Report on the monuments of the Altai region. Altai Territory: historical, cultural and natural attractions of the region. A look through the centuries: the historical transformation of Altai
The Altai Republic is a beautiful and picturesque region located in Western Siberia. Has a long and complicated story. What is she famous for? What nationalities inhabit it? What historical and cultural monuments of the Altai Republic have survived to this day? Let's find out about everything in order.
Brief historical excursion
The history of Altai begins in ancient times - the first settlers settled in this territory back in the 3rd - 2nd centuries. B.C. This was followed by centuries of rule by the Mongols, Turks, Tibetans and other peoples who inhabited China. Basically, these were nomads, conquerors who liked the local lands, so they founded their camps and settlements here. The map of the Altai Republic has been changed many times.
Only around the 17th century did the territory of the current Altai Republic become part of the Russian state. The transformation process took more than three hundred years, and the names of this region changed several times.
Altai on the map of Russia
Looking at the borders of the republic on the map, you can understand that the neighboring countries are Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China, and in the inner part there is the autonomy of Khakassia, Tyva, Kemerovo region and Altai Territory. For many centuries, Altai experienced territorial changes, and only in 1992 the territory acquired permanence.
The abundance of neighbors explains the multinationality of this region and the huge layer of diverse cultural heritage. These places are of interest to both archaeologists and connoisseurs of high art. The map of the Altai Republic is rich. Clean air and magnificent scenery make these places ideal for ecotourism.
A look through the centuries: the historical transformation of Altai
The history of the republic dates back several thousand years. During this period, many cultures and nationalities inhabited the territory of the modern republic. There are a large number of archaeological monuments of antiquity left here, which are still of interest to both archaeologists and lovers of antiquity. Altai is an inexhaustible source for research. history and culture of the Altai Republic - mounds, caves, burial grounds, “stone women”, rock writings - and now attract the attention of numerous scientists.
For example, rock writings that can be seen on rocks, stones, sculptures of sanctuaries, inscriptions, or as scientists correctly call them - petroglyphs, are a symbiosis of letters and drawings similar to Chinese characters - all this wealth attracts tourists from all over the world.
Looking at the cultural monuments of the Altai Republic, pictures from the past appear before your eyes. The study and deciphering of these ancient messages provide insight into the life of people in ancient times, their beliefs, conquests and other events. Excavations of settlements in Altai provide the opportunity to observe many important finds that reflect the life and culture of different historical eras. Currently, archaeological research and scientific expeditions continue on the territory of the republic.
Formation of the republic
Among the Altai Republic there are many familiar, familiar monuments to eminent personalities: V.I. Lenin, A.S. Pushkin, as well as the tragic events that the Soviet people experienced: memorials and obelisks to the warrior heroes of the Great Patriotic War, to the soldiers of Afghanistan, victims of repression and famine.
The largest part of the attractions belongs to tracts, mounds, burial grounds and caves, the number of which is impossible to count. These monuments receive traditional names, which depend on the location or name of the archaeologist who found the monument.
Let's consider the most famous monuments and attractions of the Altai Territory: p. Barangol, the Vaskin Log tract, the Biryulinskoe settlement, the village of Urlu-Aspak, the coast of the Kutash River, the village of Kyzyk-Ozek, the village of Maima, the village of Manzherok, the right bank of the Ulalushki River, the village of Urlu-Aspak, the village of Chultukov and others. This list is constantly updated and expanded, since the lands of Altai store in their depths an endless number of ancient relics.
Cultural monuments of Altai
When studying the past of the Altai Republic, a connection is traced between historical events and the appearance of monuments. The culture of the Altai people was formed and developed under the influence of other civilizations and nationalities that inhabited the territory of the republic at different periods of time, and the states that included Altai. Most of these monuments are not only historical and cultural monuments of the Altai Republic, they are monuments of national and international significance. For example, there are numerous statues called stone women.
General concept of stone women
Stone women represent a valuable cultural heritage that has been preserved and has an ancient history. There are more than 250 such statues in the Altai Republic. Stone sculptures - magnificent and unprecedented for modern man art. Stone blocks are silhouettes of human bodies of different shapes and sizes. On average, their height ranges from 1.5 m to 4 m. Stone women are located in groups in different territories, tracts and villages. Their origin is associated with what is happening on the territory of the republic.
The similarity of the sculptures can be seen in the nature of the depiction of the features of human faces. At the same time, other features inherent in the human body are poorly visible - arms, torso and legs. Women are a relative concept; in fact, they are men - strong and brave warriors. These monuments left a big mark on the history of mankind and the culture of the Altai Republic.
