!!!Khanty-Mansiysk. Siberia

Photos by Stanislav Sedov and
Sergey Shandin,
members of the [AirPano Team|Geography/About/Consortium/AirPano,_Team] that is a member of the [global-geography Consortium|Geography/About/Consortium]. \\

12 February 2020

with kind permission of [AirPano|http://www.AirPano.com]

Khanty-Mansiysk is a town in Western Siberia located on the eastern bank
of the Irtysh River. Despite the severe climate of this region (the
average annual temperature is only -0.8?), the first people settled here
back in the 16th century after the battle between the forces of knyaz
Samar and Ermak.

[{Image src='01_K.jpg' caption='Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='547'}]

The settlement that was named Samarovo eventually grew and developed. By
the 17th century, the village had become a significant merchant centre
due to its advantageous position at the intersection of important trade
routes. In 1740, an observatory was founded in the village centre; and
at the beginning of the 19th century, the stone Church of the
Intercession of the Theotokos was built and has remained till nowadays.

[{Image src='02_K.jpg' caption='Temple Complex in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='556'}]

By that time, Samarovo had attracted a lot of visitors, including royals
and scientists. In 1881, Edmond Cotteau who was one of the first foreign
explorers at that time wrote the following, "Samarovo is a beautiful
settlement built at the foot of the nearby hills that are covered by
thick forest. A white-domed church stands in its centre..."

At the dawn of the 20th century, Samarovo had become a prosperous
village, and new solid two-storey houses began to appear. In 1940, it
was renamed Khanty-Mansiysk and became the administrative centre of
Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug (Yugra), then 10 years later it was
granted the town status.

[{Image src='03_K.jpg' caption='Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='547'}]

A new chapter in its history began when in 1953-1960 oil and gas
deposits were discovered in this region. In addition to living houses
and industrial buildings, museums and other cultural facilities began to
appear. Archeopark at Samarovsky Outlier featuring the sculptures of
ancient animals and people is one of them. Another significant place to
visit is the Torum Maa Open Air Ethnographic Museum showing the life of
indigenous peoples of the North.

[{Image src='04_K.jpg' caption='Red Dragon Bridge over the Irtysh River\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='548'}]

In 2004, a unique bridge crossing the Irtysh River and connecting the
town and the northern part of Khanty-Mansi Okrug was opened. Due to the
colour solutions and architectural expression, the bridge was nicknamed
Red Dragon and is considered to be one of the most beautiful bridges in
Russia. Among the highest constructions of the town, there is the bell
tower of the Church of Christ's Resurrection built in 2005. One of the
largest natural sites of Khanty-Mansiysk is Samarovsky Chugas natural
park covering 6.5 thousand hectares at the intersection of the Ob River
and the Irtysh River.

[{Image src='05_K.jpg' caption='Monument dedicated to the Yugra Land Discoverers\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='547'}]

On the slope of an 80-meters hill, there is the monument dedicated to
the Yugra Land Discoverers. It is a pyramid, each side of which
represents significant epochs of the history of Yugra's capital: ancient
times, Ermak's conquest of Siberia and the period of the discovery of
gas and oil resources. The noble shape of the pyramid can be seen from
any point in the city, while the monument itself has a panoramic
viewpoint. But you can also enjoy the breathtaking views by opening
AirPano panoramas captured from the height of the bird's flight.

[{Image src='06_K.jpg' caption='Church of the Resurrection. Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia\\© [AirPano|https://www.AirPano.com]' alt='' width='900' popup='false' height='556'}]

\\ \\
[16 panoramas of Khanty-Mansiysk. Siberia|Geography/Asia/Russia/Pictures/Khanty-Mansiysk]

[{SET customtitle='Khanty-Mansiysk. Siberia (AP)'}]












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