| Usvyaty | |
|---|---|
| — Urban-type settlement — | |
 |
|
 Usvyaty |
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| Coordinates: Coordinates: | |
| Country | Russia |
| Federal subject of Russia | Pskov Oblast |
| Rayon | Usvyaty Rayon |
| First mentioned | 1121 |
| Postal code | 182570 |
| Dialing code | +7 81150 |
| Vehicle registration | 60 |
| OKATO Code | 58 258 551 |
Usvyaty is an urban-type settlement, the administrative center of Usvyaty Rayon, Pskov Oblast, Russia. It is located between Lake Uzmen and Lake Usvyaty connected by a wide channel known as Lake Gorodechnoe, 320 km southeast of Pskov, near the border with Belarus.
Population[]
In 1989, the population of the settlement was of 3,600 inhabitnats. It has since decreased significantly to 3,148 in 2002 - 3,148 and an estimated 2,839 in 2010.
History[]
In the course of time Usvyaty was known by different names such as: Vsyach, Vsvyach, Vsvyat, Usvyach, Svyach, Usvyat, or Usvyato.
Map of Aleksandr Nevsky's campaing against the Swedes and the Teuton Knights (1239-1245)
First mentioned in chronicles in 1021, when Yaroslav I, Grand Prince of Kiev, gave the Bryachislav Izyaslavich, Prince of Polotsk two cities: Vsvyach (i.e. Usvyaty), and Vitebsk . In 1225, in the Battle of Usvyaty the army of the Grand Principality of Vladimir defeated the Lithuanians. In 1245, Aleksandr Nevsky defeated again the Lithuanians near Usvyaty.
In 1320, Usvyaty was joined to Lithuania, being part of the dowry of Princess Maria of Vitebsk when she married Algirdas of Lithuania. For a time Maria of Vitebsk lived in Uvsyaty).
At the beginning of 16th century, Uvsyaty was attached to the Grand Principality of Moscow, being occupied in 1548 by the Poles. In 1562 the Poles and the Lithuanians were driven out of Usvyaty and in 1567 a fortress was built on orders of Ivan the Terrible. In 1580 the settlement was again captured by troops of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under the command of Polish king Stephen Báthory being reclaimed by Russia in 1654. In 1667, the Truce of Andrusovo accepts its separation from Poland. Finally, in 1772, Usvuaty is incorporated in the Russian Empire.
Since the end of the 18th century Usvyaty - village Velizh county that was part of the first in Pskov , and then (c 1777 ) of Polotsk , in 1796 Belarus , and from 1802 in Vitebsk province , the center Usvyaty parish.
In 1924 Usvyaty moved to Pskov Oblast. In 1927 became the center of Usvyaty Rayon, first in the Leningrad Oblast, in 1929 in the Western region (with the capital in Smolensk, from 1944in the Veliko Luky Oblast in finally from 1957 in Pskov Oblast. In 1985 Usvyaty acquired the status of urban settlement .
Economy[]
Among the enterprises of the village - a bakery, woodworking industries. In the region - mining upland peat , logging.
Attractions[]
Castle Hill to the monument of architecture of XIX century - the country estate VP Rodzianko (White House), which is located in the historical museum.
Neolithic settlement Usvyaty IV, called by archaeologists "Venice of the North.
Famous natives[]
- Alex Parfenovich Sapunov - well-known historian, ethnographer and archaeologist.
- In the area Usvyaty - the birthplace of famous Russian folk singer Olga Sergeeva .