Gorno-Altaisk is the capital of the Altai Republic
One of the main attractions of the Altai Republic is its capital, Gorno-Altaisk. Due to historical events, this is the only city in the Altai Republic. Gorno-Altaisk is a fairly young city, which appeared less than a hundred years ago. The appearance of the capital of the Altai Territory is tied to 1928; during its short history, Gorno-Altaisk was renamed in 1948 to Oirot-Tura. The status of the capital of the Altai Republic was assigned to Gorno-Altaisk in 1992.
Sights and monuments of Gorno-Altaisk
Gorno-Altaisk - small town, which features a number of attractions. This is a large number of monuments, a square of stones, the Palace of Justice, the square named after. Lenin, an ancient fountain, Victory Park and the National Museum. IN National Museum them. A.V. Anokhin presents more than 50,000 exhibits of archaeological, ethnological, paleontological and other finds; it stores finds and relics of world scale, for example, the mummy of Princess Ukoka. The cultural landmark of Gorno-Altaisk is the Temple of Macarius of Altai and the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
Every year the city grows and develops, the population increases and the territory expands. But it cannot be called a cramped and noisy metropolis, despite the fact that Gorno-Altaisk is, in fact, the only scientific, cultural and industrially developed center of the republic.
Gorny Altai: history and features
Deserves special attention Gorny Altai. This is what the Altai Republic itself was previously called, but now this name means part of Altai mountains, which is located on the territory of the republic. This area is truly picturesque. The mountainous terrain - massifs, intermountain plateaus, winding rivers - contains historical monuments of the republic called golden, information about them can even be found in the UNESCO cultural heritage list. Within the mountain range there are also places of worship and archaeological monuments of Altai, for example, the Ak-Alah burial mound, located on the Ukok plateau.
Another attraction of the Altai region, which has more than 155 archaeological monuments belonging to different time periods. The value of these sites is very important to scientists, due to the fact that archaeological finds were stored in stunning conditions of cold and ice. The frozen state made it possible to preserve many valuable mementos, even substances of organic origin: food, mummies and bodies of people, their hair, nails. And now, using knowledge in the field of genetics, scientists are deciphering the picture of the life and everyday life of ancient people.
Tourism in Altai
Undoubtedly, the historical and cultural monuments of the Altai Republic attract the attention of a large number of people. First of all, these are people closely associated with the sciences - history, archeology, paleontology, ethnography, as well as specialists - experts in religion, culture, and military affairs. On the territory Altai Republic The magnificent nature captivates the eye: mountain air, clean rivers and lakes, plains rich in vegetation.
Due to the underdevelopment of the industrial sector, the natural beauty remains untouched and pristine. Therefore, people tired of city noise, bustle, soot and smog from factories and cars come to this region. They come to admire the beauty of nature, see cults and ancient monuments, touch the relics of history, and recharge with energy and inspiration. And tourism, in turn, gives development to the Altai Republic itself. Currently, many tourist centers have been built here, providing a varied range of services. Among them are excursions to historical places, a review of interesting and significant archaeological finds: ancient sites, burials, burial grounds. Also popular are visits to the Bolshoi Chulchinsky Waterfall, Lake Teletskoye, and the Edelweiss Valley.
The value of the Altai Republic
The Altai Republic on the map of Russia is unique place. The land here is not paved railways and endless pipelines. There are no mineral mines, gold or diamond deposits here. There are no oil and gas wells. But there is something that other localities and regions sorely lack - fabulous nature, unsurpassed landscape, terrain, historical, cultural monuments and attractions. Monuments of history and archeology on the territory of the Altai Republic are of world significance. Therefore, many of them are included in the list of objects protected by the state.
It is impossible to tell about all the charms and attractions of Altai. It is also difficult to convey in words how beautiful Altai appears to its visitors. Anyone who visits the republic will not remain indifferent to the unprecedented beauty, picturesque terrain and pictures of the antiquity of this region.
The region's attractions are very diverse. They include both natural objects, and historical and cultural. There are many riches hidden within Altai region. The sights of the region can be described for a very long time. Let us introduce the reader to the main ones.
Waterfalls of the Shinok River
The Shinok River is not among the largest rivers in Russia. This is just a tributary of the Anui, which, in turn, flows into the Ob. Nevertheless, Shinok is one of the most popular in the Altai Territory tourist sites. The fact is that on this river there are beautiful waterfalls. The total length of the seven waterfalls is more than 120 meters. The height of the Giraffe, the largest of them (also called Big Shinok) is 70 m. Small waterfalls reach 10-15 m in height.
