Angarsk: attractions and interesting places

The city of Angarsk, where to go and what to see in Angarsk? This is my subjective review. I’ll tell you about the city of Angarsk, as well as food prices, real estate costs, city enterprises, people and weather. If you are going to Angarsk, then my note should help you decide whether to go or not.

There are many articles about Angarsk on the Internet, as well as many books written by local residents. For my part, I will try to give an independent and unbiased assessment of our city. It’s said loudly, of course, but I’ll try not to lose face.

Hi all! My name is Sergey and you are on my personal blog. As always, let's start in order.

Petrochemical Park

There is a well-kept and beautiful Neftekhimiki Park in Angarsk. It is notable for the fact that its lattice is an exact copy of the fence of the famous St. Petersburg Summer Garden, the presence of an interesting alley of love filled with red benches, and a playground for children.

While in this city, you can’t help but visit this wonderful place and feel the romantic atmosphere. Here you can also see a beautiful sculpture - “The Book of Wishes”. An amazing fountain, decorated with majestic lions, will complement the impression of visiting this landmark of Angarsk.

Angarsk's plans for the future

There are no plans. In the near future the following will appear in our city:

The Ferris wheel, 30 years later, in the same place, namely in the 10th anniversary of Angarsk park, the structure will be 25 meters high + several carousels and attractions. You can read on my blog here: Ferris wheel in the 10th Anniversary Park of Angarsk.
The new cinema in the Festival shopping center will be the largest screen in Angarsk, with a huge screen 20 meters wide. At the moment it has not opened yet.
The embankment along the Kitoi River, behind Storitsa, will be a beautiful embankment - a place for walks and active pastime in the fresh air. It’s opened, I’ll definitely visit this place in the summer and write a short note.
Cable car - from the 10th Anniversary Park of Angarsk to the Kitoi River. I'm sure it will be very interesting.
New houses are being built in microdistrict 22, microdistrict 33, as well as along Aleshina Street.

Yes, so modest :).

Victory Museum in Angarsk

The Victory Museum occupies a place of honor among the city’s museums. It began with a small exhibition dedicated to the young guard in the small Hall of Military Glory, but the collection gradually expanded and already occupies 2 floors. Every year, about 40 thousand people visit the Victory Museum in Angarsk. Everything that was found in the city after the war and is related to it is collected here. Every resident of the city came here at least once to feel this terrible atmosphere of war and honor the memory of fallen heroes.

About the city of Angarsk

Angarsk is a city (Angarsk urban district) in the Irkutsk region, the city is quite young, turning 74 years old in 2022. Angarsk is located on the banks of two rivers, the Angara and Kitoi, 50 kilometers northwest of Irkutsk. The Angara River begins its journey from Lake Baikal; in summer the water is cool, but you can swim. The Kitoi River begins its journey from the taiga from the Sayan Mountains.

Our city is 5,150 kilometers away from Moscow. The city operates on Irkutsk time. The difference with Moscow time is +5 hours msk+5.

Of these two rivers, I love Kitoy for its clean, mountain water. In summer you can swim on the Kitoi River, the water is warmer than in the Angara, along the banks of the Kitoi River there are sandy beaches with a shallow river.

The area of the city is quite small. Basically, Anagrsk extends vertically from the Angara River from South to North. You can travel from one end of the city to the other by car in 25 - 35 minutes, taking into account the current reconfiguration of traffic lights and without taking into account traffic jams.

I would say that the city of Angarsk last year, 30 years ago and for almost 15 years, was a city of entrepreneurs, at that time the word shuttle traders was more appropriate.

The shortage of consumer goods that persisted after the collapse of the USSR and the low standard of living contributed to the involvement of large sections of the population in the mass, disorderly trade in consumer goods.
Wikipedia

In the early 90s, the enterprises stood still. As I was told, it was possible to enter the territory of the Angarsk Petroleum Chemical Company (ANHK) enterprise through a hole in the fence, approach the foreman, and in this way get a job. Now, in order to get a job at this enterprise, it is desirable to have, as they say, blat.

