Barnaul | Altai region
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Preview
Barnaul is the largest city in the foothills of the Altai.
„Barnaul is a warm city in the Altai steppe with its own face and a little severe character. Despite this austerity, it is a home to wonderful people, a lot of interesting places to stroll and historical sites. Through the most of the year, the weather in the city is clear and sunny, even if you come to Barnaul in winter.“
„Barnaul is also the largest city in the foothills of the Altai and an important point on the way there for those who want to dive into the culture of the indigenous Altai communities!“
Sights of Altai region
State art Museum of Altai region
State Art Museum of Altai region (until 1993 - Altai Museum of Fine and Applied Arts) opened in Barnaul on the 6 of March , 1959. The story of its appearance takes its origin from the first half of the nineteenth century and is connected with the name of Peter Frolov, the famous scientist and inventor, chief of Kolyvan-Resurrection factories in Altai, collected a unique art collection that contains paintings of many famous Russian and Western European artists, including Rembrandt. These works laid the foundation for the assembly of the art department of the Altai regional museum, created by Frolov P. K. in 1826.
Later, in 1921 on the initiative of the masters of the Altai art society and personal assistance of people's commissar Lunacharsky A. V. the Museum of Artistic Culture opened. The museum's collection included works by famous artists, the works of the masters of Russian academic painting, of the Flemish school. But by the mid-1920s, the museum, devoid of state financing, was closed and its collection melted.
Founding in 1959 of the State Art Museum was actively promoted by the development of virgin lands. In the formation of its collection was attended by the country's central museums - the Hermitage, the Russian Museum, the Tretyakov Gallery, as well as the local history museums. Currently, the fund holds more than 13,000 exhibits, telling about the Orthodox art of XVI-XX centuries, the domestic art of XVIII-XX centuries, professional and folk art of Siberia and Altai of the end of XVIII-XXI centuries. There is also a small section of the ancient and Western European art. The largest is a collection of professional artists of Altai.
Museum - is one of the leaders of the Siberian region in the development of new information technologies.
The house under the spire
The house under the spire on the October square - is officially recognized as a symbol of Barnaul, a historical monument of the city. The building is in the style of Soviet Neo-Classicism and was built in 1956. On the ground floor there is a shop that simply can not be called otherwise than a deli "Under the spire." During the Soviet times, famous figures of culture, soldiers, heroes of labor lived here . The famous 15-meter-long sharp spire with a weather vane crowned a tower with a clock that always shows the exact time. At the height of the house with a spire is 46 meters. A characteristic feature of the building is a decorative stone plaster with mica. In 1971, the building has repeatedly poetized, made the cover of the tourist set of photos with views of the city of Barnaul.
The building was designed by Jacob Dodits, the architect of the Moscow State Institute of Civil Engineering. The external and internal aspects was influenced by Leningrad design institutes, which worked out the project of building the October square.
October Square - is one of the main squares of Barnaul. It was planned in 1937 as a major traffic interchange of the city. Initially, it was called Club of blended yarn fabric square, in 1953 - was renamed in honor of Stalin, in 1956 - received its current name. Complex configuration of square due to the release of a few sharp corners of the streets.
The architectural ensemble of the October square formed in 1956. In 1937, a secondary school appeared here, in its building the Art Museum of Altai region is located now. Its magnificent facades are remarkable for porticos, loggias, arcades and risalits. The dominant element in the ensemble of the square is the edifice of Club of blended yarn fabric , made in the tradition of monumental architecture of the end of 1930s.
Lenin Avenue
Lenin Avenue or Leninsky Prospekt, as natives of Barnaulcall call this street - is the central street of the city of Barnaul. On this boulevard both residents and visitors like walking. This magnificent historical boulevard is decorated with small chapels - the Alexander Nevsky Chapel, a Student Chapel at the Technical University and the St. Vladimir Chapel, Memorial of Memory, age-old trees, green flower-garden, delicate lights and a lot of pedestrian, promenade spaces and recreational areas. The award for walking will be a way to the river Ob, the view of its spaces opens from the River Station.
The future avenue was one of the first streets appeared in Barnaul, as evidenced by the plan of the city of 1748. At that time, there were a factory hospital, a chancellery with a guardroom, houses of clerks and factory employees, a house of the chief commander, stables and horse barns of silver-refining plant. According to a plan of the city of 1785, the street widened and transformed over time in the main street of the city.
At the beginning of the XIX century the street was called Moscow street, from its north end, behind the gate, the way to the Moscow-Siberian highway began. At the beginning of the XIX century merchant’s shops were built and a market-place was established (now the Central Market); Built in the classical style a house of the chief of the Altay factories and several other buildings. At the beginning of XX century Moscow avenue became the main shopping street in Barnaul. Brick buildings with large showcases and advertising, residential merchant houses, electric lighting appeared. In the Soviet period the avenue finally formed as a direct and broad traffic artery. It was built dozens of major buildings, formed October Square - one of the most interesting architectural ensembles of Barnaul; House of alliances, build technical school, medical institute, building of the city committee of the CPSU. In 1963 the main building of the Altai State University was put in commision, and in 1960-1970 major administrative and social complex - Councils square was created.
The building of the city Duma
The building of the city Duma -is a monument of architecture of the early XX century. It was built in Barnaul in 1914-1916 years by the architect Nosovich. On the ground floor there is a department store of the merchant trading house. On the first floor there was the municipal government - Duma and administrative board. During the Great Patriotic War there was a hospital.
