Nagorny Park is Barnaul's old high ground above the Ob River, with big city-name letters, broad stairs, and open views across the water. The park began as an 18th-century cemetery connected with the Demidov mining settlement, later became a Soviet exhibition ground, and is now the easiest place to understand the city's river setting.
Come late in the day if the weather is clear. The view does more for Barnaul than any single monument.