Aya: Churches, Memorial Site and Landscape

• The Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos is a brick building from the early 2010s, with an octagonal floor plan, two storeys and a tent roof.
• An earlier wooden church dedicated to the same patron was built in 1901.
• At Khvoshchevka, an Old Believer memorial site established in 2019 includes a three-metre-high worship cross, a marble monument with an icon of the Holy Trinity, and an information board.
• The Skazka tourist base is located in a birch grove in the village.
• Regular scheduled buses run to Aya; no timetable is provided here.

The Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos stands out from a simple rectangular design with its octagonal floor plan and tent roof. It was built of brick in the early 2010s and has two storeys. An earlier wooden church with the same dedication was built in 1901. These details describe different chapters in the village’s church history.

Another historical trace is the former Old Believer Church of the Holy Life-Giving Trinity. It was once the centre of the fourth deanery of the Diocese of Tomsk-Altai and was destroyed in 1935. This is distinct from the memorial site at Khvoshchevka, which includes the tall worship cross, the marble monument with the icon, and the information board. Aya thus offers a glimpse of both its architectural history and an ensemble specifically established as a memorial site.

Nearby Lake Aya lies in Altai District in Altai Krai. Its surroundings include mountain landscapes, pine forests on the left bank of the Katun, and karst massifs with numerous caves. The lake and the village of Aya are separate locations: the lake is close to the destination, while the churches and memorial site are in the village.

Within the wider destination of Altai Krai, Lake Aya is the main attraction of Aya Nature Park. The park covers almost 2,000 hectares and protects the natural environment, distinctive natural landscapes, and plant and animal life. Its aims also include supporting recreation and tourism in a managed way. A floristic survey in Altai Foothills Nature Park in Altai Krai recorded about 700 plant species, including relicts of deciduous forests, endemic plants, and 20 rare species listed in the Red Data Book. Nineteen rare animal species are reported in Altai Foothills Nature Park in Altai Krai, including the golden eagle, steppe eagle, peregrine falcon, eagle owl, and musk deer.

Regular scheduled buses run to the village of Aya. As no timetable is provided, check current departure times before travelling. If you are looking for a hotel, check the exact location of the accommodation: Aya refers to the village, while the lake is nearby.

One route to Lake Aya follows the Chuysky Tract to the village of Souzga in the Altai Republic. From there, cross the suspension bridge over the Katun and follow the signs. On 21 June 2010, public rights of way across private land were established to provide free access to the lakeshore. Check local conditions before your visit.

Beyond Aya, the wider destination of Altai Krai offers a range of experiences. In Belokurikha, forest health trails are ideal for walks; more challenging routes lead to Lonely Pine, Four Brothers Rock and Shishi Creek. A chairlift leads to the summit of Mount Tserkovka. If you plan to ride it, check its operating status in advance, as reliable opening hours are not provided.

For a cultural experience, visit the Vasily Shukshin Museum in Srostki. It is housed in the former wooden school building that Shukshin attended and where he briefly taught. The museum opened in 1978 and houses thousands of exhibits. These examples show the range of experiences in Altai Krai without implying that these places are part of Aya.

Discover more destinations: Chemal, Novosilikatnyy, Rybalka, Zmeinogorsk, Yuzhnyy, Kamlak, Barnaul, Katun'.

What is the architecture of the Church of the Intercession?

The brick building was constructed in the early 2010s. It has an octagonal floor plan, two storeys and a tent roof.

What does the Old Believer memorial site include?

At Khvoshchevka, it includes a three-metre-high worship cross, a marble monument with an icon of the Holy Trinity, and an information board.

How do you reach Lake Aya via the route described?

The route follows the Chuysky Tract to Souzga, crosses the suspension bridge over the Katun, and then follows the signs. Check local conditions at the lakeshore before your visit.

For the wider travel overview: Altai Krai.