Perm history

The history of Perm is a vivid example of how industrial and strategic development shapes a city. From a small factory settlement to a major administrative and cultural centre of the Urals, every stage has left its mark on the city's appearance and character.

Foundation and First Mentions

The official founding date of Perm is considered to be 4 May (15 May New Style), 1723. On this day, on the initiative of the renowned statesman, historian, and geographer Vasily Tatishchev, acting under the decree of Emperor Peter I, the Yegoshikha Copper Smelter was founded. The location on the Yegoshikha River, a tributary of the Kama, was not chosen by chance—it was rich in copper ore and convenient for transporting finished products by river. The village of Yegoshikha itself existed at this location earlier, with mentions dating back to the mid-17th century.

The city received its new status and name later. On 16 November 1780, Empress Catherine II signed a decree establishing a provincial city named Perm based on the expanded factory settlement, which became the centre of the vast Perm Viceroyalty.

Key Factors of Formation

Several key factors contributed to the rapid growth and development of Perm:

• Geographical Location: Its location on the banks of the navigable Kama River made the city a vital transport hub connecting the European part of Russia with the Urals and Siberia.
• Industrial Centre: Originally emerging as a centre of the copper smelting industry, Perm quickly became one of the key industrial and metallurgical hubs of the Urals. In the 19th century, mechanical engineering and shipbuilding actively developed here.
• Trade: The city became a major transshipment base for goods going to Siberia and back. One of the main commodities passing through Perm was salt, mined in the surrounding areas (Solikamsk, Usolye).
• Administrative Status: Receiving the status of a provincial capital in 1781 gave a powerful impetus to the development of administrative, educational, and cultural institutions.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Perm was inextricably linked with industry and trade. The city formed as a business centre where the merchant class flourished. In 1846, regular steamship communication on the Kama was opened, which further strengthened the city's economic position. In the late 19th century, the construction of the Ural Railway, connecting Perm with Yekaterinburg and other regions, turned the city into one of the country's most important transport hubs.

Cultural life also did not stand still. An opera and ballet theatre appeared in the city (1874), and in 1916 the first university in the Urals was opened, cementing Perm's status as an important scientific and educational centre of the region. The city's architecture was enriched with stone buildings, such as the Peter and Paul Cathedral and the Bishop's House, which became symbols of the era. Perm also found reflection in classical literature—it is believed to have served as the prototype for the city of Yuryatin in Boris Pasternak's novel "Doctor Zhivago".

Key Dates in the History of Perm

The history of Perm is a kaleidoscope of events reflecting key stages in the development of the entire Ural region. From a factory settlement to a modern metropolis, here is a brief chronology of the most significant moments.

• 1723 — On the initiative of Vasily Tatishchev, the Yegoshikha Copper Smelter was founded, which is considered the official founding date of the city.
• 1781 — By the decree of Catherine II, the grand opening of the provincial city of Perm and the Perm Viceroyalty took place.
• 1788 — The Yegoshikha plant was closed due to the depletion of mines, and the city began to develop as an administrative and trade centre.
• 1878 — The Ural Mining Railway passed through Perm, turning the city into an important transport hub.
• 1916 — Perm University was opened, becoming the first higher education institution in the Urals.
• 1927 — The unification of Perm and the industrial settlement of Motovilikha into one city took place.
• 1940 — The city was renamed Molotov in honour of the Soviet politician Vyacheslav Molotov.
• 1941–1945 — Dozens of large industrial enterprises were evacuated to the city, which multiplied its production capacity.
• 1955 — The construction of the Kama Hydroelectric Power Station (HPP), an important regional energy facility, was completed.
• 1957 — The city was returned its historical name—Perm.
• 1958 — The first stage of the Perm Oil Refinery was put into operation.
• 1967 — Construction of the Communal Bridge was completed, connecting the central part of the city with the right-bank districts.
• 1971 — For success in the development of industrial production, Perm was awarded the Order of Lenin.
• 2005 — Perm became the administrative centre of a new federal subject—Perm Krai.