The architect combined the two buildings. Actually the result is a new two-storied building in eclectic style with a tower on the roof and a clock, like town halls in European cities. The contrasting combination of red and white colors gives its facades a smart look. They are divided by an inter-floor construction and have cornice. The South side of the building is crowned with a triangular pediment, including a round window. The western facade ends with a small tower with a clock, topped with a green dome and a spire. The building is richly decorated with relief images and stucco. The central part of the western facade, which is in Moscow Avenue (Lenin Avenue), is capped by a tower.
In 1917, during a large-scale fire the building sustained great damage. But in spite of reconstruction, the building has reached our days almost unchanged. Currently, there are several shops and institutions, including Municipal Museum "The City."
Altai folk house
Polzunov Ivan Ivanovich (1728 - 1766) is Russian inventor, creator of the first Russian steam engine and the first two-cylinder engine in the world. Official testing the first heat engine in the world, elaborated by a talented inventor, began unfortunately a week after his death. But testing showed that there was a technical revolution. Built by Polzunov a larger engine had no analogues in the world with its engineering performance and easy of maintenance. Vehicle height is 10 meters, and the cylinders about 3 meters. The heat engine developed 40 horsepower. The construction of a large, unprecedented machine in such operating conditions, which had Polzunov I.I. was almost fabulous feat. James Watt received a patent for a universal heat engine, soon won worldwide recognition, only in 1784, that is, nearly 16 years after Polzunov. Today, a working model of the engine is in Local museum in Barnaul. Altai State Technical University is named in honor of the inventor, and in front of it there is the Polzunov Memorial.
Within easy reach of Demidov square in Barnaul there is an old building of the chancellery of the Kolyvan-Resurrection factories. This building was erected on site where until 1793 there was a wooden office of Barnaul plant. Among other, inventor Polzunov and his disciple, one of the main builders of "fiery car" by Polzunov - Frolov. Initially, over the first floor there was an octagonal tower with a dome. Dome capped by a flashlight, with a fire bell in it. In the middle of the XIX century architects have significantly changed the structure of the facade: tower disappeared, pilasters appeared . During a restoration of the building in 2001, the tower was returned. Currently, the building is a cultural institution.
Getting here
41 Polzunova street, Barnaul
Architect house and wooden architecture
One of the symbols of Barnaul is magnificent examples of Siberian wooden architecture. Wooden houses, preserved in Barnaul, and interesting as samples of wooden architecture and as historical monuments of the administrative and residential buildings of XVIII-XX centuries. Many buildings are characterized by the massive volume of log house on a high brick plinth, have large windows with decorative carvings. Tripsib team selected the most interesting objects.
Architect house. An architectural monument, located at 106a Anatoliy St. This is one of the best examples of wooden architecture in Siberia. The house was built specially for the provincial doctor, the house was built in 1909. On the socle floor was the maid, on the ground floor - the doctor's office. The first floor - the doctor's bedroom from which he could get to the balcony. In 1985, the mansion became the House of architects. The building held exhibitions, meetings, lectures. Since 1994, the workshops of Barnaul Architects are located here.
Nosovich House. An architectural monument of the beginning of XX century in Barnaul. It located in the central area of the city on the Anatoly street, former Pavlovskiy.
In the early XX century, the house belonged to architect Ivan Nosovich and was located on the 152 Chernyshevsky street. In Soviet times, the mansion fell to desolation and was abandoned for a long time. In the 1980s, in the vicinity of the building began construction of a new neighborhood, and the house was supposed to destroy.
However, Barnaul young artists and musicians, grew hot over this circumstance. In the local press publications in defense of the historical monument appeared . As a result, the authorities said that the house will be rebuilt from photographs and drawings. Actually took to pieces, moved and rebuilt.
Merchants Shadrins House - is a monument of architecture of the early XX century, one of the symbols of Barnaul. It located in the central area of the city on Krasnoarmeysk Avenue near the Spartacus square.
The house was built in the early XX century, commissioned by the merchants brothers Shadrin. The building is on the list of architectural monuments of federal significance. There are two in Barnaul in all. A third of them - the hotel "Imperial" burned down in 1997. The second preserved house - "Lesniewsky House".
The complex of residential buildings along the Anatoliy street. The houses are built in the late XIX - early XX centuries.
Budkevich Gymnasium , 1904, 14 Krasnoarmeysky ave. The two-storied wooden structure with a brick socle floor has an angular composition of facades, making the angle of the quarter. The house was built in 1904, by Emma Karlovna Lurie for building of officers' club. The south corner of the building, overlooking the intersection, in the level of the ground and first floors and is marked by a octagonal bay window and a spire. The constructed building housed a private institution opened by Budkevich Maria Feodorovna - the second women gymnasium.
Kruger 's Pharmacy beginning of the twentieth century. 64, Pushkin, Str. Before and after the revolution, there was a pharmacy in this building . In May 1929, the building housed a radio center, for the transmission of Moscow in city apartments. In the future premises of the ground floor became the post office, the first - the various private organizations. The building has a symmetrical facade with the main entrance on the central axis to the commercial space. Entrance to the living quarters on the first floor was originally from the courtyard. This building is probably one of the richest in ornament. The object of the cultural heritage is an example of the wooden house of the early twentieth century, the eclectic architecture which shows the influence of the classical heritage.
The house is habitable, beginning of the twentieth century, 80, Pushkin, Str . The two-storied wooden dwelling-house was built in 1901. In 1910 there was typography of Vershinin V. M. in this building , where he published the newspaper "Life of Altai". In 1905-1907 Vasily Ivanovich Vershinin was a participant of the revolutionary events. An example of a wooden house of the early twentieth century, in the tradition of urban folk architecture.
