Vologda Oblast

Lore & Background

The area of Vologda Oblast was settled by Finnic peoples in prehistory. Vepsians, who still live in the west of the oblast, are the descendants of that population. Subsequently, the area was colonized by the Russians. Belozersk was mentioned in chronicles in 862 as one of the oldest towns in Russia. Much of the area was controlled by the Novgorod Republic; Totma was founded in 1152. Veliky Ustyug and the west of the current territory of the Oblast, with Belozersk and Ustyuzhna, belonged to the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality and were constantly threatened by Novgorod. Not later than in the 13th century, the Novgorod merchants already reached the White Sea. In the 13th century, minor principalities started to proliferate. Between 1452 and 1481, Vologda was the center of the Principality of Vologda. By the end of the 15th century, all these lands were a part of the Great Duchy of Moscow. In the 14th and 15th centuries, monasteries such as Spaso-Prilutsky, Pavlo-Obnorsky, Kirillo-Belozersky, and Ferapontov were founded. In the middle of the 15th century, the Vologda Lands were involved with the Muscovite Civil War. During the Time of Troubles, the area was ravaged by Polish troops. In the 17th century, Vologda was a prosperous city on the main trading route from Moscow to Western Europe. During the reign of Peter the Great, Vologda became a shipbuilding center. The importance of Vologda as a trade center diminished after Saint Petersburg was founded in 1703. Vologda was the northernmost territory where serfdom existed in Russia. In 1708, Peter the Great established seven governorates; Vologda became a part of Archangelgorod Governorate. In 1780, Vologda became the administrative center of Vologda Viceroyalty, later transformed into Vologda Governorate. Vologda Oblast was established in 1937. During the Second World War, a prisoner-of-war camp operated in Kornilyevo. Parts of Oshtinsky District in the west were occupied by Finnish troops from October 1941 till June 1944. In 1955, the construction of Severstal was completed. On 4 July 1997, Vologda signed a power-sharing agreement with the government of Russia, abolished on 15 March 2002.

Reader's Guide

Vologda Oblast is home to many historic monuments, such as the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Ferapontov Monastery (a World Heritage Site) with the frescoes of Dionisius, the two medieval towns of Velikiy Ustyug and Belozersk, and the baroque churches of Totma and Ustyuzhna. Large reserves of wood and fresh water are the main natural resources.

Did You Know?

• Belozersk was mentioned in chronicles in 862 as one of the oldest towns in Russia.
• The Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery was one of the most prominent Russian monasteries with political influence.
• Vologda was the northernmost territory where serfdom existed in Russia.
• The Severstal metallurgical plant in Cherepovets is the largest industrial enterprise in the oblast.