main exhibition halls the museum will have a café, shop, reading and lecture rooms, library and conference room.
Konstantin and Elena Church.Now we are near a very beautiful Konstantin and Elena Church built in 2008. It is decorated with colorful mosaic in a chess style making it one of the most beautiful cultic sightseeings in Abakan. The church construction began in1988 and lasted nine years. Citizens, businessmen, representatives of different companies and enterprises have contributed their financial support.The blessing of the dome crosses was carried out in August 2005. In August 2006 in the church yard was a blessing ceremony of nine bells manufactured in the casting plant in Voronezh. The weight of the biggest bell is 1.200 kg and the smallest is 7kg. Under basement in sanctuary are relics of Saint Martyres- Andronik, Prove and Tarakh.The church of Konstantin and Elena is a unique one. The whole 5 layered iconostas is decorated with a frame from gold leaf. As decoration element of floor mosaic the builders used a picture of Byzantine double eagle. For lighting are used fine brunched candleholders.Mosaic icons of Konstantin and Elena church are the only one in Abakan-Kyzil eparchy. Eight icons with height about 4 m are located under the dome.On the left side of the street there is a railroad station.
The railway station of Abakan.The extent of its strategic importance can hardly be overestimated. Thanks to the railway station in Abakan communicates with different cities and areas. So, by rail from Abakan you can get to the next destination for the entire year: Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Achinsk, Novokuznetsk, Tashkent. And in the spring-summer season is also carried out the connection with Simferopol, Anapa, Bishkek, Tashkent and other cities of the CIS and Russia. This railway station Abakan carries not only passengers but also cargo transportation in different directions.
The Khakas national museum of regional studies named after Leonid R.Kyzlasov.The Khakas national museum of regional studies is based on the first museum established in settlement of Ust-Abakansky in 1929. In 2007 it was named after Leonid R. Kyzlasov, Doctor of Historical sciences who made a prominent contribution in archeological researches of Khakasia. Today the museum is a visiting card of our republic representing it’s historical-cultural heritage. Nowadays this heritage is represented by enormous burial places with tens and even hundreds of kurgans seen everywhere in the steppe. So the ancient history have become an integral and visible part of the present. That is why the first exhibition begins outside from collection of ancient stone monuments attracting our attention at first sight. Many of these monuments are unique, there are no analogue to them anywhere in the world.
Alley of stone monuments. This unique Alley of ancient stelaes was created by members of archeological teams and staff members of the museum from stones found during excavations of ancient burial mounds in different parts of Khakasia. What we can see is a striking demonstration of continuous link of times. Ancient stones in the streets of modern city makes an irresistable impression both on citizens and guests of our republic. Let us have a walk along the alley to have a close look to these amazing monuments. Most of them belong to Okunev archeological culture which got its name on the burials near the ulus of Okunev in the bottom current of the river Abakan. They were created in 3-2 millenium B.C. in the Early Bronze Age.
Monument of Okunev culture Many stones surrounding the kurgans or standing apart have kept mysterious ancient images up to present. One of the monuments cut from solid greyish-brown sandstone. It’s height is about 2 м, and weight about 2,5 t. The images are located on the narrow side of the stone. The image of deity in the middle part of the stone is rather conditional, it is not a realistic face like human being. There are distinguished long ears, eyes, mouth and the third eye in the top. The important feature of this image are horizontal lines dividing it into three levels symbolizing an ancient vision of the world division: the Heaven, the Earth and the Underworld. Thus, the circles in the upper part of the face can represent the eyes as well as the morning sun and the evening sun. Being a symbol of the air the nostrils identify the breath of the deity with the wind. The mouth symbolizes the underworld where everything collapses and disappears. Turned black from ritual feedings the mouth of this deity could have been used for similar feedings thousands years ago. In the bottom part there is clearly seen solar symbol (a circle inside a square). During a ritual people addressed to deities with their requests, which could be directed to protect from enemies, support during critical moments of natural cycles, to fertility and well-being.
Hall of Ancient MonumentsFantastic images on stone monuments became a long time ago a subject of discussions and disputes. But all scientists agree that the Okunev monuments are admitted to be global phenomenon.Special place in collection of stone images is given to Kime-Tas ,Shira district; Woman of Shira, Shira district; Khys Tas, ulus Poltakov; Totem Head of bighorn sheep; Igir Oba (curved menhir),from Salbyk steppe; the Sun-like God; and others.Exhibition of stone monuments is a unique collection of ancient art having a great cultural and scientific significance.