Key Milestones in the Development of Perm

The development of Perm is a story of transformation, where each stage opened new opportunities and shaped the unique appearance of the city. From an industrial centre to the cultural capital of the Urals, here are several turning points that defined its destiny.

• Foundation of the Plant and City Status (1723–1781).

  The city originated from the Yegoshikha Copper Smelter, founded by the decree of Peter I in 1723. However, the decisive event was the granting of the status of a provincial centre to Perm by Catherine II in 1780-1781. This turned the factory settlement into the administrative heart of a vast territory, giving impetus to the development of trade, architecture, and public administration.

• Construction of the Ural Mining Railway (1878).

  The appearance of the railway became a true transport revolution for the region. On 1 October 1878, through traffic was opened along the entire line. Perm turned into a key hub connecting the river routes of the Kama with land highways leading to Siberia and central Russia. This ensured year-round supplies of raw materials and the export of finished products, multiplying the city's industrial and trade potential.

• Opening of the First University in the Urals (1916).

  The creation of the university in 1916 secured Perm's status not only as an industrial but also as a scientific and educational centre. This attracted the intellectual elite to the city and marked the beginning of the formation of a strong scientific school, which remains one of the city's calling cards today.

• Evacuation of Industry during the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945).

  Dozens of strategically important enterprises from the west of the country were evacuated to the city, then named Molotov. This period radically changed the economic structure of Perm, turning it into one of the largest centres of the defense, engineering, and chemical industries of the USSR. Many of these factories remained in the city after the war, defining its industrial appearance for decades to come.

• Launch of the Kama HPP (1954–1964).

  The construction of the hydroelectric power station was one of the most large-scale projects of its time. The Kama HPP produced its first industrial current on 18 September 1954. It not only provided cheap electricity to the growing industry of the city and the entire Urals but also significantly changed urban geography. A road and railway passed over the dam, linking remote districts and improving transport accessibility.

• "Cultural Revolution" (Late 2000s – Early 2010s).

  An ambitious project to turn Perm into one of the cultural centres of Europe attracted the attention of the entire country and the world to the city. The appearance of the PERMM Museum of Contemporary Art, the holding of large-scale festivals such as "White Nights in Perm," and the installation of unusual art objects changed the image of the industrial city, making it more open, modern, and attractive to tourists.

The architectural appearance of Perm is a visual history of the city's development, where each stage left its characteristic features. From the strict lines of Classicism laid down at the foundation of the provincial centre to monumental Soviet projects and modern buildings, one can trace the change of eras and styles here that formed a unique urban environment.

Provincial Classicism (Late 18th — First Half of 19th Century)

After receiving the status of a provincial city in 1781, Perm began to be built up according to a regular plan with straight and wide streets. This period defined the appearance of the historical centre. The leading style became Classicism, characterized by symmetry, strict forms, and references to ancient models. The architecture of that time was intended to emphasize the city's status as a capital.

• Landmark Buildings: The brightest example is the ensemble of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral with its bell tower, which became the city's vertical dominant feature. Also dating to this period are the Peter and Paul Cathedral (the oldest stone building in the city, combining elements of Baroque and early Classicism), the Governor's House, and the Assembly of Nobility building.

Eclecticism and Art Nouveau (Late 19th — Early 20th Century)

The economic boom associated with the development of trade and industry brought diversity to architecture. During this period, Eclecticism prevailed, mixing elements of different styles, and the elegant and decorative Art Nouveau (Modern) was gaining popularity. Many merchant mansions and revenue houses in the "Brick Style" appeared in the development, as well as buildings in the Pseudo-Russian style.

• Landmark Buildings: A masterpiece of Perm Art Nouveau is considered to be the Gribushin House, decorated with stucco moulding and female mascarons. Other notable buildings of the era include the Mariinsky Girls' Gymnasium, the "King's Rooms" hotel, and the Perm-I railway station.

