Gorno-Altaysk.

History

In 1824 settlers from Biysk founded the village of Ulala here, and in 1831 it became the headquarters of the Altai Spiritual Mission. In 1922 Ulala became the centre of the Oirot Autonomous Oblast. From 1932 to 1948 the town was called Oirot-Tura, and on 7 January 1948 it received its present name.

Culture & traditions

The city's pride is the Anokhin National Museum of the Altai Republic, home to the famous mummy of the 'Altai princess' from the Ukok Plateau. The Kuchiyak National Theatre opened in 1971. Gorno-Altaysk also has a state university. It is the capital of the native Altaians' homeland: the southern groups were traditionally herders, the northern ones hunters.

Sport

The mountains within the city limits draw skiers and hikers. The nearby slopes have ski runs and recreation areas.

Food & drink

Altai cooking means horse or mutton soups, blood sausage, cream from boiled milk, butter, fermented milk and roasted barley flour. The traditional strong drink, araki, is distilled from kumis.

Practical information

Gorno-Altaysk Airport, rebuilt in 2011, lies 9 km west of the city and has regular flights from Moscow. The nearest railway station is in Biysk, 96 km away; the M52 highway runs north to Novosibirsk and south towards the Mongolian border. The climate is sharply continental, from +13 to +35 °C in summer, with a record winter low of −48.6 °C. Summer, the season for mountain trips, is the best time to visit.

What to see

• Anokhin National Museum — the 'Altai princess' mummy from Ukok
• Kuchiyak National Theatre — a stage opened in 1971
• Mountains within the city — ski slopes and hiking trails
• Confluence of the Ulalushka and Mayma — where Ulala began