Omsk Things to Do

The most eminent cult building of Omsk. Here the banner of Ermak, legendary pioneer of Siberia and the first Russian to start its exploration on a grand scale, was kept. Unfortunately the banner disappeared when Kolchak’s troops were leaving the city. However, the communists didn’t blow it up but instead used it at first as a warehouse and then an organ hall. During the 90's the building was returned to the Russian Orthodox Church. The cathedral is surrounded by a small but pretty park.

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Without doubt this has to be my favourite monument in Omsk. hehe A Personal joke but none the less I just love Lyuba :-)
Across the Lyubinsky avenue Stepan constantly watches a young lady sitting on a bench. There is a belief that if a visitor wants to return to Omsk one day, he should sit on a bench with this young lady for a while. Her story is a sad and touching one. Once upon a time in Omsk there lived an old German Governor General. And he married a young and beautiful Siberian girl – Lyuba. But soon their happiness was over. Lyuba caught consumption and would often sit on a bench warming herself in the sun. So she still sits there and people walking on Lyubinsky avenue sometimes have their photoes taken with her or even bring her flowers. And everyone addresses her in his own endearing way – Lyuba, Lyubochka, Lyubasha. :-)

Following Karl Liebknecht street and admiring the old buildings which used to be the base of many foreign representatives in Omsk you will suddenly see a plumber looking at you from the sewer well. This is a monument to all people who work in the city to make life comfortable for us and whose work we often tend not to mention. Very soon after this sculpture was installed it was given the nickname “Stepan”

I've only ever seen a similar display once before when I was in Slovakia, Bratislava :-)

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Passing the bridge near the Iliinskaya chapel you approach one of the main symbols of Omsk Serafimo-Alekseevskaya Chapel built on the occasion of birth of crown prince Alexiy, the son of the last Russian emperor Nikolay the Second. It was one of the first victims of the Bolsheviks’ war on the church and one of the first chapels to be restored at the beginning of 90s.

This gate used to be the north gate of the city and its fortress. In 1959 it was destroyed but soon in 1991 it was restored. You can go through it to the remains of the old fortress.

There is a strong belief among the people from Omsk that if you hop through the gate and do not fall your wish will be fulfilled. :-)

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Omsk Drama theatre is probably the most beautiful building of the city and it’s no wonder that the citizens of Omsk take pride in it. If you want to visit it you should book tickets in advance! It’s also the 4th oldest theatre of Russia after Moscow, Saint-Petersburg and Yaroslavl. The theatre’s company is also worth mentioning as it is often nominated in different theatre festivals.

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

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This building looks quite funny from outside. Check the opening times. The is a cafe or something there too and a statue in front. I think it was in a side street from ul. Lenina near the Nikolski cathedral.