Tobolsk

Tobolsk is a city in Tyumen Oblast, Russia, located on the Tobol River near its confluence with the Irtysh, about 100 kilometers southeast of Tyumen. It has a population of around 90,000 and serves as the administrative center of Tobolsk Urban Okrug.

Tobolsk was founded as a fortress in the late 16th century during Russia’s eastward expansion into Siberia. It developed quickly as the administrative and commercial center of the region and served for a period as the capital of Siberia, becoming a key hub for the fur trade and exploration. The Tobolsk Kremlin, a stone fortress built in the 1680s to the 18th century, is a major landmark and includes the Saint Sophia Cathedral and a bell tower. It is one of the best-preserved kremlins in Siberia and a focal point for tourism and heritage preservation.

In the modern era, Tobolsk remains an important regional center. The economy centers on petrochemicals and related industries, notably the nearby Tobolsk-Neftekhim complex and associated engineering and services. The historic core around the Kremlin is preserved and presented by the Tobolsk Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve, which manages numerous churches and traditional houses.

The climate is continental, with long, cold winters and short, warm summers. Tobolsk is connected by rail and road to Tyumen and other Siberian cities, and it has a small airport offering regular domestic flights.