Lesniewsky House . An architectural monument of the beginning of XX century in Barnaul. It located in the central area of the city in the Polzunov street next to Demidov square.
The building is one of the most interesting examples of wooden architecture in Siberia. Built in 1907 by an engineer and a head of the city Alexander Lesnevsky on the bank of the factory pond. In the forms of two-storied wooden house you can see the influence of the Baltic architecture and Russian traditions of the house thread.
Philharmonic
State Philharmonic in Barnaul is one of the leading venues in the region. More than sixty years, it is a guide to musical art in Altai. The repertoire of the State Philharmonic of the Altai region includes works by Russian and foreign classics as well as contemporary authors by Philharmonic collectives and touring artists.
Since 1975, the Philharmonic is located in a beautiful old building from the early XX century, the former "People's House". The facade, made in the pseudo-Russian style, is decorated with elegant twisted columns, corbel arches, platbands and other Russian architectural motifs of XVII century. The building was built in the 1898-1900 years, the initiator of the construction was "Care society of primary education ", led by educator and public figure Shtilke Vasily Konstantinovich. People's House was conceived as a center of cultural and educational life of the city. The idea found a wide response among the natives of Barnaul, the building was built on donations.
The building was the largest theatre auditorium in the city. There was a popular school library here, the meetings of the Care society of primary education , people's reading, amateur performances and evenings. On its stage were touring professional theater groups. At the same time the People's House became the center of social and political life of the city. During the revolutionary events of 1917 rallies and meetings took place in a building . March 8th, the constituent assembly proclaimed the establishment of the Soviet of Workers' Deputies of Barnaul. From 27 January to 3 February (9-16 February New Style Calendar) the II Congress of the Soviets of Peasants' Deputies, which proclaimed the transfer of power to the Soviets throughout the Altai province. During the Great Patriotic War evacuated to Barnaul the Dnipropetrovsk Russian Drama Theatre and the Moscow Chamber Theatre placed in the People's House.
The interior of Philharmonic decorated with marble staircases and floor, plaster moldings, huge crystal chandeliers and leather furniture. Due to the established ceiling caissons, auditoriums have excellent acoustics. The pride of the Philharmonic is piano of renowned piano company Steinway & Sons and a magnificent organ, restored in 2011 by type of Bach's organ of the XVIII century.
Getting here
Barnaul, 35 Polzunov street
The Alexander II Chapel
The chapel was laid on Moskovsky Avenue in 1868 in memory of the rescue of the attempt upon the Tsar Alexander II life during his staying in Paris. In 1872, work on its construction has been completed, and the chapel - consecrated. It stood in front of the fire station in the middle of the boulevard. During the accomplishment of the avenue the fence was erected around the place of worship and the roof painted in a checkerboard pattern. According to the images from the collections of the Altai State Local History Museum there was the icon of St. Alexander Nevsky in the northwestern part of the chapel, and in the southwest - St. Nicholas. The chapel is a cubic brick building with tent completion in pseudo-Russian style.
The fate of the chapel in the Soviet period, similar to the fate of other church buildings in Barnaul. On the map of 1923 the chapel is marked as still valid. And since 1930 the building has disappeared from all documents. The chapel was dismantled of its dome and cross, a building was adapted for household needs - until the early 1950s, it housed the standpipe. In the early 2000s, the сhapel was reconstructed from surviving photographs.
Getting here
Barnaul, the intersection of Lenin Avenue and the Nikitin street
Znamenskaya Church
In 1754 in Barnaul was built and consecrated a wooden church of the saints and the righteous Zacharias and Elizabeth. Over the centuries the Church has fallen into disrepair. In 1858, by funds of the faithful was built a magnificent temple with a three-tiered bell tower with 12 bells. Znamenskaya Church became decoration of Sennaya Square of the city. In 1916, here, at the Znamenskaya Church, a stone chapel was built and consecrated in memory of the 300th anniversary of the reign of the Romanov dynasty. The appearance of this chapel nowadays is used as a basis for the design of the Church of St. Tsarevich Alexis at the regional clinical hospital.
In the Soviet time the church was refitted and at first there was the archive of the NKVD in the building , then Barnaul archival bureau, and later it was renamed the State Archives of the Altai Territory. In 1939 the church was closed. In the same year the dome was demolished, the bell tower was smashed . In the 60 yearswas made an annex to the church. Thanks to the fact that there was an archivein the temple, many church documents and icons were preserved. Currently Znamensky temple rebuilt, the divine services are regularly celebrated. At the church was founded a convent. In 2009, the church was crowned with a gilt dome with a cross weighing more than nine tons. In recent years, from Jerusalem a fraction of the relics of Martyr Elizabeth was brought . In the monastery The Theotokos of Pochayiv has appeared, as well as other icons including the restoration of the icon of the Sign, after which the church got its name.
A renovated five-domed church is sustained in the traditions of Russian templar architecture. Its central facade is presented as a protruding portal surmounted by a three-tiered bell tower with tent completion. The interior of the church is notable for rich iconostasis, made by local craftsmen. Another valuable relic of Znamenskaya church are relics of the Saints of the Kiev-Pechersk fathers.
Getting here
24 Bolshaya Olonskaya Street, Barnaul
Barnaul tape Bor
Barnaul tape Bor stretches in a south-western direction along the left bank of the Ob River more than 400 kilometers. Bor has its origins in the vicinity of Barnaul and ends near the city of Semipalatinsk. It is regarded as the longest of tape bors of Western Siberia. Located on the sandy sediments, surviving from the last glacial period.