The Shinok River attracts tourists not only with its picturesque view, but also with its rich fauna. Very rare species of birds and animals are represented on the territory of the reserve - two-colored deer, musk deer, wild deer, peregrine falcon.
There are several camping areas along the banks of this river. This place attracts tourists, in addition to the waterfalls, because it is located close to where archaeologists have found more than 20 cultural layers dating back to different eras. It was established, in particular, that the Neanderthal site was located here approximately 280 thousand years ago.
Taldinsky or Tavdinsky caves
The Altai region is amazingly beautiful. The attractions of the region, created by nature itself, attract many tourists here. Taldinsky caves are one of the most interesting places to visit. They are a group consisting of more than 30 caves washed out by water. The rocks in which this complex is located stretch for 5 km on the border of the Altai Territory and the Altai Republic. The most popular of the caves is Bolshaya Tavdinskaya. The height difference in it is more than 20 m. There are several routes of varying difficulty for tourists. Another natural monument, a karst arch, is located not far from the Tavdinsky caves. It reaches 5 m in height and 13 in width.
Archaeological finds
These caves are local significance a natural monument that the Altai region is so rich in. The attractions of the region attract not only tourists, but also archaeologists. Archaeological expeditions carried out here showed that there were sites of ancient people in this place. For example, they were found fishing tackle, ceramic fragments. Legends about a treasure hidden in the local caves that belonged to Admiral A. Kolchak are much less reliable. Many people who wanted to find it appeared in the second half of the 20th century, but nothing is still known about the result of their attempts.
Sanctuary "Swan"
The natural attractions of the Altai Territory are unique and diverse. Let's talk about one more of them. In September 1973, the Swan Nature Reserve was established in the Altai Territory. Seven years earlier, a flock of swans flew to the lake located near the village of Urozhainoye for the winter. This happened for the first time since the beginning of the 20th century. Soon it was decided to create a reserve, which includes the lake, as well as the territory adjacent to it. Under state protection there are 38 thousand hectares, which contain such sights of the Altai Territory as a section of the Katun River, several lakes, about 70 islands, as well as the Zmeinaya and Talitskaya hills. In 1999, after the appointed experimental period, the status of a “reserve” was finally approved. In addition to swans, other birds live here: goldeneye, mallard, black grouse, as well as the merganser, which is listed in the regional Red Book. The fauna is also represented by deer, roe deer, otters, minks, and red foxes. Observation deck was built on the lake for bird watching. It is located 10 m above the water. This distance makes it possible not to frighten the swans and provides tourists with the opportunity to observe them in natural conditions.
Belokurikha
Belokurikha is a balneological resort of federal significance. This one is located at an altitude of about 240-250 m above sea level. It is located at the foot of Mount Tserkovka. At the beginning of the 20th century, the healing properties of local mineral springs. Today, tour operators often mention Belokurikha when describing the sights of the Altai Territory to clients.
Here in the 1920s, an outpatient clinic, an administrative building, a solarium, and a dining room were built. The first visitors could improve their health in the baths of the hydropathic clinic, as well as swim in the local thermal springs. The Altai air itself is healthy, because it contains the same concentration of light air ions - one of the most important healing components - as in the famous resorts of Europe.
During the Great Patriotic War, a famous children's resort was evacuated to Belokurikha. Today, on the territory of this resort there are numerous recreation centers, dispensaries, and sanatoriums. Skiing is actively developing in the city. Today, 3 slopes of varying difficulty are equipped for descent. Belokurikha also hosts meetings of defenders of the environment and nature, as well as the Siberian Davos, an international economic conference.
Srostki village
The sights of the Altai Territory are connected not only with nature, but also with the culture of our country. The village of Srostki is one of the oldest settlements on its territory. It gained all-Russian fame thanks to Vasily Shukshin, its native.
Splices were first mentioned in 1753 in a report by Colonel de Garriga. More than 1811 detailed information about him. During the census, or audit, carried out at that time, it was recorded that 19 families lived in this village. The first church was built with donations local residents in 1910.
Today tourists come to Srostki to learn about Shukshin’s life. The memorial museum-reserve of this writer operates in the village. It consists of a depository, an exhibition of the writer’s mother, as well as the house in which Vasily Shukshin himself spent his childhood and youth. Shukshin readings are held annually on Mount Piket, which brings together writers, musicians, and artists from all over the country.
