Bratsk history

The history of Bratsk begins in **1631**, when a detachment of Cossacks led by the Yenisei Pentecostal **Maxim Perfilyev** founded a wooden fortification on the Angara River — the Bratsk Ostrog (fortress). Its main task was the collection of *yasak* (a tax in kind, mainly furs) from the local population and the further exploration of Siberian lands. The name "Bratsky" originated from the fact that the Cossacks called the indigenous people, the Buryats, "Bratsky people". The fortress was relocated several times and, from 1654, finally settled at the mouth of the Oka River, quickly becoming an important outpost for Russian explorers and a starting point for expeditions deep into Siberia and the Far East.

Initially, the Bratsk fortress served not only as a military and administrative centre but also as a place of exile — at various times, Archpriest Avvakum and the writer Alexander Radishchev served sentences here. A pivotal turn in the city's history occurred in the mid-20th century, when the decision was made in 1954 to build the **Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP)**, one of the largest hydroelectric stations in the world. The construction of the HPP became a major national priority project, attracting thousands of enthusiasts from all over the country. As a result of the creation of the Bratsk Reservoir, the historic village of Bratsk fell into the flood zone, and the modern city was officially formed on **December 12, 1955**, from several workers' settlements. Cheap electricity from the HPP facilitated powerful industrialisation: following the hydroelectric station, the Bratsk Aluminium Plant and a timber processing complex were built.

In the 17th–18th centuries, the economy of the Bratsk fortress was built on the fur trade and tax collection. The fortress was a typical example of Russian wooden defensive architecture, and one of its watchtowers has been preserved — it was transported in 1959 to the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve in Moscow. Later, with the loss of military significance, the fortress turned into a village whose inhabitants engaged in agriculture and cartage. Modern Bratsk, which grew in the taiga thanks to the labour of the HPP builders, inherited the pioneer spirit from its predecessors and is today one of the key industrial centres of Eastern Siberia.

Key Milestones in the History of Bratsk

The history of Bratsk is a journey from a small Cossack fort to a major industrial centre of Eastern Siberia. Below are the main events that shaped the appearance of the modern city.

• 1631 — A detachment of Cossacks led by Maxim Perfilyev founded the Bratsk Ostrog on the Angara River to collect taxes and explore Siberian lands.
• 1654 — The fortress was moved to a new, final location at the mouth of the Oka River, becoming an important outpost for Russian explorers.
• 1656–1657 — One of the ideologists of the Old Believers, Archpriest Avvakum, served his exile in the Bratsk fortress.
• 1792 — The writer and thinker Alexander Radishchev stopped at the fortress on his way to exile.
• September 23, 1954 — A decree was adopted on the construction of the Bratsk Hydroelectric Power Station, which became a turning point in the region's history.
• December 12, 1955 — Several workers' settlements of the HPP builders were united and received official city status with the name Bratsk.
• March 30, 1957 — The first blocking of the Angara River took place, necessary for the erection of the HPP dam.
• 1959 — The flooding of the Bratsk Reservoir bed began, resulting in the historic village of Bratsk and dozens of other villages going underwater.
• November 28, 1961 — The first hydraulic unit of the Bratsk HPP was launched into industrial operation.
• 1966 — The Bratsk Aluminium Plant, which became one of the largest in the world, produced its first output.
• 1967 — The construction of the Bratsk HPP was completed, and it was accepted by the state commission for permanent operation.
• 1974 — The main stage of the construction of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) began, in which Bratsk played an important role as one of the transport and industrial hubs.

Major Development Milestones of Bratsk

Modern Bratsk is a city born of a great construction project in the mid-20th century. Its development is inextricably linked with the development of the Siberian expanses and the creation of the country's powerful industrial potential. Key events in its recent history have shaped its unique appearance and economic significance.

• 1954 — Decision to build the Bratsk HPP. This event became the starting point for the birth of the new city. To build one of the world's largest hydroelectric power plants, an All-Union Priority Construction Project was announced, attracting tens of thousands of specialists and enthusiasts to Siberia.
• December 12, 1955 — Foundation of the modern city. Several scattered workers' settlements that arose on the site of the future construction were officially united into the city of Bratsk. This date is considered the birthday of the city, which was built from scratch in harsh taiga conditions.
• 1961–1967 — Launch of the Bratsk HPP. The commissioning of the hydroelectric power station was a triumph of engineering thought and the builders' labour. The resulting cheap electricity opened the way for the creation of energy-intensive industries and defined the city's industrial future.
• 1960s — Creation of industrial giants. Following the HPP, the Bratsk Aluminium Plant (BrAZ) and the Bratsk Timber Processing Complex (BLPK) were built. BrAZ, consuming about 75% of the HPP's energy, became the largest aluminium producer in the country, and the BLPK became a centre for deep wood processing.
• 1961 — Formation of the Bratsk Reservoir. The filling of the gigantic reservoir, which locals call the "Bratsk Sea", radically changed the landscape. This led to the flooding of old Bratsk and dozens of villages, and the new city acquired a unique "island" structure — its districts are separated by water and taiga.
• 1974 — Start of the Baikal-Amur Mainline (BAM) construction. Bratsk became one of the most important transport and logistics hubs on the path of the "construction of the century". A railway passed across the HPP dam, which strengthened the strategic importance of the city for the development of Eastern Siberia and the Far East.
• Formation of a unique urban environment. Unlike most cities, Bratsk does not have a single centre but consists of several residential districts (Central, Padun, Energetik, Gidrostroitel, and others) located at a significant distance from each other. This feature is a direct legacy of the era of great construction projects, when settlements arose next to industrial facilities.

