Kalyazin

History

A sloboda (a settlement for people relieved from paying taxes) appeared on the site of modern Kalyazin in the 12th century. Its importance grew significantly with the foundation of the Makaryevsky Monastery on the opposite bank of the Volga in the 15th century. This abbey used to be the most conspicuous landmark of Kalyazin and comprised numerous buildings of historic interest, including a refectory from 1525. The name of the town originates from certain Kolyaga, a land proprietor in the 15th century.

In the 18th century, the area was included into Moscow Governorate. In 1775, Kalyazin was granted town rights and Kalyazinsky Uyezd was established. It was a part of newly established Tver Viceroyalty. In 1796, the Viceroyalty was abolished and transformed into Tver Governorate. Kalyazinsky Uyezd was abolished, but in 1803, it was re-established. On May 30, 1922, Kalyazinsky Uyezd was abolished and merged into Kashinsky Uyezd. On October 3, 1927, Kashinsky Uyezd itself was abolished and split between Bezhetsky and Kimrsky Uyezds.

On August 12, 1929, Tver Governorate was abolished, with its territory transferred to Moscow Oblast. Uyezds were abolished as well, and Kalyazinsky District, with the administrative center in Kalyazin, was established within Kimry Okrug of Moscow Oblast. On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were abolished and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast. On January 29, 1935, Kalinin Oblast was established, and Kalyazinsky District was transferred to it.

In 1940, the monastery and most of the old town were submerged under water during the construction of the Uglich Hydroelectric Station, which created the Uglich Reservoir. After that, the town was effectively relocated to a new, higher spot.

On February 13, 1963, during the abortive Khrushchev's administrative reform, Kalyazinsky District was merged into Kimrsky District, but on March 4, 1964 it was re-established. In July 1990, Kalinin Oblast was renamed Tver Oblast.

On November 19, 2001, a chartered IRS Aero Ilyushin Il-18 airplane crashed in Kalyazin, killing all twenty-seven on board. On August 26, 2010, dozens of Central Asian guest workers were deported from the town after mass clashes with the locals. Their construction site jobs were given to locals instead.

Administrative and municipal status

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Kalyazin serves as the administrative center of Kalyazinsky District. As an administrative division, it is incorporated within Kalyazinsky District as Kalyazin Urban Settlement. As a municipal division, this administrative unit also has urban settlement status and is a part of Kalyazinsky Municipal District.

Industry

Two factories in Kalyazin—one producing oil extraction equipment and another one manufacturing some parts of MiG airplanes—are responsible for 42% of the total industrial production of the district. Chemical, food, leather, and textile industry are present as well.

Transportation

Kalyazin is home to one of the largest railway stations in Tver Oblast. Trains from St. Petersburg, Moscow (Savyolovsky railway station), Kashin, Uglich, Rybinsk, Sonkovo, Savyolovo, and other major locations pass through the station.

Kalyazin is connected by roads with Sergiyev Posad, Uglich, and with Tver and Kimry via Kashin. There are local roads as well. There is bus traffic originating from Kalyazin.

The Volga is navigable; however, there is no passenger navigation.

Culture and recreation

Kalyazin contains sixteen cultural heritage monuments of federal significance and additionally twenty-two objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance. The town landmark is the Kalyazin Bell Tower, submerged by the Uglich Reservoir and located only partially above the water level. Other federal monuments include the ensemble of administrative buildings and living houses in the center of the town, and the Ascension and the Epiphany Churches.

The Kalyazinsky District Museum is located in Kalyazin.