Biysk stands in an initially mystical place. It is here that large energy flows are concentrated, the longest river in Russia, the Ob, begins here, it is here that the Altai peoples once became part of the Russian Empire.
Of course, the oldest city of the Altai Territory, the only one beyond the Urals, built according to the personal decree of Peter the Great, cannot but have its own mysteries, its urban legends …
Separately in their row is the Old Center, where most of the old merchant estates are located, striking with their architectural beauty and, of course, secrets … Just what is the legend about the Phantom of Varvinsky's mansion. Yes, we are talking about the building where the Chuisky tract museum is located today, the only museum dedicated to one road. Every year on the Night of Museums, many residents of Biysk descend to its basement in the hope of seeing with their own eyes a sullen, bearded man who wanders and wanders around it at night. Who is it? It is not known for certain. Perhaps the merchant Varvinsky himself is keeping order in the mansion? One cannot but recall the modern belief associated with the monument to the builders of the Chuisky tract, installed near this museum. The people called him "Zero kilometer of the Chuysky tract." Biich residents believe that if you hold on to him before leaving,then the road will be safe.
The mansion of Nikolai Assanov also did not remain without its ghost. Walking past him is a bit creepy at night. People say that on especially moonlit nights after 12 o'clock in one of his offices a dim light and the silhouette of a stern old man can be seen. He is either leafing through the book, or making some notes. Sometimes he gets up, goes to the window and looks carefully into it. Who he is is unknown … Maybe a merchant clerk summing up the results of the day at the estate, or maybe Assanov himself.
Another interesting building is the Public City Meeting, now the Children's Art Center. Here, as in many mansions of Biysk, an evacuation hospital was located during the Second World War. It is impossible to single out someone specific from the ghosts, but at night it is scary in the building. Something always creaks, as if the old mansion is groaning, remembering the past youth. I had a chance to talk with people who once guarded this building at night. They recall with some fear the nights they spent in the mansion. We were constantly on the alert, because somewhere something creaked, blurted out. The rumble echoes through the vaults … You go to check, but no, it is thundering in another place. And I didn't even have to sleep there. You just cover your eyes, and the nightmares immediately become attached. If it's even quieter upstairs, then it's just horror in the basement … However, now this building is the fiefdom of children. Here they sing, dance, study,go in for sports. Maybe thanks to this, the poltergeist calmed down …
In general, ancient Biysk has something to surprise lovers and connoisseurs of mysticism and the unknown …
Pavel Sidorenko