Places of Interest of Biysk (2)

Biysk is rich in architectural monuments of the XIX-XX centuries: dwelling houses, shops and churches. There are 40 architectural and historical monuments of federal and territorial importance. They are extremely valuable because a considerable part of old constructions have been preserved. Most sights worth seeing in Biysk are concentrated in its Old Centre, which is the actually the heart of the city.

The cannons of the Biysk Fortress. In the quiet square opposite the City Park in the Old Centre there are two cannons to remind of the times of the Biysk Fortress. These twelve – pound cannons were cast in 1402 in Kamensk. There were brought to Biysk in 1756 and set up to protect the fortress. In 1848 when the Biysk fortress was abolished, the cannons were taken away. Nearly all of them were sent for remelting. Two cannons were placed on the pedestal to commemorate the 200^th anniversary of Biysk in June, 1909.

The Uspenskaya Church is a construction of great artistic value situated at the bank of the River Biya. The most distinctive trait of the Church is its silver domes which look especially striking against the dark skies. The inside of the Church is impressive too: the walls and the inner part of the dome bear beautiful holy paintings. There’s a priceless collection of icons there, the most famous of which is the Icon of Father, Son and Holy Spirits.

The Drama Theatre or the People’s House occupies a beautiful mansion in the Old Centre on Sovetskaya Street.

The Bianky Museum of Regional Ethnography is a red-brick building located not far from the bridge across the Biya. It is named after Vitaly Bianky who came to Biysk and stayed here for some time to study the town and the Altay Territory. The Department of Nature is very popular. Its exposition presents common and rare animals and birds found in the Altai Territory: marals (Siberian stags), bears, wolves, ulars, kabargas, and what not.

The Museum of Regional Studies issituated in the former Asanov’s Mansion. The Museum possesses a priceless collection of archaeological and ethnographical exhibits devoted to the history and culture of the Altay Territory and its people. There are six departments and seven halls in the Museum. There is a scientific library of 15500 volumes of books on botany, geography, zoology, philosophy, linguistics and other subjects. The Museum is believed to be one of the best in Siberia.

The Memorial is found in a quiet square not far from the Drama Theater. It was constructed to commemorate the heroes from Biysk and neighboring villages perished in the World War II. The names of more than 9700 Biysk citizens are written down in the Memory Book of the Altay Territory.