Petrozavodsk history

The history of Petrozavodsk is the story of the industrial development of Karelia, closely linked to the era of Peter the Great and his reforms. The city emerged not as a trading or military settlement, but as a factory town, which defined its development for many decades to come.

Foundation and First Mentions

The date of the city's foundation is considered to be 1703. At the height of the Great Northern War with Sweden, by the personal decree of Peter the Great, a new ironworks and cannon factory was established on the shore of Lake Onega, at the mouth of the Lososinka River. Initially, the factory and the settlement that grew around it were called Petrovskaya Sloboda (Petrovskaya Settlement). The primary task of production was to supply the Russian army and navy with artillery and ammunition.

Key Factors of Establishment

Several reasons contributed to the rapid development of the new settlement:

• Strategic Significance: The plant became one of the country's main arsenals, ensuring constant government orders and funding. Its products—cannons, anchors, weapons—played a key role in strengthening Russia's military power.
• Geographical Location: Proximity to Lake Onega solved transport logistics, while rich ore deposits and vast forests in the vicinity provided the necessary resources for metallurgical production.
• Political Will: The direct patronage of Peter I and his associates, particularly Alexander Menshikov, ensured the rapid construction and launch of the plant.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

Petrovskaya Sloboda was initially formed as an industrial centre. Its first inhabitants were assigned peasants, as well as skilled craftsmen brought from the Urals and Tula. The life of the settlement was completely subordinate to the rhythm of factory work. After the end of the Great Northern War and the death of Peter I, the plant fell into decline but found a second wind during the time of Catherine II. In 1773, the new Alexandrovsky Plant was founded here. And on March 21, 1777, by the decree of Empress Catherine II, Petrovskaya Sloboda officially received the status of a city and its current name—Petrozavodsk.

Chronology of Key Events

• 1703 — By the decree of Peter I, an ironworks and cannon factory is founded at the mouth of the Lososinka River, around which Petrovskaya Sloboda grew.
• 1774 — The new Alexandrovsky Cannon Plant is launched on the site of the dilapidated Petrovsky Plant.
• March 21, 1777 — By the decree of Catherine II, Petrovskaya Sloboda officially receives city status and the name Petrozavodsk.
• 1781 — Petrozavodsk becomes the administrative centre of the Olonets Oblast of the Novgorod Viceroyalty.
• 1784 — The city is appointed the capital of the independent Olonets Viceroyalty, the first ruler of which became the poet G. R. Derzhavin.
• 1801 — Petrozavodsk is reaffirmed as the centre of the restored Olonets Governorate.
• 1916 — The Murmansk Railway passed through the city, connecting it with Petrograd and the ice-free port in the north.
• 1920 — Petrozavodsk becomes the capital of the newly formed Karelian Labour Commune.
• September 1, 1940 — The Karelo-Finnish State University (now PetrSU) is opened on the basis of the pedagogical institute.
• 1941–1944 — The city is occupied by Finnish troops during the Great Patriotic War and renamed Äänislinna.
• June 28, 1944 — Troops of the Karelian Front liberated Petrozavodsk from occupation; this date is celebrated today as City Day.
• 1955 — The new building of the Musical and Drama Theatre (now the Musical Theatre of the Republic of Karelia) is opened, becoming one of the symbols of the city.
• 1994 — The reconstruction of the Onega Embankment was completed, where a unique open-air museum of modern sculpture was founded.
• April 6, 2015 — By the decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the city was awarded the honorary title "City of Military Glory" for the courage and heroism of its defenders.

Main Milestones in the Development of Petrozavodsk

The history of Petrozavodsk is a sequential change of roles: from a factory town to an administrative capital, and then to a scientific and cultural centre. Each era left its mark on its economy, architecture, and social life.

• Foundation of the Petrovsky Plant (1703). By the decree of Peter I, an ironworks and cannon factory was founded, which gave life to the settlement. This defined the industrial vector of the city's development for centuries to come, making it one of the country's key arsenals in the 18th century.
• Granting of City Status (1777). By the decree of Catherine II, Petrovskaya Sloboda was transformed into the city of Petrozavodsk. This became a turning point, turning the industrial settlement into a full-fledged administrative centre, which stimulated urban planning and construction.
• Construction of the Murmansk Railway (1916). The laying of the railway line connecting the city with Petrograd and the new port on the Barents Sea produced an economic revolution. Petrozavodsk ceased to be a transport dead-end, which gave a powerful impetus to the development of the timber industry and trade.
• Status of the Capital of Karelia (from 1920). With the formation of the Karelian Labour Commune (subsequently the Republic), Petrozavodsk became its permanent capital. This strengthened its administrative importance and contributed to the development of national cultural institutions, such as theatres and publishing houses.
• Opening of the University (1940). The founding of the Karelo-Finnish (now Petrozavodsk) State University turned the city into a major educational and scientific centre of the North-West. The appearance of the university contributed to the formation of the local intelligentsia and the development of scientific research in the region.
• Post-War Reconstruction (1950s – 1970s). After significant destruction during the war years, the city was rebuilt on a large scale. During this period, its modern architectural appearance was formed with elements of Stalinist Empire style and functional Soviet development, and new industrial enterprises were created.
• Reconstruction of the Onega Embankment (1994). The creation of a landscaped embankment with a unique open-air museum of modern sculpture became a landmark project of the new era. This not only transformed the urban space but also created one of the main symbols of modern Petrozavodsk, popular among residents and tourists.

