Omsk Fortress: Where the City Began
The first stop on the winter route of the special project «Winter with NGS55» is the Omsk Fortress — a space where the city«s history is felt at every step. It was here that the foundations of future Omsk were laid and the defense system of Siberia»s southern borders was formed.
In the 18th–19th centuries, the Omsk Fortress was part of the Siberian Defense Line — a vast fortification belt designed to protect the territory from raids by nomadic tribes.
Only part of the fortress within its historical boundaries has survived to this day. The city grew and developed, and over time the appearance of most fortifications changed. However, certain elements still remind us of Omsk«s military past. The most authentic of the surviving structures are the Tobolsk Gates — the only 18th-century fortress gates that have come down to us in their original form. Their restoration was carried out in 2011 under the federal program «Culture of Russia».
The fate of other gates was more complicated. The Tara Gates, lost in the mid-20th century, were recreated by Omsk activists in the early 1990s. Later, for the city«s anniversary, the Irtysh and Omsk Gates also regained their historical appearance, restoring the fortress»s recognizable silhouette.
Today, on the site of the former fortifications, the historical park «Omsk Fortress» operates — a living cultural space that unites museums, exhibitions, and creative venues. Its concept is called a «museum without glass»: here history is not just told but offered to be lived. Visitors can learn about the process of exploring Siberia, discover how the fortress was formed, try on elements of armor, test themselves in archery, or master traditional crafts.
The park regularly hosts themed tours and interactive programs: from stories about service people and archaeological finds to family formats and demonstration cannon firings. There are both walking routes and sightseeing tours of the entire territory.
The Omsk Fortress is an ideal location to launch the special project «Winter with NGS55». In winter it is especially atmospheric: snow-covered ramparts, historic gates, and open spaces are perfect for walks and photos. Take a selfie with your face on the fortress grounds, send the photo in the comments under the post on Telegram — and you are already a participant in the winter quest with prizes.
The history of Omsk begins here — it is time to start a winter adventure.