The architectural appearance of Bratsk is unique and fully reflects its history as a young industrial city born in the mid-20th century. Unlike ancient cities, you will not find buildings in the Gothic, Renaissance, or Baroque styles here. The urban structure and architecture of Bratsk are a vivid example of Soviet modernism and a unique approach to city planning in Siberia.

Pre-Soviet Heritage: Memory of the Bratsk Fort

The historic Bratsk Ostrog (fortress), founded in the 17th century, was not preserved in its original location, as that territory was flooded during the creation of the Bratsk Reservoir. However, fragments of wooden architecture were saved. The most significant of them — the watchtowers of the fortress and old estates — were transported and today form the basis of the exposition of the architectural and ethnographic museum "Angara Village". These buildings are the only representatives of pre-revolutionary architecture in the city and serve as a living reminder of its Cossack past.

Soviet Modernism: The Archipelago City (1950s – 1980s)

The formation of modern Bratsk began in 1955, and its appearance was defined by the era of Soviet modernism. This style, which replaced Stalinist Empire style after the decree "On the elimination of excesses in design and construction", prioritised functionality, simplicity of form, and the use of industrial construction methods. The architecture of Bratsk in this period is characterised by:

• Standardised development: A predominance of panel and brick apartment buildings, the so-called "Khrushchyovkas" and later series.
• Functionality: Buildings of public institutions, such as palaces of culture (for example, the Bratsk-Art Theatre and Concert Centre), cinemas, and administrative buildings, were built according to concise designs without lavish decoration.
• Scale: Wide, multi-lane avenues, designed for future growth, became the city's calling card.

A key urban planning feature of Bratsk became its "dispersed" or "island" structure. The city does not have a single centre but consists of several residential districts (Central, Energetik, Padun, Gidrostroitel), which are located at a significant distance from each other and are separated by forest and water spaces. This layout was a conscious decision by planners who sought to preserve sections of the taiga within the city limits and place residential zones near major industrial facilities.

Modern Stage (from the 1990s to the Present)

In the post-Soviet period, the architecture of Bratsk became more diverse. The construction of new facilities began using modern materials and technologies. Iconic buildings of this time include:

• Shopping and business centres: Modern buildings made of glass and concrete appeared, changing the look of the central streets.
• Religious structures: New Orthodox churches were erected, for example, the Church of All Saints, Resplendent in the Russian Land, which added new vertical dominants to the cityscape.
• Modern housing: The construction of residential complexes based on individual designs began, offering a higher level of comfort compared to Soviet developments.

Today, the city's development is aimed at improving public spaces, renovating the housing stock, and integrating new architectural solutions into the established unique urban environment created decades ago.

Distinguished Figures Associated with Bratsk

The history of Bratsk, from a Cossack fortress to a modern industrial centre, is marked by the names of many outstanding people. Some were here in exile, others built the city and its giants, and others glorified it with their creativity and sporting achievements.

• Avvakum Petrov — Archpriest, one of the ideologists of the Old Believers. In 1656–1657, he served exile in the Bratsk fortress. This period of his life is described in his famous autobiographical work "The Life of Archpriest Avvakum, Written by Himself".
• Alexander Radishchev — Writer and philosopher. In 1792, on his way to exile in the Ilimsk fortress, he stopped in Bratsk. His travel notes contain valuable descriptions of Siberian life at that time.
• Ivan Ivanovich Naimushin — Legendary hydraulic engineer, the first head of "Bratskgesstroy". Under his leadership, the Bratsk HPP was erected, and the modern city was founded. His contribution to the development of Bratsk is so great that he is rightfully considered the "founding father" of the city.
• Alexandra Pakhmutova and Nikolai Dobronravov — Outstanding composer and songwriter. Their work became a symbol of the era of great Siberian construction projects. The songs "Farewell to Bratsk" and "Letter to Ust-Ilim" gained nationwide love and are still considered the unofficial anthems of the first builders.
• Yevgeny Yevtushenko — Famous Soviet and Russian poet. Impressed by the grandiose construction and the labour feat of the people, he wrote the famous poem "Bratsk Station" (1965), in which he reflected the spirit and scale of his time.
• Alexander Zubkov — Renowned bobsledder, one of the most titled athletes in the history of Russian bobsleigh. He was born and began his sports career in Bratsk, where a strong luge school still operates.
• Nadezhda Muravyova — Handball player, Honoured Master of Sports, multiple world champion as part of the Russian national team. She took her first steps in sports precisely in Bratsk, becoming the pride of the city.