In this unique bor, the flora and fauna are rich: pine, aspen, birch mainly grow in it, there are poplar and willow, berry bushes and flowers occur, bor is home for wild boar, elk, chipmunks, squirrels, foxes, hares, wolves, woodpeckers, thrushes , hoopoes, various reptiles, amphibians, and other wildlife. The bor is full of sanatoriums, recreation centers, children campuses.
Barnaul tape Bor was repeatedly damaged from the fire, it suffered particularly badly from fires in 1997. Measures are taken to rescue, restore and improvement the ecological state of this unique relic bor.
St. Nicholas source
St. Nicholas source is located within the city of Barnaul, in its mountainous part . With this source is connected a legend. According to folk tradition, there was once a devout Christian, he walked along the edge of the Barnaul bor and it was given him to see the pillar of fire from the ground to the sky, and that he saw St. Nicholas into a pillar. Wondered traveler hurried to the place where there was a pillar of fire. He came up and saw a spring. He understood that it is not without purpose, this spring is given to the city of Barnaul, the water sanctified by God due to the prays of St. Nicholas to heal the sick.
After a while, through the efforts of God-pleasers near the source was built for women Our Lady of Kazan Convent. A beautiful white temple was built (the largest in Barnaul), designed for a half thousand prayers. And at the foot of the monastery on the bank of the river it was built two-storey wooden chapel in the name of St. Nicholas. A healing source flows into the river, to which the sick were taken, a pool was made for them. The whole Russia knew about the source.
In Soviet times, this place became a place of executions. There were shot and buried in a common grave more than six hundred Orthodox priests and parishioners. Here hastily shot the prisoners. Not far from the monastery in upland bor there is a place of shooting and burial of dozens of innocent prisoners: priests, monks and laity. In their memory the community of the city early 1990s established a memorial sign.
In 1998, the St. Nicholas source awarded the title of historic monument. In the city guide for residents and guests of city St. Nicholas source is in the top 10 obligatory places to visit in Barnaul.
Monument of Shukshin on mount Picket
Eight-meter statue of the writer Vasily Shukshin, made of bronze, stands on mount Picket above the village of Srostki in which the writer was born. The monument with the pedestal weighs more than 20 tons. Since 1976 in the village of Srostki, annual Shukshin reading take place - the feast of folk literature, the fame of which has long gone beyond the writer's native village. The annual festival gained the status of the All-Russian and was called Shukshin holiday. Prominent figures of art take part in action: literature, fine art, music. a Variety of collectives, both professional and amateur perform here. Admirers of the writer come from all corners of the country.
Mount Picket reaches 300 meters above sea level and spread over more than 140 hectares of land. Hill is incredibly picturesque - the river Fedulovka runs from the eastern slope, a tributary of the Katun, and the Katun River outlined the southern slope. From the top of Picket there is a beautiful view on the unity of the Katun and Altai foothills: you can see the Monakhov mountain and the Babyrgan referred by Shukshin in his works and films.
Through the village Srostki passes Chuysky Highway (Trakt). And originally wanted to establish a monument near the road, so that more people can enjoy it. But after all, the monument was installed on the mount, because according to the sister of the writer Vasily Shukshin loved to sit on the mount and look dreamily into the distance.
Another monument to the writer Vasily Shukshin in Altai region is set in the city of Barnaul. The figure of the writer cast from brass, mounted on a granite pedestal, close to it there is a square, and in it - and viburnum red, sung by Shukshin.
Waterfalls on the Shinok River
Waterfalls on the Shinok River - is the biggest natural attraction of Soloneshensky District of the Altai region. Shinok - a small river, its length is just 15 km . It flows from the slopes of Baschelakskiy ridge near Mount Askat (1786 m). In the upper flow it is easy winds through marsh plateau, and then rushes down into the narrow canyon, cutting its way between the rocks, forming in its middle flow many waterfalls. Turkic significance of its name perfectly reflects the character of a small river: "Shinok" - "abrupt", "impregnable."
Shinok River Basin is very picturesque - larch-cedar taiga covered hills, alpine meadows interspersed with a wide variety of Altai flora. In channel and on the banks of the river you can find ancient fossils. The river has a brownish color, but, according to analytical data, it is clean, drinkable and chemical composition - even close to the mineralized water sources.
There is not less than a dozen waterfalls on the river. The first waterfall and the river mouth shared by 13 kilometers. He is a cool water drain with a height difference of 3 meters. Next cascading stream located half a kilometer from the first, and its height is 28 meters, and even after kilometer the third noises, whose depth of fall is 72 meters. The third waterfall is called Gray, but it is often called Giraffe because of 72-meters "neck." Next originates Waterfall Gorge where waterfall Yogi or Double jump drops from a height of 25 meters. Gentle mirage rages below Yoga, dropping down from ten meters. It, Giraffe and Double jump - the most popular and visited by the guests of the Altai region. If you continue on the route, nearby you will see the shelter "Wheel ford".
It is noteworthy that the road to the waterfalls is in the shadow of the forest, many times going from one bank to the other - on the road tourists meet about 14 fords and a couple of log ferries, so it is necessary to take care of the appropriate equipment. The depth of the river is small enough to have a high rubber boots, or any non-dumped rubber-soled shoes, you do not mind wet. And another thing- in May in the area there is a lot of ticks, their number is greatly reduced in July, and in August, they practically do not occur.
