5 places without which Norilsk is not Norilsk

► Norilsk Mining and Metallurgical Combine named after A.P. Zavenyagin

Oddly enough, but it is the enterprise that is the heart of this city, its foundation and magnet, attracting people from different parts of Russia. For more than 80 years, the plant has been shaping the look of Norilsk, giving it its own rhythm and providing jobs for several generations of Norilsk residents.

► Leninsky Prospekt
The central artery of the city with many shops looks like small Saint-Petersburg in the middle of the endless tundra. And this is noy accidental: in the late 40s, Leningrad architects took part in the design of the avenue.

► Monument “The Last Gate”
A reminder of the bitter history of the construction of Norilsk. From 1935 to 1956, Schmidt Mountain became the last refuge for tens of thousands of executed and deceased prisoners in Norillag. At the foot of this mountain 56-meter gates are installed, as if opening their doors to the pain of the past, which, unfortunately, cannot be forgotten.

► Norilsk Polar Drama Theater named after V. Mayakovsky
The northernmost theater in the world was founded in 1941 in Norillag, its troupe consisted mainly of prisoners. In the most difficult times, work in the theater helped the actors not to lose faith in themselves and inspired the audience. Now this theater is one of the best in the region. Classics are played here and the most modern performances are also staged.

► Mountain gorge "Red stones"
One of the most beautiful natural places of Norilsk is located 30 km from it. Here you can see a waterfall falling in two cascades into a pristine lake, and an unusual mountain landscape of a red-brown hue.

Photo: Dokukin Sergey, Elena Chernysheva, Vladimir Podtikhov, William Brumfield.