Pytalovo (Russian: Пыта́лово; Latvian: Pitalova, Abrene; German: Neu-Lettgallen) is a town and the administrative center of Pytalovsky District of Pskov Oblast, Russia. Population: 5,826 (2010 Census preliminary results);[1] 6,806 (2002 Census);[2] 7,166 (1989 Census).[3]
Pytalovo was part of independent Latvia as Abrene until Latvia was occupied and annexed by the Soviet Union. Latvia disputed Russian jurisdiction over the region until signing a border treaty with Russia in 2007.[4]
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The village of Pytalovo by 1878 had a population of 57 and was a part of Ostrovsky Uyezd of Pskov Governorate. It grew into a town after becoming a railway station by a newly constructed railroad branch.
By the Latvian-Soviet Riga Peace Treaty of 1920, part of Ostrovsky Uyezd, including Pytalovo, was passed to Latvia and the town was known since then by its Latvian name Jaunlatgale (until 1938 when its official name was changed to Abrene). During the interwar period it was the administrative center of the Abrene district.
After World War II, the Soviet Union annexed Abrene together with the eastern part of the Abrene District from Latvian SSR to Pskov Oblast of the Russian SFSR. Most of the Latvian inhabitants left the town and the town was renamed back to Pytalovo. This change of jurisdiction has been a matter of Latvian-Russian disagreement since the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Pytalovo is the largest town in this disputed region.
In 2007 border treaty between Latvia and Russia was signed and ratified. Pytalovo was recognized as Russian territory.
Among places of interest in town Pytalovo there is a modernist style railroad station building built in the early 20th century, the wooden building of the functioning St. Nicholas Church built in 1931, the post office building (early 20th century), and the house of merchant Ilyin (built in the 1920s) located at 9 Pushkinskaya Street.
Cities and towns in Pskov Oblast | ||
Administrative center: Pskov Dno | Gdov | Nevel | Novorzhev | Novosokolniki | Opochka | Ostrov | Pechory | Porkhov | Pustoshka | Pytalovo | Sebezh | Velikiye Luki |