Solvychegodsk

Solvychegodsk (Russian Сольвычегодск ) is a small town in north-west Russia. It belongs to the Arkhangelsk Oblast and has 2460 inhabitants (as of October 14, 2010 ).

Geography

The city is located about 480 km southeast of the Oblasthauptstadt Arkhangelsk on the right bank of the Vychegda, a right tributary of the Northern Dvina.

Solvychegodsk belongs to Rajon Kotlas and is 15 kilometers from the Rajonverwaltungszentrum.

The climate is subarctic continental, with long cold winters and short cool summers. The average temperature in January is -14 degrees, in July 17 degrees Celsius. The mean annual precipitation is 550 mm.

History

The city was probably built in the 14th century and was first mentioned in 1492 under the name ' Usolye ' or ' Usolsk ' (Russian: " у соли ", German: " the salt" ), because of its location at the nearby salt lakes.

Especially the Stroganov merchant family had a significant influence on the development of the city. Firstly, the Stroganov founded in the early 16th century, the first salt works, which existed until the beginning of the 18th century. Secondly, they had an influence on other areas of the city and built, among other churches and even the first workshops for arts and crafts on. Due to the salt production and salt trade, the city grew steadily. From the 16th to the 17th century Solvychegodsk was an important craft and cultural center in northern Russia. The city was famous for its painted enamel.

In 1708 it received city rights (1796 renewed). After 1796 Solvychegodsk was part of the government of Vologda and chief town of a Ujesd. In the 19th and early 20th century Solvychegodsk was also a political exile, so 1908-1910 for Josef Stalin.

Since 1923 Solvychegodsk is a spa town. In 1937 it became part of Arkhangelsk Oblast.

Population Development

The following overview shows the evolution of populations of Solvychegodsk.

Note: Census data (1926 and 1939 rounded)

Economy and Transport

Solvychegodsk is known as balneotherapeuthischer spa. It houses sanatoriums, spas and spas, in whose vicinity there are numerous mineral and healing mud sources.

Both in Kotlas as well as in the nearby Korjazhma there are railway stations which are reached by a regular bus service. Furthermore, there is a ferry service to the city Kotlas.