The architectural appearance of Petrozavodsk is a living chronicle of its history, from the factory settlement of Peter's times to the modern republican capital. Buildings from several key eras have been preserved in the city, forming its unique and multi-layered image. Each era, from Classicism to Modernism, has left its mark on the streets and squares.

The Era of Classicism: 18th–19th Centuries

The first flourishing of stone architecture in Petrozavodsk occurred at the end of the 18th century, when the city received its first regular development plan. The dominant style of this period was Classicism, with its strict symmetry, harmony of proportions, and restrained decor. The main masterpiece of this era is the architectural ensemble of the Round Square (now Lenin Square), built in the 1770s. This complex of eight buildings, originally intended for the needs of the Alexandrovsky Plant, remains one of the most recognizable symbols of the city and an outstanding monument of Russian Classicism urban planning. Other historical buildings, such as the former Mining Chief's House, also belong to this style.

Soviet Architecture: From Constructivism to Modernism

The 20th century radically changed the appearance of Petrozavodsk, introducing several successive styles. In the 1930s, buildings in the spirit of Constructivism appeared in the city, characterized by strict geometric forms and functionality, for example, the Communications House (Main Post Office). However, the Soviet period is most vividly represented by two other styles:

• Stalinist Neoclassicism (Empire Style): The post-war restoration of the city in the 1940s – 1950s took place under the sign of this monumental and grand style. Entire ensembles of buildings decorated with columns, bas-reliefs, and spires formed the ceremonial centre of the city. The brightest examples are the buildings on Lenin Avenue, the Musical Theatre building on Kirov Square (1955), and the Railway Station (1955), which is considered one of the best examples of this style in Russia.
• Soviet Modernism: From the 1960s, functional architecture replaced "excesses." During this period, objects iconic for their time were built, such as the former River Station and the Consumer Services Centre, and new residential micro-districts with typical panel buildings were formed. In some projects, the influence of the Finnish architectural school is noticeable.

Modern Period (from the 1990s)

In the post-Soviet era, the city's architecture has become more diverse. New residential complexes and shopping centres executed in modern styles are appearing. One of the key projects of this period was the reconstruction of the Onega Embankment, transforming it into a popular public space and an open-air museum of modern sculpture. An important direction has also been the preservation of historical heritage, including the restoration of ancient buildings and plans for the revitalization of industrial territories, such as the former Alexandrovsky Plant.

Notable Figures in the History of Petrozavodsk

Petrozavodsk, the capital of Karelia, has been associated with the names of many famous figures at various stages of its history. These people made a significant contribution to the development of the city, leaving their mark on its culture, politics, and public life.

• Gavrila Derzhavin (1743–1816) — poet and statesman. He was the first ruler of the Olonets Viceroyalty (1784–1785), the centre of which was Petrozavodsk. In a short time, he laid the foundations of city management, opened a hospital and a public school, contributing to the transformation of the factory settlement into an administrative centre.
• Otto Kuusinen (1881–1964) — political figure, academician. From 1940 to 1956, he headed the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Karelo-Finnish SSR, of which Petrozavodsk was the capital. His activities occurred during a difficult period in the region's history, including post-war reconstruction.
• Yuri Andropov (1914–1984) — Soviet statesman and party leader. In the 1940s, he lived and worked in Petrozavodsk, rising from the first secretary of the Komsomol Central Committee to the second secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Karelo-Finnish SSR. This period became an important stage in his political career, which led him to the highest post in the state.
• Robert Rozhdestvensky (1932–1994) — outstanding Soviet poet. In the early 1950s, he lived in Petrozavodsk and studied at Petrozavodsk State University. It was here that his first book of poems "Flags of Spring" (1955) was published, which became the starting point in his brilliant literary career.
• Anastasia Maksimova (born 1991) — Honoured Master of Sports in rhythmic gymnastics. A native of Petrozavodsk, Olympic champion, multiple world and European champion in group exercises. She is one of the most titled athletes in the history of modern Russia.
• Timur Dibirov (born 1983) — handball player, Honoured Master of Sports. Born in Petrozavodsk, he is one of the most famous Russian handball players. Multiple champion of Russia, winner of the Champions League, and one of the top scorers in the history of this sport.