There are two different provinces: the Republic of Altai and the Altai Krai. You will probably have to google the distance to a certain location. However, Barnaul, the capital of the Altai Krai, is 4h 20min flight from St. Petersburg and 4h flight from Moscow.
The Altai Krai is a region in Western Siberia, with its capital in the city of Barnaul. An incredible spot for filming. People began to settle down in this part of Siberia in the XVII c. The oldest buildings of Barnaul were founded a century later: this city was designed in the image of St. Petersburg, and thus had a very strict building plan of its center.
The Altai Region is famous for its stunning natural beauty and cultural heritage. Located in southern Siberia, the region is home to a diverse landscape that includes snow-capped mountains, pristine lakes, and vast forests. The region is also home to several indigenous cultures, including the Altai people, who have a rich history and traditions that have been preserved for centuries.
The Altai Region is a popular destination for adventure tourism, with opportunities for hiking, skiing, and mountaineering. The region is also home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including the Ukok Plateau, which contains ancient burial mounds and petroglyphs.
In Barnaul, you can film the late XIX c. merchants’ houses, for instance, the wooden house of Shadrin, or the apartment house of Averintsev. Residential buildings of the beginning of the XX c. and merchants’ trading arcades can be filmed on the Leo Tolstoy street, the oldest street of Barnaul. The architectural ensemble of the Demidov square, also one of the oldest places in the city, is designed in the Russian classicism style: the Barnaul Technical school and the Mining Hospital are placed in strictly-symmetrical white and yellow two-storied buildings with small yet elegant colonnades. To honor the 100th anniversary of mining in the Altai the Demidov pillar was erected in the middle of the square.
The Museum of Mountain pharmacy is yet another interesting place in Barnaul. Since the XVIII c., medicines from local herbs were made here and then distributed among the hospitals of Siberia, as well as patient-care items and medical books.
The Barnaul Pokrovsky Cathedral (1903) is a red brick temple in the pseudo-Russian style. The interior of the Cathedral has paintings created by the world-famous Russian academic painters, M. V. Nesterov, V. M. Vasnetsov, and I. N. Kramskoy. The Altai Krai is famous for its nature.
In the Uymon valley, in the village of Verh-Uymon, there is a cultural center named after the Roerichs. The famous Russian artist Roerich traveled a lot in Altai and was interested in the religious beliefs of the locals. In the cultural center our fixers can help you in filming traditional Altaians’ activities, shamanic rituals, and of course the life in aili – traditional houses.
A lot of the Russian Old Believers were forced to flee Central Russia. Many of them settled in Siberia, in the Uymon valley. Some of them became wealthy merchants and moved to Barnaul. But many of them ran away from secular life: they built large wooden izbas isolated from other villages and tilled the land. These settlements remain in good condition to this day, and in the Roerich cultural center, you can film some of them revealing the everyday life of a Siberian Old Believer peasant.
Lake Teletskoye: The largest lake in Altai, known for its crystal-clear water, beautiful surroundings, and rich wildlife.
Altai Mountains: A range of breathtaking peaks and valleys that are perfect for hiking, skiing, and mountaineering.
Katun Nature Reserve: A protected area of pristine forests, mountains, and rivers that is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the rare Altai snow leopard.
Belukha Mountain: The highest peak in Altai, famous for its stunning views and challenging climbing routes.
Ukok Plateau: A UNESCO World Heritage site that contains ancient burial mounds and petroglyphs, as well as beautiful alpine meadows and pristine lakes.
The Altai region is a remote area in southern Siberia, known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. The history of the region dates back thousands of years, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Paleolithic era. The area was inhabited by various indigenous peoples, including the Altai and Teleut people, who have a rich history and culture that has been preserved for centuries.
In the 13th century, the region was conquered by the Mongol Empire and became part of the Silk Road, a major trade route between China and Europe. The region was also a center for gold mining during the 19th century, attracting settlers from across Russia.
