The intensive growth and development of the present territory of the Altai Territory is associated with industrial production. The development of mineral resources, started by Akinfiy Demidov in the southwestern part of the region during the reign of Catherine I, led to the emergence of several large centers of mining production in Altai. In Kolyvan, Barnaul, Zmeinogorsk, monuments of the first industrial flourishing of the Kolyvano-Voskresensky (Altai) mountain district have been preserved. One of them is still an operating plant.

When the copper ran out - they took up the stones

The first copper-smelting plant in Altai was built by Demidov in 1728 - on the Belaya River, near rich deposits of copper ores in the area of ​​Mount Sinyukha and Lake Kolyvansky. Copper reserves were enough for half a century of the Kolyvano-Voskresensk plant. The dam that remained from it at the beginning of the 19th century became an innovative mechanism of the third grinding factory in the Russian Empire (now the Kolyvan stone-cutting plant named after Polzunov). It was here that the power of water was first used for mechanical processing of stone. The old factory dam is now one of the excursion sites of this legendary place.

The number of the most significant art objects from the heyday of the Kolyvan factory has exceeded 900. So far, no one in the world has been able to outshine the Tsarina Vaz, on which Altai masters worked for the Hermitage for 12 years in the 19th century. In Kolyvan, tourists go to workshops that are more than 200 years old. Until now, these walls create wonderful products from Altai stones. The guests of the plant see all stages of modern stone processing: from the cutting of giant blocks to the artistic adjustment of the smallest pieces that add up to amazing mosaics, paintings, icons. The factory has a museum of the history of stone-cutting and a shop for Kolyvan souvenirs.

Gatherers are sent on an ore quest

In addition to the Zmeinogorsky and Kurinsky districts, mineralogical tours are also organized to the Akimovskoye field of the Krasnoshchekovsky district. Fascinating journeys to the mines of the 18th century are organized many times a season by the Barnaul Museum "The World of Stone". Finding a quarry on the slopes and taking with you rock crystal or garnet, malachite or quartz, bright chrysocolla or rauch topaz is a tempting prospect of such a trip.

Travelers get a complete picture of the development of the Altai's bowels by visiting the only museum of the history of mining in Zmeinogorsk beyond the Urals.

Many tourists are also showing interest in abandoned industrial sites of the Soviet era. The mines and adits where tungsten was mined for the defense industry are located five kilometers from Kolyvan and in the vicinity of Belokurikha-2. But if only enthusiasts can get to the former village of Kolyvanstroy, then organized groups of tourists are already driving to the villages that have been deserted after the completion of mining on the territory of the new tourist cluster.

The second wave of industrial growth covered Barnaul during the Great Patriotic War. About a hundred enterprises were evacuated to the capital of the Altai Territory. Many of them managed to withstand the years of the collapse of the Soviet economy and maintain strong positions in the domestic and foreign markets. (You can read about the leading industrial enterprises of the region and the capital by downloading the file.)

Health seekers will be measured out with reserved herbs

In the regional capital, the mission to acquaint tourists with the assortment of Altai nutraceuticals was undertaken by the Altai Hospitality Center Gornaya Apteka. by force.

You can find out about the enterprises of the region that produce pharmaceutical and health-improving products from natural biologically active local raw materials by downloading the file.

Photo by Alexey Zyryanov, Maria Ivleva, Maria Karbysheva, Roman Zaikovsky, altairegion22.ru and from the archive of Altaytourtsentr.