Plains and mountains
The surface of the Altai Territory is divided into plains and mountains, from which most of the territory is plain. In the east it is bordered by low Salair ridge (resembling in appearance hilly plain), and in the south closely moves to the Altai Mountains. Total, the Altai Territory is an area gradually increases from northwest to southeast. The highest point - 2490 meters does not yet have an official name on the map and is located at the headwaters of the River Idol in the Korgon Ridge. The Altai Mountains are made up of mountain ranges with a difficult location. Types of relief in the Altai Mountains diverse than in the plains: there are low mountains, mid- and high mountains, areas of the ancient plains and intermountain basins. Low mountains rising above the plains at the edge of 500 meters and is gradually transformed into middle mountains with elevations up to 2,000 meters. Low hills defines by dome-shaped tops. Low mountains and middle mountains formed at the site of the ancient plain and strongly dissected by the destructive activity of water, wind and glaciers.
Ob plateau, which is characterized by gentle slopes of the ridges in the form of terraces and Bie-Chumyshsky plateau- the highest foothill areas of the West Siberian Plain. The surface of the Ob plateau dissected by erosive valleys extending parallel to each other on the ancient ravines. In their direction ridges stretch. From the east Ob limits Ob plateau, the valley which has an asymmetric structure: the right bank is low and the left is high.
The Altai Mountains are gradually destroyed by the forces of nature. Heat and cold, snow and rain, wind and flowing water pulverized and carry the upper layers, revealing a dense crystalline rocks - granite, marble, porphyrite. The tops of mountains cracked, taluses go down the slopes, composed of fine debris.
From the low-lying areas of the Altai region is best known Kulundinskaya lowland, with the lowest in the region of the vertical height (96-98 meters above sea level). It is located in the north-west. Kulundinskaya steppe is a giant bowl, occupies the area between the Irtysh and Ob. It has a flat, well-leveled surface with alternating wavy-gully areas.
Lakes
Altai region is often called the "land of a thousand lakes". Actually reservoirs in these locations is much greater. And they are very different. There are fresh, salty and healing. There are those that have formed before the ice age. With its mountains and valleys mysterious Altai region attracts travelers. Its lakes amaze scientists with relict flora and fauna and beautiful landscapes impress tourists. Local nature compared with the Alps and Tibet. Another widespread name of this land - the Land of Blue Lakes. Small, mountainous and steppe lakes give natural landscapes unique charm and originality.
In the lower parts of the plains the largest lakes are located - Kulundinskoye, Large Yarovoye, Kuchukskoe. Kulundinskie Lakes are all remnants of an ancient sea that existed millions of years ago on the site of nowaday Plains. Many of these lakes has long been famous for its mineral waters have healing properties and medicinal clays and muds. Some lakes are places of pilgrimage for residents of the region and numerous guests. On the salty Large Yarovoye lake there is a health-related complex many years. Salt water, plenty of steppe sunshine, picturesque pine forest on the banks of these lakes create unique conditions for recreation.
There is a lot of fish in flowing fresh lakes, and in the bed of rushes along the banks - waterfowl.
Very picturesque mountain lakes of the Altai Territory. They are located in the ancient ravines, on the site of the old beds of long-extinct mountain rivers, which have appeared during the melting of ancient ice.
Caves
Despite the fact that most of the Altai region occupied by plains and lowlands, there are many high mountain ranges in this region and most of them are rich in the amazing beauty and archaeological value caves. In some of them archaeologists have found traces of ancient human habitation. For example, in the Denisov Cave the remains of ancient people about 42 thousand years old were found. Not far from the Mosquito village in Seminsky Ridge is one of the deepest caves in Siberia - Altai cave depth of 240 meters and a length of 2540 meters. Caves - a unique creation of nature, with its climate, flora and fauna, subterranean relief, stalactites and stalagmites, the long galleries and limestone columns. Total in the Altai Territory exist about 1,200 caves, and many cavers assure that Altai caves are deeper and more beautiful than any other Siberian. Each cave represents something unrepeatable and unique. Kok-Tash, for example, resembles a Gothic castle with great height halls and giant drips. Tutkushenskaya is cozy, pearl lakes very decorate it. The Museum cave the whole greenhouse with earthen flowers is spread over. But Altai cave - is gloomy mines, dark green marble.
Geophysical cave. The cave is famous for its Column hall. It is truly spectacular and unique in size and beauty creation of the nature. Its diameter is 60x80 m, and its height is 20 m. The Column hall impresses with its interior decoration represented by stalactites, stalagmites, calcite flowers of all shapes.
Denisov Cave. Denisov Cave - is an ancient "cave house" in Russia, which contains cultural layers dating back all the technological eras in the history of humanity. No wonder scientists called it the "Encyclopedia of Ancient and Early History of North Asia." Recently, scientists have found here the bones of a creature similar to both zebra and donkey that lived in South Siberia 30 thousand years ago.
Fireplace Cave. It got its name because of the shape of the cave, which is very similar to the fireplace hearth. And the land it so black that resembles soot. According to the results of archaeological excavations that are actively held here from 1984 to 1999, it concluded that the cave was used by the ancient man for millennia.
Karakokshinskaya cave. This is one of the most highly placed caves of Altai. The cave is characterized by a rare form of underground karst, which combines a large extent and the highest hypsometric position (above sea level) in the North-Eastern Altai. Its cavity is at an altitude of about 2000 m above sea level.
Museum Cave. Local residents have long known cave. Its original name - Novo-Karakol and later tourists-cavers dubbed it Museum.
Taldinskie caves. They got their name from the once existed here Talda settlement. In many guidebooks you can also encounter the name Tavdinsky caves.
Tut-Kush. Tut-Kush Cave is on the western outskirts of Northeast Altai in headstream of the Kuyum river, right tributary of the Katun river, a few kilometers from the village Urluaspak (Maiminsky district).
