Novosibirsk is Siberia’s largest city with a population of 1.5 million and is a key transport and industrial centre. It became important during the 1890s when a rail bridge was built over the river Ob for the Trans-Siberian railway.

The focus of the city today is the pl. Lenina and this is where you’ll find the huge, silver domed Opera and Ballet theatre which is larger than Moscow’s Bolshoi theatre. The interior is very richly decorated and is well worth seeing. There is also an interesting regional museum, a state art museum and 2 cathedrals. Down along the banks of the Ob there are a number of old houses that give some idea of the city’s feel in former times.