Known as Beloozero (lit.'white lake') until 1777,[10] it was first chronicled in 862[3] as one of the five original Russian towns (the other four being Murom, Novgorod, Polotsk, and Rostov).[14] According to the Primary Chronicle, Sineus, a brother of Rurik, became the prince of Beloozero in 862.[15] However, Sineus most likely never existed.[15][failed verification] On several occasions, the settlement was moved from one bank of the lake to another.[3]
In the 11th century, the region was still inhabited primarily by Finnic peoples tribes who fiercely resisted Christianization.[citation needed] In 1071, local pagan priests rose in rebellion, which was put down by the Kievan commander Yan Vyshatich.[citation needed] The Primary Chronicle reports that the dead bodies of priests were suspended from an oak tree, until they were torn to pieces by a bear (regarded by pagans as a holy animal).[citation needed] From the 10th to the 13th centuries, the territory was controlled by the Novgorod Republic.[14] Beloozero was the seat of a small principality between 1238 and the 1370s, but subsequently between 1380 and 1384 became subordinate to the Grand Duchy of Moscow.[10][14] On July 10, 1612, Polish and Lithuanian vagabonds (Lisowczycy) captured Belozersk without a fight, looting the town.[citation needed]
In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, Beloozero was included into Ingermanland Governorate (known since 1710 as Saint Petersburg Governorate) and named one of the towns constituting the governorate.[16] In 1727, a separate Novgorod Governorate was split off and Belozersk became the seat of Belozersk Province in Novgorod Governorate.[17] In 1776, the territory was transferred to Novgorod Viceroyalty.[10] In 1796, the viceroyalty was abolished and Belozersky Uyezd became a part of Novgorod Governorate.[17]
In June 1918, five uyezds of Novgorod Governorate, including Belozersky Uyezd, were split off to form Cherepovets Governorate, with the administrative center in Cherepovets.[18] On August 1, 1927, Cherepovets Governorate was abolished and its territory became Cherepovets Okrug of Leningrad Oblast.[18] At the same time, uyezds were abolished and Belozersky District was established.[18] On September 23, 1937, Belozersky District was transferred to newly established Vologda Oblast.[18]
As a municipal division, the town of district significance of Belozersk, together with four rural localities in Glushkovsky Selsoviet and two rural localities in Kunostsky Selsoviet of Belozersky District, is incorporated within Belozersky Municipal District as Belozersk Urban Settlement.[7]
Geography
The town is located on the southern bank of Lake Beloye, from which it takes the name, 214 kilometers (133 mi) northwest of Vologda, the administrative center of the oblast.
Climate
Belozersk falls just within the subarctic climate range,[19] with the fourth-warmest month being just below the isotherm of 10 °C (50 °F)[20] to nearby humid continental areas. Winters are cold but not severe by Russian standards for areas north of the 60th parallel.
The town of Belozersk is classified as a historical town by the Ministry of Culture of Russia, which implies certain restrictions on construction in the historical center.[22]
The Assumption Church in BelozerskBelozersk Assumption Cathedral in 1909
Two of the most famous medieval icons were created in the 13th century in Belozersk: the Virgin of the White Lake and Saints Peter and Paul. They constitute an intermediate style between Novgorodian and Northern icon painting.
The Virgin of White Lake, the icon of the 13th century
The Belozersky Local Museum located in Belozersk is an umbrella organization which not only hosts ethnographic and historical exhibits, but also manages the most important architectural monuments in Belozersk such as the Transfiguration Cathedral.[23]
Законодательное Собрание Вологодской области. Закон №371-ОЗ от 4 июня 1999 г. «О вопросах административно-территориального устройства Вологодской области», в ред. Закона №2916-ОЗ от 7 декабря 2012 г. «О внесении изменений в Закон области "О вопросах административно-территориального устройства Вологодской области"». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Красный Север", №124–125, 29 июля 1999 г. (Legislative Assembly of Vologda Oblast. Law #371-OZ of June 4, 1999 On the Matters of the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Vologda Oblast, as amended by the Law #2916-OZ of December 7, 2012 On Amending the Oblast Law "On the Matters of the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Vologda Oblast". Effective as of the day of the official publication.).
Правительство Вологодской области. Постановление №178 от 1 марта 2010 г. «Об утверждении реестра административно-территориальных единиц Вологодской области», в ред. Постановления №686 от 25 июня 2012 г. «О внесении изменений в некоторые Постановления Правительства области». Вступил в силу 20 марта 2010 г. Опубликован: "Красный Север", №29, 20 марта 2010 г. (Government of Vologda Oblast. Resolution #178 of March 1, 2010 On Adopting the Registry of the Administrative-Territorial Units of Vologda Oblast, as amended by the Resolution #686 of June 25, 2012 On Amending Various Resolutions of the Oblast Government. Effective as of March 20, 2010.).
Законодательное Собрание Вологодской области. Закон №1107-ОЗ от 6 декабря 2004 г. «Об установлении границ Белозерского муниципального района, границах и статусе муниципальных образований, входящих в его состав», в ред. Закона №3666-ОЗ от 1 июня 2015 г. «О преобразовании некоторых муниципальных образований Белозерского муниципального района, о внесении изменений в Закон области "Об установлении границ Белозерского муниципального района, границах и статусе муниципальных образований, входящих в его состав" и изменения в Приложение к Закону области "О некоторых вопросах организации и деятельности органов местного самоуправления на территории Вологодской области"». Вступил в силу через 10 дней со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Красный Север", №242, 11 декабря 2004 г. (Legislative Assembly of Vologda Oblast. Law #1107-OZ of December 6, 2004 On Establishing the Borders of Belozersky Municipal District, on the Borders and Status of the Municipal Formations It Comprises, as amended by the Law #3666-OZ of June 1, 2015 On the Transformation of Several Municipal Formations in Belozersky Municipal District, on Amending the Law of the Oblast "On Establishing the Borders of Belozersky Municipal District, on the Borders and Status of the Municipal Formations It Comprises", and on Amending the Appendix to the Law of the Oblast "On Various Issues of Organization and Functioning of the Local Self-Government on the Territory of Vologda Oblast". Effective as of after 10 days from the day of the official publication.).
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