Soligalich

Soligalich (Russian: Солига́лич) is a town and the administrative center of Soligalichsky District of Kostroma Oblast, Russia, located on the right bank of the Kostroma River. Population: 6,438 (2010 Census preliminary results);[1] 6,996 (2002 Census);[2] 7,456 (1989 Census).[3]

History

The town originated as an important center of saltworks, which supplied with salt not only Russia but also much of Scandinavia. These saltworks were first mentioned in the testament of Ivan Kalita as Sol-Galitskaya (Соль-Галицкая, or Salt of Galich).

By the end of the 14th century, the saltworks passed to the family of Dmitry Shemyaka, providing him with income required to wage prolonged wars for control of Moscow. It was in 1450 that both Galich and Soligalich were finally seized by Vasily II of Muscovy.

In the 16th century, the saltworks were exploited by the Troitse-Sergiyeva Lavra and five other monasteries. The settlement was repeatedly ravaged by Kazan Tatars and Udmurts.

In 1609, Soligalich became a voivode's seat. It was sacked by one of Polish units roaming Russia during the Time of Troubles. In 1649, the wooden town was destroyed by fire. Towards the end of the 17th century, half a dozen churches were rebuilt in brick, surviving to the present day.

In 1708, Soligalich became a part of the Arkhangelsk guberniya. Seven decades later, the separate Kostroma guberniya was formed, with Soligalich as one of uyezd centers. Currently, the town is known as a minor spa, for it has mineral springs, silt and mud baths. There is a monument to Gennady Nevelskoy, who was born in the vicinity.

Painter Grigory Ostrovsky was active in Soligalich; the only paintings known to be by his hand are currently held in the town's regional museum.

References

  1. ^ 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. 
  2. ^ 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. 
  3. ^ "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. 

External links