Khakassia, the constituent republic of the Russian Federation (1990 est., pop. 573,000, 61,900 sq km), is blessed with unique cultural heritage. It is kind of a big open-air museum set in spectacular countryside - one of a few remaining places in the world where the ancient past can be vividly experienced at the present. Already mere numbers are staggering – over 50,000 archeological monuments have been recorded across the republic’s territory. The oldest ones date back to 40,000 years ago, others are the contemporaries of the Egyptian pyramids or of the famous Stonehenge. Unfortunately, it is not possible here to do them justice and describe them all. In recent years these monuments have started to receive proper legal protection as official cultural monuments and to draw attention of the wider public. So far, only scientists and looters in search of gold buried in the monuments explored Khakassia’s historical treasures, but now you have an unprecedented opportunity to come and see this archeological wonderland with your own eyes.
Khakassia has always been a land of migrants. Many tribes and nations crossed these fascinating lands, including Russians who came here only 300 years ago. A crucial moment for the area happened at the turn of the IV and III centuries BC, when several tribes of the Indo-European origin came to the region (the forefathers of Khakass people). They brought with them new traditions, beliefs and a new world outlook (Afanasievo culture). These mostly nomadic cattle-breeders with four-wheeled carts and skilful builders of burial mounds and stone circles (cromlechs) extensively used copper and bronze. With their arrival the Stone Age was over and a new epoch began - the Age of Aeneolith and Bronze (until the 1st’century BC). From the Afanasievo period we can trace the influence on the formation and development of local architecture and decorative art, determining the unique character of contemporary Khakassia.
The burial of the clan and tribal forefathers in tumuli (kurgans) and megaliths made those places sacred for ancient inhabitants. These stone monuments had a special significance in the wide open steppes lacking large settlements. They became essential religious, ceremonial and social centres symbolizing the unity of ancient societies and the ownership of those lands. They also played the role of spatial signs by marking the boundaries of tribal and clan territories and serving as guiding landmarks for those on the move. Together with the migration of Indo-European tribes also the construction of burial mounds spread widely across a large area from the Atlantic Coast to Mongolia and China, however it is very rare to find these landscape features preserved today to the extent that they can be found in Khakassia. The largest and the most outstanding burial grounds with complex layouts include Stalbik and Borsuchi Log in Central Khakassia.
The second tradition, which arose in ancient Khakassia during the Stone Age period, is the tradition of rock art. The diversity of topics, artistic styles and techniques of these paintings show that they were created at different times by different people, and for probably absolutely different purposes. The rock paintings include not only scratches made by shepherds, but also complex compositions that have a clearly religious character and tell about some historic events. They are made with an excellent sense of composition and style, and often are very expressive. The rock art has not been so ritualised and oversaturated with meanings as the tradition of burial mounds, but still this specific kind of art provides a unique opportunity to see the ancient world through the eyes of its inhabitants. One of the best places to see and explore the extraordinary rock art is the open-air Museum-Reserve of Khakassia in Kazanovka.
Khakassia is more than just invaluable ancient monuments; it is also the homeland of Khakass and Russian people living here with their cultures – traditions, costumes, folklore, festivals and cuisine. They live predominantly in small villages and settlements; there are only five towns in this quite large open country. Abakan, the capital city of Khakassia, offers various opportunities to get to know more about the great history and cultural values of Khakassian lands. There are several interesting museums, churches and shops with authentic Khakass souvenirs in the city. The largest and most valuable collections of artifacts of Khakass material and spiritual culture are housed in the National Museum of Khakassia (Pushkin Street, 96). The museum, which was refurbished in 2007, showcases many items of primitive ancient art (stone plates with petroglyphs and rock paintings, various products made of bone, stone and bronze). Furthermore there is an interesting geological collection, composed of items for religious ceremonies, various statutes, photographs and furniture from XVII-XX centuries.
A part of the great Khakassian nature is preserved in the Khakassky Zapovednik which you can explore on this website. There are a number of ecotours organized specifically to Khakassia or including Khakassia in their itinerary (see Eco-tours section for companies and tours). Khakassia is also ideal for those lured by the thought of spending some time in the wild, as there are many suitable places for individual recreation with accommodation in the Khakassian steppe (for instance, in the quaint yurt camp at the open-air Museum-Reserve of Khakassia in Kazanovka) or in the more challenging Siberian taiga in the south of Khakassia (boat expeditions possible with accommodation in ranger stations and tents along major rivers). In contrast to neighbouring Tuva (without any railway line), there is a wide railway network in Khakassia allowing unforgettable journeys across the fascinating steppes and mountains in this corner of huge Siberia.
Our partners
