Sitka, Coastal city in Alaska, United States
Description
Sitka stretches along the western coast of Baranof Island, while Mount Edgecumbe rises above the Pacific and dense forests. The city consists of several neighborhoods spreading between the water and wooded slopes, with wooden houses and shops lining winding roads.
History
Russian traders founded New Archangel in 1799 as the capital of their colony, which became Sitka after the United States purchased Alaska in 1867. The settlement remained the administrative center of the territory until the capital moved to Juneau in 1906.
Culture
The Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Michael stands in the center and shows Russian architectural elements with its golden crosses and dome. At the same time, Tlingit communities continue their traditions through ceremonial dances and carve totem poles following inherited patterns.
Practical
The Alaska Marine Highway System ferries and regular flights from Alaska Airlines provide connections to Sitka throughout the year. The city sits on an island with no road link to the mainland, so ferry or plane are the only ways to arrive.
Did you know?
The Fortress of the Bear rehabilitation center allows visitors to observe brown bears in naturalized habitats within former water treatment tanks. The high concrete basins give the bears room to climb, swim and dig, while visitors can watch them from elevated walkways.
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Mount Edgecumbe
25.8 km
Castle Hill
513 m
Sitka National Historical Park
1.4 km
Sheldon Jackson College
886 m
Russian Bishops House
300 m
Sitka Pioneer Home
309 m
John O'Connell Bridge
708 m
Blue Lake
10.6 km
Baranof Cross-Island Trail
21.5 kmSaint Lazaria Wilderness
23.6 km
Sitka Naval Operating Base and U.S. Army Coastal Defenses
1.9 km
Sitka National Cemetery
1.2 km
Alaska Native Brotherhood Hall
378 mSouth Baranof Wilderness
42.6 kmWest Chichagof-Yakobi Wilderness
88.6 kmGreen Lake
16.1 kmBaranof Warm Springs
30.2 km
Russian-American Building No. 29
442 m
US Coast Guard and Geodetic Survey Seismological and Geomagnetic House
248 mMount Furuhelm
24.4 km
See House
494 mFairway Island Light
51.4 kmSitka Historical Museum
923 mEmmons House
437 m
Hanlon-Osbakken House
381 m
Sitka United States Post Office and Court House
488 m
Cable House and Station
577 m
W.P. Mills House
692 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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