The easternmost city of Russia with a population of at least million, located on the banks of the Yenisei River, and the capital of Krasnoyarsk Krai (district). The area is over 2 million square kilometers, which is ten times or more larger than many European countries. For example, France is four times smaller than Krasnoyarsk Krai. Krasnoyarsk is a major industrial, cultural, economic and educational center.
City of Gold
Krasnoyarsk was founded in 1628 when the nobleman Andrey Dubensky began to build a fortress for defense against local tribes at the site of the current megalopolis. Gold mines were located nearby, thus making the city a prosperous trade center for a long time. Some merchants even printed their business cards on gold plates. Today, Krasnoyarsk Krai is still the leader in gold production, producing one fifth of Russia's gold reserve.
City of Science
Krasnoyarsk is a major scientific research center of the country, with over 150,000 students in 30 universities, the largest of which is Siberian Federal University. The famous Krasnoyarsk Academgorodok is located in the city. It comprises seven scientific research institutes working in various fields.
City of Sports
Siberia is a snowy area, and naturally, winter sports are popular there. Krasnoyarsk has the Biathlon Academy Sports Center, at which skiers, bobsledders, speed-skaters, snowboarders, etc. are trained. Of course, Krasnoyarsk has mountain ski resorts, with Bobrovy Log the most popular, with 14 trails of various difficulty. Krasnoyarsk trains not only professional skiers, but also motorcyclists: its residents have won the world's motorcycling championships 21 times, a record. Krasnoyarsk is viewed as the capital of Russian rugby and every year hosts international competitions in freestyle wrestling and ballroom dancing. In 2019, the city anticipates a major sporting event: the Winter Universiade, sports competitions for university students, will be held here.
City of Fountains
Krasnoyarsk has many fountains in a variety of shapes and sizes, even multicolored and musical ones. It is third in Russia in terms of the number of fountains. Currently, there are over 140 fountains. One of the most beautiful is the fountain in Theater Square. Each time it starts is a water, color, and music show.
Near the city
Mud resort
People believe that water and mud from Lake Shira are therapeutic. According to legend, in the 19th century a dog belonging to the merchant Tsybulsky was wounded during a hunt and cured by bathing in the lake. The mud from this lake was displayed at a Paris exhibition, leading to the idea of opening a resort like Baden-Baden, but the idea did not come to reality. Today, Shira hosts several balneotherapy resorts.
Krasnoyarsk Pillars
This is a unique natural phenomenon, with over 100 rocks of unusual shape like pillar in the thick taiga forest. The pillar rocks are believed to have been formed by volcanic lava around 370 million years ago. Many pillars have their own names, such as: Feathers, Granddad, Grandma, Monk, Turtle, etc. The Pillars inspired the so-called stolbism – a public movement that unites people focused on activities in nature.
