On the banks of the Tom River, in the heart of Western Siberia, the city of Tomsk is located. The city was founded in 1604 and today it is almost 414 years old. One of the main attractions of this small but very cozy city is Novosobornaya Square.
City of Tomsk
In 1604, a fortress was founded on the banks of the Tom River, which was called the Tomsk prison. After 25 years, the prison became the center of the region, artisans from all over Siberia came here to sell their goods.
Ostrog was also of strategic importance - the protection of the Russian border, because in the 17th century there were frequent raids of nomads. In the 18th century, due to the expansion of the borders in the Northern Altai, the city lost its strategic purpose.
In the 18th century, Tomsk was ranked among various provinces and provinces, and only in 1804 did it become the center of the Tomsk province.
Currently, Tomsk is the center of the Tomsk region, this status was assigned to it in 1944.
You can often hear that Tomsk is the cultural capital of Siberia. And this has its own truth, because in Tomsk there are sixlarge universities, known throughout Russia and included in the top ten universities in the country, research institutes in the field of chemistry, nuclear physics, theaters, museums, galleries.
The architecture of the city is also interesting, because the historical part of the city is preserved in very good condition.
Tomsk is also famous for its sights, but the place where all the guests of the city are led is, of course, Novosobornaya Square.
Where she is
Novosobornaya Square in Tomsk is located in the very center of the city. The square is located in length along Lenin and Sovetskaya streets, and in width along Sportivny lane and Herzen street.
It will not be difficult to get to the square from any part of the city, because there is a bus stop nearby. Shuttle buses No. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 19, 22, 23, 26, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 37, 52, 112 and many others pass here. Trolleybuses No. 1, 3, 4 also stop here. And from the side of Herzen Street, tram number 1 runs.
History of the Square
The history of Novosobornaya Square in Tomsk begins almost from the moment the city was founded. Then, at the beginning of the 17th century, the lands on which the square is now located were plowed under the sovereign's arable land. In those days, raids by white Kalmyks were not uncommon. Therefore, the workers were constantly on the alert to defend themselves in case of emergency.
As mentioned above, in 1804 the city on the Tom became the center of the Tomsk province. Soon, a huge beautiful stone building with columns grew up near the current square. Currently, this building houses a concert hall, and then, in1842, it was in it that the Provincial Administration was located, and later the Institute of Physics and Technology.
But why is the square called Novosobornaya? After Tomsk was declared the center of the province, the city became interesting for the clergy. And in the middle of the 19th century, the construction of the temple began in the center of the square. This temple was an exact copy of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, which is located in Moscow. Just after the start of the construction of the temple, which was called the Trinity Cathedral, the square was named Novosobornaya.
The construction of the temple dragged on for more than 50 years, since in 1850 one of the domes collapsed. After this incident, construction ceased. But by the beginning of the twentieth century, the construction of the temple was still completed.
The largest temple in Tomsk stood for only 34 years, and it was forbidden to hold services in it back in 1930. In 1934, the temple was blown up and dismantled to the ground.
The name of the square also changed. On May 20, 1920, Novosobornaya Square in Tomsk was renamed Revolution Square, but in 1997, after almost eighty years, it again became Novosobornaya.
Resting place for Tomsk citizens
In the photo of 2018, Novosobornaya Square in Tomsk looks so elegant and colorful that it seems fabulous. And this is not surprising, because every year before the New Year an ice town is created on the square with beautiful ice figures, slides, skating rinks. It is in the center of the square that the main Christmas tree of the city is located, here on New Year's Eve from all over the city people from Tomsk andguests of the city to see a bright fireworks display. Starting from December 16, the main square of the city became a musical one. Thematic New Year's music sounded until January 8. Judging by the photo, the New Year 2018 on Novosobornaya Square in Tomsk was held on a grand scale.
In the summer, the area is also not empty. A small musical stage, a fountain, a monument to students are installed on the square. Tomsk residents often choose the square as a place for meetings, walks, and recreation. Also in the summer there are entertainments for children on the square, they sell all sorts of trinkets, photographers, artists work.
Reconstruction
In 2017, the city authorities decided to reconstruct the square. The reconstruction was launched in early summer and completed in early September, on the day of the city.
During this time, the paving slabs were replaced, the facing of the fountain was updated, new lights and benches were installed. And in the summer of 2018, it is planned to plant even more greenery in Novosobornaya, to make additional flower beds in order to make the square even more beautiful and comfortable.
In closing
Every citizen of the city and those who have been here at least once have a photo of Novosobornaya Square in Tomsk. After all, the square with a rich history is not only one of the main attractions of the city, but also a favorite vacation spot for Tomsk residents of any age.
Squarebeautiful not only in summer, but also in winter, especially on the eve of the New Year holidays. At this time, everything on the square is transformed, as if by magic: bizarre ice sculptures, a huge Christmas tree shimmering with hundreds of multi-colored lights. Come to Tomsk, you will see everything with your own eyes.