Therefore, as throughout the country, there was no work, those who survived as best they could (luckily China is nearby) began to go for consumer goods. As I remember now, there were many people who wanted to sell and buy, which led to the opening of a special open-air market, where they allocated an area outside the city, where the city’s population went, bought clothes, toys and much more.

In addition, some residents were forced (life forced them) to master a certain craft called sewing winter hats from animal fur, which were later sold throughout the country.

Another activity was to drive cars from Vladivostok, and now they continue to do so, but not in the same quantity and volume. They opened kiosks and their own shops; at the moment, these areas are almost a thing of the past, as modern market relations came, federal chains appeared, online stores and almost all individual entrepreneurs were forced out.

Clock Museum

There is a unique museum in Angarsk where you can feel the passage of time. It owes its origin to the lifelong passion of collector Pavel Kurdyukov. Ten exhibition halls occupy two floors of permanent exhibition. Here you can see examples from primitive sundials to ultra-modern electronic samples and massive tower chimes: unpretentious and luxurious, floor and wall, wrist and pocket, musical and cuckoo, wooden and gold, military and space.

The collection contains rare, rare chronometers from different eras from England, France, Japan and Russia. And, what is most interesting, everything is in working order. During the excursion they will accompany you with colorful ticking and melodic chimes.

This museum is a real landmark of Angarsk. You can spend half a day looking at time-measuring mechanisms and not regret a second about the time spent.

Cathedrals and churches of Angarsk

It’s hard to believe, but 25 years ago there was not a single church in Angarsk, and the first Orthodox community was registered here only in the summer of 1991. But now the city has something to see for connoisseurs of religious architecture.

Trinity Cathedral

The urgent need for the construction of a spacious church on the territory of Angarsk began to be felt already at the turn of the century. The small Assumption Church, which occupied the premises of the former Oktyabr club, simply could not accommodate the entire congregation. The site for the construction of the cathedral was allocated quite quickly and already in 1995 the first stone was laid in the foundation of the building. The work, which lasted more than 10 years, culminated in the consecration of the temple in the name of the Holy Trinity, which took place in the fall of 2006. Since then, the five-domed white stone cathedral, crowned with tents and gilded domes, has been considered one of the main attractions of Angarsk.

Kazan Church in Telma

Having made a 24-kilometer journey from Angarsk to the working village of Telma, tourists will be able to admire the amazing creation of Russian architects of the 19th century. Here is the unique Kazan temple, which has no analogues in all of Siberia. The church, consecrated in the summer of 1816, captivates at first sight. The Byzantine five-domed basilica, covered with blue domes, is magnificent. The church building looks elegant and festive, and its openwork bell tower with a clock, for all its massiveness, seems to float above the hill. You should definitely look at this miracle.

Unusual monuments

There are many interesting monuments and sculptural ensembles in Angarsk. And each can rightfully be called a brilliant masterpiece. Both adults and children adore and consider the monument to the wolf from the cartoon “Once upon a time a dog”, which is known to everyone for its catchphrase “I’ll sing now,” as a symbol of well-being.

The steel figure (weighing 2 tons) is a gift to the city from local entrepreneurs. And the version of the monument was chosen by the children of Angarsk based on the proposed sketches. The wolf looks well-fed and very happy, and local belief says: if you stroke its plump belly, it will share a piece of happiness. The monument also has a secret: if you press the button on the pedestal, the famous saying of the wolf will sound.

Architecture and monuments of Angarsk

On the streets of a relatively young city, of course, there are no buildings with a century-old history. But in Angarsk you can admire excellent examples of Soviet urban planning and colorful monuments.

Mosaic panels on Socialist street

Having visited Angarsk, it is easy to see that with a creative approach, even such an inconspicuous object as a standard panel house can be turned into a landmark. Since the mid-70s of the last century, active construction of the neighborhoods that are today the center of the city began. Then, on the initiative of the director of AEKhK V.F. Novokshenov, the facades of four-story boxes began to be decorated with mosaics. Gradually, an artistic composition more than a kilometer long was formed from colorful panels. Some of the mosaic paintings are designed in the style of socialist realism, as evidenced by their names - “Proletariat”, “Revolution”, “Lenin”. The remaining panels are dedicated to the natural beauties of the Baikal region.

