In the south-west of Khanty-Mansiysk there is an unusual sculpture park, the creators of which demonstrated the continuity of our history. A popular attraction is a branch of the Museum of Nature and a person working in the city. A magically attractive place attracts both Russian and Western travelers.
Unusual sight
The cultural and tourist complex "Archeopark" in Khanty-Mansiysk includes the archaeological site "Samarov Gorodok", a geological object (exposure of the rock mass) and a sculpture park. An unusual attraction is located at the foot of the well-preserved Samarovsky glacial remnant with an area of more than 3 hectares (Samarovo - the former name of the city).
The visiting card of the administrative center, which is considered obligatory for visiting by each guest, appeared relatively recently - in 2008. Each year, in the "Archeopark" in Khanty-Mansiysk, a brief information about which is presented in the article, new sculptures are added.
How did the city's business card appear?
In the vicinity of the geological formation is a natural corner of the northern taiga with its amazing landscapes. At the top of the hill stands a possible residence of Prince Samara, who built a small settlement, the Ostyak ruler, whose name gave the name to this corner. True, many archaeologists are sure that the first people appeared here long before the village was founded. Near the sites of primitive people, real mammoths always lived. Since the 19th century, this northern region, where huge tusks were constantly found, has been nicknamed the "motherland of elephants." But for locals, finds that were used as decorative material were by no means a rarity. In the Irtysh floodplain, archaeologists have repeatedly discovered the remains of giants with brown hair.
In memory of this, already in 2007, at the foot of the hill, next to which you can observe the geological deposits of the Quaternary period, the first sculptural group consisting of seven extinct giants was established. Its author was the famous artist of Russia A. Kovalchuk, who worked together with paleontologists, who made sure that the mammoths, which became the symbol of the whole city, looked as authentic as possible.
Mammoth family
It seems that large animals have just left the forest and are quietly walking in the “Archeopark” in Khanty-Mansiysk, having moved in time. The family is led by a gigantic figure of a female weighing about 70 tons and 8 meters high, followed by representatives of different generations of mammoths. The sculptures, frozen against the backdrop of a glacier, are made according to natural parameters.
In the dark, the composition, stretching for 35 meters, is highlighted by searchlights, which gives mystery to the unusual complex. Tourists taking photographs as a keepsake next to the family of mammoths always have an amazing sense of monumentality of a man-made monument, above which strata of an ancient breed rise.
Park opening
A year later, the "Archeopark" inaugurates in Khanty-Mansiysk, where all visitors can enjoy stunning sculptures of extinct animals living in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area. Soon new works are being established here - The Wolf Pack, The Cave Bears, The Cave Lion, The Parking Lot of the Primeval Man, and others. In addition, new mammoths appear, and their total number grows to 11.
Time travel
The main idea of the “Archeopark” in Khanty-Mansiysk, the history of which all tourists are interested in, is to show the continuity of biological and geological life in these places, as well as the different scale of its time periods. The creators of the complex emphasized the relationship between man and nature, as well as the harmony that prevails between them. Epochs are changing, and the beauty of our planet remains unchanged.
The entire territory of the complex is divided into two completely different reliefs - a fabulously beautiful plain and picturesque mountains that were characteristic of that period. Thanks to this contrast, visitors wandering along equipped pedestrian paths have the impression of time travel. And the sculptural compositions of animals that lived during the Pleistocene period perfectly complement the picture.
A wonderful place for a family holiday
The real pride of the region is very popular among tourists. Local authorities are taking care of preserving the Archeopark in Khanty-Mansiysk and plan to expand the exhibition with new sculptural creations. A great place for family walks delights adults and children. The complex is beautiful both in sunny summers and snowy winters, when you can most clearly imagine how our ancestors, living in caves, hunted mammoths.
For those who want to visit the geological and archaeological site on their own, we will give you the address of the "Archeopark" in Khanty-Mansiysk. It is located on Obyezdnaya street, house 29. You can get there by bus and minibus, following the stop "Ice Palace". Entrance for tourists is free, but the tour will have to be booked in advance.