TOP 4 – what to visit in Kogalym in 1 day
First of all, tourists should pay attention to the most famous attractions of the city of Kogalym. A tour of them will not take more than one day.
Oceanarium "Aquatica"
- Address: st. Friendship of Peoples, 60.
“Aquatica” is called a living theater, on the stage of which an impressive action takes place from the life of underwater inhabitants. One of the goals of the aquarium is to make visitors understand how important it is to protect the oceans and do everything possible to protect them from pollution.
Currently, 33 aquariums are open in Aquatika, and the number of fish exceeds two thousand. The exhibition includes five sections:
- "Rain Forest" displays the beauty of the underwater world of the Amazon. Here tourists will see 62 species of fish, including piranhas and freshwater stingrays.
- "Tropical Coast". The most striking section dedicated to the inhabitants of the coast of the Maldives and Seychelles. The pearls of the section are giant groupers, dangerous fish and stingrays.
- "Open Ocean". The section is occupied by the longest aquarium tunnel in Europe. Traveling along it, tourists will make a figurative immersion into the life of the open ocean and see the owners of this kingdom - sharks - as close as possible.
- "Coral Reef". Such places attract divers, and visitors to Aquatika will be able to enjoy the sight of colorful schools of fish and rainbow-colored reefs without diving underwater.
- "Russian rivers and lakes." The last section introduces tourists to the underwater world of our native rivers - the Volga, Don, Oka, Dnieper, etc.
The excursions are accompanied by entertainment programs, such as feeding sharks and carp. Some aquariums are open for diving. Without a doubt, “Aquatika” is the brightest attraction of the “Galaktika” shopping center and the whole of Kogalym.
Water park "On the crest of a wave"
- Address: st. Druzhby Narodov, 60, 2nd floor.
Another pearl of “Galaxy” is the “On the Crest of a Wave” water park. This is a tropical corner in the heart of Siberia. Summer and sunny mood reign here all year round. The main asset of the complex is the wave pool, exactly reminiscent of the sea. The name of the water park was not invented for nothing; here tourists can go surfing and catch their wave.
The complex also includes water slides of varying complexity and configuration. Children will have a great time on colorful, safe rides, and adults will get a dose of adrenaline by visiting extreme slopes.
After intense entertainment, tourists are invited to relax in a cozy sun lounger or on the “Slow River”. In the recreation area there are cafes, restaurants, bars, and playgrounds for tireless children. In addition to entertainment programs, the water park offers recreational swimming sessions, water aerobics and sports training for surfers.
Museum and Exhibition Center
- Address: st. Friendship of Peoples, 40.
The museum and exhibition center was opened in 2011 through the merger of the Local History Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts. The result of this merger was a large-scale complex that fully reveals the culture, history, values and ethnographic features of Siberia.
The exhibition presents ancient artifacts discovered at the sites of the Khanty and Mansi: amulets, carved objects made of bone and stone, wooden idols, shamanic drums, animal skeletons used in cults.
Of great interest is the collection of clothes embroidered with beads and patterns, children's toys, and homemade household items. The collection of works by contemporary DPI masters who learned from the example of their ancestors and were inspired by them is worthy of no less attention.
In addition to ethnography, the museum touches on the military history of Siberia. There were no battles here, but many Kogalym residents fought on the fronts of the Great Patriotic War. The exhibition includes letters, photographs, dishes used at the front, military uniforms and weapons.
Separate rooms are dedicated to the development of Siberia, the discovery of oil fields, the development of the city and its modern achievements.
Monument "Drop of Life"
- Address: Ryabinovy Boulevard.
The main sculptural composition of Kogalym is made in the form of a drop of black gold. On its edges there are scenes from the life of the city: a wedding, a site for indigenous people, a children's game, an oil rig and nature.
All this symbolizes the hard work of the oil workers who gave life to the prosperous Kogalym. The sculpture was made by the artist A.N. Kovalchuk and donated to the city in honor of the 10th anniversary of the founding of PJSC LUKOIL.
Don't miss: Sights of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug-Yugra
Cultural recreation in the city of Kogalym
The exhibition center is the heart of Kogalym's culture, but beyond its borders there are places that reflect the artistic and historical pride of the city. Tourists will visit theaters and entertainment centers.
House of Culture "Siberia"
- Address: Shirokaya street, 5.
The House of Culture has been operating since 1990. A magnificent stone building was built for him, decorated with half-columns, a pediment, stucco reliefs and an arcade. In 2022, the building underwent reconstruction. After expansion, it now has classes for choreography and vocals, a concert hall and its own recording studio.
Today, the House of Culture hosts concerts of the folk song ensemble “Rus” and vocal studios “Melody” and “Kamerton”, as well as various cultural, ceremonial, military-patriotic and educational events.
Cultural and leisure complex "Yantar"
- Address: Molodezhnaya st., 16.
