10 interesting facts about Novosibirsk – a rapidly developing million-plus city

Novosibirsk is the third largest city in Russia after Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as the administrative center of the Novosibirsk region. It was founded in 1893 as a future section of the Trans-Siberian railway bridge over the great Siberian river Ob.

Its importance increased even more at the beginning of the 20th century after the completion of the construction of the Turkestan-Siberian railway, connecting Novosibirsk with Central Asia and the Caspian Sea.

All of the above is only a small part of what the history of the city is rich in. Next we will talk about 10 interesting facts about Novosibirsk.

10 Capital of Russian Siberia

The city bears this title semi-officially, so far from everyone considers Novosibirsk the capital (although the government decided so). At the same time, Irkutsk, Tomsk and Krasnoyarsk claim this status, but from the point of view of cultural and economic importance, Novosib clearly outperforms its competitors.

9. The longest covered metro bridge in the world

Even under the USSR in Novosibirsk there was a transport problem associated with crossing the river. In the 70s, a project was created to build a bridge, which was opened in 1985.

The metro bridge turned out to be a unique design, having a length of 2 meters, 145 of which are the channel part. Despite the presence of similar structures in other major cities of Russia and the world, the Novosibirsk bridge is still the longest.

8. The world’s largest museum of funeral culture

As the name suggests, this museum is dedicated to the culture of funerals and everything related to it. One morning the owner of the local crematorium woke up with an idea and he decided to build a museum with the intention of making death a common issue and helping us understand that death is as much a part of life as life itself. In addition, it allows us to see and learn how other countries of the world experience death and how rituals and traditions change depending on the culture.

This museum is the largest in the world. It features over 8 exhibitsranging from books explaining the different types of rituals, cremations and embalmings, to life-size collectibles such as coffins from another era, etc.

The complex is huge and besides the museum, you can also see several parks full of funeral carts from different eras and a crematorium.

7. The fastest growing city with a population of one million

Despite the fact that most people dream of living and working in Moscow or St. Petersburg, these cities lag behind Novosibirsk, which is developing rapidly, in terms of growth.

New infrastructure, industrial facilities appear here every year. and in general, everything that can attract new residents and keep native Novosibirsk residents from moving.

6. Novosibirsk Zoo ranks among the top ten in Europe

Novosibirsk Zoo is one of the largest and best not only in Russia but also in Europe: 11 animals of 000 different species.

Particular attention is paid to the reproduction and breeding of those animals that are in danger of extinction. An example is the Asian Siberian goose. In total, it occupies about 65 hectares and is called R.A. Awl.

The emblem of the zoo is the snow leopard, a unique animal of extraordinary beauty that lives in Altai, a region of incredible landscapes in the Siberian territory. The zoo has about 1 visitors a year and is also a prestigious scientific institution

Speaking of the zoo, it is worth mentioning the Central Siberian Botanical Garden, where you can breathe fresh air and enjoy the flora and fauna of Siberia.

On an area about twice the size of Moscow’s Sokolniki Park, you’ll see chipmunks, hares, foxes, and even roe deer. If these animals don’t show up during your visit, you can at least feed the squirrels, which is also fun.

In fact, the Botanical Garden is, first of all, a research center where scientists actively study the flora of Siberia and develop ideas for conservation projects, so greenhouses, an arboretum and flower beds are not just a beautiful backdrop for wedding photo shoots.

5. There is a legend that the city lived in two time zones at the same time.

This happened until the early 20s. Novosibirsk is located on both banks of the Ob River, and in those years it was actually two separate cities in which even the time on the clock differed by 1 hour.

4. The first city in Russia where universal primary education was introduced in 1912

Shortly after the completion of the bridge, Novosibirsk began a period of rapid growth, and the population exceeded 8 inhabitants, which led to the need adoption of new laws and regulations. One of them was compulsory primary education in 1913., which at that time was voluntary in all cities (and Novosibirsk was not even a city then).

Considering the growth rate of the city, educated people were vital to it: by 1915 there were at least five banks operating here, and soon the population reached 80 people. To cope with its size and newfound importance, Novosibirsk was given the status of a “city”, as well as the right to form its own government.

3. Red Avenue – the longest street in the world without turns

Like any city avenue, Red Avenue is long and straight. In fact, it is longer than any other, stretching for seven kilometers and crossing the entire city from the airport to the Ob embankment. This means that whatever your route is, you will end up there at some point.

Here you will see the houses of the merchants Surikov and Molchanov, preserved from the beginning of the 20th century, as well as local Stalinist buildings and the largest opera house in Russia.

Almost all the sights of the city are concentrated around the Red Avenue. These include the Museum of Local Lore, the Art Museum, the famous building with 100 apartments, and the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in the place where the settlement of Novosibirsk began.

2. Chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was built in the geographical center of the Russian Empire

It was erected in 1913, but already in 1930 it was completely destroyed.. Later, in its place was a monument to Joseph Stalin and a monument to the hammerer, but in 1993 the chapel was rebuilt from scratch. It is noteworthy that it was built with the money of local parishioners: the state did not allocate a single ruble.

1. Akademgorodok is one of the largest scientific centers in the world

Novosibirsk is the scientific center of Russia and one of the largest in the world. More than 100 scientific research organizations work in the city, employing more than 1500 doctors of sciences and 3400 candidates of sciences.

Twenty-five kilometers south of the center of Novosibirsk is a rather unusual place known as Akademgorodok. Walking through the quiet streets dotted with modest houses, large parks and numerous scientific buildings, you really feel like you are in a place dedicated to research and development.

Akademgorodok is a Siberian center of academic excellence with over 50 renowned universities and research centers, which is home to 100 people.

It was founded in 1957 and in the 60s it was unique in many ways, because people dared to discuss the foundations of Marxist theory, put forward ideas for economic reforms, read books and listen to poets and singers not approved by the official regime.

The collapse of the Soviet Union, as well as recent reforms, had a great impact on Akademgorodok. The place of scientists is partially occupied by businessmen and programmers who have created the Russian equivalent of Silicon Valley.