Novosobornaya Square in Tomsk — live webcam online

Novosobornaya Square — the Heart of Tomsk

Novosobornaya Square is the main and most famous square in Tomsk, located right in the center of this ancient Siberian city. Today, thanks to the online webcam, you can see this place in real time — a spacious square with a fountain, well-kept flower beds, and green spaces. But just two centuries ago, a field stretched across this land, plowed by a wooden plow drawn by a shaggy Siberian horse. Travelers and local residents alike had to be ready to take up arms at any moment — such was the wild and untamed nature of this place.

Tomsk is one of the oldest cities in Siberia, founded in 1604 as a military fortress by decree of Tsar Boris Godunov. Today, 544,566 people live here (2025), and the city continues to serve as an important scientific, educational, and cultural center of Western Siberia. Novosobornaya Square is its calling card — a place where centuries of history and modernity intertwine.

How Novosobornaya Square Came to Be

The square's name is inseparably linked to the Trinity Cathedral, which once stood here in all its grandeur. The first name — Novosobornaya (Sobornaya) — was given to the square in 1878 precisely in connection with the construction of this church. Construction of the cathedral began as early as 1845, but was complicated by the collapse of the main dome on July 26 (August 7), 1850. Only in 1888 was construction completed, and the cathedral was consecrated in 1900.

On the site of the modern square, the first stone house once stood — a large, beautiful building with columns. Over time, the area transformed: at the end of the 19th century, a city garden was laid out on the eastern side; in 1891, the governor's house (now known as the House of Scientists) completed the southern boundary, and in 1893, the State Bank building appeared on the northern side, designed by Tomsk architect P.F. Dobronravov.

An Era of Change: From Revolution Back to History

The 20th century brought dramatic changes. In April 1917, on the eve of May Day celebrations, a proposal was made to rename Novosobornaya Square to Revolution Square. The official renaming took place on May 20, 1920. In 1935, a wooden grandstand and a monument to V.I. Lenin were installed here. And in January 1934, the demolition of the Trinity Cathedral began — a process that lasted nearly a year, so sturdy was the church's construction.

Revolution Square became the center of the city's political life: in 1905, rallies and strikes took place here, and in Soviet times — demonstrations and parades. But in May 1997, the square was returned its historical name — Novosobornaya. Since then, it has once again become not just a geographical point on the map, but a symbol of generational continuity.

Status as a Cultural Heritage Site

Today, Novosobornaya Square holds the status of a federal cultural heritage site under Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 176 of February 20, 1995 as a monument of urban planning and architecture. It is also included in the register of regional cultural heritage sites based on several decisions: No. 242 of July 25, 1961, No. 51 of February 17, 1978, and the Resolution of the Head of the Tomsk Region Administration of December 22, 1993.

This status underscores the significance of the square not only for Tomsk but for all of Russia. A unique planning structure has been preserved here, shaped over more than a century. Every building, every element of landscaping is part of the historical context, telling the story of a Siberian city's development.

The Chapel of the Burning Bush

On Novosobornaya Square stands the Chapel of the Burning Bush, built in 2003. On September 17, 2006, on the feast day of the icon of the Mother of God "Burning Bush," the first blessing of water was held within the walls of the church under construction. The icon is associated with the story of Dmitry Kolosin, stableman of Tsar Fyodor Alexeyevich, who fell from grace unjustly and received help through this sacred image.

The chapel has become a spiritual symbol of the square's revival after decades of Soviet past. Its appearance is a tribute to the lost Trinity Cathedral and a sign that the history of Novosobornaya Square continues.

Architectural Surroundings of the Square

The webcam on Novosobornaya Square shows not only the open space but also the architectural ensemble that took decades to form. The House of Scientists (the former governor's house), built in 1891, is a striking example of late 19th-century Siberian architecture. The State Bank building of 1893, designed by P.F. Dobronravov, adds solemnity and monumentality to the square.

At the beginning of the 20th century, near the western edge of the square, along Sadovaya Street (now part of Lenin Avenue) in the area of the Moskovsky Trakt, the Administration Building of the Siberian Railway was constructed. Each of these buildings is a testament to an era when Tomsk was rapidly developing as a commercial and transportation hub of Siberia.

The Square in Tomsk's Cultural Life

Novosobornaya Square has always been a magnet for city residents and visitors to Tomsk. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a vertep theater stood here, which created tension due to its close proximity to the cathedral. During the unrest of 1905, the theater was burned down by Black Hundreds, and no permit for its reconstruction was ever issued.

Today, the square is not only a historical site but also a modern public space. The summer stage hosts concerts and events, the fountain attracts children and parents, and the green spaces create a cozy atmosphere in the city center. In the 1990s and early 2000s, numerous summer cafés were located here, and in 2017 the square underwent a major reconstruction.

What You Can See on the Camera

The online webcam is installed on the building of the Tomsk City Administration (73 Lenin Avenue) and covers the central part of Novosobornaya Square. In real time, you can observe the square with its fountain, well-kept flower beds, summer stage, and green spaces. The camera captures the movement of city residents, pedestrians, and vehicles — the pulse of life in central Tomsk.

The stream is organized by admin.tomsk.ru and allows you to see the square at any time of day. This is a great opportunity for those planning to visit Tomsk, or for those who have already been here and want to find themselves on familiar streets once again. The real-time webcam is your window into the heart of a Siberian city.