History of Tura

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the settlement of Tura is inextricably linked with the exploration of the northern territories. The official founding date is considered to be 1927, when the Tura Cultural Base (Kultbaza) was established here. This settlement was created as an administrative and cultural centre for the indigenous population of Evenkia. The location was not chosen by chance: historical nomadic trails of the Evenks intersected here, making it an ideal point for interaction with the local inhabitants.

Key Factors of Development

The development of the settlement deep in the Siberian taiga of Russia was determined by several important circumstances:

• Geographical Location. The settlement is situated at the confluence of two major rivers — the Nizhnyaya Tunguska and the Kochechum. This ensured transport accessibility during the summer navigation period and the ability to deliver cargo.
• Administrative Status. Almost immediately after its foundation, Tura became the centre of the Evenk National Okrug (later an Autonomous Okrug), which guaranteed state funding and an influx of specialists.
• Logistics. The remoteness from railways made river transport and light aviation the only connecting threads with the "mainland," which formed a unique way of life.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Initially, Tura developed as a "cultural base" — a comprehensive institution designed to introduce elements of sedentary life and modern services into the daily lives of nomadic reindeer herders. In the early years, a boarding school, a hospital, a veterinary station, and a trading post were opened here. The settlement's economy was built around servicing the needs of reindeer herding and the fur trade, as well as ensuring the operation of state institutions managing the vast territory of the region.

Chronology of Development

• 1924 — At a gathering of clans, a historic decision was made to create an administrative centre at the mouth of the Kochechum River.
• 1927 — Official founding of the Tura Cultural Base and the opening of the first social facilities in the settlement of Tura.
• 1930 — The locality receives the status of the capital of the newly formed Evenk National Okrug.
• 1935 — Creation of the Evenk Museum of Local Lore, which became the main guardian of the cultural heritage of northern Russia.
• 1938 — Assignment of the status of a work settlement (urban-type settlement) due to population growth.
• 1970s — A period of active development of the settlement's infrastructure as a base for large-scale geological exploration expeditions.
• 1990 — Commissioning of the new House of Culture building, which became the architectural dominant feature of the central square.
• 2007 — Following the merger of regions, Tura becomes the administrative centre of the Evenkiysky Municipal District of Krasnoyarsk Krai.
• 2011 — Change of the locality category to "settlement" (rural area) to preserve benefits for residents.
• 2021 — Launch of a modern autonomous hybrid diesel-solar power plant for stable energy supply.

Stages of Formation and Development

The history of the settlement of Tura is a journey from a small taiga base to the administrative heart of Evenkia. Each decade brought changes that shaped the modern appearance and lifestyle of this remote locality in Russia.

• Creation of the Tura Cultural Base (1927).

  The founding of the settlement was a turning point for the transition of the local population to a sedentary lifestyle. The appearance of the first permanent buildings — a school, a hospital, and a veterinary station — laid the foundation for social infrastructure in the deep taiga.

• Acquiring Capital Status (1930s).

  The transformation of Tura into the administrative centre of the Evenk Okrug led to the concentration of managerial resources here. This stimulated the construction of government institutions and the influx of qualified specialists from the "mainland."

• Development of Light Aviation.

  The construction of an airport and the establishment of regular air traffic became a vital stage. The air bridge provided year-round connection with the outside world, delivery of mail, provisions, and passenger transport, overcoming geographical isolation.

• Era of Geological Expeditions (1970s).

  Tura became a key logistics hub for large-scale geological exploration in the Nizhnyaya Tunguska basin. Basing oil and gas exploration expeditions here gave a powerful impulse to the settlement's economy and the development of its technical base.

• Formation of Cultural Identity (20th Century).

  The opening of the local lore museum, library, and House of Culture turned the settlement into a guardian of the traditions of the Evenk people. These institutions became centres of attraction and preservation of the unique intangible heritage of the North.

• Administrative Reform (2007).

  The inclusion of Evenkia into Krasnoyarsk Krai changed Tura's political weight, transforming it from the capital of a federal subject into the centre of a municipal district, which entailed the optimization of management structures.

