Krasnoselkup history

Krasnoselkup is the administrative center of one of the most extensive districts in the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The history of this settlement is inextricably linked to the exploration of Siberia and the unique culture of the indigenous peoples of the North.

Foundation and First Mentions

The official founding date of the village is considered to be 1933. It emerged during a period of active development of the Far North and the transition of the nomadic population to a settled way of life. Initially, the area was known as the nomadic camp Nyaryi Mach, which translates from the Selkup language as "Tundra Cliff". The modern name appeared later, combining the ethnic name of the inhabitants (Selkups) with the prefix "Krasno-" (Red), which was characteristic of the Soviet period.

Key Formation Factors

• Geography and the Taz River: The village is located on the high bank of the Taz River. This waterway historically served as the main transport route connecting the deep regions of the taiga with the "mainland," ensuring the delivery of cargo and the movement of people.
• Historical Heritage of Mangazeya: The territory of the district preserves the memory of the legendary "gold-abundant" Mangazeya — the first Russian polar city of the 17th century. Although the modern village appeared much later, the region has played a key role in the fur trade of Russia for centuries.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, the settlement's economy was based on traditional crafts: hunting, fishing, and reindeer herding. Krasnoselkup developed as a cultural and economic center for the Selkups — one of the indigenous small-numbered peoples of the North. Trading posts were established here to exchange furs for food and essential goods, and schools and hospitals were opened, which contributed to the preservation and development of local culture in new conditions.

Major Historical Milestones

• 1933 — Foundation of the Nyaryi Mach trading post, on the site of which modern Krasnoselkup subsequently grew.
• 1937 — The settlement receives its current name, combining the name of the indigenous people and Soviet symbolism.
• 1944 — Formation of the Krasnoselkup District, with the village becoming its administrative center.
• 1949 — The beginning of the active phase of the construction of the Trans-Polar Mainline ("Construction Project 503"), passing through the district's territory.
• 1953 — Suspension of the railway construction, leaving behind abandoned objects of historical significance.
• 1970s — The beginning of large-scale geological exploration works, revealing the prospects of the region's oil and gas potential.
• 1989 — Opening of the district museum of local lore, which became the main guardian of Selkup history and traditions.
• 2004 — Consecration of the church in honor of the Holy Martyr Basil of Mangazeya, the spiritual patron of this land.
• 2011 — Commissioning of the new airport terminal building, significantly improving passenger comfort.
• 2020 — Completion of the runway reconstruction, allowing for the reception of larger aircraft.

Stages of Development and Transformation

The path that Krasnoselkup has traveled from a small taiga trading post to a modern, well-appointed village reflects the general trends of Northern development, yet possesses its own unique features. Each decade has contributed to shaping the current appearance of the district center.

• Gaining Administrative Status (1944). The creation of the Krasnoselkup District was a turning point. The village received the functions of a management center, which ensured state funding and the beginning of the planned construction of the first social institutions — a school, a hospital, and a library.
• Development in the Era of the "Geological Boom" (1970s). Active exploration of the subsoil of Western Siberia turned the village into an important logistics hub. The basing of geological expeditions gave impetus to the development of the local economy, trade, and helicopter transport, significantly increasing the population due to visiting specialists.
• Transition to Permanent Urban Planning (2000s). A significant change was the rejection of temporary wooden structures in favor of permanent buildings made of brick and block. The construction of modern housing, a sports and health complex, and a new school radically changed the architectural appearance of the village.
• Spiritual Revival (2004). The construction of the Church of Basil of Mangazeya became a symbol of returning to spiritual roots and an important milestone in the cultural life of the community, uniting residents around shared values.
• Modernization of Transport Gates (2011–2020). The large-scale reconstruction of the airport and runway brought transport accessibility to a new level. The ability to receive modern types of aircraft ensured a reliable connection with the "mainland" and other regions of Russia.
• Preservation of the Ethnocultural Code. Creating conditions to support Selkup traditions (national culture centers, museum exhibitions) allowed the unique heritage of indigenous peoples to be integrated into modern life, making it the basis for the development of ethnographic tourism.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of such a remote settlement as Krasnoselkup is primarily a story of human adaptation to the harsh conditions of the Far North. Here, classical European styles give way to functionalism, traditional wooden architecture, and special engineering solutions dictated by the climate and permafrost.

