Opochka
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox Russian inhabited locality
Opochka (Template:Langx) is a town and the administrative center of Opochetsky District in Pskov Oblast, Russia, located on the Velikaya River, Template:Convert south of Pskov, the administrative center of the oblast. Population: Template:Ru-census<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
History
It was founded in 1414.<ref name="gr">Template:Cite book</ref> At the time, it was a fortress subordinate to Pskov and protecting it from the south. In 1426, it was besieged by the Lithuanians, and in 1427 by Germans, but it was not conquered.<ref name="gr" /> It did, however, burn down in 1441.<ref name="gr" /> In 1510, the town was annexed by the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and from 1547 it was part of the Tsardom of Russia. In 1581, it was captured by Polish King Stephen Báthory.<ref name=sgk>Template:Cite book</ref>
In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, it was included into Ingermanland Governorate (known since 1710 as Saint Petersburg Governorate).<ref name="gr" /> Opochka is specifically mentioned as one of the towns making the governorate.<ref name="1708List">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1727, separate Novgorod Governorate was split off, and in 1772, Pskov Governorate (which between 1777 and 1796 existed as Pskov Viceroyalty) was established.Template:Citation needed Between 1772 and 1776, Opochka was the seat of the governorate.<ref name="arxiv">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 1776, the borders of the governorate were considerably altered, the seat was relocated to Pskov, and Opochka became the seat of Opochetsky Uyezd.Template:Citation needed In the late 19th century, the town had ten industrial plants, including tanneries.<ref name=sgk/> Trade in linen, hides and grain was conducted.<ref name=sgk/>
On August 1, 1927, the uyezds and governorates were abolished and Opochetsky District, with the administrative center in Opochka, was established as a part of Pskov Okrug of Leningrad Oblast.<ref name="PskovO1988">Administrative-Territorial Structure of Pskov Oblast, pp. 11–15</ref> It included parts of former Opochetsky and Sebezhsky Uyezds.<ref name="OpochetskyDHist">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were also abolished and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast.<ref name="PskovO1988" /> On January 29, 1935, the district was transferred to Kalinin Oblast, and on February 5, Opochetsky District became a part of Velikiye Luki Okrug of Kalinin Oblast,<ref name="PskovO1988" /> one of the okrugs abutting the state boundaries of the Soviet Union. On May 11, 1937, Opochka Okrug with the administrative center in Opochka was established and the district was transferred to the okrug.<ref name="PskovO1988" /> On February 5, 1941, the okrug was abolished.<ref name="PskovO1988" /> Between July 8, 1941 and July 15, 1944, Opochka was occupied by German troops.<ref name="gr" /> The Germans operated a Sicherheitsdienst camp in the town.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In March 1942, the local Jewish population was murdered during mass executions.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On August 22, 1944, the district was transferred to newly established Velikiye Luki Oblast.<ref name="PskovO1988" /> On October 2, 1957, Velikiye Luki Oblast was abolished and Opochetsky District was transferred to Pskov Oblast.<ref name="PskovO1988" />
Administrative and municipal status
Within the framework of administrative divisions, Opochka serves as the administrative center of Opochetsky District,<ref name="OKATO">Template:OKATO reference</ref> to which it is directly subordinated.<ref name="Incorp">Law #833-oz stipulates that the borders of the administrative districts are identical to the borders of the municipal districts. The Law #420-oz, which describes the borders and the composition of the municipal districts, lists the town of Opochka as a part of Opochetsky District.</ref> As a municipal division, the town of Opochka is incorporated within Opochetsky Municipal District as Opochka Urban Settlement.<ref name="PskovO_mun">Law #420-oz</ref>
Economy
Industry
There are enterprises of food and textile industries in Opochka.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Transportation
The M20 Highway, which connects St. Petersburg and Vitebsk via Pskov, passes Opochka. Another road connects Opochka with Sebezh. There are also local roads.
Culture and recreation
Opochka contains five cultural heritage monuments of federal significance and additionally thirty-four objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance.Template:RKN base The federally protected monuments are the Intercession Church, the postal station, the Kukolkin House, and the Chernyshyov House, as well as an archeological site.
Notable people
Opochka is the birthplace of architect Lev Rudnev and geologist Nikolai Kudryavtsev.Template:Citation needed
- Sergey Yustinovich Bagotsky (1879–1953), Russian Marxist revolutionary, Soviet medicine and Red Cross diplomat
References
Notes
Sources
- Template:RussiaAdmMunRef
- Template:RussiaAdmMunRef
- Архивный отдел Псковского облисполкома. Государственный архив Псковской области. "Административно-территориальное деление Псковской области (1917–1988 гг.). Справочник". (Administrative-Territorial Structure of Pskov Oblast (1917–1988). Reference.) Книга I. Лениздат, 1988.