The panel Kolyvano-Kuznetsk Fortification Line consists of several copper plates made using etching technique (copper etching).
The Kolyvano-Kuznetsk Fortification Line was part of the Siberian Line, which defended Russia’s east and southeast borders in the 18th and 19th centuries. It included interconnected fortresses and lighthouses, outposts and redoubts, as well as other fortifications.
In the early 17th century the Kuznetsk fortress was Russia’s southernmost fortification facility in West Siberia. Stretching behind it were then faraway and little-known Altai mountains. It was not until the early 18th century that Russia started extensively exploring and conquering South Siberia. When prospecting for ore deposits and the building of agricultural settlements started in the area, it became necessary for the state to build new fortresses to protect these lands.
Therefore, in 1709 the Bikatun Fortress was founded to protect the areas, whose population was subject to fur tax (yasak volosts). The fortress walls were reinforced with a stockade and towers, but they did not save it from the attack of Dzungar Khanate troops. The Dzungars burned the fortress almost to the ground. It was rebuilt only 8 years later, in July 1718.
Gradually, new strongholds were built along the Ob river. In 1727, Akinfiy Demidov opened Kolyvano-Voskresensk plants in the river basin. After the industrialist’s death, his properties were managed by the Cabinet of Her Imperial Majesty, which founded Kolyvano-Voskresensk Mining District in the region. In 1747, the construction of Kolyvano-Voskresensk watchpost line was commenced. It became part of the Kolyvano-Kuznetsk Fortification Line.
In 1768, the line was reinforced by three fortresses: Anuysk, Katunsk and Biysk fortresses. As the mountainous terrain was quite a strong natural fortification, the few fortresses built were sufficient to protect these lands. Moreover, the government was reluctant to allocate more money for the construction of additional large-scale fortifications.
In the late 18th century the authorities made a decision to build a new Kuznetsk fortress: by that time many of Kuznetsk fortifications fell into decay, but the city remained an important part of the border system and needed strong protection.
The Kolyvano-Kuznetsk Line lasted until the middle of the 19th century. Later, the Imperial War Ministry struck the old Siberian strongholds off its balance sheet.
The Kolyvano-Kuznetsk Fortification Line was part of the Siberian Line, which defended Russia’s east and southeast borders in the 18th and 19th centuries. It included interconnected fortresses and lighthouses, outposts and redoubts, as well as other fortifications.
In the early 17th century the Kuznetsk fortress was Russia’s southernmost fortification facility in West Siberia. Stretching behind it were then faraway and little-known Altai mountains. It was not until the early 18th century that Russia started extensively exploring and conquering South Siberia. When prospecting for ore deposits and the building of agricultural settlements started in the area, it became necessary for the state to build new fortresses to protect these lands.
Therefore, in 1709 the Bikatun Fortress was founded to protect the areas, whose population was subject to fur tax (yasak volosts). The fortress walls were reinforced with a stockade and towers, but they did not save it from the attack of Dzungar Khanate troops. The Dzungars burned the fortress almost to the ground. It was rebuilt only 8 years later, in July 1718.
Gradually, new strongholds were built along the Ob river. In 1727, Akinfiy Demidov opened Kolyvano-Voskresensk plants in the river basin. After the industrialist’s death, his properties were managed by the Cabinet of Her Imperial Majesty, which founded Kolyvano-Voskresensk Mining District in the region. In 1747, the construction of Kolyvano-Voskresensk watchpost line was commenced. It became part of the Kolyvano-Kuznetsk Fortification Line.
In 1768, the line was reinforced by three fortresses: Anuysk, Katunsk and Biysk fortresses. As the mountainous terrain was quite a strong natural fortification, the few fortresses built were sufficient to protect these lands. Moreover, the government was reluctant to allocate more money for the construction of additional large-scale fortifications.
In the late 18th century the authorities made a decision to build a new Kuznetsk fortress: by that time many of Kuznetsk fortifications fell into decay, but the city remained an important part of the border system and needed strong protection.
The Kolyvano-Kuznetsk Line lasted until the middle of the 19th century. Later, the Imperial War Ministry struck the old Siberian strongholds off its balance sheet.