Altai village
The village of Altai (Altai Territory) is also somewhat popular. The attractions of this place today are few, but the tourism and recreational sector in this village has been actively developing in recent years. Here is, in particular, the SEZ On the Bank of the River. Kamenki, not far from the village of Altai, there is a very picturesque area called “Pikhtochki”. It is located on a riverside terrace with rocks covered with pine trees and is one of the most favorite vacation spots for village guests and local residents.
Intercession Cathedral
In the fall of 1898, the foundation stone of the Intercession Cathedral was laid. After 6 years, the first service was held there. The part of the city of Barnaul in which this cathedral is located was considered the poorest at that time. It was inhabited by workers, artisans, townspeople, and peasants. What is even more surprising is that the temple was built precisely with their donations.
The Intercession Cathedral replaced the old wooden church that had been in operation since 1863. Byzantine, or pseudo-Russian, style was chosen for the new building. Religious frescoes, the subjects of which are based on the subjects of paintings by N. Kramskoy, V. Vasnetsov, M. Nesterov, dominate the design of this red brick cathedral.
The Intercession Cathedral, starting in 1917, went through difficult times - it was shelled, the cross on the dome was demolished, and the bell tower was destroyed. Restoration work began in the temple in 1943. For a long time he remained the only one active temple in the city. Services are currently being held in the Intercession Cathedral. Restoration of its wall paintings was carried out in 2011.
Polyakov Trading House (Red Store)
Many attractions of the Altai region are located in Barnaul. The photo of the next one, which we will talk about, is presented below.
This is Polyakov's trading house, built in 1913. This building is now occupied by the "Red" store. It belongs to the merchant period of development of the city of Barnaul and fully reflects all the characteristics of that time architectural features. The two-story building, made in an eclectic style, has a U-shaped layout.
Red brick was used to cover the façade. This became the basis for the name of the trading house, which spread among the people. Traditional elements of the Russian style were chosen to decorate the building: openwork forged decorations, folk ornaments made of brick.
In Barnaul in 1917 there was a strong fire. During it, many sights of Altai and the Altai Territory located in this city were destroyed: not only wooden, but also brick and stone buildings. However, the merchant Polyakov was able to preserve this trading house. Local legend says that workers were ordered to cover the wall with felt soaked in water. On the first floor of the building in Soviet era The department store of the People's Commissariat of Trade of the USSR was located.
Museum of Auto Theft named after. Yu. Detochkina
The city of Barnaul offers tourists interesting historical and cultural sights of the Altai Territory. One of the most unusual museums in Russia is located here. It is dedicated to motorists. However, the exhibits here are not antique or expensive cars. Its main “heroes” are those items that are related to the theft of cars.
This museum was created on the basis of the local rescue service. The first items were received from the city services archive. Law enforcement officials donated to the collection a door shot through during the chase, “fake” license plates and driver's licenses. The citizens themselves made no less of a contribution. Barnaul residents shared with the museum folk remedies against theft, as well as other inventions. The collection of this museum today contains more than 150 exhibits.
The sights of the Altai region do not end there. We have listed only a few of them. Get to know this amazing place it can take a very long time. Everyone will be able to find something interesting for themselves while exploring the sights of the Altai region and Altai Territory.
The main attraction of the Altai region is its magnificent nature. Picturesque clear lakes, full-flowing mountain rivers, mysterious caves and rocks, mountains covered in legends, endless forests, mineral healing springs. Educational tourism in the Altai Territory is associated with visits to numerous archaeological monuments and museum exhibitions, as well as entire memorial museum complexes created in memory of famous natives of the region. Holidays in Altai can be associated with fishing, hunting, living in nature, active species sports, health-improving activities and even, more recently, gambling.
The most interesting and beautiful places. Photos with names and descriptions of the main attractions
Guide – what to see and where to go? Excursions and routes. List of the best tourism and active recreation facilities!
Pine ribbon pine forests
Forests that stretch along rivers in the form of strips ranging from 5 to 40 km wide are called ribbon forests. There are 5 of them in Altai, the largest is the Barnaul pine forest, its length along the Ob River is more than 400 km. The Altai ribbons of forests have no analogues in the world; it is believed that they were formed during the Ice Age. The unique flora and fauna of these places is fascinating, this is one of the most popular places holidays for tourists.
