Tver city, Russia

The capital city of Tver oblast.

Tver city overview

Tver city (from 1931 to 1990 Kalinin) is an administrative center of Tver oblast of Russia. Tver is situated about 170 km from Moscow. Tver city is important railway junction and Volga river port.

Tver city population is about 407,000 (2008); land area - 147 sq. km.

Tver city phone code - +7 4822; postal codes - 170000-170043.

Tver city flag

Tver city coat of arms

Tver city map, Russia

Tver city history

Tver was first time mentioned in 1164. Tver was a small settlement of Novgorod city merchants. In 1209 Tver settlement passed to Grand Prince of Vladimir. Famous Russian ruler Alexander Nevskiy granted it to Yaroslav Yaroslavich, his younger brother, in 1246.

Tver principality was developing quickly and soon became one of the richest and most populated states of Russia. The reason was that the territories of Tver state were rarely visited by Tatar raids and a lot of people from ravaged South states of Russia moved there.

At the end of 13th century Tver state was one of the main rivals of Moscow state for dominating in Russia. After years of struggle in 1485 armies of Moscow state tsar Ivan III the Great captured Tver city. In 1763 there was a great fire that completely destroyed Tver city ancient buildings. After the fire Tver city was rebuilt in Neoclassical style.

In 1931 Tver city received new name - Kalinin (after Soviet leader Mikhail Kalinin). In 1941 the city was occupied by German army. Two months later it became the first large city in Europe liberated from German occupation.

Tver city places of interest

White Trinity Church (1564) is the only remaining ancient monument of Tver city. Also there are a lot of buildings of Catharine the Great and Soviet times.

Highly rated in the region Tver State University is located in the city. Also there are agricultural, medical, military academies and technical university in Tver city of Russia.