Komsomolsk-na-Amure is a Russian city in the Khabarovsk Territory. It stands on the left bank of Amur River.

The city is the administrative center of the Komsomol metropolitan region. With the population of 263 thousand persons (as of 2011) it is the third largest populated city in the Far East, after Vladivostok and Khabarovsk.

History of Komsomolsk-na-Amure:

The territory of the Southern Amur, where the legendary Komsomolsk-na-Amure stands today, started to be occupied from 1860. Its first settlers were Perm peasants who searched for a better lot in this severe land. They named the new settlement Permskoe-na-Amure.

In 1930 the Government of RSFSR took the decision on economic and cultural development of the Far East Territory. It was decided to construct a ship-building factory and an aircraft factory there.

On May, 10th, 1932 around a thousand of first builders of the future city landed from steamships on the bank of Amur River. Today a memorable stone and a monument to pioneering builders remind of this event. According to official data, the city was founded in 1932 by forces of political prisoners, civilian citizens, as well as active workers-members of the Komsomol from the central regions of the Soviet Union. Later it became a rule not to mention that work of camp prisoners was widely used for building of Komsomolsk-na-Amure. Now their role in building the city is an important part of the exposition of the Museum of Local Lore. The city was officially founded by the Decision of VTSIK Presidium of December, 10th, 1932.

In the 1990s Komsomolsk-na-Amure was often referred to as the criminal capital of the Far East. In 2007 the city took the third place among II category cities in the All-Russia competition “The best well-planned city of Russia”.

Despite its youth, Komsomolsk has entered the list of historical places of Russia.

Sights of Komsomolsk-na-Amure:

The city has a ray-like planning, personifying the Sun City, with its architectural ensembles representing classical samples of "palace" monumental architecture. Today Komsomolske-na-Amure has more than 130 cultural heritage sites.

Informal symbol and the main architectural sight of the city is “the house with a spike”, constructed in 1955.

Museums:

Dwellers and guests of the city can visit the Museum of Local Lore, modern art gallery Metamorphosis, Fine Arts Museum, "Expocentre" of the aircraft factory, Museum of the Ship-Building Factory, and Zoological Center "Python" with a most interesting collection of exotic animals.

Churches:

In 2001 an orthodox cathedral was opened in honor of the Kazan icon of the Mother of God. Now this is one of the most beautiful constructions in the city. In 2007 for the city’s 75th anniversary building of the new orthodox cathedral of the Prophet Elijah was finished.

Theaters:

Komsomolsk-na-Amure Drama Theater

Komsomolsk-na-Amure "КнАМ" Theater

Theater of Young Spectator “Mirror of shades”

Modern Dance Theater “Art Modern Line of Sergey Burlak”

Youth Theater "Benefic"

National theater-studio of the House of Youth

National theater-studio "Krinitsa"