Tobolsk

Tobolsk is a town in Tyumen Oblast, Russia, located at the confluence of the Tobol and Irtysh rivers. The settlement spreads across several terraces at about 90 meters elevation, surrounded by the extensive Siberian taiga and wide river banks.

Russian forces established a fort at this location in 1587 during the expansion into Siberia. The settlement became the capital of Siberia Governorate in 1708 and remained the administrative center of the entire region until the 19th century.

Orthodox churches and monasteries shape the daily routine of the town, where religious services and festivals structure the social life of residents. The old town with its historic wooden houses shows the traditional Siberian building style, which you can still see in many residential neighborhoods today.

A railway line connects the town with Tyumen to the south and Surgut to the north, while a river port handles cargo traffic along the Irtysh. The upper town with the kremlin sits on a hill, the lower town stretches along the riverbank with residential areas and industrial plants.

The town hosts one of the largest petrochemical plants in Russia, processing natural gas liquids from West Siberian oil fields into various industrial products. The facility plays a central role in the energy supply of the country, though most visitors cannot tour the plant directly.