Barnaul.

History

The site is first mentioned in 1724, and in 1730 Akinfiy Demidov moved peasants here to work the Altai ores; construction of a copper and silver smelter began in 1739. In 1747 the works passed to the Crown, and Barnaul became the centre of silver production in the Russian Empire. It was granted town status in 1771. After the smelter closed in 1893, Barnaul became a major trading town, and in the 20th century an industrial centre with more than a hundred enterprises.

Culture & traditions

Barnaul's local history museum was founded in 1823, and the city also has exhibitions on the history of literature and of Orthodoxy in the Altai. Demidov Square is a classical ensemble of former mining administration buildings. The Drama Theatre and the Musical Comedy Theatre are the main stages, and Nagorny Park is known for its views over the Ob. Barnaul is linked to the inventor Ivan Polzunov, creator of the world's first two-cylinder engine.

Sport

The city is home to the hockey club Altai, the football club Dynamo and the volleyball club Universitet. It has sports palaces, swimming pools and stadiums. Ice hockey player Kirill Marchenko was born in Barnaul.

Practical information

Gherman Titov International Airport, named in 2010 after the second human in space, lies 17 km west of the centre. Rail and bus routes connect the city with the rest of the krai. The climate is sharply continental, averaging −15.5 °C in January and +19.9 °C in July, with winter frosts that can drop below −45 °C. Summer is the best time to come, and a good moment to continue on to the Altai mountains.

What to see

• Demidov Square — a classical ensemble from the mining era
• Local history museum — a collection founded in 1823
• Nagorny Park — views over the Ob from the high bank
• Drama Theatre — one of the city's main stages
• Musical Comedy Theatre — Barnaul's other main stage