District of Belozersk

Belozersk, one of the ancient Russian cities, was first mentioned in a chronicle of 862*. The chroniclers called it Beloozero (White Lake) at that time.

Soon the city changed its location and moved to the estuary of the Sheksna River. This prompted rapid economic development of the city owing to the merchant ships that entered a harbour there. It was during this period that the city first belonged to the Novgorod principality, then the Rostov princes monitored it. In 1238 Beloozero became the centre of the Belozersk principality (for a short period of time).

In the mid-14th century the city saw some of its darkest days. An epidemic burst out and the entire city became desolate. Those residents that came through it moved to a new place. Namely this place became the location of the modern city of Belozersk. The construction of it began in 1363.

Belozersk's history is also the story of the city residents. They were the first ones who in 1380 responded to the call of Dmitry Ivanovich, Moscow prince, to repulse Mamai. Russian warriors struck down with fortitude at Kulikovo field. The Belozersk armed force was killed in action, including princes of Beloozero.

Soon after the battle of Kulikovo the Belozersk principality became an appanage of Moscow. And from the late 15th century it became a district of the Moscow State.

Under the command of Ivan III, Grand Duke, a fortress (earthen rampart) was founded in the city of Beloozero. It was 30 metres high with 8 wooden towers. The locals used it as a shelter. No one coming to the city can help being impressed by it. Having been built some centuries ago it remains one of the best monuments of this kind in Russia.

In the 15-16th centuries the city enjoyed great prosperity. As it was situated on the Onega trade way much of freight passed through the city to the north of the country. The staple food products of the city (mostly fish) were carried to Moscow for the tsar.

Over the following centuries the city has been extensively modified and renovated. Timbered houses and churches sprouted up everywhere. The first stone building of the city - the Church of the Assumption (1553) - was built for the money collected by the city residents. It is situated on the highest spot and together with the Church of Epiphany (1787) forms an imposing ensemble. The Cathedral of the Transfiguration as well as the wooden tiered Church of the Prophet Elijah (1690) also make a profound impression.

At the beginning of the 17th century the trade way was transferred to Arkhangelsk, to the Sukhona River and the Northern Dvina. At this time Beloozero gradually falls into decay. What is more the city was brought to ruins by Poles and Lithuanians. Only in the second part of the 17th century reconstruction of the city was begun.

All the changes of the country in the 18th century made an impact on Beloozero. From 1719 the city was a constituent of the St.Petersburg province. And in the late 18th century it became a chief city of the Novgorod province.

A new plan of the city construction was approved in 1778 and the city got a new name - Belozersk.

On August 16, 1781 the city's coat of arms was confirmed. "The lake with two sterlets in it, a cross and the moon above it".

At the beginning of the 19th century the Mariinskaya water system that started functioning in 1810 contributed greatly to the city's development. It connected the Baltic Sea and the Volga. In 1828 the construction of Duke Alexander Württembergsky canal (67 km) was finished. It connected the Mariinskaya water system and the Northern Dvina. In 1846 the Belozersk by-pass canal (67 km) was put into action. This network of navigable canals attracted investments of the Russian Government into this transportation route. All this stimulated local economic development. The cathedrals, churches and mansions of the city which survived in its original form witness the thriving city.

Dwelling houses of the classical period constitute a notable part in the city's architectural legacy. Quite remarkable are some wooden mansions.

Now Belozersk is an administrative centre of an agricultural and industrial district. It boasts a timber industry enterprise, a butter-producing factory, a bread-baking plant and a fish-factory. The city has the Orlov Memorial Flat (the house of the remarkable Russian poet Sergei Orlov). Many tourists come to Belozersk in a summer season. Every year the city holds the festival "Beloozero" which is timed to coincide with the Day of Belozersk City. The main attractions of it are open-air performances at the White Lake and at the earthen ramparts.

In the Middle Ages merchants from the Union of Hanseatic cities visited Beloozero. And from 2000 the city was accepted into the New Hanse Union again taking into consideration the old links of it.

The city's image is changing but its residents cherish the history that is imprinted in numerous monuments. Beyond these monuments beauty of the northern nature gives unique charm to the city.

The population of the city is 11900. The Norwegian city of Skien (Telemark province) is a partner of Belozersk.

*This is a passage from "The Chronicle of Nestor":

The four tribes who had been forced to pay tribute to the Varangians - Chuds, Slavs, Merians, and Krivichians drove the Varangians back beyond the sea, refused to pay them further tribute, and set out to govern themselves. But there was no law among them, and tribe rose against tribe. Discord thus ensued among them, and they began to war one against the other. They said to themselves, "Let us seek a prince who may rule over us, and judge us according to custom. Thus they went overseas to the Varangians, to the Rus. These particular Varangians were known as Rus, just as some are called Swedes, and others Normans and Angles, and still others Gotlanders, for they were thus named. The Chuds, the Slavs, the Krivichians and the Ves then said to the Rus, "Our land is great and rich, but there is no order in it. Come reign as princes, rule over us". Three brothers, with their kinfolk, were selected. They brought with them all the Rus and migrated. The oldest, Rurik, located himself in Novgorod; the second, Sineus, in Beloozero; and the third, Truvor, in Izborsk. From these Varangians, the Russian land received its name.

"The chronicle of Nestor" was written in 1113 by a monk known by the name Nestor in the Kiev Monastery. This is a major written document dating from the Middle Ages. It is officially confirmed by archaeologists and onomastics scientists.