Gdov
Gdov (Russian: Гдов; Estonian: Oudova) is a town and the administrative center of Gdovsky District of Pskov Oblast, Russia, situated on the Gdovka River, just 2 kilometers (1.2 mi) from its outflow into Lake Peipus. Population: 4,379 (2010 Census preliminary results);[1] 5,171 (2002 Census);[2] 6,009 (1989 Census).[3]
Gdov was founded in the 14th century, as an outpost guarding the city of Pskov.[4] Between 1431 and 1434, Pskovians built a fortress there, the remains of which can still be seen. It was attacked on numerous occasions by Swedes and Poles (e.g., during the Russo–Swedish War (1590–1595) and Ingrian War), but was finally returned to Russia in 1617.[5]
In 1780, Gdov was granted town status;[5] its coat of arms was granted on May 28, 1781. Between 1874 and 1912, Gdov issued Zemstvo stamps. The first stamp, worth two kopecks, appeared on April 16, 1874. Stamp production ceased, however, with the coming of World War I. On May 1919, the Northern Army, under General Rodzianko, captured Gdov, along with Pskov and Yamburg.
In 1944, the Wehrmacht deliberately destroyed Gdov's churches, which have been ranked among the loveliest specimens of Pskovian medieval architecture. The town's historic monuments have been partly restored after World War II.
An active military base, Smuravyevo, was located northeast of the town.
Notable people
- Hieromartyr Benjamin, bishop of Gdov
- Archbishop Dimitry of Gdov (also Demetrius) (arrested in 1929, at the age of 75; later shot in 1938 after eight years of solitary confinement in the Yaroslavl prison)
Gallery
References
- ^ Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Federal State Statistics Service) (2011). "Предварительные итоги Всероссийской переписи населения 2010 года (Preliminary results of the 2010 All-Russian Population Census)" (in Russian). Всероссийская перепись населения 2010 года (2010 All-Russia Population Census). Federal State Statistics Service. http://www.perepis-2010.ru/results_of_the_census/results-inform.php. Retrieved 2011-04-25.
- ^ Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Federal State Statistics Service) (2004-05-21). "Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек (Population of Russia, its federal districts, federal subjects, districts, urban localities, rural localities—administrative centers, and rural localities with population of over 3,000)" (in Russian). Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года (All-Russia Population Census of 2002). Federal State Statistics Service. http://www.perepis2002.ru/ct/doc/1_TOM_01_04.xls. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ "Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 г. Численность наличного населения союзных и автономных республик, автономных областей и округов, краёв, областей, районов, городских поселений и сёл-райцентров. (All Union Population Census of 1989. Present population of union and autonomous republics, autonomous oblasts and okrugs, krais, oblasts, districts, urban settlements, and villages serving as district administrative centers.)" (in Russian). Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года (All-Union Population Census of 1989). Demoscope Weekly (website of the Institute of Demographics of the State University—Higher School of Economics. 1989. http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus89_reg.php. Retrieved 2010-03-23.
- ^ Энциклопедия Города России. Moscow: Большая Российская Энциклопедия. 2003. pp. 106. ISBN 5-7107-7399-9.
- ^ a b "Gdov". Great Soviet Encyclopedia. http://slovari.yandex.ru/dict/bse/article/00017/09000.htm.
External links