Usvyaty

Usvyaty is an urban-type settlement, the administrative center of Usvyaty Rayon, Pskov Oblast, Russia. It is located between Lake Uzmen and Lake Usvyaty connected by a wide channel known as Lake Gorodechnoe, 320 km southeast of Pskov, near the border with Belarus.

Population
In 1989, the population of the settlement was of 3,600 inhabitnats. It has since decreased significantly to 3,148 in 2002 - 3,148 and an estimated 2,839 in 2010.

History
In the course of time Usvyaty was known by different names such as: Vsyach, Vsvyach, Vsvyat, Usvyach, Svyach, Usvyat, or Usvyato.



First mentioned in chronicles in 1021, when Prince Yaroslav the Wise, gave the Prince of Polotsk Bryachislav Izyaslavich two cities: Vsvyach (i.e. Usvyaty), and Vitebsk. In 1225, in the ba neartabout Usvyaty Russian defeated the Lithuanians. In 1245, Prince Alexander Nevsky defeated again here Lithuanians. In 1320 joined to Lithuania (inherited Lithuanian prince Olgerda, zhenivshemusya the daughter of the Prince of Vitebsk and for a time lived in Usvyaty).

At the beginning of 16th century, Uvstaty was attached to the Grand Principality of Moscow, being occupied in 1548 by the Poles. In 1562 the Poles and the Lithuanians were driven out of Usvyaty and in 1567 a fortress was built on orders of Ivan the Terrible. In 1580 the settlement was again captured by troops of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth under the command of Polish king Stephen Báthory being reclaimed by Russia in 1654. In 1667, the Truce of Andrusovo accepts its separation from Poland. Finally, in 1772, Usvuaty is incorporated in the Russian Empire.

Since the end of the 18th century Usvyaty - village Velizh county that was part of the first in Pskov, and then (c 1777 ) of Polotsk , in 1796 Belarus , and from 1802 in Vitebsk province , the center Usvyaty parish.

In 1924 Usvyaty moved to Pskov Oblast. In 1927 became the center of Usvyaty Rayon, first in the Leningrad Oblast, in 1929 in the Western region (with the capital in Smolensk, from 1944in the Veliko Luky Oblast in finally from 1957 in Pskov Oblast. In 1985 Usvyaty acquired the status of urban settlement.

Economy
Among the enterprises of the village - a bakery, woodworking industries. In the region - mining upland peat, logging.

Attractions
Castle Hill to the monument of architecture of XIX century - the country estate VP Rodzianko (White House), which is located in the historical museum.

Neolithic settlement Usvyaty IV, called by archaeologists "Venice of the North.

Famous natives

 * Alex Parfenovich Sapunov - well-known historian, ethnographer and archaeologist.
 * In the area Usvyaty - the birthplace of famous Russian folk singer Olga Sergeeva.

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