Velikie Luki overview
Velikie Luki (also spelled Velikiye Luki) is Russian city of Military Glory located in Pskov oblast. The city is large trade and industrial center of the southern part of the region, important cultural and educational center.
Velikie Luki is located close to federal highway Moscow - Baltics (M9), there is a coach terminal, railway station which provides direct connection with Moscow, Saint-Petersburg, Murmansk, Riga and other cities. There is no airport at present. The distance from Moscow to Velikie Luki is about 530 km. The railway trip from Moscow takes about 9 hours.
Velikie Luki city has the population about 98,000 (2010) on the territory of 60 sq.km.
The phone code is +7 81153; the postal codes are 182100-182115.
Velikie Luki history
For the first time Velikie Luki was mentioned in Novgorodskaya chronicle in 1166 as the town of Luki. Since 12th century it was a part of Novgorodskaya area, built as a fortress in 1211 on the way to Novgorod and Pskov. In 1406 Luki was called Velikie (Great). From 1478 the city like the whole Novgorod land was subordinate to Muscovite principality.
During Lithuanian war headquarter of Ivan the Terrible was located there (from 1558). In 1580 the fortress was conquered by Polish and Lithuanian troops of the king Stephan Batoriya. In 1583 according to Yam-Zapolsky peace treaty the city was returned to Russia.
In 1611 the city was fully destroyed and rebuilt in 1619. Peter I and Catherine II visited the city more than once. By the tsar’s order Velikolukskaya fortress was constructed.
During Patriotic War of 1812 Velikie Luki was a large base of Russian army. At the end of 19th century Velikie Luki was crossed by post ways. In 1901 the railway Moscow-Rzhev-Riga-Vindava was constructed through the city.
From August 22nd, 1944, till October 2nd, 1957, Velikie Luki was the administrative center of Velikolukskaya oblast of the RSFSR. During World War II the battles for Velikie Luki were so severe that the city was called “Little Stalingrad”.
In October 2008 Velikie Luki received the title “The City of Military Glory”.
Velikie Luki streets sceneries
Velikie Luki street view
Author: Alexandr Mav
Velikie Luki street scenery
Author: Alexandr Mav
Velikie Luki, Russia street
Author: Alexandr Mav
Velikie Luki places of interest
Close to the river Lovati there are high (21 m) ramparts of ancient fortress. At present on the fortress rampart there is a monument - obelisk in honor of World War II heroes. Tank T-34 is standing on the rampart too. Velikie Luki city is well seen from this point.
Lenin square is considered the main square. There is a music school named after M.P.Musorgsky there and hotel “Yubileinaya”. There is a colored fountain in a park on the southern side.
Lieutenant Shmidt embankment starts in Lenin square. Along the river Lovati there are numerous flower-beds. They decorate the embankment and make the citizens proud of their city. If you walk down Lenin prospect the next square is the one named after K.K.Rokossovsky, the famous commander who spent his childhood in Velikie Luki.
There is Rokossovsky bust in this square and the famous fountain “Stone flower” - the pride of Velikie Luki. Opposite it there is drama theater.
The square linked with the name of the Soviet Union Hero Alexander Matrosov is very special. His remains lay here, silver fur-trees grow and Eternal Fire is burning. Famous sculptor Ye.V.Vuchetich created a monument to Alexander Matrosov who in the village Chernushki in February 1943 closed the German embrasure with his body thus helping his troop. The museum is also located there.
Common grave is one of the most beautiful and well looked after place in the city. Heroes who died defending the city during World War II are buried there.
Velikie Luki was almost absolutely destroyed during World War II. That’s why there are no ancient monuments. The one newly rebuilt is Resurrection church.