Belokurikha resort town
The large balneological resort at the foot of Mount Tserkovki is known far beyond the borders of the region. IN late XIX centuries, radon thermal springs with healing properties were discovered here mineral water. Not only the water heals here, but also the local air - the amount of air ions in it is twice as high as in the best Swiss resorts, also in large quantities phytoncides are present. Recently, Belokurikha has also acquired the status of one of the popular ski resorts.
Mount Tserkovka
One of the natural attractions of the Belokurikha resort. mountain peak with a cross installed on it, it resembles a church dome, hence the name Tserkovka. Climb to the very top of the cliff, from which you can see wonderful view You can get to the picturesque surroundings covered with forests on foot along a paved path or on cable car. At the top there is a small cafe where you can have a snack. In winter, the mountain turns into a popular ski resort.
Lake Bolshoye Yarovoye
The famous lake with an area of 53 km 2 is located in the Kulundinskaya steppe, near Slavgorod. The reservoir is known for its miraculous properties, which are due to the presence of healing silt mud and highly mineralized salt water in it. Data natural resources successfully used in medicine for the treatment and prevention of many diseases. For this purpose, sanatoriums and balneological clinics were built on the coast of the lake.
Denisova Cave
One of natural monuments Altai Territory, on whose territory archaeologists have been working since the second half of the last century. Tens of thousands of unique exhibits have already been collected - hunting equipment, tools, remains of more than 100 species of ancient animals and plants. It is assumed that our ancestors lived in this area 280 thousand years ago. This is proven by the found remains of an as yet unknown species of people, called Altai, or Denisovan man.
V. M. Shukshin Museum-Reserve
The small village of Srostki in Altai became famous thanks to its famous fellow countryman - Vasily Shukshin. In memory of him, a whole memorial complex has been created here, consisting of several buildings and corners of nature associated with the life of the writer. Among them are the school where Shukshin studied, the house where he spent his childhood and the house he bought for his mother. The museum also includes a local cemetery, Popovsky Island, a small chapel and Mount Piket, famous for the annual Shukshin readings.
Lake Aya
The lake is located near the famous Chuysky tract, on the border between the steppe and mountain Altai, and is very popular among tourists. It is shaped like a crescent, which is why it has this unusual name, which is translated from Turkic as “moon”. The climate in this area is quite mild, mountains protect the lake from the wind on all sides, the water is warm in summer, and even children can swim. There are many hotels and tourist centers on the coast, offering water activities.
Turquoise Katun
This is a large-scale tourist area on the shore of the large river Altai Territory - Katun. The resort infrastructure includes numerous hotels, bases, restaurants and cafes, sports grounds, shopping arcades. There is also an artificial lake with warm water, offering mass water activities. You cannot swim in the Katun itself due to the strong current and low water temperature, but, nevertheless, rafting on the river is very popular.
Tavdinsky caves
There are about 500 caves in the Altai mountains, many are recognized as natural monuments, and among them are the Tavdinsky caves, 5 km long. This is a complex of three dozen caves of different shapes and depths, connected to each other. They are located in the valley of the Katun River. The most visited is the Bolshaya Tavdinskaya Cave, electricity is installed inside it, stairs and railings are installed. The ledge in the center of the cave looks like a gnome. According to legend, this is her guardian, and you need to leave him a coin.
Cascade of waterfalls on the Shinok River
The small picturesque Shinok River and its surroundings are a natural monument, a nature reserve, and one of the popular tourist sites in Altai. All this thanks to a cascade of 7 large and small waterfalls of amazing beauty. Their total length is 120 m, and the height of the largest is 70 m. All waterfalls have names, for example, Giraffe or Yog. The river is also interesting for its fauna. Here you can meet rare peregrine falcons, red deer, and two-colored leatherbacks.
Siberian coin
The only one in Siberia entertainment complex with an area of more than 2000 hectares, on the territory of which gambling business is permitted by law. It includes a network of exclusive casinos, five-star hotels and villas, shopping and sports centers, a water park, a cinema and concert complex, a snowboard park, helipad and much more. The gambling zone is located near the Turquoise Katun resort.
Mountain pharmacy-museum in Barnaul
The cozy, homely atmosphere of this establishment will not leave anyone indifferent. Here you will be served delicious tea, offered to taste the famous Altai balsams, given a tour of the pharmacy museum, and revealed the secrets of preparing ancient medicines and pills. By the way, the pharmacy is located in an ancient building - the first brick structure in Barnaul, where the first pharmacy in Altai was opened more than two hundred years ago.
