DISTRICT / AIMAG
Troitsky District
REGION
Altai Krai
Utkul
The settlement of Utkul, founded in 1889, is situated on the shore of the lake of the same name in Troitsky District, Altai Krai, and is part of the Borovlyansky rural council (selsoviet). Lake Utkul and its surroundings hold archaeological significance and have been included in the list of cultural heritage sites of Russia since 2002.
A historical photograph, village view, landscape, or related heritage object will be displayed here at a later date.
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RU 
EN Historical background
The settlement was founded in 1889. In 1928, it was called Itkul and comprised 88 households, with a predominantly Russian population; administratively, it was part of the Vershininsky selsoviet in Bolshe-Rechensky District, Biysk Okrug, Siberian Krai. As of 1 April 2026, the settlement's population is 134. The settlement has recreation bases, including "Utkul.RF." A notable figure is Pavel Iosifovich Feofilaktov, born in 1925, conscripted by the Troitsky District Military Commissariat, who served as a senior sergeant in the 1190th Rifle Regiment of the 357th Rifle Division and was awarded the Order of Glory, 3rd class (17 July 1944), the medal "For Victory over Germany in the Great Patriotic War 1941–1945," and the Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd class.
Place, memory, heritage
Historical and cultural legacy
Archaeological research has been conducted in the Lake Utkul area: in 1955–1957, B. Kh. Kadikov identified 37 archaeological monuments of different periods and types, including fortified settlements and burial grounds; in 1959, 1962, and 1963, he carried out excavations on the southern shore of Lake Bolshoy Itkul, investigating Bronze Age settlements (Lyapustin Mys, Korchazhka 5, Gorodishche 1) and multi-layered settlements (Korovya Pristan 1, 2, 3, Ozerki Vostochnye, Lebyazhye). Palaeogeographic and palaeozoological data indicate that in antiquity the flora and fauna of the Itkul lakes and the Itkul River differed from the present in having greater diversity; favourable agroclimatic conditions attracted people from deep antiquity. Some finds have enriched the collections of the Biysk Museum.
Natural surroundings
On the border of Troitsky District with Zonalny District lies Lake Utkul (Itkul, Bolshoy Utkul). The lake is a non-winterkill water body where fish survive year-round; during floods it is replenished annually through a system of small rivers; semi-submerged aquatic vegetation covers approximately one-third of the basin area. The lake supports 14 fish species, including roach, pike, tench, perch, common carp, and crucian carp, as well as crayfish. The surroundings feature dry and lowland meadows, pine, birch, and mixed forests, lakeside shrubs, and marsh associations; meadow plants include oxeye daisy, red clover, St. John's wort, oregano, meadow bluegrass, sheep's fescue, and others. The area is home to foxes, weasels, badgers, beavers, hares, roe deer, marmots, ground squirrels, and occasionally European moose. Since 2002, the lake territory has been included in the list of cultural heritage sites of Russia due to archaeological monuments discovered here, ranging from the Stone Age to the medieval period, including fortified settlements and burial grounds.
Historical and cultural legacy
Archaeological research has been conducted in the Lake Utkul area: in 1955–1957, B. Kh. Kadikov identified 37 archaeological monuments of different periods and types, including fortified settlements and burial grounds; in 1959, 1962, and 1963, he carried out excavations on the southern shore of Lake Bolshoy Itkul, investigating Bronze Age settlements (Lyapustin Mys, Korchazhka 5, Gorodishche 1) and multi-layered settlements (Korovya Pristan 1, 2, 3, Ozerki Vostochnye, Lebyazhye). Palaeogeographic and palaeozoological data indicate that in antiquity the flora and fauna of the Itkul lakes and the Itkul River differed from the present in having greater diversity; favourable agroclimatic conditions attracted people from deep antiquity. Some finds have enriched the collections of the Biysk Museum.
Living culture and memory
Residents observe national holidays of the Russian Federation and district celebrations. On the shore of Lake Utkul, the Ivan Kupala festival is held as part of the cultural events marathon "Kultpokhod"; in 2025, it took place on 6 July at the "Utkulskie Zori" recreation base and included a procession with folk songs, round dances, theatrical performances featuring the Water Spirit, Mermaids, the Leshy, Kot Bayun, and a Witch, musical performances by ensembles from several districts, master classes on weaving Kupala wreaths, decorative and applied art exhibitions, a herbal tea and berry drink stall, and tastings of kvass and fish soup. Since 1999, the interregional composers' festival-competition "Songs of the Itkul Summer" has been held on the lakeshore, including competitive auditions, master classes, creative workshops, and concerts; in various years the festival has been supported by the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives. Tourist rallies for cultural workers also take place at the lake. A legend is associated with the lake about the mysterious people called "white chud," who, according to tradition, lived here in ancient times. The prevalent religious tradition is Orthodoxy; the gastronomic culture is represented by Russian cuisine.