Mineralogical Museum

This landmark of Angarsk includes more than 1,500 different stones. Some exhibits are more than 50 million years old. The wealth of the Irkutsk region is presented here - colored precious minerals: lapis lazuli, jade, charoite. There is a map indicating mineral deposits, as well as a “Rock Garden”. You can see the structure of planet Earth.

Angarsk character

This is how, despite the prohibitions, Angarsk created its own history. Residents of the city never followed the lead of fate. In the conditions of harsh Siberian construction, in neighborhoods fenced with barbed wire, people did not lose their sense of freedom, creativity and creation. A special Angarsk character has formed in Angarsk - a phenomenon that may still require a separate assessment by sociologists.

The Angarsk character is a consequence of many factors. In addition to the genetic component, the formation of this character was influenced by the special position of Angarsk in the 1970s and early 1980s. The city of petrochemists was then under the so-called St. Petersburg service for a long time. In stores it was relatively free to buy things that were not available for free sale in neighboring cities, including Irkutsk, even on major holidays. People of the middle and older generations remember how periodically Irkutsk residents with their entire families went to Angarsk - as they say now, for shopping.

A sense of its own exclusivity and self-sufficiency helped Angarsk survive during the years of perestroika. The city became the capital of Russia and one of the centers for the distillation of Japanese second-hand automobiles.

The genes of political prisoners and the Angarsk character formed over the past decades have become the reason for the special relationship between the townspeople and the authorities. Protest sentiments in Angarsk are traditionally strong. Only once in recent history has a city mayor been re-elected to a second term: this miracle happened to Evgeniy Kanukhin in 2005. Since the beginning of this year, the Angarsk character has asserted itself again. Pickets and rallies, including outdoor ones in Irkutsk, take place with enviable frequency. It is clear that the reason for these rallies must be sought in the imminent elections of the head of the Angarsk Moscow Region. But, you must admit, not every city can be pumped up like this on the eve of a particular election campaign.

Baikal

Just a hundred kilometers from the city lies a miracle of nature - Lake Baikal. Its crystalline surface and the surrounding natural landscape will leave you in rapt amazement.

If you are not passing through Angarsk, be sure to set aside a day to visit probably the most important attraction in all of Russia. It is the largest fresh water storage facility in the entire world. The lake is shaped like a crescent and is about 700 kilometers long. It is surrounded by hills and a hilly ridge. The diversity of flora and fauna attracts tourists from all over the world.

Architectural pearl of Siberia

The architectural appearance gives Angarsk its unique flavor. No wonder Angarsk is compared to St. Petersburg. Many bright, beautiful buildings, built in the style of the 1930s and 40s, are located in the historical part of the city and make it truly unique. It is interesting that in the late 1940s, when it became clear that the matter would not be limited to an industrial village and that an entire city would grow here, architects from Leningrad came to Angarsk. They contributed to the appearance of the city, which is carefully preserved to this day.

“We recently completed a lot of work: we compiled a list of houses that will later be included in the list of monuments of local significance,” said the chief architect of Angarsk Lyudmila Sidorenko. — These are about 16 objects: residential buildings, the administration building, the Palace of Petrochemists, a colonnade, the entrance to the city and others.

When Angarsk was built, emphasis was placed not only on the appearance of the buildings, but also on creating a special urban environment.

“When you come to us, you immediately feel the breadth, space, some kind of sunshine,” says Lyudmila Sidorenko. — This is a special environment of the old city: there is space not only on the main streets, but also in the courtyards. Everywhere is cozy here. And the main thing is that Angarsk has returned to its roots in recent years: in the 90s, the gray houses lost their charm, and after being painted in pastel colors, their former appearance returned. And it’s surprising that the townspeople themselves even called us and asked us to repaint their house in a lighter tone. It is obvious that the need to restore the historical appearance is very high today.