Devil's Finger Mountain
The 250 m high mountain, steeped in ancient legends, is located near Lake Aya. If you look closely, the rocky ledge at its top really resembles a lonely finger sticking out of the ground. From this place the valley of the Katun River and the picturesque Lake Aya appear in all their glory. There is a belief that the mountain heals women's illnesses and gives men strength. Research has confirmed the presence of a geomagnetic node under the cliff, emitting a powerful flow of energy.
Tigireksky reserve
This is a relatively young protected area in the south of the Altai Territory; it received its status at the end of the last century. The relief of this area is of interest. There are mountains, forests, cave complexes, and magnificent valleys of the Ini and Belaya rivers. Also here is the Tigirek fortress - a monument architecture XVIII century. Vegetation and fauna The protected areas are diverse; some species are considered rare and endangered.
Rock Four Brothers
A unique geological monument with a height of about 10-12 m and an area of 75 m2 is located in the south of the city of Belokurikha. If you look closely, you can actually see the outlines of four men standing shoulder to shoulder. You can climb up to the rocks along walking paths, and there is an opportunity to meet chipmunks, squirrels, and rare birds that live here. Since 2000, the rock and its surroundings have received the status of an environmental monument.
Museum "City" in Barnaul
One of the youngest museums, which opened its doors to visitors in 2007 in an ancient building from pre-revolutionary times. The main task of the museum is to show the main historical moments in the life of the city through the fates of people who played an important role in its development. More than 6 thousand museum exhibits— documents, photographs, letters, clothing, and household items allow us to gradually trace the history of the transformation of a small factory village into a modern industrial center of Siberia.
Kolyvan Lake
One of the most famous lakes in the Altai Territory is located near the city of Zmeinogorsk. Its distinctive feature is the rocks of the most bizarre, fabulous shape that frame the perimeter. The lake is also famous for the water chestnuts that grow here in large quantities. This is a rare plant with interestingly shaped fruits, listed in the Red Book. It is believed that it has been preserved since the pre-glacial period. The lake has all the conditions for comfortable relaxation and entertainment.
Royal Kurgan
The largest and most spectacular of these archaeological sites in Altai is located on the banks of the Sentelek River. The diameter of the mound is 46 m, and its height is 2 m. It is assumed that the leader of the tribe was buried here. The uniqueness of the mound lies in the presence of an underground ring of slabs approximately 1.5 m in size, as well as a number of stone steles of different heights, the distance between which is strictly 320 cm. The mound was probably also used as an ancient observatory.
Intercession Cathedral in Barnaul
The first service in the cathedral took place at the beginning of the last century. It was built with donations from parishioners, although it was located in the poorest area of the city. The architecture of the building corresponds to the Byzantine style; frescoes based on paintings by Vasnetsov, Kramskoy, and Nesterov were used in its design. During the years of Soviet power, the cross was demolished from the domes and the bell tower was destroyed, but the temple itself survived. In 2011 it was finally restored.
Arboretum "Kholmogorye"
Most best way take a break from everyday stress and everyday worries - plunge into the world of coniferous and deciduous greenery, medicinal herbs and shrubs, luxurious flower beds and picturesque alpine hills. The Kholmogorye complex covers an area of 800 hectares. In addition to plant plantations, on its territory there are two mirror ponds, a shop with products made from environmentally friendly raw materials, summer cafe, tea house, pottery workshops, children's attractions, zoo.
White Lake (Kurinsky district)
The lake and its surroundings are very popular among tourists. It is located at the foot of Mount Sinyukha, is small in size and almost perfectly round in shape. Like many natural attractions of Altai, the lake has its own legend. A small island rises in the middle of the pond. Rumor has it that in the old days there was a workshop for making counterfeit silver coins, and there was even more silver in them than in real ones.
Assumption Cathedral in Biysk
In 2003, one of the most majestic Orthodox cathedrals in the Altai region celebrated its centenary. It was built in the Russian-Byzantine style with donations from citizens and delights not only with its architecture, but also with its magnificent interior decoration. This is one of the few churches that survived the years of Soviet rule, and after the war it remained the only church in the southeast of the Altai Territory where church services were held.
Altai Memorial Museum of G. S. Titov
The unique cosmonautics museum is located in the small village of Polkovnikovo. It consists of two objects: the old school building where the astronaut once studied, and a new building that houses an exhibition on the development of astronautics, as well as materials dedicated to the life and work of German Titov. Here you can see a model of the Vostok-2 ship, which was piloted by Titov, a space suit, logbook, a piece of lunar soil, etc.
