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The capital city of Vologda oblast: Vologda.
Vologda oblast (also spelled Vologodskaya) is a federal subject of Russian Federation, part of Northwestern Federal District. The administrative center is Vologda city.
Vologda oblast has the population of about 1,213,000 (2010) on the land area of 145,700 sq. km.
Vologda region is located in northwestern part of Russia about 500 km from Moscow city. The largest cities and towns of the region are Cherepovets (310,000), Vologda (286,000), Sokol(41,000), Velikiy Ustyug (32,000). The total territory of Vologda oblast is equal to the united territories of Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands and Switzerland.
Vologda oblast is an important transport junction of Russia. The territory of the region is crossed by highways and railways connecting European part of Russia with Urals and Siberia regions. There are a lot of rivers in Vologda oblast carrying waters to Baltic, Caspian and White seas.
The climate of Vologda oblast is of moderate continental type with cold winters (average temperature in January is 14 degs C below zero) and warm summers (average temperature in July is 18 degs C above zero). The main natural resources are timber and fresh water. The oblast is not rich in natural deposits - there are deposits of peat, salt and mineral water.
Vologda oblast nature
Vologda oblast landscape
Vologda region view
In 5th-7th centuries A.C. the area of present Vologda oblast was developed by Slavic population and this process entailed assimilation of Finno-Ugric tribes. The Russian North colonization was performed both from the west (by Slovens) and from the south (by Kryvich tribes). The representatives of the Prince’s administration followed the colonists: they gathered taxes on newly assimilated lands, formed churchyards and started the construction of cities. Thus, the cities Beloozero, Veliky Ustyug and Vologda came into being.
The Christian colonization took place in early Middle Ages. Foundation of monasteries in the European North meant further spreading of Orthodox church. In 12th-15th centuries a wide net of Orthodox churches was formed. The ancient city Beloozero was first mentioned in 862. In 1238 the area separated from Rostov principality and became an independent Belozerskoye principality.
In 14th century it started being ruled by Moscow and became a district of the united Russian state. In mid-15th century Vologda served as an asylum for Moscow dethroned prince Vasily II Tyomny. As he supported trading Vologda and large northern monasteries Vasily II managed to become the prince again. Vologda lands were important in Ivan’s IV policy. A number of northern cities were included into oprichnina (the territory assigned to a special administrative elite and the attached armed forces). Vologda was in Ivan’s the Terrible plans as it was a kind of “gates” towards the White Sea, Western Siberia, Urals and Europe.
At the end of 17th - early 18th centuries Peter I paid attention to the Russian North. The tsar visited Vologda region several times while solving practical issues of state importance. On January 25th, 1789, According to Katherine’s II order Vologda region ruled by governor-general was formed. It consisted of 3 provinces. In 1796 Vologda became the center of the gubernia. Most cities of current Vologodskaya oblast were formed during Katherine’s administrative reform: Vytegra in 1773, Kirillov in 1776, Cherepovets in 1777, Gryazovets, Kadnikov and Nikolsk in 1780.
Natural peculiarities of the region determined traditional activities of the population. From ancient times the people of European North were hunting, fishing, salt extracting, resin-, tar- and wax-extracting. Till early 20th century salt mines were well-known. At Stroganov’s salt-making plants salt was produced in amounts enough for supplying all the European North and even Moscow. Favorable conditions of the soil and the climate of Vologodskaya gubernia favored growing of high quality flax which was grown in the North since 12th century.
In 1918 Vologda became a “diplomatic capital of Russia” for 5 months: embassies and missions of 11 largest states of the world were located there. Vologda oblast was established in 1937.
Today old architectural ensembles of the cities and towns of Vologda oblast together with mysterious and delicate northern nature form a unique image of the Russian North.
Ferrous metallurgy and power engineering are the main industries. Vologodskaya oblast is strongly integrated into world economy. The export is determined by big industrial plants - of ferrous metallurgy, chemistry, machine-building: “Severstal”, “Cherepovetsky steel-rolling mill”, “Ammofos”, “Cherepovetsky Azot”. Economic growth in the oblast was reached mainly due to ferrous metallurgy.
This dependence made the oblast economics and its social sphere fully dependent on financial and economical situation of the holding “Severstal-group” located on the territory of the oblast. Nevertheless, the oblast exports considerable amounts of food product: milk, poultry, meat and famous Vologda butter. The port in Cherepovets is one of the largest on Volga-Baltic waterway.
Till nowadays some traditional art handicrafts are preserved: Vologda lace, the largest center of lace-making in Russia - Vologda plant “Snezhinka”; unique handicrafts of Veliky Ustyug - Shemogod carved birch-tree bark and nielloed silver.
Vologda oblast scenery
Vologda region scenery
Vologda Russia oblast scenery
There are numerous historical and cultural monuments and memorials in Vologda oblast of Russia.
A number of cities and settlements of Vologda oblast: Belozersk, Veliky Ustyug, Vologda, Ustyuzhna, Totma and others have the status of historical ones and are open-air museums. Since 1999 Veliky Ustyug is considered to be the birthplace of Father the Frost.
Main museums of the region: Vologda state historical, architectural and arts museum-preserve, Kirillo-Belozersky, Veliko-Ustyugsky, Totemskoye and Cherepovets museum units. The architectural and ethnographical museum of Vologodskaya oblast near Vologda.
A number of ancient Russian gentry estates are preserved in Vologoda oblast. Monuments of cult architecture are of special interest, such as Spaso-Prilutsky, Kirillo-Belozersky and other monasteries. The most famous Ferapontov monastery due to fresco ensemble made by ancient Russian artist Dionissy in 1502 was included into the list of UNESCO world heritage. Hunting and fishing tourism is well organized.
Vologoda region as a part of the Russian North managed to preserve a considerable number of ethnic monuments of the Russian folk (songs, tales, chronicles). In 19th-20th centuries best examples of Russian folklore, religious and secular literature were “found” here. Even today traditions and handicrafts of peasants are continued in everyday and cultural life of the villages and settlements of Vologoda oblast.
Vologda oblast is interesting in its natural monuments too. About 70 km from Veliky Ustyug opposite the village of Porog there is the famous geological break - Opoky: 60 m high banks of the river Sukhona reveal the rocks of Upper Perm period.
Vologda Russia oblast church
Vologda region church
Vologda oblast church
Vologda oblast small town view
Vologda oblast cathedral
Vologda Russia oblast monastery
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