Biysk

 city, district center

City in Altai Krai, Russia, located on the Biya River not far from its confluence with the Katun River. It is the second largest city of the krai (after Barnaul, the administrative center of the krai). Population: 183,852 (2021 Census).
The fortress of Bikatunskaya (Бикатунская), or Bikatunsky Ostrog (Бикатунский острог), was founded in 1708-1709: it was constructed near the confluence of Biya and Katun Rivers (hence the name) in 1709 by the order the Russian Tsar Peter the Great signed in 1708. Yet, in 1710, after a three-day battle, the ostrog was destroyed by the Dzungar people. The Bikatunskaya fortress was re-built at a new place (20 kilometers (12 mi) up the Biya, on the right bank of the river) in 1718 and renamed Biyskaya (Бийская) in 1732. Gradually, Biysk lost its role as a military base, but became an important center of trade, and was granted town status in 1782. In 1797, the town was abolished, but in 1804 it was restored as an uyezd town of Tomsk Governorate and granted the coat of arms which is still in use.