Sitka, Alaska is a historic community located on Baranof Island nestled between glacial mountains and the Pacific Ocean. The Tlingit people have lived in the area for over 50 centuries and their culture is celebrated through totems and art. Sitka experiences a temperate rainforest climate and is a hub for the fishing and tourism industries, hosting numerous annual festivals celebrating Alaskan culture, seafood, and the arts.

1. SITKA, ALASKA

2. History
Nestled at the foot of magnificent glacial carved mountains
facing the Pacific Ocean on Baranof Island, Sitka is located on
the outer coast of Alaska’s Inside Passage and lies at the heart
of the largest temperate rain forest in the world, the Tongass
National Forest. With views of island-studded waters and
forests descending to the water’s edge, Sitka is home to just
under 9,000 people.
There are one of the oldest and most culturally significant communities in
Alaska. "Sitka" is a contraction of "Shee-Atika" ("People on the side of
Shee"), the expression the original Tlingit Indian inhabitants used to
describe themselves and their location on the western coast of what is
now called Baranof Island. In 1804 the Russian Empire forced its way into
Sitka, and occupied the site until the sale of Alaska in 1867.

3. Culture
The Tlingit have lived continuously in Sitka for over
50 centuries. Discover age-old stories of the Tlingit
people at Sitka National Historical Park (known as
"Totem Park" by locals) and the adjacent Sitka
Cultural Center. Here, totems carved by the
masterful hands of Tlingit and Haida Indians can be
seen along a pathway that meanders through the
rain-forest.

4. Weather

5. Sitka Government
The City and Borough of Sitka has an Assembly-
Municipal Administrator form of government in which the
elected Mayor and Assembly members establish policy.
Those policies are then implemented by the Municipal
Administrator who is appointed by, and reports to, the
Assembly. The mayor works with the Assembly members
to establish city policy.
The Municipal Administrator is responsible for the day-to-
day administration of Sitka's government.

6. www.cityofsitka.com
City and Borough of Sitka

7. Events
Alaska Day Festival Sitka Whalefest

8. Events
Sitka Seafood Festival
Sitka Summer Music
Festival

9. The New Archangel Dancers mission is to promote and encourage interest in
Alaska's Russian History and culture through sharing of ethnic folk dance and
song. These were evident in Sitka during the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries. The Dancers support performing arts in the community of Sitka, and
promote and encourage tourism.
New Archangel Dancers

10. Sitka loves the Arts

11. They have annualSitka Summer Music Festival provides world-class chamber music. The
festival just celebrated it's 40th anniversary, and has been used as a model for chamber
music festivals all over the country.
Sitka Fine Arts Camp
Whale fest, Sitka ArtiGras, HomeSkillet Fest and the Sitka Monthly Grind
Sitka loves the Arts

12. Mt. Edgecumbe

13. Salmon are a pillar of life in Southeast Alaska. They are essential to the
ecosystem of the rainforest, and they drive the culture and economy of this
region. The life cycles of salmon are intricately woven into the life of the
Tongass. The salmon the habitat of the rainforest to survive, while the people
and the rainforest in turn need the salmon to survive.
Local Food - Salmon

14. Wildlife
Bald Eagles Whales

15. Wildlife
Brown Bear Seabirds

16. Sitka National Historical Park
ThisThis scenic 107 acre park preserves and interprets the site of a Tlingit Indian Fort
and the battle fought between the Russians and the Tlingits in 1804. A fine collection of
Haida & Tlingit totem poles were moved there from the Louisiana Exposition in St. Louis
in 1904, and in April, 1996, a locally carved totem was raised in traditional ceremonial
style.
May to Sept. $4/person, family pass $15, Gold Age, Golden Access, Golden Eagle &
National Park passes honored. Children 15 years and under free.
Attractions

17. Important collection of Russian Orthodox art and rare church treasures.
Built in 1844-48, it was totally destroyed by fire in January
of 1966. Many of the precious icons and religious objects were salvaged
and are in the rebuilt structure.
St. Michael’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral

18. Houses one of the best native Alaskan collections anywhere.
Sheldon Jackson Museum

19. A pioneering wildlife project, the Raptor Center has for years proven that
dedicated volunteer effort and innovative veterinary medicine can make a
life-or-death difference on Alaska's raptors (birds of prey).
Alaska Raptor Center

20. Dedicated in July 1995, Whale Park provides an opportunity to view wildlife
(from the boardwalk), including humpback whales in the late fall and early
spring months. The park is located about 6 miles south of downtown and has a
small sheltered picnic area and free viewing scopes.
Whale Park

21. (Baranof Castle Site) An Early stronghold of the Kiksadi clan. Later a
succession of Russian buildings were erected on this site. The last one, known
as "Baranof's Castle", was erected in 1837, and perished in a fire 1898. On
October 18, 1867, it was the site of the transfer of Alaska to the United
States. Each year, Alaska Day is still celebrated Oct. 18.
Baranof Castle Hill

22. A 501 (c)3 non-profit education and rescue center with an exquisite three-
quarter acre habitat for orphaned Brown Bear cubs complete with covered
viewing areas. Alaska Brown Bear viewing in a natural type setting. .75 Acre
exhibit replicates the Southeast Alaska Brown Bear habitat.
Fortress of the Bear

23. Built in 1967, during Alaska's Centennial celebration, the building is still one of
the finest in the state. It houses the Sitka Historical Society, a local history
collection located in the Sitka Historical Museum (formerly known as the Isabel
Miller Museum), an auditorium for public use, Baranof Arts and Crafts
Association (in the summer months), a wildlife display and an information desk
(with visitor information on it, in the summer months).
HARRIGAN CENTENNIAL HALL

24. WW II headquarters for military forces who served in Sitka. During WW II,
Japonski Island was connected by a man-made causeway in the 1940's to the
surrounding chain of islands which served as a location for bunkers and
gunning sites. Though the bunkers and sites are not well preserved, they are
accessible by boat.
Japonski Island

25. The oldest intact Russian building in Sitka was built in 1842, by the Russian American
Company as a residence for the Bishop of the Orthodox Church. Bishop Innocent (Ivan
Veniaminov) was its first resident. The building and grounds are managed by the
National Park Service. It has been restored to the 1850's historic period when it
functioned as a school, Bishop's residence, and a chapel. Registered as a National
Historic Landmark.
Russian Bishop’s House

26. Totem Square contains a Russian cannon and three anchors recovered
from the Sitka vicinity, probably lost by early British or American
explorers.
Totem Square

27. See an artist's mural of the Southeast Alaska ecosystem, an 800 gallon Wall of
Water exhibit. Feel the spiny skin of a star fish, the soft tentacles of a sea
anemone, and the coarse shell of an abalone as your hands roam through the
three ocean-water touch tanks. View the feeding of four species of salmon in
the non-profit hatchery.
Sitka Sound Science Center

28. In a state where fishing is legendary, Sitka is simply an angler's
paradise. The halibut are among the biggest in the world and the salmon
fishing is world class. Sitka boasts the highest saltwater sport fishing
catch rate for King Salmon in the State.
Saltwater Fishing

29. On Memorial Day Weekend, the derby awards thousands of dollars in
cash and prizes to contending fishermen.
Freshwater Fishing

30. www.sitka.com

31. www.sitka.org

33. Videos of Beautiful Sitka, Alaska

34. Videos of Beautiful Sitka, Alaska