List of main exhibition hallsArcheological collection At present archeological collections include more than 20 thousand artefacts. They contain numerous and various relics: the man sites, stone statues, rock drawings and petroglyphs, burial mounds from the Stone Age till the Middle Ages. The fascinating collections of bronze articles in Scythian –Siberian animal style, funeral masks of Tashtyk culture made from clay and gypsum in the I-V centures A.D.Ethnographic collection The basis of ethnographic collection is a wooden yurt of 8 angles with different household articles, clothes, shoes and boots, hunting and fishing supplies, horse equipment, etc, as well as relics connected with traditional world view and rituals. There are collections of musical instruments and jewelry.Natural sciences collections :Geological fund «Natural resources of Khakasia». Botanic collection contains herbarium specimen of flora and medical herbs. Zoological collection contain stiffed animals, birds, insects demonstrating rich fauna in different environmental areas.Personal collection of Irina Karachakova-Kartina. It includes paintings and scuptures of West European art, furniture and two French tapestries of 16 century.
Chernogorskiy parkIn Chernogorskiy park is a place of the main historical monument. It is a memorial to the soldiers died during the Great Patriotic War. The sculptor N.А.Kovalchuk has finished his monument in 1985. The figure s of Russian and Khakassian soldiers are made from bronze, their height is 5m. The foundation and the plate for Eternal flame are made of granite. Total height of the monument is about12 m. The design of the monument foundation represents a form of kurgan (it’s prototype is the great Salbyk Kurgan), tradition arising in ancient times. In front of the monument is burning the Eternal Flame – a symbol of deep mourning, eternal love and grateful memory of Motherland for everlasting courage of it’s sons and daughters died during the war and protected it’s freedom. Eternal Flame was burnt on May 15th, 1974. It is surrounded with a bronze star. Around the star is written "Your heroism is immortal, the glory about you is ever-living".
A new fountain of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.There is a new fountain(2015) in the form of 5 point star. External walls are decorated with dark red granite. Central part will be a bronze star. The bottom is decorated with colorful ceramics. Around the fountain there is a walking area. The fountain was build to celebration of great date of 70 anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War.
The cultural centre “Victory”Now we are turning to the Lenin street. Here in the city centre we can see a lot of interesting places.Please, have a look on the right. We are passing by the cultural centre “Victory”. The building is made in Dorian style with white columns. It was opened on the 9th of May 1945 in the day when the Great Patriotic War against the fascists was ended. The building is named after the victory over fascists.
The Lenin Prospect Katanov State University.On the left there is another remarkable place of our city – it is Katanov State University. The university is named after Nikolay Katanov, in honour of one of the most prominent citizens of our republic. The university has got it’s statues in 1994. Before it was the Abakan pedagogical institute. Nowadays more than 16000 students study here different subjects: laws, history, linguistics, veterinary science, psychology, software, physics, mathematics and etc. The university has friendly relations with other educational institutions in Russian, China , France , Turkey , Germany and the USA.
The building on the right is the seat of the government of the Republic of Khakasia. The entry is on the opposite side from Pervomayskaya square.The Government House
Park«Оrlenok»Now we are moving down the Lenin street, passing by the local TV centre and coming to one of the most green areas in the city. It is park “Orlenok”, one of the most favourite places among city people and guests. In hot summer everybody wants to hide under the trees shadows. There are several merry-go-rounds and railroad for children. The interesting fact is the several years ago here in this place was a lake. After it disappeared the place was chosen to be a park area.
Znamenskaya ChapelNow please, pay your attention to the building which was build not long ago in 2004 году. It is an orthodox chapel named Znamenskaya. A combination of white and blue colours with golden cross gives it an attractive view.
The Hotel “Khakasia”.Our tour is coming to an end at the hotel “Khakasia”. The hotel has a convenient location in the centre of the city, it ensures high quality service, comfortable rooms and flexible booking system. The hotel is 5 minutes walk from Pervomayskaya square opposite the building of government. It is close to administrative, cultural, educational, shopping and sport centres. It is very convenient for those who comes on a business trip or for vocation and sightseeing in our republic.
Summary Hopefully you have got positive impressions during this tour. You have seen a beautiful, modern and green city. Today Abakan is a dynamically developing city with good infrastructure. You could see the most interesting monuments and sightseeings. Talking about Abakan our goal was to inspire you for coming back again and again. The list of our tourist routes and services allow to any visitor to choose what he likes:Week-end tours and excursions;Outdoor recreation and fishing;Extreme travels and historical-cultural sightseeings.We citizens of Khakasia welcome you in our republic. We share with you our amazing historical heritage, beauty and charm of our city.What differs Khakasia from the neighboring regions? We live in the territory which is full of time spirits, represented in the form of monuments. We live in such a rich historical environment that it cannot but distinguish us from other territories.So this time sense and anticipation of historical epoch have caused in Abakan a unique situation recently created monuments combine excellence of modern mastership features of ancient art. In XXI century the actions of creative persons give a unique chance to see and to show plenty of sculptures collected in one Siberian city. And it forms a nature of modern Khakassian people, not only native born but the whole population of our republic. Abakan is a city which stays in memory after visiting it as one of the most wonderful events.