Ust-Kan cave. The cave is a vast dry grotto, located on the right bank of the mountain-rock "White Bom" at a height of nearly 52 meters from the foot of the mountain. The length of the cave - 17 meters, height - 12 m. The world famous cave acquired when in 1954 a well-known Leningrad archaeologist Rudenko S.
Charyshskie caves. This is a group of caves located in the area of Mountain Charysh, which includes mountainous part of the basin Charysh and the surrounding mountain ranges.
Environmental Cave (Kek-Tash). Environmental Cave - the deepest cave in Siberia (345 m). It is like the highest peak of Altai - Belukha mountain is a kind of symbol of this region.
Due to the uniqueness of untouched nature, the natural and climatic characteristics, rich cultural and national traditions on the lakes of the Altai region, there are ample opportunities for all kinds of outdoor activities.
Transport
Barnaul Airport
Barnaul International Airport named after Herman Titov is the main gate of Altai and Altai Region.
Passengers not willing to pay for the rest at the airport can relax in the general waiting room. Across the entire room, comfortable chairs are installed, and the bags can put aside them (while it is even more convenient to check them into the storage room). The airport waiting area provides the following services: shops, cafes, pharmacies, ATMs, newspaper stalls (the services are paid). The baby care room is only available to passengers with children of preschool age or to pregnant women. The baby care room includes the recreational area (rooms with six beds), a shower, a toilet, a place for cooking and eating, a children's playroom. The room service is completely free, it can be found on the first floor of the terminal. Barnaul airport offers a possibility of setting up a press conference or a meeting right at the airport. The terminal has 2 conference rooms (one is for 60 persons, and the second is for 100 persons), where you can successfully hold a meeting or a presentation (all the necessary materials for the meeting will be provided by the airport staff).
In the center of Barnaul, there is a Herman Titov Airport Department of tourism and support for foreign tourists. Everyone can visit the agency and receive all the details in English about the most ineresting and attractive travelling options. The services of the agency are free of charge. The agency location details can be obtained at the airport.
- Easy transport access
- Comfortable
- Business lounge
- CIP hall
Railways
Travelling by train, you can get to such cities as Krasnoyarsk, Abakan, Tomsk, Kemerovo, Omsk, Tobolsk, Tumen, Barnaul, Irkutsk, Chita, Ulan-Ude and other. The Siberian rail system is also a part of the Transsiberian Railway. Taking the Transsib is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Russia and Siberia. Imagine travelling for a week, still being in the same country and seeing it all from the window of your train (still, we recommend to make some stops and spend a couple of days in some major cities along the way or see the wonderful nature of Siberia in Altai mountains or at Baikal lake).
Trains in Russia are divided into 5 categories depending on their comfort and fares: (1) the cheapest and the least comfortable are the seating carriages (they are mostly used for the interregional connections); (2) economy class (‘platskart’)is the most wide-spread category (and the cheapest among sleeping car options), although not very comfortable, as each block consists of 6 berths; (3) compartment cars are very comfortable sleeping cars with 4 berths per closed block; (4) premium is a very comfortable type of car, equipped with working areas, showers, etc.; (5) first-class sleeping cars are the most comfortable and the most expensive category with maximum of 2 berths per compartment. In every car, there is a steward, who at any time of the day is ready to offer a hot tea or coffee, snacks, newspapers, and board games. These can be included in your ticket price, or the extra payment may be required. Each train has a restaurant car that works 24 hours a day. You can also buy some food and drinks in the station shops in the large cities.
Train tickets can be bought at any railway station. Tickets for most routes can also be bought electronically on the web-site. At the boarding, you will only need to show your passport to the steward.
It is good to remember that in Russia, a train ride is a good reason for a new acquaintance and an interesting conversation; you should also be ready to be treated to a meal by your companions.
Local railways
The Local railways can take you to any place within Novosibirsk region and also to Barnaul, Tomsk and Kemerovo. For more information please check the map above or contact us.
Tickets for the local trains can be purchased at the special counters in the train station buildings. You will need to pay extra attention to check if the train actually stops at the desired destination point.
A regular ticket entitles you to travel on any local (electric) train current direction except the high-speed (express). To ride the express train, you will need to buy a special ticket.
The ticket shall be kept until the end of the journey. It can be checked by inspectors along the way, and you will also need it to exit the station at the destination point.
River Port
The river systems have long served as important transport routes linking the localities within the Siberian region and connecting the South and North Siberia in general. The river fleet performs this function until today. Usually, an intraregional river transport trip is not very comfortable, as opposed to the long river journeys where you can select cabins of different categories of comfort.
On the other hand, this is the only way to move around Siberia while seeing the picturesque Siberian nature from this perspective, enjoy a clean air and a leisurely movement on the water.
Tickets for the river transport can be purchased at the box office in the river station building. The long-term, multi-day tours on the rivers can also be purchased at travel agencies that organize these trips. To purchase a long tour, you will need a passport.
In the river transport, it is generally forbidden to smoke and drink liquors. This rule does not apply to the boats for the multi-day trips, as there are special facilities on board.
- Easy transport access
Bus Terminal
Buses in Siberia are a convenient way of transportation within the region or to the adjacent regions.
Bus tickets can be purchased at the bus station or in the special booking-offices. You can also buy an e-ticket on the website. To buy an intraregional ticket, there are no special requirements. If you buy a ticket to travel outside of the region, you will need to show your passport at the bus station counter; you may also be required to show it while boarding the bus.
While traveling in the winter, you will need to remember that due to the bad weather conditions the bus can be delayed or even canceled. Also, most buses don’t have a toilet, which also should be considered before going on a long journey, if you want it to be not painful but pleasant. Remember that the distances in Siberia are quite long.