Soviet Period (1920s — 1980s)

The post-revolutionary era brought new architectural ideas to Perm. In the 1920s and 1930s, buildings in the Constructivism style appeared in the city, characterized by functionality, strict geometric forms, and a lack of decor. It was replaced in the 1930s-1950s by the monumental Stalinist Empire style with its grandeur, columns, and sculptural compositions. The late Soviet period is represented by the functional architecture of Modernism.

• Landmark Buildings:
  • Constructivism: The "House of Chekists", the "Tsentralnaya" Hotel, and the "socialist districts" in Zakamsk and Motovilikha, built under the influence of the ideas of the German "Bauhaus" school.
  • Stalinist Empire: The Soldatov Palace of Culture, the Internal Affairs Directorate building ("Tower of Death"), the River Station, and the "House with Lions".
  • Soviet Modernism: The Drama Theatre building ("Teatr-Teatr"), built in 1981.

Modern Architecture (Since the 1990s)

In the post-Soviet period, the architecture of the city became more diverse. Modern residential complexes, shopping and entertainment centres, and business centres appeared. The "Perm – Cultural Capital" project gave a special impetus to the development of the urban environment, within the framework of which public spaces were reconstructed and new art objects appeared, changing the face of the city.

Notable Figures in the History of Perm

Perm, being a major industrial, scientific, and cultural centre of the Urals, is associated with the names of many outstanding people. Figures of science, art, and industry have left a noticeable mark on the history of the city and the entire country.

Vasily Tatishchev (1686–1750)

Statesman, historian, and geographer, one of the founders of Perm. It was he who, on the instructions of Peter I, chose the site for the construction of the Yegoshikha Copper Smelter in 1723, which marked the beginning of the city's history. His activities laid the foundation for the industrial development of the entire region.

Nikolai Slavyanov (1854–1897)

An outstanding Russian engineer and inventor who worked at the Perm Cannon Factories. In 1888, he invented and applied for the first time in the world arc welding with a consumable metal electrode—a technology that revolutionized industry and is used to this day. His famous "Slavyanov glass," welded from eight non-fusing metals, received worldwide recognition.

Sergei Diaghilev (1872–1929)

World-famous theatrical and artistic figure, impresario, and organizer of the "Ballets Russes" in Paris. His childhood and youth were spent in Perm, in a house that was the centre of the city's cultural life. Diaghilev made an invaluable contribution to the popularization of Russian ballet and art abroad, revealing geniuses such as Nijinsky, Pavlova, and Stravinsky to the world.

Alexander Popov (1859–1906)

Russian physicist and electrical engineer, one of the inventors of radio. Being a native of the Perm Governorate, he studied at the Perm Theological Seminary, where his interest in exact sciences became apparent. Later, having already become a famous scientist, Popov developed the project for the first city power plant in Perm, which was opened in 1902.

Boris Pasternak (1890–1960)

Great Russian poet and writer, Nobel Prize laureate in Literature. In 1916, he lived and worked in the Perm Governorate for several months. It is believed that Perm became the prototype for the fictional city of Yuryatin in his famous novel "Doctor Zhivago". This period had a significant influence on the writer's work.

Georgy Burkov (1933–1990)

Soviet theatre and film actor, film director, Honoured Artist of the RSFSR. Born in Perm, he studied at the law faculty of Perm University and played in the local drama theatre. His roles in films such as "The Irony of Fate", "The Garage", and "They Fought for Their Country" brought him national love and recognition.

Dmitry Mamin-Sibiryak (1852–1912)

A famous Russian writer, prose writer, and playwright, whose work is closely connected with the Urals. He was born in the Perm Governorate and studied at the Perm Theological Seminary. In his works, such as "Privalov's Millions" and "The Mountain Nest," he vividly and distinctively described the life, customs, and nature of the Ural region.