What travel can teach you

Why do people travel? Is it really just to take a 2-week break from work, spend the money accumulated over six months and create the illusion that “they can afford it”?

You look up from the couch.

Thinking about the upcoming voyage, we begin to worry about the difficulties that await tourists. We are worried that we will not find a place to stay for the night, that we will not be able to communicate with the residents of another country in our broken English. What do travel teach? Because all the fears listed above are in vain. Gather your courage, put aside your worries, focus on your goal and hit the road. It is a mistake to think that traveling is either a “round the world” trip, where you burn all your bridges, or a package holiday, which limits you to an all-inclusive system. How much do you know about the surrounding areas of your city? About the life of residents of neighboring villages? Surely there are a lot of interesting things near you. Start discovering the world small.

Travel changes your worldview

The first thing he learns after visiting different countries is that exotic places are not as dangerous as they seem. You can feel comfortable in any city. This rule also applies to wildlife: by following basic safety rules, you are guaranteed to avoid trouble. Moreover, in a metropolis a person is more likely to die (for example, by being hit by a car) than in a desert or forest.

You will constantly expand your horizons

What are travels for? To get to know the world and get acquainted with the culture of other peoples. Don't worry about the friendliness of the people: the locals always treat travelers politely and try to help them. If you are not a Tagil fan, don’t spoil their heritage and don’t laugh at the culture of the country in which you are a guest, then traveling will definitely bring you new acquaintances and faith in people. Many people will be happy to provide you with an overnight stay, show you the way, and tell you about the interesting sights of their country.

You don't have to be a millionaire to see the world

Travel more and you will realize that you don't need to spend millions to do it. Big money is necessary only for those who dream of a sea cruise to exotic islands. Although, if you make friends with the locals, you can easily avoid these expenses. When organizing your travels yourself, you only need to have a small amount of cash to buy food, pay for transport and hotel rooms or places in hostels. Living in the latter, by the way, despite its cheapness, can give you a huge amount of experience and impressions.

Things are just things

First-time tourists consider it their duty to take 10 suitcases on the road with outfits for all occasions and full equipment in case of the end of the world. But over time, travel teaches that an abundance of luggage only gets in the way. A person on the road (as in life) needs a minimum of clothing, two pairs of shoes, hygiene products, money and documents. Once you start traveling, you will realize that you absolutely do not need most of the things you have, and you can painlessly get rid of them by freeing up space in your closet. The same applies to unnecessary emotions, unnecessary worries, uninteresting people and habitual obligations - by getting rid of such “junk”, you will make room for new things.

Find out the difference between a tourist and a traveler

Travelers and tourists are not the same thing. The first ones communicate with local residents, get acquainted with traditions, make new acquaintances, change their worldview and improve their lives. The latter fearfully glance at everything that is happening from the windows of the bus. Locals scam tourists out of money, and share food and shelter with travelers. Travel changes people and teaches them that they need to be simpler and not be afraid to learn new things, teach them to be open with others and appreciate every person who comes into life.

By leaving your usual environment, even for a short period of time, turn your life into a journey full of uncertainty, and you will be able to get to know yourself from the most unexpected sides.

Travel is not a vacation

You've probably heard more than once how traveling changes many people, making them stronger and more resilient. And you actively travel to Cyprus and Turkey, but you don’t notice any changes... And this is not because hiking in the mountains or tundra with a heavy backpack is a workout for the body. Not because in the most harmless resort city you can be left without money or find yourself in a difficult situation. It’s just that when you travel, you don’t set the goal of “lying down” under a palm tree, relieving stress from work or family. You change your lifestyle from the usual to an improved version of it. Traveling can be physically difficult, but it also relieves the mind. Therefore, they are not looking for physical relief; they provide much more than relaxed muscles.

You are your best friend and travel companion

Can't find travel companions to go on the road with a fun group? This will only benefit you. There is no better way to understand yourself, the world, determine life goals and cultivate fortitude than solo travel. Traveling alone is an incomparable experience. By relying only on your own strengths, you will begin to believe in yourself more and learn to make responsible decisions on your own. This will make it easier for you to meet new people, try unusual things and take on unfamiliar roles, since you won’t have to look up to anyone and won’t be afraid of anyone’s judgement.

