#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. Norilsk, the metallurgical capital of the Krasnoyarsk region, is filled with unique locations that promise tourists unforgettable experiences. The media company Severny Gorod has put together a checklist for leisure activities in Norilsk.
Tour to Arctic mine
In this northern city, you can descend into the Arctic mine known as Anhydrite. The temperature here stays at a constant +10 degrees Celsius year-round. At a depth of 70 meters, there’s a training area for special vehicle drivers. Interestingly, in December 2024, the mine welcomed its thousandth tourist, marking a significant milestone.
Sweets and perfumer’s workshop
Visitors can taste Arctic ice cream with reindeer meat in Norilsk – it’s both sweet and slightly salty. They can also enjoy coffee flavored with lingonberries and blueberries. Additionally, the workshop of Russia’s northernmost perfumer, Alexey Boltachev, is located here. He has established his own brand and created a line called Aromas of Taimyr, featuring five unique northern fragrances: Northern Lights, Taimyr, Yenisey, Red Stones, and Tundra. The perfumer also offers masterclasses.
The northernmost theater
Norilsk is home to the northernmost drama theater, celebrated for its unique repertoire that caters to all tastes and ages. Productions from Norilsk have won numerous awards at various competitions. Mayakovka, as the locals call the theatre named after V. Mayakovsky, serves as a cultural hub in this polar city.
Waterfall at Red Stones
As the weather warms up, you can explore the stunning landscapes surrounding Norilsk. One favorite spot for locals is the Red Stones gorge, located six kilometers east of Talnah. Water cascades down into a pristine lake that reaches depths of up to nine meters. Along the shores, you can find remnants of ancient petrified trees, known as anthracolite, some measuring up to 40 centimeters in diameter and one meter in height.
The natural rocky terrain, with mountain heights ranging from 500 to 600 meters, is perfect for rock climbers and hikers.
Norilsk Museum
The Norilsk Museum is one of the largest municipal museum associations in Russia. Its permanent exhibits focus on the history of the Arctic, ethnography, and the nature of Taimyr, as well as the city’s history during the Norillag (Stalin-era forced-labor camp. – editor) period. The museum houses over 76 000 items, including a unique collection from Nikolay Urvantsev. Here, you can find personal belongings and household items of Norillag prisoners, a mineralogical collection of unique finds from Taimyr, and an ethnographic collection showcasing the material culture of the indigenous peoples of the peninsula. The museum also organizes major cultural events and more than 100 exhibitions each year.
The First House of Norilsk
A special highlight of the museum is the First House of Norilsk – a wooden structure where the first wintering of Nikolay Urvantsev’s geological party took place in 1921. The house has been relocated twice (its original site was at Norilsk’s Zero Point) and is now situated in the center of Norilsk, behind the museum building. Inside, you’ll find exhibits showcasing the daily life of Urvantsev’s expedition, along with original documents from that era.
GEOpark – garden of stones under Arctic sky
The GEOpark in Norilsk is an open-air museum exhibition located in the center of the Talnah district, dedicated to the unique underground resources of the area. For the main exhibit, curators, along with geologists, selected 17 characteristic rock samples weighing between 4 and 16 tons from the Nornickel company’s mines and placed them on pedestals. These massive exhibits are arranged along three designated routes, highlighting the main types of local minerals.
Additionally, it has been reported that a national branded route will be established in Taimyr, and the longest tourist staircase in Russia is set to be built on mount Shmidtiha.
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Text: Anzhelika Stepanova, Photos: Severny Gorod MC, Natalia Cherkashina, Nikolay Shchipko, Olga Zaderyaka, Nornickel’s press service
