Barnaul is the largest industrial city located in the south of Western Siberia. The capital of Altai received its name from the Barnaulka River flowing there. In the place where this river flows into the Ob, and there is a city rich in attractions. Barnaul is known for its historical sites, including settlements of ancient people and barrows. But at first glance, not everyone will like the capital of Altai. This is a city where heavy industry flourishes. Those who travel in Altai, mainly in his capital travel only by passing, not lingering for a long time. Arriving by plane to the city center can only through industrial areas, which will please not everyone. Those who arrived by train were more fortunate - they would be right in the center of the city.
Legends of the origin of the name of the city
There are several versions regarding the etymology of the name of the city. It used to be that the word “Barnaul” is translated from Kazakh as “a good camp”. But this version is rather doubtful, since the Kazakhs never roamed in the place where the capital of Altai is located. There is another version of the origin of the word “Barnaul”, which has already been mentioned: it comes from the river flowing in this area, which was previously called on the maps “Boronoul” and “Boronour”.
Bit of history
The capital of Altai - Barnaul - appeared after the reforms of Peter I, which resulted in a big leap forward in the development of Russia. Before the city appeared in the foothills of Altai, rich copper ore deposits were discovered, the first Russian smelter in these places was built.
Already in 1730, the famous breeder A.N. Demidov sent people to find a convenient place to build a large plant. The choice fell on the mouth of the Barnaulka River . This choice was based on the need for the production of water and forest resources. There was only one problem - the site for the construction of the plant was significantly removed from the source of raw materials, namely copper ore, but this disadvantage had to be put up with. Moreover, the choice of Akinfiy Demidov regarding the location of the plant was also influenced by the fact that silver ore was found in Altai. The territories of Western Siberia were recognized by the decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna as the territory of the royal estate. Since 1771, Barnaul began to bear the status of a "mountain city", later it was part of the Tomsk province, and then the Tomsk region. Only in 1937 Barnaul became the administrative center of the newly formed Altai Territory. The Great Patriotic War did not pass by this city either - during it, most of the industrial enterprises that had previously been located in the western part of the country were evacuated here. Now the capital of Altai is nothing but a major cultural and industrial center of Siberia.
Famous City Legends
Mark Yudalevich in his play “The Blue Lady” described the ghost of a woman who supposedly appears in the current building of the city administration. Moreover, the legend testifies that the young wife of the general was walled alive by him in these walls. The next legend says that A. Demidov illegally smelted silver at his factories, so these enterprises were transferred to the treasury. Because of this, before death, Demidov cursed these plants. As a result of this, supposedly in places where they were located, disasters sometimes occur in May (there was a flood in 1793, a fire in 1917, etc.).
sights
The many attractions of Barnaul, photos of which can be seen below, attract tourists with their stories, accessibility and beauty. Only urban legends excite the imagination and generate interest among researchers. The capital of the Altai Mountains is famous for its mining. In honor of the centennial of this field of activity, the Demidov pillar was erected, which is located on Demidov Square. Construction began back in 1825 and ended after 14 years. Since then, the obelisk has been supplemented with a bas-relief depicting the founder of the city Demidov, which, unfortunately, was removed in the post-revolutionary time. The height of the pillar is 14 meters; the supports were erected from cast iron. Today, the pillar is a monument of federal significance. Often the Demidov pillar is compared with the Egyptian obelisk in Paris.
It is interesting for history buffs of the fallen fighters for socialism. The square is a memorial complex located between the city administration and the Rodina cinema. This is a whole composition, which includes mass graves, steles and a monument with eternal flame. The first stone of the monument was laid in 1920, the construction of the entire complex was completed by the 50th anniversary of the October Revolution.
Heroes of his time
The monument to Vasily Shukshin, writer, director and actor, is located on V. Makarovich Street and has a rather interesting history. The only monument of an outstanding personality was created by Nikolai Zvonkov, a milling machine operator who studied sculpture independently. The idea was supported by the boss who assisted in the creation of the sculpture. When it became known to the head of the city administration that such a monument was made by a layman, he forbade further work, but this did not stop Zvonkov. The striking similarity of work and a living person was appreciated: by July 25, 1989, the monument was erected.
Constant development of the city
The youngest museum in the city can be considered a museum with an interesting name “City”. It was opened in the month of September 2007. The main idea and concept of the museum is to show the history of the capital, illustrating the fate of a wide variety of people who have made a significant contribution to the development of the city. Here are Akinfiy Demidov, and V. M. Shukshin, and F. Gebler, and N. M. Yadrintsev. The museum is engaged not only in exhibition activities (the projects “Faith: the era of formation”, an exhibition in honor of the 80th anniversary of the birth of Shukshin V.M.) were carried out, but also research: the museum’s employees are developing thematic lecture materials on the history of the city, including various regions of the Altai Republic.