| The Alaskan town of Sitka has enjoyed a very unique | | | | built in 1842, and is one of the few remaining Russian |
| history, which is reflected in the eclectic blend of | | | | log structures left in Alaska. Park Service rangers lead |
| architecture and attractions. The area which is now | | | | guided tours of this carefully restored building. If you |
| Sitka was originally home to the Kiksadi Clan of the | | | | follow Lincoln Street along the water, you will come to |
| Tlingit people. The Russians arrived in 1799 under the | | | | the Sitka National Historical Park on Metlakatla Street. |
| forces of Alexander Baranof, and he liked the site so | | | | Here you can watch as native artists and craftsmen |
| much because of its mild climate and abundant | | | | demonstrate traditional Tlingit crafts such as weaving, |
| resources that he moved his otter and seal hunters to | | | | basket making and silversmithing. There are also |
| an outpost here from Kodiak Island. The Tlingits | | | | videos programs and exhibits about native and |
| attacked and burned down the settlement in 1802, but | | | | Russian artifacts, as well as a self-guided forest trail |
| the Russians returned in 1804 with shipboard cannons | | | | past 15 beautifully carved totem poles to the site of |
| and drove the Tlingits 70 miles north to Chichagof | | | | the Tlingit Fort. |
| Island. | | | | One of the more unique attractions in Sitka is the |
| After you disembark from your cruise ship, one of the | | | | Alaska Raptor Center, located just a short taxi ride |
| first buildings you will come to is the Harrigan | | | | away off Sawmill Creek Road. Here you will find wild |
| Centennial Hall, which is the location of the Sitka | | | | birds such as raptors, hawks, owls and eagles being |
| Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Harrigan | | | | nursed back to health after an injury. The main |
| Centennial Hall also houses the Isabel Miller Museum, | | | | attraction is a huge (20,000 square feet!) flight training |
| with its Russian, American and Tlingit artifacts, and an | | | | center, where eagles re-learn such survival skills such |
| auditorium where dance performances take place | | | | as flying and catching fish in a simulated setting as |
| when cruise ships are in port. Nearby is the famous | | | | they recover from their injuries. There is nothing quite |
| Saint Michael's Cathedral, which was built in the 1840s, | | | | like this center anywhere else in the world. |
| burned in a fire in 1966, and rebuilt using the original | | | | Sitka is one of the most culturally interesting inside |
| blueprints in 1976. A few blocks away you can see the | | | | passage towns in Alaska, and one which you can |
| Russian Bishop's House on Lincoln Street. This was | | | | explore easily on foot as you enjoy your day in port. |