The opening of the Yantar cinema took place in 1988. This was the first venue for film screenings in the city. Masterpieces of Russian cinema, as well as “trophy” foreign films, were shown here.
Today, Yantar remains one of the most popular leisure centers in the city. His posters lure viewers to the premieres of new films. It hosts animated shows, cultural and educational events and music concerts.
Theater "Mirage"
- Address: st. Mira, 22.
"Mirage" is a modern art space created by amateur enthusiasts. There are no standard productions here, only original projects, original installations and abstract shows.
The theater's activities are aimed at revealing modern values and culture. In addition to the auditorium, the building of the attraction houses a cafe and a restaurant with an unusual design.
The main temples and churches of Kogalym
Kogalym is a young city. There are no historical buildings or ancient mansions here, but the pearls of architecture are the monumental temples.
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- Address: Yugorskaya street.
The Assumption Church was erected in 1998 according to the design of A. Radygin. The architect was inspired by the architecture of Pskov and Novgorod, especially the churches built in the era of Ivan the Terrible.
That is why the temple acquired the features of an ancient Russian shrine. The snow-white temple is crowned with three golden chapters - small ones on dull drums decorated with friezes; the central one is on the light. Nearby rises a bell tower with rows of gilded kokoshniks. The vestibule ends with an attic with through holes and a small dome.
On the territory of the temple there is also a single-domed baptismal church of John the Baptist, a chapel with holy water and a Sunday school building.
Temple of the Most Holy Martyr Tatiana of Rome
- Address: Komsomolskaya st., 12.
Construction of the temple began in 2014. The building is made in Russian style. The composition is based on a quadrangle, completed by an octagon of a bell tower.
It is decorated with kokoshniks, surrounded by four golden domes and covered with a tent with a dome. The temple itself is also richly decorated. Risalits with barrel-shaped roofs protrude from four sides, and the façade is completed by kokoshniks with panels.
With the onset of darkness, the lights turn on, and the temple sparkles like a diamond on the diadem of Kogalym, which it is.
Brief history of the city's creation
Before we find out where Kogalym is located, we will present a brief chronicle of the history of the development of the city.
In the spring of 1976, the builders of the railway line landed in the taiga and set up their first tents. In August of the same year, the Surgut district committee made a decision to give the new settlement the name “SMP village N524-Kogalymsky Trom-Agansky village council.” Its emergence is associated with the beginning of the development of several oil fields.
The year 1978 was marked by the production of the first ton of oil. And the first brick house with 5 floors was built in 1981. Then various infrastructure facilities began to open at a rapid pace. And already in August 1985, the village acquired the status of a city.
Memorials, monuments and monuments of Kogalym
A large number of monuments have been installed in Kogalym that capture the history of the city, the military and labor exploits of its residents, as well as the memory of great personalities.
Bust of S.A. Povha
- Address: st. Yantarnaya/st. Friendship between nations.
Stepan Ananyevich Povkh is a drilling master, whose share was the task of developing the Yugra region, discovering its oil deposits in a harsh climate. Povha's team made significant contributions to improving drilling techniques. Under Stepan Ananyevich himself, the construction of drilling rigs on roller and railway foundations was mastered. He gave the country the first Samotlor oil.
The life of an oil worker came to an untimely end in 1972 as a result of a disaster on the Vakh River. Children and grandchildren followed in his footsteps. Today the Povkh surname is widely known in oil circles. Monument to S.A. Povhu is installed in the park, which also bears his name. There is a platform around the monument where ceremonial events dedicated to memorable dates in the oil industry are held.
Monument to the Heroes of Oilmen who participated in the development of Western Siberia (“Flame”)
- Address: Ryabinovy Boulevard.
The monument consists of two twisted steles connected by a lit torch, which symbolizes the light that the oil industry brings to humanity. The composition was created in 2014 by Swiss architect Serge Gabatuler.
The president of PJSC LUKOIL allocated funds for the construction of the monument. According to him, the monument embodies gratitude and respect to the heroes who selflessly worked in difficult conditions.
Memorial sign in honor of the landing of the first labor landing
- Address: Beregovaya street.
The memorial sign is a stone rock. It is installed on the site where the first labor landing took place in 1976. On the day of the opening of the monument, a time capsule was laid at its base.
It contains a letter of appeal to descendants and a list of the pioneers who laid the foundation for Kogalym. The capsule is due to be opened in 2076, and in the near future an obelisk is planned to be installed in place of the modest stone.
Victory Park
- Address: st. Sibirskaya/st. Baku.
Victory Park was inaugurated in 2015. During the ceremony, a rally was held dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War.
The central monument of the park is a sculpture of a soldier kneeling on the grave of his comrades. An eternal flame was lit at the foot of the sculpture, and a little in the distance there was a Wall of Memory with the names of Kogalym residents who fell in battle.
