Galich, Russia

Town in Kostroma Oblast, Russia From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Galich (Russian: Га́лич) is a town in Kostroma Oblast, Russia, located on the southern bank of Lake Galichskoye. As of the 2021 Census, its population was 12,856.[6]

CountryRussia
First mentioned1234
Elevation
130 m (430 ft)
Quick facts Галич, Country ...
Galich
Галич
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Coat of arms of Galich
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Galich is located in Russia
Galich
Galich
Location of Galich
Galich is located in Kostroma Oblast
Galich
Galich
Galich (Kostroma Oblast)
Coordinates: 58°23′N 42°21′E
CountryRussia
Federal subjectKostroma Oblast[1]
First mentioned1234
Town status since1778
Elevation
130 m (430 ft)
Population
  Total
17,346
  Estimate 
(2021)
12,856 (−25.9%)
  Subordinated totown of oblast significance of Galich[1]
  Capital ofGalichsky District,[1] town of oblast significance of Galich[1]
  Urban okrugGalich Urban Okrug[3]
  Capital ofGalich Urban Okrug,[3] Galichsky Municipal District[3]
Time zoneUTC+3 (MSK Edit this on Wikidata[4])
Postal codes[5]
157200–157203, 157209, 157229
Dialing code+7 49437
OKTMO ID34708000001
Websitewww.admgalich.ru
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Quick facts 2021 Census, 2010 Census ...
Galich population
2021 Census12,856[6]
2010 Census17,346[2]
2002 Census19,151[7]
1989 Census21,652[8]
1979 Census21,270[9]
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History

It was first chronicled in 1234 as Grad Mersky (lit. the town of the Merya).[citation needed] It gradually developed into one of the greatest salt-mining centers of Eastern Europe, eclipsing the southern town of Halych, from which it takes its name. In the 13th century, Galich was ruled by a younger brother of Alexander Nevsky and remained in his line until 1363, when the Muscovites seized the principality and ousted the ruling family to Novgorod.

The 15th and 16th centuries are justly considered the golden age of Galich. At that time it controlled most of the Russian trade in salt and furs. Dmitry Shemyaka and other local princes pressed their claims to the Muscovite crown, and three of them actually took possession of the Kremlin in the course of the Great Feudal War.

The early medieval earthen ramparts were further fortified in the early 15th and 16th centuries and have since been known as Shemyaka Hills. The Poles burnt it to the ground in 1612, Peter the Great had a wooden kremlin demolished, and it further declined with the transfer of Russian foreign trade from Arkhangelsk to St. Petersburg.

Town status was granted to Galich in 1778.[citation needed]

Administrative and municipal status

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Galich serves as the administrative center of Galichsky District,[1] even though it is not a part of it.[10] As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the town of oblast significance of Galich—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts.[1] As a municipal division, the town of oblast significance of Galich is incorporated as Galich Urban Okrug.[3]

Economy

Galich-made Galichanin cranes can be encountered as far away as in Medeo, Kazakhstan

The Galich Mobile Crane Plant (Russian: ОАО "Галичский автокрановый завод") manufactures some 20% of Russia's entire mobile crane production.

Town's industries also manufacture steel barrels, shoes, and clothing. There is a timber mill in town as well.

The town is also a minor railroad node of the Trans-Siberian Railway.

A 350-meter (1,150 ft) tall guyed mast for FM and TV broadcasting can be seen in the town.

Culture

The churches of the St. Paisiy Monastery date from the 16th and 17th centuries

Historic monuments of Galich include various buildings from the imperial period of Russian history. Particularly noteworthy is the Saint Paisiy Monastery [ru], founded in the early 14th century and featuring a 16th-century five-domed cathedral and a three-domed church from 1642.

Since 2004, Galich hosts the annual short film festival "Russia's Family" (Russian: Семья России, Semya Rossii), whose stated goals are "to aid spiritual and moral healing of Russian society and to promote traditional family values".

References

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