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Gryazovets
Gryazovets (at that time known as the settlement of Gryazovitsky) was first mentioned in a charter of tsar Ivan IV in 1538. As time passed the settlement developed into the trade village of Gryazlevitsa which boasted a rather advantageous geographic location on the route from Arkhangelsk to Moscow.
Trade development contributed to the prosperity of the village. The village grew and on January 25, 1780 under the Senate decree it got the status of a town. The same year the town's coat of arms was officially approved. The town became an administrative and trade centre of the district. Its residents were mostly engaged in farming and handicrafts. The merchants were occupied with trade.
Later, with the opening of the railway route Yaroslavl-Vologda, Gryazovets focused on dairy, flax and tanning industries. Two brick-producing plants were put into action.
In the 1920s the town built power stations and a water-supply system. The network of educational and public health institutions was rapidly developing. A trade union, an amateur theater and a drama studio sprouted up in the town.
The year 1931 saw the establishment of the machine and tractor station (the first one in the north of the country). Later the car repair service was built on the basis of it.
In 1890 the town boasted 25 small butter-dairies and in 1927 the town with the assistance of the state put into action the mechanized butter factory SOYUZ (UNION). Since 1975 the district has become a major centre for dried and skimmed milk production. Timber and woodworking industries are also on the rise.
The town has a bread-baking plant, a consumer service centre, a railway station and an asphalt-concrete plant. The gas pipeline passing through Gryazovets supplies natural gas to St.Peterburg. Now the pipeline connecting Russia and Western Europe is being constructed near the town. It will not pass through the countries whose economy is quite unstable and will deliver gas straight to European consumers.
The gas pipeline LIGHTS OF THE NORTH which is affiliate to the RAO GAZPROM company creates working places for the residents of the city. The construction of the north-western pipeline connecting St.Petersburg and Gryazovets (via Vyborg) will be carried out in 2006-2008. As estimated by experts the amount of annual gas delivery will increase from 5,0 billion cubic metres in 2008 to 30,45 billion cubic metres in 2016.
Among the renowed scientists of the town are professors N.Baskakov (Ph.D) and Y.Baskakov (Ph.D), professor V.Obraztsov and M.Bronnikova (Ph.D). The Russian writers A.Subbotin and P.Kurakin, poet V.Sirotin began their writing careers in Gryazovets. The town accommodates some interesting monuments of early architecture and places of interest. The Museum of Local Lore is Gryazovets' main sight. This two-storeyed stone structure dates from the 19th century. In fact it was home to a restaurant, a salt warehouse and a male gymnasia. In the 1920s Sergei Britvin, a local teacher, opened a museum. It housed exhibits of great interest and exceptional value. But the museum could not boast a long history. In 1929 the building was turned into a school for the deaf and dumb. All the property of the museum was taken to Vologda and Arkhangelsk. As soon as a new building of the school had been constructed, on April 29, 1978 the Museum of Local Lore was reestablished. Now the museum is affiliated with the Vologda Regional Museum of Local Lore and Art.
Gudkov's house is situated in the heart of Gryazovets. This stone building was raised in the late 18th - early 19th century. It belonged to Peter Ivanovich Gudkov, town mayor and a merchant. The history of the house is connected with the name of Russian Emperor Alexander I in a way. Like other members of the tsar family he used to visit the cities and towns of Rus. His visit to Gryazovets dates back to the autumn of 1824 when the Emperor was on his way to Vologda. The chroniclers describe the tsar's visit in all splendour. He was met at the Peter and Paul Cathedral by the noble, the local archpriest and the town residents. On October 15, 1824 dinner was given in honour of the distinguished visitor in Gudkov's house. The tsar thanked the hostess presenting her with a diamond ring. Construction of stone structures was greatly encouraged at that time. And mayor Peter Gudkov, being quite active by nature, was granted two gold medals for his special services in boosting school construction.
The half-stone structure of Illuviev's house has a rich history. The cornerstone was laid in 1880. The house belonged to Peter A.Illuviev, town mayor and a merchant. It used to be a home to the State Duma, a bank and a shop. In 1914 during World War I it accommodated a hospital. After the revolution the house was nationalized. The telephone exchange and the peasant house occupied some rooms of the building. In 1920s teachers' training school was established in the town, and it was located in Illuviev's house. Later, the teachers' training school was transferred to Vologda. The building was turned into a school. Since 1975 Illuviev's house has been home to an affiliate to the Moscow plant "Tizpribor".
A massive structure beyond a high stone wall is a colonial settlement known by name "Prison Castle". It was a colony for juvernile criminals in the middle of the 20th century. As old-timers say, it used to be a prison. According to some annals the building was erected approximately 170 years ago. The year 1865 saw an extraordinary event - opening of school for prisoners' children.
The Church of the Exaltation of the Cross built at the beginning of the 19th century is well-preserved. The external décor of the church is very austere. It is a small temple with a semicircular apse. The bishop of Vologda visited Gryazovets in 1845. At his order a refectory appeared near the church. Later, Side-Chapel Church of Saint Nicholas was raised. In 1930 the church was shut down. Exactly 10 years on, it was returned to the believers.