Gorodets, a New Port of Call on Moscow - Astrakhan Cruises

  • access_time12 March, 2016

In 2016, Moscow - Astrakhan cruise route was changed due to expected low waters on the Volga River. Due to this, passengers will see Gorodets, a charming old town that had not been a part of the route before. Today we'll tell you a little of its history.

 
Gorodets - is one of the small historical towns in Russia and the oldest one in the Nizhegorodsky Region. It is situated on the left shore of the Volga River, 60 km up the river from the Nizhny Novgorod. Throughout its history, Gorodets has went through the times of prosperity and decline. The city was home for the dukes and talented craftsmen, for the Old Ritualists and opportunistic merchants. The city was situated at the borders of the Vladimiro-Suzdalsky principality and was protecting its eastern side. At the end of the 13th century Gorodets became a prominent political center equal to Tver and Moscow.
 
From the end of the 18th century, Gorodets became a floureshing commercial and industrial town, and was well-known in the region. The leather works and ship construction were the most fast developing industries. The favourable for the city period took place between 19th and 20th century, and this period is being regarded as a time of Russian capitalism.
 
The city became rich through ship building and trade, and enormous amount of former peasants of the time were carrying the titles of the sailors and merchants. The flour making industry and bread sales were also on the rise, because the ships freighted with bread were using town's docks to stay for the winter. The local market was so rich that it could be compared only to the Nizhny Novgorof fair. During autumn and winter, the trade of bread, linen and wooden crafts were especially good.
 
At the cusp of the 19th and 20th century, Gorodets has been a big trading center. In the neighboring villages people were making pottery, horse equipment, sledges and toys for sale in the town. In 1870s in the city has been developed the so called "the Gorodetsky painting", and an item decorated in this technique would be a great souvenir to bring home.
 
Nonetheless, the time of prosperity is frequently followed by decline, and the Gorodets town was not an exception. The development of the city was interrupted by the October Revolution, but, the city was able to survive this time and the main industries, such as shipping and ship building, wood processing and art handicrafts, continued to be developed.
 
The Gorodets city is about the same age as Moscow and has a long history, and is a place worth of your attention. Among local attractions are: The Museum of Regional Studies, The Museum "Gorodetsky Ginger Bread", The house of Panin Countess, The Samovar Museum, The Master's City,  The Fedorovsky Monastery and the Church of Archangel Michael.