(Source: http://anzhero-sudzhensk.wikimapia.org/photos)

Anzhero-Sudzhensk means both the mine and the Trans-Siberian Railway. The villages of Anzherka and Sudzhenka that merged into the town had appeared when coal had been found here during the geological exploration for the highway being constructed.

In 2012 the former coal mines of Mikhelson celebrated their 115th anniversary. However, only one of Anzhero-Sudzhensk mines has remained by now, the rest went bankrupt in 1990s.The connection between the railway and coal mining has played a role in the current history: the miners who remained without their jobs blocked the Trans-Siberian railway during the “rail war”. There tourist in the mining town are few, there aren’t many attractions either. It is difficult to talk about architecture – there is one, but it’s rather specific.

The houses in Anzhero-Sudzhensk that was formed by a merger of the mining settlements were built by a uniform plan in 1930s. At the Local History Museum the visitors are shown the way the town changed over the decades: frankly speaking, it changed at a slow pace. Soviet “socialist towns” are common in Siberia and the Urals.

Anzhero-Sudzhensk differs from them only in the clear predominance of pure constructivism: geometric shapes and simplicity, no high-rise buildings, no decorations, everything is strict. A vivid example is the building of the town’s administration. Several new buildings are distinguished by the same severe geometry. Could it be otherwise in the town where even the only hotel restaurant is called “Ember”? The most joyous building a very neat renovated railway station painted with fresh bright colors.

There is no tourism infrastructure in Anzhero-Sudzhensk. The city has the only “Central Hotel” with about three stars, one restaurant in it and several cafes. You can dine for only 150 roubles in the “Zhili-byli” cafe (opposite the city administration) or at the “Rus” café (at the central market).

Entertainments include “Raduga” cinema and “Led” nightclub calling itself “elite”: parties, billiards, and striptease. There are three palaces of culture in different town districts and the National Cultural Centre (Russian, German, Cossack and Tatar).

The Museum of Local History has been working in the town since 1981. You can depart to Tomsk or Kemerovo from the Anzhero-Sudzhensk bus station, as well as to the “Anzhersky” health resort that is situated 14 km away from the city. It stands on the Yaya River, in a pine forest. It specializes in the treatment of respiratory organs, cardiovascular diseases, diseases of nervous system and musculoskeletal system.