Vologda

Mini-hotels in Vologda

Vologda is one of the most known ancient cities of Russian North. During all the centuries of its existence the city has managed to keep a significant part of its cultural legacy. The history and culture of Vologda still attracts many researchers and amateurs of Russian history, both from Russia and other countries.

The date of the foundation of Vologda is usually accepted to be 1147, however, first occurrence of Vologda in chronicles dates back to 1264. The findings of modern archaeological research allow speaking about appearance of a large, urban type settlement on the Vologda river only in the middle of XIII century. Origin and initial history of the city are tightly connected with colonization of remote northern areas of Ancient Russia. By the middle of XIII century, Vologda is a centre of a large administrative unit – volost' (district) and an important transit station in Zavolochye (new territories northeast of the Great Novgorod) for military and commercial missions from Great Novgorod. Small town, strategically located on the watershed of the rivers flowing to south and north, becomes one of several reasons for military collisions between Great Novgorod and the Great Prince (which was the title belonging to the prince of Tver or the prince of Rostov at that time).

By early XV century Vologda passes under the control of Moscow . The difficult and inconsistent process of centralization in northeastern and northern Ancient Russia under protectorate of the Great Princes of Moscow was reflected in the chronicles, and also in local legends. The destiny of Vologda becomes the important part of Russian history. During the reign of the first «all-Russia» Great Prince, Ivan III, the city becomes an outpost of Moscow authority in Russian North.

From mid XVI century to the end of XVII century Vologda is one of the most important cities in Russian North. The prosperity of the city is still contributed to by its favourable geographical position. Vologda is located at the beginning of the Dvina and Siberian river ways and, as a knot of commercial and industrial communications, connects them to the Volga river region and to the centre of country. Since 1550, the beginning of trade relations with England and other West-European countries has reinforced growing trade role of Vologda . The rich Vologda city was under steadfast attention of the Tzar during the reign of Ivan IV the Terrible. In 1565, when the special mode of state management, «oprichnina», was established in a part of country, the construction of the high-power stone reinforcements, the Vologda Kremlin, has began. It was the first-rate fortress in Russia . In 1568–1571, the St. Sofia cathedral, the first temple of stone in the city, was built in the centre of the fortress. By the end of XVI century, the city becomes one of religious centres of the country. The residence of archbishops of the Vologda-Perm eparchy passes to Vologda from distant Ust-Vym'. Ivan the Terrible, the builder of the new fortress, becomes the central character of the historical legends of Vologda , which are an important element of the townspeople mentality until now. In the beginning of XVII century, the current of the city life is broken by the civil war and the Polish-Swedish intervention. In the second quarter of XVII – beginning of XVIII centuries, Vologda experiences new economic rise and becomes one of the largest and advanced cities of Russia , with multiple trades and manufactures, such as wood and stone building, icon painting, folk crafts, shipbuilding, and others.

During the reforms of Peter I and Catherine II, Vologda has turned into a large administrative centre of Vologda guberniya, which is a significant part of territory of European North stretching from Onega river up to the Urals. During the second half of XVIII – beginning of XX centuries, Vologda is one of the provincial centre of Russian North, with specific economic structure, household management, cultural stereotypes and mentality of the inhabitants. The contemporary outlook of the city is also formed at that time, with its typical combination of stone buildings, such as churches and monasteries, office premises, private residences of noblemen and merchants, with numerous small wood houses of the ordinary townspeople. In the end of XIX – beginning of XX centuries, the development of the railways has given a new impulse to the commercial and industrial activity in Vologda , having linked the city to the basic economic and cultural centre of European Russia. At the same time, from the second half of XIX century, Vologda is referred to by the contemporaries as a «near-the-capital Siberia ». The city becomes a place where a few generations of the revolutionaries are deported to.

In the beginning of XX century, major events (revolutions, First World War, Civil War) have had a great effect on daily life of a silent country town. Townspeople of Vologda often are in the avant-garde of the «large politics». During revolutions of 1917, the public life in the city is overflowing. In 1918, Vologda becomes a «diplomatic capital» of Russia for several months. Missions of countries of the Triple Entente are moved here from Petrograd ; the headquarters of VI Army of the Northern front of the Red Army is also placed here.

In the late thirties, the basis of modern industries of the city was founded. Historical centre of Vologda was surrounded with plants and factories. In September 1937, the city has been given the status of centre of the Vologda region (oblast').

As a large industrial centre and railway junction, the city had an important strategic role during Great Patriotic War (1941–1945). Lots of military hospitals were located in Vologda . Townspeople of Vologda had shown heroism in battles at the front and self-denial working in the rear. 18 city dwellers were awarded the title of the Hero of the Soviet Union , over 20 thousand were given medals and military awards.

In 1960 – beginning 1990s, the city has changed strongly: the new quarters and blocks have grown, the population has doubled, when compared to the end of 1950s. For its cultural, scientific, educational achievements, in July, 1982, the government of the Soviet Union has awarded the city of Vologda with the Order of October revolution.

The period of liberal reforms in 1992–1998 was the time of a rather difficult adaptation of the city and townspeople to new conditions of life. However, there are reasons to believe that the inevitable period of recession in the city life is over.

Early in the 20th century Vologda became an industrial centre of Russia 's North-West. It focused on tanning industry, cloth, sugar and rope production. A locomotive depot, water supply system, telephone office, electric power station were built in the city. Vologda achieved renown of a city of skilled craftsmen. Original and distinctive is lace making.

Now Vologda is an administrative centre with a population of 300,000 people. Vologda 's highly skilled workers are employed primarily in industrial plants, service, education, medicine and culture. Produce of the city's enterprises is in high demand in Russia , and has a ready export market in the USA , Finland , Holland , Germany , England and other countries.

The city has become home to the Russian theatrical festival "Voices of History", art festival "Russian North" and numerous exhibitions. No account of Vologda would be complete without mentioning exhibition and fair activity that is held in the city.

There are 224 monuments of history, architecture and culture on the territory of Vologda (128 monuments are protected by the state).

Vologda is put on the list of 116 Russian cities of priceless historic heritage.