Slobodskoy, Kirov Oblast

Slobodskoi (Russian Слободской ) is a city in Russia with 33 981 inhabitants (as of October 14, 2010 ). Slobodskoi lies in the Kirov Oblast on the right bank of the Vyatka and is located about 900 kilometers northeast of Moscow. It also has a branch line to 35 km away regional capital Kirov access to the Trans-Siberian Railway.

History

Though founded in the village is considered 1505, when settlers from the western parts of the Grand Duchy of Moscow on a so-called Sloboda Vyatka - bank - was created - a kind of economically independent city. Its foundation was in 1489 the conquest of the Vyatka Territories by troops of Tsar Ivan III. advance so that the place belongs to Russia since its inception. Later he was called Slobodskoi Gorodok, so Slobodastädtchen 1599 he received city rights, and since simply means Slobodskoi.

In the late 18th century became Slobodskoi an important trading town, especially thanks to its location on a trade route from Siberia in the North Sea port city of Arkhangelsk. 1782 were already more than 100 merchants in the city established and operated processing and trade, especially of fur, leather and agricultural products. Beginning of the 20th century was already Slobodskoi throughout the province of Vyatka leader in industrial production.

Demographics

Note: Census data

Economy

Slobodskoi has still a significant fur processing factory, which is one of the largest in Russia. There are also furniture, food and engineering industries here. In the surroundings of farming is done and degraded limestone.

Attractions

Slobodskoi has a historic center with its museum and interesting old wooden churches.

Personalities

• Alexander Grin (1880-1932), writer, was born in Slobodskoi
• Jānis Rainis (1865-1929), poet, lived from 1899 to 1903 in Slobodskoi in exile