It's a small world

Long journeys have changed the opinion of millions of people that our planet is vast. It only seems like this when you watch about other countries on TV. In reality, it is possible that you will meet your friends when you go to Cambodia, India or Kamchatka. Or, in a quiet, remote corner of the world, meet someone from your hometown. Travel more and don’t be afraid to communicate with people and look for new acquaintances. Perhaps one of the billions of people who will change your life will meet you in a place you never thought possible.

Enterprises of Angarsk

At the moment, the main and large enterprises of Angarsk are as follows.

JSC "Angarsk Petrochemical Company";
JSC "Angarsk Electrolysis Chemical Plant" (bought out by Muscovites);
JSC Irkutskenergo;
JSC "Angarsk Polymer Plant";
LLC "Transneft - Vostok";
CJSC "Stroykompleks";
JSC "Angarskneftekhimproekt";
JSC Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant;
CJSC "Reaktiv";
CJSC Angarskcement (bought by Muscovites);
JSC Karavay was founded in 1949;
Motorcade 1948;
CJSC Meat Processing Plant "Angarsky";
Angaria LLC Ice cream factory, founded in 1956;
CHP (2 pieces);

In addition to dirty production, the Angarsk urban district is developed in agricultural production. The largest agricultural producers of the Angarsk urban district are:

CJSC "Angarsk Poultry Farm";
OP "Megetskoye";
Sayan Broiler LLC;
JSC "Teplichnoye";
JSC "Savvateevskoe";
JSC "Odinsk";
LLC "Complex Zverevo";
LLC "Peasant Farm Zuev V.A."

Of course, like in any city there are municipal/budgetary organizations: an employment center, the Angarsk tram, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, art schools, museums and other “institutions” with low-paid professions (sorry, I didn’t want to offend anyone, but it is the way it is ).

The need for workers declared by organizations to the employment center, as of November 1, 2022, is 3,765 people.

The unemployment rate in the Angarsk urban district is 0.37% of the working population; in the Irkutsk region - 1% of the economically active population.

Link to the website Employment Center of the city of Angarsk

interesting places, reviews and photos

Clock Museum

Recommend a place

Museums of Angarsk

The clock museum in Angarsk can rightfully be considered a landmark not only of the city in which it is located, but of all of Russia as a whole. After all, such a museum, based on the private collection of Pavel Kurdyukov, became the first and only one in the country. The museum's exposition is presented by amazing examples of the art of Russian, Western European, Japanese watchmakers of the 18th-20th centuries, as well as unique exhibits - French and English watches made in the 17th-19th centuries.

Master watchmaker Pavel Kurdyukov came to Angarsk in 1958 from the village of Sretenye, Kirov Region, where he worked in his own watch workshop. In the city, Kurdyukov got a job at an industrial enterprise, but did not give up his favorite job: his work colleagues often brought broken watches to the master. Sometimes he came across rather curious examples of watches, which he not only repaired and restored, but also tried to find any references or information in the literature. So Kurdyukov’s hobby grew into a collecting interest, and unique things began to accumulate in the apartment. By 1967, Pavel Kurdyukov’s collection numbered almost 700 copies, so he decided to donate his exhibits to the city museum of local history. In 1968, an exhibition opened for visitors, based on the collection of Pavel Vasilyevich, who by that time had retired and began working as a museum caretaker, simultaneously adding to his unique collection.

What sights of Angarsk did you like? Next to the photo there are icons, by clicking on which you can rate a particular place.

Ice Sports Palace "ERMAK" (large arena)

Recommend a place

Palaces of Angarsk

The Ermak Arena in the city of Angarsk was opened on September 26, 2010, and today is one of the largest indoor sports facilities in Eastern Siberia. The stands of the main arena can accommodate up to 6,900 spectators at hockey matches. Ermak also includes a small arena designed for 1000 spectators.