Evolution of Development: From Wood to Permanent Construction

The urban development of the village can be divided into two key stages, each of which has left its mark on the appearance of the streets:

• Soviet Period (Wooden Functionalism): In the era of active exploration of Siberia, construction was carried out primarily from wood — the most accessible material in the taiga. The housing stock consisted mainly of one- and two-story wooden houses (barracks and apartment types). This style is characterized by simplicity of form, lack of excess, and utility.
• Modern Stage (Northern Modern and High-Tech): Since the beginning of the 21st century, a transition to permanent construction began. New buildings are erected using modern heat-saving materials and are often installed on pile fields to protect the frozen ground. A characteristic feature has become the bright, saturated coloring of facades, designed to compensate for the lack of colors during the long winter period.

Iconic Architectural Objects

Despite its status as a rural settlement, there are expressive buildings here that form a recognizable silhouette of the district center and attract the attention of travelers across Russia:

• Church of the Holy Martyr Basil of Mangazeya: The dominant feature of the village's spiritual life, executed in the traditions of Russian wooden architecture. The tent-roofed timber church with carved elements refers to the image of the lost architecture of legendary Mangazeya and fits harmoniously into the natural landscape.
• Airport Terminal: An example of modern transport architecture. The building, reconstructed in recent years, combines glass and composite materials, creating an image of a technological and welcoming "gateway" to the district.
• Cultural and Sports Complex: An example of modern public architecture, where the massive volumes of the building are lightened by the use of large glazed surfaces and bright color accents on the facade.

Outstanding Personalities and Historical Figures

The history of Krasnoselkup is primarily about the fates of the people who developed this harsh land, built the settlement, and preserved the unique culture of the Selkups. Among them are both legendary historical characters and our contemporaries who have contributed to the development of the district.

• Saint Martyr Basil of Mangazeya (17th century)
  Heavenly Patron of the Region
  The first Siberian saint, whose name is inextricably linked with the history of the exploration of this land. Although he lived long before the founding of the modern village, Basil of Mangazeya is considered the spiritual patron of the area. The main church in Krasnoselkup, which has become the architectural dominant of the settlement, was erected in his honor.
• Pavel Vladimirovich Zavodovsky (20th century)
  First Builder and Founder of the Village
  A former church servant who became one of the first builders of the Nyaryi Mach trading post. It was he who, in 1937, built the first warehouse and residential houses here, laying the foundation for the future district center. His labor marked the beginning of the transformation of a temporary nomadic camp into a permanent settlement.
• Mikhail Silverstovich Andreev (20th century)
  First Settler and Public Figure
  Son of the head of the Tym-Karakon clan and one of the founders of the village. He took a direct part in choosing the site for the construction of the trading post on the banks of the Taz River and the erection of the first buildings. His activities contributed to the transition of the indigenous population to a settled life.
• Valentin Vasilyevich Golenkov (1944–2000s)
  Journalist, Writer, Editor
  Honored Worker of Culture, who stood at the origins of local journalism. He organized the release of the first color weekly in the district and edited the newspaper "Krayniy Sever" (Far North) for a long time, recording the chronicle of the district and the lives of its inhabitants in his essays.
• Valery Ivanovich Vorobyov (20th–21st centuries)
  Poet, Prose Writer, Local Historian
  A talented writer and journalist whose work was closely connected with the Yamal North. Laureate of the I. Istomin Literary Prize. In his poems and prose, he praised the nature of the region and the daily life of people living in harmony with the harsh elements.
• Lyudmila Petrovna Savicheva (born 1949)
  Poetess, Educator, Songwriter
  A well-known cultural figure in the district. Many of her poems have been set to music and have become unofficial anthems played at local celebrations. Through her creativity, she passes on the love for the northern land to new generations.