Gorokhovets

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Gorokhovets coat of arms combines Vladimir's heraldic lion with peas, alluding to the plant which gave rise to the town's name

Gorokhovets (Russian: Гороховец) is a town and the administrative center of Gorokhovetsky District of Vladimir Oblast, Russia. It is situated on the highway from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod. It is also a river port on the Klyazma River. Population: 14,524 (2002 Census); 15,783 (1989 Census). The name of the town originates from the Russian word горох (gorokh, peas).

[edit] History

Before the arrival of East Slavs, the region was inhabited by the Finno-Ugric people of Merya. Gorokhovets was first mentioned in a chronicle for 1239, when it was sacked by the Mongols. It is believed that a minor fortress had existed there for several preceding decades.

In 1539 the Tatars of Kazan were about to burn it but retreated upon seeing a ghost in a shape of a gigantic knight with a sword. After that, the mount where the apparition was seen came to be known as Puzhalovo, i.e., the "frightening one".

The golden age of Gorokhovets is associated with the 17th century, when it was a merchandise centre for a large area, which comprised today's Vladimir and Ivanovo regions. A number of churches, monasteries, and chambers were commissioned by the local merchants at that time. The 17th-century belfries of Gorokhovets are particularly noteworthy.

According to the Soviet TV series Seventeen Instants of Spring, Gorokhovets was a native town of Stirlitz, a fictional Soviet spy in Nazi Germany, played by Vyacheslav Tikhonov. A plan to erect a monument to Stirlitz, as a Tikhonov look-alike, in the downtown Gorokhovets is currently under discussion.

[edit] Traveler's info

The churches of Gorokhovets date from the town's golden age in the 17th century.

Postal zip code: 601483
Phone code: 09238*****
Directory phone: 22-2-22

	Cities and towns in Vladimir Oblast
	Administrative center: Vladimir Alexandrov \| Gorokhovets \| Gus-Khrustalny \| Kameshkovo \| Karabanovo \| Kirzhach \| Kolchugino \| Kosteryovo \| Kovrov \| Kurlovo \| Lakinsk \| Melenki \| Murom \| Petushki \| Pokrov \| Raduzhny \| Sobinka \| Strunino \| Sudogda \| Suzdal \| Vyazniki \| Yuryev-Polsky

Golden Ring of Russia
Alexandrov \| Bogolyubovo \| Gorokhovets \| Gus-Khrustalny \| Ivanovo \| Kideksha \| Kostroma \| Moscow \| Palekh \| Pereslavl-Zalessky \| Plyos \| Rostov \| Sergiyev Posad \| Suzdal \| Tutayev \| Uglich \| Vladimir \| Yaroslavl \| Yuryev-Polsky