In the book, the author talks about the history of the structures of the Kolyvano-Kuznetsk defensive line of the 18th century in Altai, concerns the issue of the formation of the Cossack estate. A lot of space is allotted in it to the modern state of the remains of fortresses and outposts. The tourist routes offered by the author along the former defensive line are interesting. Most of the drawings and diagrams giving an idea of ​ ​ Russian military fortification art of that time are published for the first time. The book is designed for a wide range of readers.