Omsk is situated on the banks of the Irtish and Om rivers.It is the largest industrial and cultural center of Siberia.
Omsk was built according to the edict of the tsar Peter the Great in order to guard the south Russian borders.At first it was a wooden fortress.In the 1760s, a new fortification was founded, this time built of stone. In 1782 the fortress settlement was given the name of a town. Among inhabitants of this town were merchants, artisans, officials, but most people were the military.
The fortress is the historical heart of Omsk. At present we can find here the buildings of different epochs: Catherine the Great baroque of the former guardhouse (the Regional Military Registration and Enlistment Office now) stands next to red-brick facades of the beginning of the 20th century buildings, severe forms of Military Assembly (House of Officers) are close to modern volumes of the Dzherzhinsky Palace of Culture. Many buildings in the fortress are connected with the name of the great Russian writer F.Dostoevsky. First of all it's the house of commandant, where in 1990 was placed the Dostoevsky Literary Museum.
In 1894 when the railroad came to Omsk it was called the Gates of Siberia. The Great Siberian Track made the economic contacts of business men more active and easier, by connecting Omsk with Moscow, Petersburg and Far East. The representatives of famous Russian and foreign firms came to the far Siberian town. Due to this Omsk started intensive construction of imposing buildings: banks, shops, apartments and offices.
There are a lot of museums in Oms, for example, Omsk museum of local lore, history and economy,the Vrubel Museum of Fine Arts,the Dostoevsky Literature Museum and many others.
Omsk is a theatrical city. It has 5 state and 3 municipal theatres.Today the leading city theatre is the Academic Drama Theatre.
Winter are wonderful in Omsk. With the bright sun and strong Siberian frost. They include the New Year holiday with obligatory merry ice sledges and fortresses, with troika rides and Siberian fun competitions, fairs, skomorokhs and traditional pancakes.
Omsk today has more then, 100 libraries. The Regional Library of A.S.Pushkin has more then 10000 books and magazines.
Omsk is a a modern city. If you want to keep fit, gyms and swimming pools are at your disposal in every neighbourhood.
Omsk is also attractive in summer. Green parks and public gardens with flowerbeds and fountains serve as islands and recreation zones. From a riverboat you can get a marvellous view of the Irtysh Embankment.
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