There are also international routes from Barnaul to Kazakhstan.
- Easy transport access
City bus
Regular shuttle transportation.
Buses run along the special routes and are marked with corresponding numbers. But for the passengers’ convenience, on each bus, there's also a list of the key stops on the route, for an easier navigation.
The fare is paid directly in the bus to the conductor and only in cash.
In Russia, it is believed that if the sum of the first three digits of the ticket number is equal to the sum of the last three digits, then you need to chew and eat the ticket, which is supposed to bring luck to you. We can only recommend that before eating the lucky ticket, you make sure that your insurance covers the risks of such undertakings.:)
Minibus (marshrutka)
Regular shuttle transportation.
Minibusses run along the special routes and are marked with corresponding numbers. But for the passengers’ convenience, on each bus, there's also a list of the key stops on the route, for an easier navigation.
The fare is paid when entering the minibus, directly to the driver, and only in cash. The fare depends on the length of the journey; the details are always displayed in the cabin.
It is very common that the passenger closest to the driver is asked by the others to pass the money on to the driver. So, if you sit in that place, it would really help if you’re able to count quickly (and are quite familiar with the local money to pass the change back to everyone). Minibusses stop on demand, so in order not to pass your stop, you should exactly know its name and ask the driver to stop, loudly and in advance.
On the street, you can stop the minibus by raising a hand, just like a taxi, but only at the stopping sites.
Trolleybus
Regular shuttle transportation.
Trolleybuses run along the special routes and are marked with corresponding numbers. But for the passengers’ convenience, on each bus, there's also a list of the key stops on the route, for an easier navigation.
The fare is paid directly in the trolleybus to the conductor and only in cash.
In Russia, it is believed that if the sum of the first three digits of the ticket number is equal to the sum of the last three digits, then you need to chew and eat the ticket, which is supposed to bring luck to you. We can only recommend that before eating the lucky ticket, you make sure that your insurance covers the risks of such undertakings.:)
Tram
Regular shuttle transportation.
Trams run along the special routes and are marked with corresponding numbers. But for the passengers’ convenience, on each bus, there's also a list of the key stops on the route, for an easier navigation.
The fare is paid directly in the tram to the conductor and only in cash.
In Russia, it is believed that if the sum of the first three digits of the ticket number is equal to the sum of the last three digits, then you need to chew and eat the ticket, which is supposed to bring luck to you. We can only recommend that before eating the lucky ticket, you make sure that your insurance covers the risks of such undertakings.:)
- Easy transport access
Taxi
You can use the taxi to move around the city or region. You can order a cab by calling a special service or you may just stick your hand out and stop the taxi when you see it. We don’t recommend using any kinds of an illegal taxi (a regular car with no signs of a taxi service on it).
Don’t be surprised if a car stops, that is not marked as a taxi – anyone can give you a ride. But it is important to agree on the cost of the trip before getting into the car. Sometimes you can even get it for free.
The cost of a trip from the airport to the city center or vice versa should not exceed 1000 rubles. It is paid mostly in cash (some taxi companies also accept major credit cards, but you better check it before the ride).
Hotels
„The TripSib team recommends“
Night life
„The TripSib team recommends“
Activities
ATV tours
ATV is a unique vehicle, specially designed for the off-road driving. There is nothing more exciting than traveling with friends by ATV through the rugged areas of the wild, primitive Siberian nature.
Driving the ATV Riding ATV does not represent any special difficulty, even for a beginner. One or two hours spent behind its wheel are enough to feel confident. Bright emotions, thrill, and an indescribable excitement before the start of a trip are guaranteed!
Snowmobile tours
A snowmobile is a driven vehicle designed to travel on snow. No matter what the Canadians say, but the first snowmobiles drove across the expanses of Russia, on the banks of the Neva River at the beginning of the last century. This fact is recorded in the documents as the tests of "Russo-Balt". Naturally, the first snowmobile developed a speed of only 40 kilometers per hour and it looked very much different as compared to the modern snowmobiles.
Snowmobiles have long been an integral part of winter recreation in Siberia, whether snow safaris, ice fishing, or just a ride between the mountain slopes. Snowmobiling gives a lot of impressions both to the seasoned drivers, and to those who is behind the wheel for the first time. Snowmobiling is a fun and a rush of adrenaline brought up by the speed, freedom of movement, the ability to see the pristine beauty of wild Siberian land, and to look into the hidden corners of the taiga.
Today, snowmobiling tours are among the most interesting components of active recreation in Siberia. Test the new machines, explore new routes, conquer new heights - savor the taste of freedom that’s brought to you by this winter miracle of technology!
Ski trips
Participants of the ski trips and photographers that make amazing shots of winter scenery somewhere in the mountains or wild forests are not mythical characters, who love the crazy adventures. Everyone can see the beauty of winter nature and, moreover, there are special clubs for this, organizing these unforgettable tours. Winter trips are almost always about ski tourism, and you will not have to walk waist-deep in the snow and plow the snow drifts with your body. The only difficulty in the winter trip is the ability to ski. But at the same time, it does not require a lot of time to learn how to ski, a few hours or a total of one day will be enough, not only to learn how to slide but also not to fall when descending by the slope.
The landscapes, most fantastic in their beauty, when everything sparkles and shines, and the day is sunny and clear, usually happen at a temperature of -30 to -40 Celsius. But if you are dressed properly, the cold won’t scare you. And, considering the sunny weather, you can even forget about the cold at all.
