Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:Infobox Russian inhabited locality Belozersk (Template:Langx), known as Beloozero (Template:Langx) until 1777,<ref name="VolEnc" /> is a town and the administrative center of Belozersky District in Vologda Oblast, Russia, located on the southern bank of Lake Beloye, from which it takes the name, Template:Convert northwest of Vologda, the administrative center of the oblast. Population: Template:Ru-census
HistoryEdit
Known as Beloozero (Template:Literal translation) until 1777,<ref name="VolEnc">Template:Cite book</ref> it was first mentioned in the Primary Chronicle (PVL) in 862<ref name="gr">Template:Cite book</ref> along with several other towns that later became part of Kievan Rus', such as Murom, Novgorod, Polotsk, and Rostov.<ref name="Yanin"/> The PVL claims that Rurik's brother Sineus became the prince of Beloozero in 862.<ref name="GSE">Template:Cite book</ref> However, Sineus and the other brother Truvor most likely never existed.<ref name="Yanin">Template:Cite book</ref> On several occasions, the settlement was moved from one bank of the lake to another.<ref name="gr" />
In the 11th century, the region was still inhabited primarily by Finnic peoples tribes who fiercely resisted Christianization, one of which was known as the белозерции.<ref>Template:Cite thesis</ref> In 1071, local pagan priests rose in rebellion, which was put down by the Kievan commander Yan Vyshatich.Template:Citation needed The Primary Chronicle reports that the dead bodies of priests were suspended from an oak tree, until they were torn to pieces by a bear (regarded by pagans as a holy animal).Template:Citation needed From the 10th to the 13th centuries, the territory was controlled by the Novgorod Republic.<ref name="Yanin" /> Beloozero was the seat of a small principality between 1238 and the 1370s, but subsequently between 1380 and 1384 became subordinate to the Grand Duchy of Moscow.<ref name="VolEnc" /><ref name="Yanin" /> On July 10, 1612, Polish and Lithuanian vagabonds (Lisowczycy) captured Belozersk without a fight, looting the town.Template:Citation needed
In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, Beloozero was included into Ingermanland Governorate (known since 1710 as Saint Petersburg Governorate) and named one of the towns constituting the governorate.<ref name="1708List">Указ об учреждении губерний и о росписании к ним городов Template:In lang</ref> In 1727, a separate Novgorod Governorate was split off and Belozersk became the seat of Belozersk Province in Novgorod Governorate.<ref name="Snytko">Template:Cite book</ref> In 1776, the territory was transferred to Novgorod Viceroyalty.<ref name="VolEnc" /> In 1796, the viceroyalty was abolished and Belozersky Uyezd became a part of Novgorod Governorate.<ref name="Snytko" />
In June 1918, five uyezds of Novgorod Governorate, including Belozersky Uyezd, were split off to form Cherepovets Governorate, with the administrative center in Cherepovets.<ref name="VolArx">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On August 1, 1927, Cherepovets Governorate was abolished and its territory became Cherepovets Okrug of Leningrad Oblast.<ref name="VolArx" /> At the same time, uyezds were abolished and Belozersky District was established.<ref name="VolArx" /> On September 23, 1937, Belozersky District was transferred to newly established Vologda Oblast.<ref name="VolArx" />
Administrative and municipal statusEdit
Within the framework of administrative divisions, Belozersk serves as the administrative center of Belozersky District.<ref name="VologdaO_admlist">Resolution #178</ref> As an administrative division, it is incorporated within Belozersky District as the town of district significance of Belozersk.<ref name="VologdaO_admlaw">Law #371-OZ</ref>
As a municipal division, the town of district significance of Belozersk, together with four rural localities in Glushkovsky Selsoviet and two rural localities in Kunostsky Selsoviet of Belozersky District, is incorporated within Belozersky Municipal District as Belozersk Urban Settlement.<ref name="VologdaOBelozerskyD_mun">Law #1107-OD</ref>
GeographyEdit
The town is located on the southern bank of Lake Beloye, from which it takes the name, Template:Convert northwest of Vologda, the administrative center of the oblast.
ClimateEdit
Belozersk falls just within the subarctic climate range,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with the fourth-warmest month being just below the isotherm of Template:Convert<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> to nearby humid continental areas. Winters are cold but not severe by Russian standards for areas north of the 60th parallel.
EconomyEdit
IndustryEdit
The economy of Belozersk is based on the timber and food industries.
TransportationEdit
Belozersk is connected by all-seasonal roads with Cherepovets, Kirillov, and Lipin Bor (connecting further to Vytegra). There are also local roads.
The Belozersky Canal, a part of the Volga–Baltic Waterway (formerly known as the Mariinsk Canal System), which connects the river courses of the Sheksna and the Kovzha, runs through Belozersk, bypassing Lake Beloye from the south.
Culture and recreationEdit
The town of Belozersk is classified as a historical town by the Ministry of Culture of Russia, which implies certain restrictions on construction in the historical center.<ref name="HistSettl">Template:Cite Russian law</ref>
The medieval monuments in the town center are the Assumption Church (1552) and the Transfiguration Cathedral (1668). The wooden shrine of St. Elijah was built in 1690. The neighborhood is rich in old cloisters, such as Kirillo-Belozersky and Ferapontov Monasteries.
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Two of the most famous medieval icons were created in the 13th century in Belozersk: the Virgin of the White Lake and Saints Peter and Paul. They constitute an intermediate style between Novgorodian and Northern icon painting.
The Belozersky Local Museum located in Belozersk is an umbrella organization which not only hosts ethnographic and historical exhibits, but also manages the most important architectural monuments in Belozersk such as the Transfiguration Cathedral.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
See alsoEdit
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Template:Vologda Oblast Template:Russian North Template:Authority control Template:Use mdy dates