Tomsk does not have the historical pomp and circumstance of Russia’s two main tourist destinations, Moscow and St. Petersburg. For the traveler who craves something besides gleaming churches and familiar landscapes, Tomsk offers something more restrained. Wooden houses, like those in a favorite Russian fairy tale, line the streets in various stages of repair or renovation. The many universities give the town a serious and scholarly atmosphere. And the museums are loaded with the gravity of Siberian history.
Nestled in the midst of miles of taiga, Tomsk has a quiet dignity.
Tomsk Attractions and People
The best time to visit Tomsk is in the summer: June, July or August. Sunny and warm days are perfect for strolling in Lagerny Sad, the war memorial park that overlooks the River Tom. The suburbs are full of points of interest, and the city center is ideal for shopping and dining. However, even on rainy days, you can find something to do. Not only is there a newly established art museum, but the Tomsk Regional Museum takes an in-depth look at how the Siberian peoples lived.
For those who want something special, a visit to the KGB Memorial Museum is a must. Housed in the original Tomsk KGB headquarters, it is a reminder of the terror of the communist years and the many concentration and labor camps that were established in the Tomsk region. The holding cells for prisoners also contain their survival stories; A rotating exhibition pays tribute to the art, literature and lives of those who were brave enough to fight and share their experiences at the hands of the KGB.
The museum is the only one in the country, and visitors can see Solzhenitsyn’s signature in his guest book.
The wooden houses are a source of pride for the people of Tomsk. Many of the more elaborate ones have become symbols of the city. The windows are lined with elaborately carved wooden decorations, some with themes depicting birds or dragons. Some of these buildings are still inhabited, which seems like a decent metaphor for the way the past in Siberia maintains a symbiotic relationship with the present.
The rare Westerner in Tomsk will be met with caution and curiosity, though rarely hostility. Anyone who shows an interest in Tomsk or the Siberian way of life will quickly make friends. Tomichi, the citizens of Tomsk, love having guests and sharing their warm Russian hospitality with foreigners. Your knowledge of your city and the history of Siberia can make a stay in this city especially meaningful. You can meet them at the American Center near Tomsk State University, at the central fountain where many Tomichi congregate during the night, having a few drinks in one of the many bars, or even on the bus.
Any foreigner tends to stand out, but this can be an advantage when it comes to making friends.
Eating in tomsk
One of the most delicious aspects of a Siberian summer is the food. The markets are full of delicious fruits and berries, all of which are priced higher for the traveler who is used to paying an arm and a leg for inferior produce. There is a wide variety of cheeses and other dairy products, free from the processes that often make America’s newspaper dull and lacking in consistency. At certain times of the week, you can visit stalls selling freshly slaughtered meat or freshly caught fish. Make sure you keep an eye out for any old ladies on the roadside with veggies for sale – they’re almost always homegrown and delicious.
Tomsk is a part of Russia that is unique to the Eastern European traveler. Its small size and community atmosphere, coupled with its proximity to extensive pine forests, make it an escape from the big Russian city that most tourists are familiar with. Fourteen hours by train will take you to a larger city, Krasnoyarsk, and then you can take the Trans-Siberian railway to Novosibirsk. However, given the character and quality of Tomsk, it is unlikely that any visitor will be in a rush to leave.