However, you need to keep in mind that ski tourism is one of the most difficult sports. Low temperatures require you to make decisions quickly and accurately and to move actively along the route. Great attention is paid to the outfit: outer clothing, and especially ski because without it you will not be able to make a single step on a snow cover. But the most important thing is that ski trip is only possible if lead by a professional athlete; no other options, like instructor-guide, will be suitable here. Each route must be coordinated with EMERCOM at its start and finish, and all participants of the trip must be insured in case of emergencies.
Ski tourism is extremely good for your health. It is a true, pure and undiluted elixir of health. Active movements in winter conditions provide an excellent tonic effect because it activates the endocrine system and improves metabolic processes. In the cold, the defense mechanisms of the body start working, which increases immunity and resistance to colds and viruses. Furthermore, the cold air, as opposed to the hot one, is several times richer in negative ions, which are more biologically active. There are less dust and gas impurities - they are successfully absorbed by the snow. Add to this the healing phytoncides of conifers – and voila, your health cocktail is ready. Skiing provides an excellent exercise, develops flexibility and coordination. In just three hours of skiing, a person makes almost three thousand repetitions of abdominal exercises! Cardio develops endurance, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Your mind also unloads, exhausted by the everyday office life and multi-level tasks. You just go and admire the wonderful pictures of the sleeping winter nature. Eyes get free from the blur, and you start to notice the details - the traces of animals on the snow, the frost pattern on the branches. Depression, stress, melancholy, and a feeling of hopelessness all go away. You get a new taste for life!
Bicycle tours
Biking can be divided into two categories: amateur rides and pro biking tours. While the amateur ride is simple to just arrange with your friends in search of adventure, the professional bike tour is a serious route under the guidance of experienced instructors. Biking tours are the paid trips, i.e. trips, where you can buy a ticket to join. The bike tour routes are repeatedly explored and inspected by the guides of travel agencies, hotels are booked, first aid kit contains the necessary medications, and all the necessary wrenches are in the repair kit. Often there is also a support vehicle. You will only need to spin the pedals, see the sights and socialize with new people. In a word – have fun.
The 2 or 3 days long trips often gather up to 30 people. If you join such bicycle trip, you will meet the people you will love to talk to and to plough the wild Siberian nature together.
Hunting
Siberia has always been famous for its hunting and fishing. It has everything you may need – thick taiga with bears, wild boars, deers, fur-bearing animals, and various birds; rivers full of all kinds of fish. Hunting enthusiasts can experience all the excitement and bring out the best properties of a trapper when hunting wild boar or elk, when at any moment they can get one on one with the beast. By the way elk, one of the largest animals found in the hunting grounds in Siberia, has an average of about 250 kg, although there are considerably larger specimens. Wild boar’s body may have a length of 2 meters, the height at withers of 1.5 meters, and body weight of 270 kg. One of the most popular kinds of hunting is fowling – shooting duck, woodcock, goose, partridge and other birds.
There are various ways of hunting, but of course, every hunter has his own way that brings him more luck. You will have the opportunity to learn a lot about hunting in Siberia, as well as personally plunge into the primeval impassable Siberian taiga.
Cities of Siberia host many exhibitions, forums and other sites where hunting, fishing and sports tourism professionals can meet. These are: The International Tourism Fair "Yenisei", exhibition "World of Sports. Hunting. Fishing”, All-Russian Fair "National Hunting and Fishing", "Tourism. Sport. Recreation" and "Hunting. Fishing".
Winter fishing
What can be peculiar about winter fishing in Siberia? You don’t have to be an expert to say – the climate, of course. Siberia is primarily associated with heavy frosts and huge snowdrifts. Depending on the region, the winter temperature in Siberia can drop below fifty degrees centigrade. But that is not a trouble for real fishermen because a huge variety of all kinds of fish are splashing in the lakes and rivers of Siberia. That is why neither frost nor serious distances nor the almost complete absence of roads in the forest are not hindrances for the avid fishing fan. Taiga hunting cabins, bass, pike, rudd, Siberian pelmeni – these are just some of the features of Siberian fishing, which attract anglers from all over the world.
The winter fishing has a lot of advantages as compared to the summer one. The first is a complete absence of mosquitoes and gnats. Because in summer it really hassles even the local fishermen, not to mention those who come from other places to go fishing in this wonderful region. The second advantage of the Siberian winter fishing is the accessibility of many spots because everything is frozen. So, the areas that in summer can only be reached by helicopter, in winter can be driven to by a snowmobile. And, which is equally important, you can drive almost straight forward. In winter, you will need much less gear (unlike the summer), which simplifies the transportation.
Russian bath
The story of the bath is very interesting, because the tradition of bath sweating has ancient roots and is still popular. In Russia, bath has always been highly respected and esteemed. There’s an idea that the Russian bath is the most ancient one. References to it can be found in the works of Slavic oral lore, as they were pagans, and attached great importance to the forces of fire and water. Many peoples of Siberia, the Urals and the Volga region had their steam houses. In our days, for example, you can find hunters’ houses in the forests which are built according to the steam houses principle.
It is worth noting that the Russian baths have always impressed foreign visitors. They never could understand why someone would pour kvass or ice water on himself, why people would beat each other with brooms, why someone would sponge himself down with snow. The invitation to the bath sweating was always like a voluntary torture to all visitors. However, after going to the real Russian bathhouse the guests felt fine; and the impressions were so strong that the rumors about the miraculous effect of the procedure quickly spread throughout the world.
Today, everyone knows Russian baths. They are popular in our country and abroad. And their beneficial properties and health-improving effects are recognized by the whole world. In fact, many health-improving properties largely depend on the correct broom steaming, so stop hesitating – it is time to go straight to the bath. See you there :)