• Energy Modernization (2021).

  The launch of the country's largest autonomous hybrid diesel-solar power plant marked a transition to modern technologies. This event is important for the region's ecology and the stability of energy supply in harsh climatic conditions.

Urban Planning Features and Layout

The architectural appearance of the settlement of Tura has been shaped by harsh climatic conditions and unique geography. The layout structure of the settlement extends linearly along the high bank where the Nizhnyaya Tunguska and Kochechum rivers merge. The landscape determined clear zoning: residential development is located on natural terraces protected from spring floods, while utility and port structures occupy the coastline.

An important feature of urban planning in northern Russia is the consideration of permafrost. Most permanent structures are erected on pile foundations with ventilated crawl spaces, which prevents the ground from thawing and the buildings from deforming. This gives the development a characteristic "elevated" look.

Architectural Styles and Eras

Unlike ancient European cities, you will not find Gothic or Baroque styles here. The architectural chronicle of Tura is the history of the exploration of the North, reflected in the succession of functional styles:

• Wooden Architecture (1920–1950s). The early period is represented by traditional log constructions. These are single-storey log houses that have preserved the features of a Siberian hut, adapted for the administrative and residential needs of the first settlers of the cultural base.
• Soviet Functionalism (1960–1980s). The period of active growth was marked by the construction of two-storey multi-apartment wooden barrack-type houses and the first brick buildings. The style is characterized by concise forms, a lack of decor, and a pragmatic approach to heat retention.
• Late Soviet Modernism (1980–1990s). During this time, permanent stone structures appeared in the centre of the settlement, designed to emphasize its status as an administrative centre. They are characterized by monumentality, the use of brick and concrete, as well as large glazed surfaces (as much as the climate allows).

Iconic Buildings and Structures

The appearance of Tura is defined by several key objects that serve as visual landmarks of the settlement:

• District House of Culture. The most monumental building in the settlement, built of brick. Its architecture refers to Soviet modernism with its striving for scale and social significance. The building is the centre of cultural life and the main architectural dominant feature of the central square.
• Evenk Museum of Local Lore. A historic wooden building that is itself a monument to the era of exploration. Its modest but expressive appearance fits harmoniously into the taiga landscape and preserves the atmosphere of the mid-20th century.
• Airport Complex. An important infrastructure hub, the buildings of which are executed in a utilitarian style characteristic of northern aviation. These are the "gates" to the settlement, the first thing arriving travellers see.

Distinguished Figures

The chronicle of the settlement of Tura is rich with the names of people whose energy and talent turned a small taiga base into the cultural and administrative centre of Evenkia. Among them are explorers, politicians, and creators who left a bright mark on the history of the North of Russia.

• Innokenty Suslov (1893–1972). Ethnographer and polar explorer who played a key role in the fate of the settlement. He led the expedition that chose the site for the founding of the Tura Cultural Base and became its first director. In fact, it was thanks to his efforts that this point of civilization appeared on the country's map.
• Vasily Uvachan (1917–1988). A prominent statesman and scholar, Doctor of Historical Sciences. As the leader of the Evenk Okrug in the mid-20th century, he made an invaluable contribution to the development of Tura's infrastructure, the construction of schools and hospitals, as well as the preservation of the history of indigenous peoples.
• Alitet Nemtushkin (1939–2006). A famous Evenk writer and poet, the "voice" of his people. He lived and worked in Tura for many years, working in the editorial office of the district newspaper and on the radio. His poignant works about the taiga and the people of the North are known far beyond the region.
• Nikolay Oyogir (1926–1988). An original poet, folklorist, and storyteller. Working as a correspondent in the local press, he collected and carefully preserved oral folk traditions, and his own poems became classics of Evenk literature.
• Vladimir Uvachan (1943–2012). A well-known politician and defender of the interests of northerners. He began his career as a teacher at the Tura school and later headed the district. He did much to support the traditional way of life and education in the region during difficult transitional years.