Belozersk

Belozersk (Russian: Белозе́рск), known as Beloozero (Белоо́зеро) until 1777 (lit. White Lake Town), is a town and the administrative center of Belozersky District of Vologda Oblast, Russia,^[1] situated on the southern bank of Lake Beloye, from which it takes the name. Municipally, it is incorporated as a part of Belozerskoe Urban Settlement in Kharovsky Municipal District.^[2] Population: 9,614 (2010 Census preliminary results);^[3] 10,975 (2002 Census);^[4] 12,352 (1989 Census).^[7]

History

First chronicled in 862, Belozersk was one of five original Russian towns (the other being Ladoga, Novgorod, Polotsk, and Rostov). According to the Primary Chronicle, Sineus, a brother of Rurik, became the prince of Beloozero in 862. However, most likely Sineus never existed,.^[8] On several occasions, the settlement was moved from one bank of the lake to another.^[6]

In the 11th century, the region was still inhabited primarily by Finno-Ugric tribes who fiercely resisted attempts at Christianization. In 1071, the local pagan priests rose in rebellion, which was put down by the Kievan commander Yan Vyshatich. The Primary Chronicle reports that the dead bodies of priests were suspended from an oak tree, until they were torn to pieces by a bear (regarded by pagans as a holy animal). In the 10th-13th centuries the area was controlled by the Novgorod Republic. Beloozero was the capital of a small principality between 1238 and 1370, and subsequently it entered the Grand Duchy of Moscow.

In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, Beloozero was included into Ingermanland Governorate (known since 1710 as Saint Petersburg Governorate) and named one of the towns constituting the governorate. In 1727, separate Novgorod Governorate split off, and Belozersk became the center of Belozersk Oblast of Novgorod Governorate. In 1776, the area was transferred to Novgorod Viceroyalty. In 1796, the viceroyalty was abolished, and Belozersky Uyezd was transferred to Novgorod Governorate.

In June 1918, five uyezds of Novgorod Governorate, including Belozersky Uyezd, were split off to form Cherepovets Governorate, with the administrative center in Cherepovets. On August 1, 1927 Cherepovets Governorate was abolished, and its area became Cherepovets Okrug of Leningrad Oblast. Simultaneously, uyezds were abolished, and Belozersky District was established. On September 23, 1937 Belozersky District was transferred to newly established Vologda Oblast.^[9]

Economy

Industry

The economy of Belozersk is based on timber industry and food industry.

Transport

Belozersk is connected by all-seasonal roads with Cherepovets, Kirillov, and Lipin Bor (connecting further to Vytegra). There are also local roads.

The Belozersky Canal, a part of the Volga–Baltic Waterway (formerly known as the Mariinsk Canal System), which connects the river courses of the Sheksna and the Kovzha, runs through Belozersk, bypassing Lake Beloye from the south.

Culture and recreation

The town of Belozersk is classified as a historical town by the Ministry of Culture of Russian Federation, which implies certain restrictions on construction in the historical center.^[10]

The medieval monuments in the town center the Assumption church (1552) and the Transfiguration Cathedral (1668). The wooden shrine of St. Elijah was built in 1690. The neighborhood is rich in old cloisters, such as Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and Ferapontov Convent.

In Belozersk, two of the most famous medieval icons were created in the 13th century, The Virgin of the White Lake and Saints Peter and Paul. They constitute an intermediate style between Novgorodian and Northern icon painting.

The Belozersky Local Museum located in Belozersk is an umbrella organization which not only hosts ethnographic and historical exhibits, but also manages the most important architectural monuments in Belozersk such as the Transfiguration Cathedral.^[11]

Sister city

• Skien, Norway

References