The park also contains:
- a monument to the Aviators of Siberia, which is an authentic Tu-154B-1;
- a monument to the frontline railway, which consists of a steam locomotive and two passenger cars;
- MI-2 helicopter;
- MIG 25PU fighter, in the cockpit of which classes of the military-patriotic club “Vozrozhdenie” are held.
Victory Park is the main center for the patriotic education of youth and the most visited memorial complex in the city.
general information
The name of the settlement translated from the local language means “lost place” or “swamp”. There is another version about the meaning of the name. Translated from Khanty, the name means the following: kog, koh - “long” or “long”, alyng - “beginning”. All together this is conceptualized as the “long source of the river.” Although the second version is more an attempt by the local population to at least slightly ennoble the name of their homeland.
It should be noted that Lukoil-Kogalymneftegaz (the main enterprise of OJSC LUKOIL-Western Siberia) is located on the territory of the city. It was thanks to him that this oil city appeared.
Probably not many people know that the name “Lukoil” is derived from the capital letters of Siberian cities: Langepas, Urai, Kogalym.
Interesting sculptural compositions of the city
Kogalym streets and squares are decorated with sculptures that depict everyday scenes of the Siberian city and remind of historical events.
Sculpture “Chronicle of Russia”
- Address: st. Molodezhnaya/st. Mira.
The monument is made in the form of a stack of ancient books and unfolded scrolls with ancient chronicles of Russia. Here you can see the code of laws of Yaroslav the Wise “Russian Truth”, “Trinity Chronicle”, “Lives of Saints and Tales of Princes”, “Chronograph” and other evidence of the history of the country. Zurab Tsereteli created this bronze composition in September 2001.
Sculpture “Boy with a Dog”
- Address: City Square.
A boy is running along the central square of Mira Street, and next to him is his four-legged friend. Even when there is snow around, this sculpture evokes a summer mood. It was created in 2010 by the famous artist A.N. Kovalchuk and donated to the city in honor of the 25th anniversary.
Sculptural group “Towards the Sun”
- Address: st. Friendship between nations.
The sculpture consists of four figures of reindeer. At the head of the herd is a large leader with branched horns. He rushes forward - towards the sun, dragging his brothers with him. In Siberia, reindeer are known as the personification of the forces of nature. Among the Khanty and Mansi, deer is glorified as a good spirit sent to protect people on earth.
Sculpture “After the Watch”
- Address: st. Mira, 16A.
The sculpture depicts a young oil worker who sat down on a bench to rest after a hard day of work. There is an empty seat next to him. Anyone can join the miner and take a photo with him. The author of the sculpture is the same A.N. Kovalchuk. He created it in 2010.
Sculpture “Time of Kogalym”
- Address: st. Mira, 23-A.
A huge bronze chronometer with massive hands and a mechanism worked out to the last gear was installed at the Lukoil-Aik office in 2015. They symbolize the unstoppable passage of time and the years that bring more and more development to the city.
Sculptural group "Bears"
- Address: st. Friendship of Peoples, 7.
In the middle of the green lawn, the bear cubs played out under the supervision of their formidable and at the same time caring mother. This sculpture symbolizes warm family ties, and the bear itself, according to Khanty and Mansi beliefs, brings longevity and prosperity. Given this symbolism, it is not surprising that the sculpture was installed in front of the entrance to the registry office.
Stela “Good rock and roll”
- Address: st. North/highway Surgutskoe.
The unusual sculpture appeared in 2003. This is an abstract composition consisting of an apple, a vinyl record, a five-pointed star and a guitar neck. The sculpture was created by the generation of the 80s, nostalgic for the musical past and the work of the Beatles. Today this stele is considered a symbol of eternal movement and undying youth.
Economy
Where Kogalym is located, industry is widely developed. This is a major industry that has a great impact on the standard of living of the population. Most of the residents of the city and region are employed in the mining industry, as well as in the processing and transportation of hydrocarbon products. The second type of activity is manufacturing. It accounts for about 30% of total trade turnover. This type includes:
- Production of coke and other petroleum products.
- Production of chemical products.
- Production of electronic equipment.
Active recreation for citizens and tourists in Kogalym
Winter sports have received the greatest development in Kogalym, but the usual gym courts, football fields and swimming pools are also popular here.
Palace of Sports
- Address: st. Friendship of Peoples, 3.
The Sports Palace occupies a large complex that attracts attention with its modern architecture. Inside, comfort and space reign, conducive to quality training. The complex features multi-purpose gaming rooms, a martial arts hall, a six-lane swimming pool and a gymnasium.
At the Sports Palace there are sports and recreational sections for children of all ages and adults. Competitions and demonstrations are regularly held here, which will be interesting for tourists to visit.
Ice Palace
- Address: st. Friendship of Peoples, 32.
