Achinsk is a Russian town located on the spurs of Arga Ridge, on the right coast of Chulym River (influx of Ob), at its intersection with theTrans-Siberian Railway, 184 km to the West of Krasnoyarsk. It is a railway junction with the total area of 102 sq km.

History

It was founded in 1641 as Achinsk fortified town on the Bely Iyus River. After a fire in 1683 it was transferred to the River Chulym, at the inflow of the small river Achinka into it. The town was named after its location on the lands of the Turkic tribal group of achi or achigi.

From 1782 it was the district town Achinsk of the Tomsk Region of the Tobolsk Province, and from 1822 it was the district town of the Yenisei Province.

In 1856 in the district town of Achinsk of the Yenisei Province had 3 churches, 466 houses, and 46 shops.

Sights and Architecture

The modern residential areas with 5 and 7-storeyed buildings are located in the town center, in its southern and southeastern parts.

The architecture sights include the Kazan Cathedral (1832), the former synagogue building (1907), the building of a former girl’s classical school (founded in 1912, nowadays a teacher’s training college), the former Social Gathering House (nowadays Drama Theater), etc.

There is Aydashinsky Cave 10 km away from Achinsk, and Achinsk Paleolithic Site 2 km to the East of Achinsk.