Kocho

A rocky island with a temple floating above the turquoise waters of the Katun River About a two-hour drive from Gorno-Altaysk lies a rocky island with steep cliffs rising directly from the turquoise waters of the Katun River. The island can only be reached by a suspension bridge that sways 15 meters above the river. At the top of the cliff stands the wooden Church of St. John the Evangelist, built from cedar wood and seemingly floating above the water. The island was named after the Greek island of Patmos, where the Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation. According to legend, the saint saw two temples floating above the water: one in the Mediterranean Sea and the other in Altai. This place is considered one of the most remarkable natural and cultural wonders of Altai. The combination of a rugged cliff, a wooden church, and a powerful mountain river creates an incredibly atmospheric and photogenic landscape.