Iceberg is the heart of hockey. The huge ice arena hosts tournaments between local and visiting teams. Both adult hockey players and juniors train at the complex. In free time, the skating rink is open to public visits.
The structure of this Kogalym attraction includes rental of skates and holders, as well as a blade sharpening station. "Iceberg" is famous for its quality service and has earned numerous praise from visitors.
Sport-
- Website: https://vk.com/yeti_cnegohod_arenda.
A snowmobile is the best way to travel across the vast expanses of snow-covered Siberia. Yeti offers rentals of adult and children's snowmobiles, as well as motorcycle snowboards. Other services include organizing picnics, camping trips and ice fishing in remote and hard-to-reach places. “Yeti” will reveal to tourists the best aspects of winter outdoor recreation.
Ski resort "Snezhinka"
- Address: Sibirskaya st., 10.
The ski resort is located on the outskirts of the city, in an ecologically clean place. Its infrastructure includes a sports ground, a ski track leading through a pine forest and a complex building where locker rooms, showers, rental of sports equipment, a buffet and an awards museum are located.
“Snezhinka” is the site of annual ski races. Both professionals and amateurs can take part in the competition. The winners receive commemorative cups.
Climatic conditions
In terms of its climatic conditions, the city is equal to the regions of the Far North. The climate of Kogalym is quite harsh and unpredictable. Winter lasts almost 7 months a year, and summer is very short.
Characteristics of weather conditions:
- average annual air temperature – -2.5 °C;
- air humidity – 76.5%;
- wind speed – on average 3.1 m/s;
- Average annual precipitation is 552 mm.
In January 2006, the air temperature was minus 57 °C, and the minimum air temperature was recorded in 2009 -62 °C).
The average temperature in winter months in recent years is minus 17-18 degrees, in summer months – plus 13-17 degrees. It is important to note that city residents are plagued by the annoying Siberian midge in the summer.
TOP 4 – places where you can take a walk in Kogalym
In Kogalym, secluded parks and areas for active outdoor recreation are available to tourists.
Amusement park
- Address: st. Druzhby Narodov/Ave. Neftyanikov.
An amusement park opens in Kogalym in the summer. It is visible from afar thanks to the red roller coaster ribbon. Also open here are “Helicopters”, “Autodrome”, trampolines, a playground, and in winter there is an ice skating rink around the Christmas tree. The park is decorated with sculptures, fountains and romantic bridges connecting recreation areas.
Embankment of the Ingu-Yagun River
- Address: st. Yugorskaya.
The river embankment was created to strengthen the bank against subsidence and erosion of the soil. However, later the territory was improved, and the defensive fortification turned into one of the most popular vacation spots in Kogalym.
The embankment stretches for more than 1 km. There is a paved path along it, which is enclosed by a patterned wrought-iron fence. The entire length is green with mixed forest. This place is ideal for walking with children, jogging and cycling.
Rowan Boulevard
- Address: blvd. Rowan.
In 2003, a boulevard appeared in the city, which became its main feature. Today it is known as the “pedestrian heart” of Kogalym, as it is the most colorful and popular place for walking. The boulevard got its name thanks to the dense rowan grove, which glows with bright colors in the autumn.
In Ryabinov Boulevard there are famous sculptures described in a separate section above: “A Drop of Life” and “Flame”. For the convenience of the townspeople, a recreation area with fountains, benches and night lighting was installed here.
Flower clock
- Coordinates on the map: 62.259558, 74.499757.
The flower clock began counting in 2005. The composition is made of metal letters “Kogalym 2005”, minute and second hands and a flower bed that acts as a dial. In the embankment under the dial there is a mechanism that ensures the operation of the flower clock.
Every year, thousands of colorful buds bloom in this place, filling the entire Street of Friendship of Peoples with aroma. For decades now, the flower clock has been keeping count and has no intention of stopping.
See also the sights of other cities of the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug - Surgut, Nefteyugansk, Nizhnevartovsk, Khanty-Mansiysk
Kogalym is a good choice for tourists who want to enjoy a real Siberian winter and all the benefits of a thriving oil town. Black gold has turned this place into a stunning center of entertainment, sports and comfortable relaxation. Despite the harsh climate, tourists will be happy with their holidays spent here.
Where is Kogalym located?
In what area is the city located? It is located in the Tyumen region between two Siberian rivers: Kirill-Vysyagun and Ingu-Yagun. Administratively, it belongs to the Surgut district of the Khanty-Mansiysk Okrug.
The city is located in the northern territory of the district. The Surgut – Novy Urengoy railway passes through Kogalym. And today the main division of Lukoil-Western Siberia LLC is located here.
Where is Kogalym located geologically? It is located in the northern section of the Middle Ob Lowland of Western Siberia, in the zone of permafrost. From Khanty-Mansiysk it is 325 kilometers in the northeast direction.