Chuysky Tract Museum in Biysk
The museum is dedicated to the history of the main road of Altai and the stages of its development, starting with a small trail for horsemen and pack animals leading to Mongolia and China, and ending with a state-of-the-art highway. It is symbolic that the museum is located in the house of the merchant Varvinsky, at whose gate the Chuisky tract began. The museum's exposition also introduces the climate of the region, its flora and fauna, a paleontological collection and a magnificent collection of ornamental stones are presented.
State Art Museum of Altai Territory
The museum was founded in the middle of the last century. Its funds include more than 13 thousand exhibits - the best examples of Russian art, Orthodox art, starting from the 16th century, folk art of the Altai Territory and Siberia of the 18th-20th centuries, ancient and Western European art. The museum regularly holds exhibitions, youth festivals, theatrical excursions, meetings with poets and musicians, master classes and play sessions.
Museum "World of Stone" in Barnaul
The private geological museum presents a collection of minerals, ornamental and precious stones not only from the Altai Territory, but also brought from other countries. The basis for the creation of the museum was the personal mineralogical collection of city resident Sergei Berger. Visitors are offered works of Altai folk craftsmen - stone carvers. One of the masterpieces is a cedar branch, which has jade needles, an obsidian stem and snow on a white marble branch.
Mount Sinyukha
The slopes of Sinyukha - the most high point Kolyvansky ridge, densely covered with fir forests, slightly shimmering blue. Hence the name of the mountain. To conquer it, you don’t need any special preparation; you can easily climb to the top along a gentle path. From the height there is a wonderful view of Beloye and Moss Lake, placers of granite, pine forest. There are several natural granite bowls on the mountain containing pure and tasty water, which is considered holy.
Mount Babyrgan
The height of the northernmost point of the Seminsky ridge is more than 1000 m; since the end of the last century it has been declared a natural monument. Translated from Altai, the name of the mountain means “flying squirrel”. The mountain is believed to be about 300 million years old. It is not difficult to climb it; at the top there is a plateau with rocky outcrops of the most fancy shapes. From here there is a magnificent panorama of plains on one side and mountains on the other.
Kolyvan stone-cutting plant
One of the main attractions of the Altai Territory is located in the village of Kolyvan. Since the end of the 18th century, Altai craftsmen have been processing jasper, quartzite, and marble, making magnificent vases, bowls, fireplaces, and columns for palaces. The plant’s products, unique in their beauty, can be seen in the largest museums in Russia and other countries. A stone-cutting museum has been opened at the plant, where a collection of samples of various stones and the work of master stone-cutters is presented.
Chapel at the site of the death of Mikhail Evdokimov
In a tragic accident on a highway near the city of Biysk in 2005, the popularly beloved artist and regional governor Mikhail Evdokimov, as well as his security guard and driver, died. A year later, a small chapel of the Archangel Michael was built at the site of a terrible accident. There is also a memorial stone with a memorial plaque, at the foot of which there are always a lot of fresh flowers, and 47 birch trees were planted, according to the number of years lived by the beloved artist.
Altai is a subject Russian Federation, the republic within it. The Altai Republic is part of the Russian Federation, but at the same time borders on Kazakhstan and Mongolia. She doesn't count tourist place or a popular place to visit in Russia, like seaside resorts, For example. But this is a magnificent place, consisting of the most magnificent mountain ranges and flowering fields. If you see the wildlife of Altai, you will never forget it and will simply fall in love. The number of mountain ranges is impressive; on its territory is Belukha - the most high mountain Siberia (4509 meters).
Moreover, their contrast with the huge river valleys is impressive. The climate change in the Altai region looks especially colorful; in the landscape of mountains and rivers you can see not only the colorful and bright summer season, when everything around blooms and shimmers. But also to experience severe cold and harsh winter. But at any time, Gorny Altai impresses with its picturesque splendor. Certainly, Western Siberia famous not only for its beauty, but also for its culture. This beautiful area is filled with monuments and memories of its own culture, whose history you will certainly enjoy learning about, especially through historical artifacts. It has a past full of mysteries, which are not so easy to solve, but very interesting to study.
The first settlements appeared in Altai in the 2nd-3rd centuries. B.C. In ancient times, the Mongols reigned there, and after that other peoples of China and Central Asia, and the original peoples of Altai are considered to be the Mongols, Turks and Tibetans, who settled there as nomads and later formed settlements there. Thus, the nomadism and diversity of color of the neighbors of this region make this territory interesting for archaeology.
