I bet some maps in Russia don’t even have Biysk on them. Many people, who go to work or just see the Altay mountains, speed up through Biysk on their way to the beauties of the mountainous area. They never take time to stop and see the town though, which is a pity. Read on.

Biysk, Biysk fortress, Biyakatun fortification. Those were all different names of the town in different years. For as long as about three centuries it has been Russia’s gateway into Central Asia. These gates were opened by Peter the Great. He swung them open in his usual confident manner, for he saw great value in it all. The commander and towns head Mikhail Ovitsin reported to the Emperor: “in June of this year of 1709 on the day of the 18th, due to the Great Sovereign’s degree, with the mercy of the Lord and to our joy, there was built Biykatunsky Fort that has various fortresses and living quarters. And in this newly built fort there was left a Kuznetsk Boyar son Andrey Popov as a head, along with a hundred countrymen and two cannons.” Can you imagine that we still have those two cannons standing on the square to remind of the rich history of Biysk?

By a long established tradition, this very date of 18th of June, 1709 is considered to be the town’s foundation date. Today Biysk has turned 297 years old. The oldest town in Altay. Just fancy!

As to the name of Biysk, it evolved from the name of Biyakatun Fortress and the name of the river Biya the fortress stood on. The town is located in a picturesque area, where rivers Biya and Katun flow together.

Since early days of the town there has never been a single major incident between the Russians and Altaians. We learned to live in mutual trust and understanding. The relations of both peoples have been strengthening with cultural and trade links getting tighter.

The Altay people share with the Russians a very romantic legend about the appearance of the town on the confluence of two rivers Biya and Katun, that is Biysk. Once upon a time there lived a young hunter named Biy and a young lady named Katun, who was the daughter of the Khan Altay. Biy and Katun fell in love with each other and wanted to be together, but Khan Altay was against their getting together. Katun had to run away from her father and Biy escaped with her. They were running side by side and Khan Altay’s warriors followed the couple as they were getting away. Warriors couldn’t catch up with the loving couple. Biy and Katun met and formed a bigger river Ob, so they became one forever. The town Biysk stands right where the Beauty Rivers tenderly embrace each other and carry on inseparably. I just love this story.

All in all foundation of Biysk is a harmonious combination of long-term strategic design, economic advantage and great artistic taste. I am so proud of Biysk that is one of the scientifically developed towns of Siberia with a big tourism potential and rich historical background. Welcome to Biysk! And let’s put it back on the map!!!

More pictures for you are below. Enjoy and leave your comments. Any questions?

Here is a picture of the Old trade Bank. It was built as a merchent's house. Look, how beautiful the dome is. Eh, was. In late fall last year this dome was destroyed in a fire. We were all in such a shock. we still are. What a loss for the town architecture!!!

Below is the picture of the Russian Orthodox Church of our town.Gorgeous.

Here is the picture of the Main community hall of Biysk.