Monday, July 20, 2015

A Visit to Biysk

Jonathan Porschet, Geneva Middle School

Sunday afternoon we visited Biysk a city of a little more than 200,000 inhabitants, located on the east of Altai Krai.  Biysk was founded early in the 18th century by order of Peter the Great.  We visited a monument to Peter the Great which also celebrated the survival of the early fortress after enduring invasion.

Biysk continues to be the headquarters of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Altai.  We enjoyed an extensive tour through historic Orthodox chapels and the Archbishop's home.  The Chapels have been beautifully restored; and restoration continues at the Archbishop's residence--which also houses an extensive collection of artifacts.  The care taken in restoration provides an echo to Soviet times when the spaces were used (among other things) to house livestock, military vehicles and fuel.





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