Russian Around Town

Russian culture touches much of Sitka. The Russians took control of Southeast Alaska in the early 1800s  by defeating the native Tlingit warriors at Sitka.  They made it the capital of Russian America.  The Russian Orthodox Church came along with the Russian American company and converted many Tlingit to Christianity, partially by allowing the Tlingit to keep their culture and language. 

St. Michael's Cathedral, constructed in 1848, was the first Orthodox cathedral in the New World.  It dominates central Sitka.

Around the same time, the Russian American company had a residence built for the bishop.  It has been restored and is open for tours.  Some consider the Russian Bishop's House Alaska's most interesting historical site.

The Sitka National Historical Park includes not only the battlefield where the Russians defeated the Tlingit but also an impressive collection of totem poles, old and new.

After all this historic stuff, Jan said, "Let's shop!"  Fortunately (or unfortunately!) Sitka obliged.

Another early ferry tomorrow.