Bryansk overview
Bryansk city (other spelling Briansk) is a capital and administrative center of Bryansk oblast of Russia situated on the banks of Desna river about 380 km west of Moscow.
Bryansk city is a large industrial center (machine building and metal-working). Bryansk is an important railway junction (Moscow, Kiev, Smolensk, Oryol, Vyazma lines). Oil pipeline “Druzhba” is going through the city. There is also an international airport in Bryansk city of Russia.
The population of Bryansk city is 412,000 (2009). The land area of the city is 186 sq. km.
Bryansk city phone code - +7-4832. Postal codes - 241000-241xxx.
Bryansk history
Bryansk was first time mentioned in 1146. That time the settlement had name Debryansk. The origin of name is from Slavic language word “debri” meaning “dense woodland” (the territories of modern Bryansk city were known for their woods).
There are also some facts proving that Debryansk fortified settlement was founded on the bank of Desna river in 985 or even earlier. Bryansk town lands were conquered by Moscow state in 1503 after Vedrosha Battle.
Bryansk town became a fortress that played significant role when Russian Time of Troubles came. In the 17th-18th centuries Bryansk town was known for having largest fair in western part of Russia (Svenskaya fair) which was the center of regional trade.
Bryansk town economy became much more industrialized (metallurgy, textiles) in 1783 (various cannons and ammunition factories for Russian Navy). The population of Bryansk town was about 30,000 in 1917.
German armies conquered Bryansk city in October 1941. The city was returned by USSR forces in September 1943. Bryansk city structures were heavily damaged by numerous fights. Bryansk city and surrounding lands were known for a lot of Soviet partisans (about 60,000) fighting against German army. In 1944 the city became Bryansk oblast administrative center.
Bryansk economics
Bryansk is a large industrial city. Main industries are as follows: machine-building and metal-working. Also chemical, power engineering, electronic, wood-processing, textile and food industries are developed. Over 1,200 plants produce diesel locomotives, train freight cars, road equipment, agricultural equipment, construction materials and other industrial output.
Bryansk places
Bryansk Russia city theater
Author: Aramis Rusketeer
Bryansk city Lenin monument
Author: Kudinov D.M.
Bryansk Russia city street
Author: Yuriy Luchin
Bryansk places of interest
The Immortality Hill located in Sovetsky district, park “Solovyiy (Nightingales)”, is the monument to the soldiers perished in the World War II, it became one of the symbols of Bryansk city. In the foot of the Hill there is a gun-tube containing a capsule with the appeal to the progeny of Bryansk of 2017.
A.K.Tolstoy Park-Museum opened on May 2nd, 1936 is the central park of Bryansk. The park is remarkable for the unique collection of wooden sculptures cut out of dead trees trunks.
Another interesting places are Gorno-Nikolskaya church built in 1751 and Merchant Avraamov’s private residence built in 1870 both located in Sovetsky district, Pokrovskaya hill.
Saint-Pokrovsky church built in 1626 is also worth seeing. The architecture of the church combines ancient traditions of 17th century style. In 1918 the church was closed, in 1930s the belfry and the central dome were destroyed. In early 1970s the church was restored. In 1991 it was returned to believers and since May 24th, 1991, regular worship services take place in the church.
Spaco-Grobovskaya church built in 1904. In 1929 the church was closed and its upper part was destroyed. Since January 7th, 1993, the church is open.
Svensky monastery located on the hill on the right bank of Desna river. According to the legend, in 1288 Great Prince of Chernigov Roman Mikhailovich turned blind while he was in Bryansk and he was cured with the help of a miracle-doing icon.
To commemorate this fact he founded the Assumption monastery on the Desna bank, across from where the river Svin flows into the Desna. The monastery is surrounded by the wall up to 10 meters height, there are loop-holes in it. At present the annual Svensk fair takes place in its surroundings.
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