Historical and cultural monuments of Altai
Stone women
One of the most memorable finds is the creations of the Altai peoples depicting warriors. The strangest thing is that they eventually acquired such a name. And when heard, it is misleading, because it concerns the depiction of warriors and men. More than 200 such stone blocks were found in the Altai region, and some were transported to the central cities of Moscow and St. Petersburg. They date back to the 8th-9th century AD. Not one image is like the other, so to speak, they are all made in a different style, although they represent the same thing. This is a large stone, sometimes made to resemble a person's silhouette with the image of a man or his face. Usually each of them has a straight, wide-eyed look. Everyone has some kind of distinctive sign that shows their status.
In the lowered hand there is usually a saber or a dagger, possibly on the belt. They are dressed in warrior robes and hold a bowl or goblet of drink in their hand. It is believed that this cup in the hand is a symbol of the participation of the soul in the burial. These stone sculptures they are attracted by some kind of magical aura, reminiscent of something distant and sacred. They only resemble people from a distance; they serve rather as a description of them. The height of the statues varies from 1.5 m to 4 m. Sometimes they are located in groups near some ancient villages. They belong to the same time and are associated with a historical event. They are closely connected with the history of Altai and are considered its heritage. These amazing stone blocks are the image of strong and brave men who once lived like this.
Balbaly
This is a subject of discussion among archaeologists. This is also considered the property of Altai and represents a large number of stone blocks installed close to each other. There are several versions of the explanation for this phenomenon, or rather, their purpose. After all, this is a question of why someone once installed a large number of stones in one place away from the village, they must have some meaning. Their role in the funeral ritual is generally accepted, but it is the meaning of this arrangement that is important. These are definitely not the tombstones of the dead, because not a single bone was found near the burial. But at that time the corpses were burned. However, looking at the history and legends about these lands, some believe that it is directly related to tales of wars.
In ancient stories, it is said that when some glorious warrior or commander died, as many stones were placed next to his burial as the number of enemies he killed. True, even for that period it is very difficult to imagine that a person killed about a hundred people. And they are usually in large quantities. Therefore, this is more of a legend, albeit interesting, but dubious. In another version, these funeral stones are also considered a kind of cemetery; they said that soldiers and stones were buried there - this is a sign of recognition of the one who came to honor him. But, on the other hand, they could bury women and children, and then the stones would also be respected by the people who came to see off their soul.
In another version, they put forward the theory that these are not just stones, but hitching posts that nomadic peoples usually placed near their houses towards the east. And it is possible that when the burial ceremony took place, people brought hitching posts to this place, as a sign of respect or as a stay there. Perhaps they had a deeper meaning as a sign of attention to the human soul, so that he could know that this person remembers him. Therefore, such places in Balbala are still a controversial cultural monument. Everyone agrees that they have a ritual significance, but what remains to be seen. While they are impressive with their multiplicity and location among the rocks, they resemble a kind of cemetery, and on these stones you can even find inscriptions, like some kind of messages to the deceased.
Denisova Cave
Altai is full of mountains and ranges, very amazing in their beauty. And of course there are a lot of different caves there. But these names contain not only the spirit of the people, but also historical significance. The cave itself is called “Bear Stone” among the people, because according to legend, a dark Shaman used to live there, who terrorized neighboring settlements and forced them to pay him. He himself could turn into a huge bear and sculpt a boulder that rolled into the villages, and where his road lay, then it always rained and spoiled the crops. Only the highest deity, to whom the locals prayed, could defeat him.
He destroyed the shaman and pushed the thunderous boulder deep into the cave. Now there are many archaeologists there, and neighboring settlements scold them for this. After all, they believe that if they break off even a piece from the stone, the rain will fall on their houses again. But they are unlikely to leave this place alone, because it was this cave that became the source of the cultural find. Namely, it was found in it that confirmation was found that in this part of the continent, people began to settle not from the 1st century. AD, and already from 2-3, and this had more influence.
Of course, the question then arises, why is it called Deonisova? It acquired this name due to the fact that he lived there for some time in the 18th century. hermit Dionysius. For the Old Believers who lived there, he was a shepherd. Believers came to his cave for blessings and advice. That’s why the cave is now marked that way.
Ukok princess
This unexpected and amazing find fell into the hands of researchers of a mound on the Ukok plateau. In 1993, she found the burial of a man with two knives and a couple of horses, which was quite expected for this place. But then something truly amazing was discovered under this burial. They discovered a whole burial room, with the body of a young woman encased in ice, who is now called the Ukok princess. The room was decorated with various skins, and 6 horses were also buried there, which speaks of its status, because only the royal family could have owned so many horses.
