Khanty-Mansiysk.

History

The town grew up next to the old village of Samarovo, whose Church of the Intercession goes back to the years after 1582, with a stone church built in 1816. In 1930 the work settlement of Ostyako-Vogulsk was founded here. It was renamed Khanty-Mansiysk in 1940 and became a town in 1950. The region's indigenous peoples are the Khanty and Mansi, known together as Ob-Ugric peoples, whose languages are Finno-Ugric.

Culture & traditions

Notable places include the Archaeopark, the Church of the Resurrection and the river port. The Yugra Chess Academy is one of the city's main venues, and the Ice Palace and the theatre host major events. The Khanty and Mansi languages have special status in the okrug, though Russian is the only official language.

Sport

The city's biathlon centre hosted the Biathlon World Championships in 2003 and 2011. Khanty-Mansiysk also staged the 2010 Chess Olympiad, several Chess World Cups, a Women's World Championship and the 2014 Candidates Tournament, as well as the 2015 Winter Deaflympics. The ice hockey club Yugra represents the city.

Food & drink

The pride of the northern table is Siberian fish such as nelma, muksun and chir. It is also used for stroganina, thin shavings of frozen fish known to northern Russians and Siberia's indigenous peoples.

Practical information

Khanty-Mansiysk Airport is 5 km northeast of the city, with flights from many Russian cities. Local time is Moscow plus two hours. The climate is subarctic, ranging from −49 °C to +34.5 °C with an annual mean of about −1 °C. Summer suits sightseeing, while winter sports fans may prefer the biathlon season.

What to see

• Archaeopark — one of the city's best-known sights
• Biathlon Centre — venue of two world championships
• Yugra Chess Academy — home of the 2010 Chess Olympiad
• Church of the Intercession in Samarovo — a link to the village that preceded the town
• Church of the Resurrection — one of the city's notable churches