Krasnoyarsk: City History, Culture and the Yenisei

• The staircase to the summit of the Torgashinsky Ridge is 1,200 metres long and has 1,683 steps.
• The octagonal Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel has stood on Karaulnaya Hill since the mid-19th century.
• Short sightseeing cruises on the Yenisei are available in summer.
• The National Centre on the Yenisei opened in 2025.

The staircase to the Torgashinsky Ridge is described by two key measurements: it leads 1,200 metres to the summit and has 1,683 steps. There are resting areas at both ends, and the railings are illuminated at dusk. This puts not only the route but also specific features of the structure in focus.

Short summer sightseeing cruises on the Yenisei are one of the things to do in Krasnoyarsk. Tickets are available at the river terminal. If you are planning a cruise, check the schedule in advance. The riverside promenade is used for walks and outdoor recreation in summer and is also a popular place in winter. The riverside setting therefore offers different reasons to spend time outdoors in different seasons.

The children’s play area “Malenky Tatyshev” is on Tatyshev Island. Its oversized play features include a walk-through structure and a duck you can sit on. The description of the play area is specific: it is not just about play equipment, but also features that visitors can enter or use as a seat.

The octagonal Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Chapel has stood on Karaulnaya Hill since the mid-19th century. The triumphal arch complex offers a different connection to the city’s history: it stands on the site of a fort founded by Cossacks, which marked the beginning of the city. The two places provide different historical reference points—the chapel through its shape and long-standing presence, and the complex through its connection to the city’s founding.

The National Centre on the banks of the Yenisei opened in 2025. It includes a children’s centre and a cinema. The permanent exhibition “Energy of the People – Energy of Krasnoyarsk Krai” introduces visitors to the region’s industry, nature, innovative technologies and businesses. The stated opening days are Tuesday to Sunday; it is closed on Mondays. Check opening hours before your visit.

The art museum is another place to find changing cultural offerings: its galleries host more than 20 exhibitions each year. As the annual programme may vary, it is worth checking the current exhibition dates if you would like to plan your stay around them.

Krasnoyarsk Krai also encompasses other natural and historical highlights. Ergaki Nature Park is in the south of the region. In summer, activities include hiking and horse riding; in winter, the snowy slopes are used for skiing and snowboarding, as well as snowmobile tours and snowshoe walks.

The main routes are marked at the eastern entrance to Krasnoyarskie Stolby National Park. The chosen route can take anywhere from 30 minutes to a full day. One specific option is the route from the eastern entrance to Takmak Rock and back: it is about 4 kilometres long and takes three hours. Several named rocks and rock formations are also accessible from the eastern entrance in practically any weather.

For cultural history, the Shushenskoye Museum-Reserve offers a different focus. It recreates a Siberian village from the Russian Empire in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The site includes 194 architectural monuments of rural architecture, including peasant houses, a merchant’s shop, a smithy and a prison fort. In 2011, the “Novaya Derevnya” complex, with a natural and landscape park, also opened there. Museum programmes introduce visitors to traditions and customs, including peasant food, introductory lessons in traditional crafts, games, customs and festivals.

Discover more destinations: Beret', Minusinsk, Minderla, Sharypovo, Dubinino, Baykit.

How long is the staircase to the Torgashinsky Ridge?

The staircase is 1,200 metres long and has 1,683 steps. There are resting areas at both ends.

When are sightseeing cruises on the Yenisei available?

Short sightseeing cruises are offered in summer. Tickets are available at the river terminal; check the schedule in advance.

How long does the route to Takmak Rock take?

In Krasnoyarsk Krai, the route from the eastern entrance of Krasnoyarskie Stolby National Park to Takmak Rock and back is about 4 kilometres long and takes three hours.

When is the National Centre open?

The stated opening days are Tuesday to Sunday; it is closed on Mondays. Check opening hours before your visit.

Go to the main travel overview: Krasnoyarsk Krai.

Useful information for planning your trip:

Krasnoyarsk Airport: Travel planning | poezdka.de, Krasnoyarsk on the Yenisei: City, nature and travel planning.