Preobrazheniye history

The history of the settlement of Preobrazheniye is inextricably linked with the maritime expeditions of the 19th century and the development of the Far East. The bay, on the shores of which the settlement later grew, was discovered on August 19, 1860, by the crew of the schooner "Vostok". This significant event occurred on the day of the Orthodox Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which determined the name of the geographical feature, and subsequently the settlement itself.

Key Factors of Formation

• Geography: A convenient, deep-water bay in the Sea of Japan, protected from storms, became a natural shelter for ships, which predetermined the maritime destiny of the settlement.
• Natural Resources: The exceptional abundance of fish and seafood in the coastal waters served as the main incentive for settling this territory.
• Transport Accessibility: In the early period, the sea route was the main connection with the "mainland," transforming the bay into an important logistical hub on the coast.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

From the moment of its foundation, this point on the map in Russia developed as a classic fishing settlement. The economy was entirely based on the harvesting and processing of marine biological resources. The cultural way of life of the first inhabitants was formed in the conditions of the harsh but picturesque nature of the Primorsky Territory, where the life of every family was closely tied to the sea and the fleet.

Major Historical Milestones

• August 19, 1860: The crew of the schooner "Vostok" discovers a convenient bay, naming it in honour of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.
• 1903: The first temporary structures appear on the coast for the seasonal residence of fishermen and seafood processing.
• 1930: An official decision is made to build a fish processing plant, marking the starting point in the history of the settlement of Preobrazheniye.
• 1933: The start of operations for ship repair workshops and the formation of a permanent base for the fishing fleet.
• 1941–1945: The settlement's enterprises switch to an intensified mode of operation to provide the country with food during wartime.
• 1967: The locality receives the official status of an urban-type settlement, accelerating the development of social infrastructure.
• 1977: Opening of the Museum of the History of the Preobrazheniye Trawl Fleet Base, collecting exhibits on the maritime development of the region.
• 1980s: A period of active construction, with the appearance of new neighbourhoods and cultural facilities.
• 1992: The town-forming enterprise is reorganized into a joint-stock company, maintaining its position as one of the leading fishing enterprises in Russia.
• 2000s: Conducting large-scale modernization of coastal factories and renewing the fishing fleet.

Stages of Transformation and Development

The development of the settlement of Preobrazheniye is a journey from a seasonal fishermen's stop to a powerful industrial centre of Primorye. Each decade brought important changes to the appearance and way of life of the locality, shaping its modern look and economic potential.

• Creation of a stationary industrial base. The construction of the fish processing plant in the 1930s became the foundation of the economy. This event turned the temporary settlement into a permanent locality, providing residents with stable jobs and initiating the formation of the local community.
• Development of the ship repair cluster. The appearance of its own workshops allowed for fleet maintenance on-site without sending vessels to distant ports. This significantly increased the autonomy of the enterprise and attracted qualified technical specialists to the settlement.
• Transition to an urban environment. Obtaining the status of an urban-type settlement launched a process of active urbanization. Temporary structures were replaced by permanent apartment buildings, streets were paved, and utility services were established, which significantly improved the quality of life.
• Cultural construction and heritage preservation. The opening of the museum and the House of Culture played a key role in forming a local identity. These institutions became centres of public life, preserving the history of maritime dynasties and providing leisure for residents far from the major cities of Russia.
• Consolidation of the town-forming enterprise. The creation of the Trawl Fleet Base (PBTF) united scattered fishing capacities. This decision allowed for the centralized management of resources and brought seafood harvesting to an industrial level significant for the entire region.
• Adaptation to market conditions. The successful reorganization of the enterprise into a joint-stock company in the 1990s saved the settlement from economic decline. Preserving the fleet and jobs during the crisis period became the guarantee for the continued existence of the locality.
• Technological modernization of the 21st century. The renewal of the fishing fleet and processing capacities ensured the competitiveness of local products on the global market, guaranteeing the economic stability of the settlement in modern conditions.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The development of the settlement of Preobrazheniye is a reflection of its maritime soul and the history of the development of the Far East. Here, one will not find ancient styles like Gothic or Baroque; the architectural code of the place is defined by the Soviet period of industrialization and the harsh but picturesque landscape of Primorye. The appearance of the settlement was formed based on the practical needs of the fishing fleet and the complex terrain.

Influence of the Landscape

The urban planning structure is subordinate to the geography of Sokolovskaya Bay. Residential quarters rise in terraces from the coastline to the foot of the hills, forming a kind of amphitheatre. This layout allows many buildings to have a sea view, and streets wind, following the natural curves of the terrain. The industrial zone logically occupies the coast, providing direct access to the berths and docks.

Main Architectural Stages

• Soviet Functionalism (1960–1980s): The basis of the housing stock consists of permanent apartment buildings — brick and panel buildings of 3–5 floors. These are typical representatives of late Soviet architecture, characterized by concise forms and a lack of decoration. They form a recognizable silhouette of the settlement against the backdrop of green hills.
• Industrial Aesthetics: The production facilities of the Preobrazheniye Trawl Fleet Base (PBTF) are an important part of the visual image. Large-scale workshops, portal cranes, and ship repair structures create a powerful industrial landscape characteristic of port cities in Russia.
• Modern Development: In the post-Soviet period, architectural diversity was supplemented by the private sector. Modern villas and low-rise houses with individual designs are gradually filling vacant plots on the heights.

Iconic Objects

Despite the prevalence of standard development, the settlement has structures that have become its calling cards:

• House of Culture: An example of Soviet modernism with a characteristic monumental facade and spacious glazed foyers. It is the architectural dominant of the central square.
• Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord: A modern religious structure built in the traditions of Russian Orthodox architecture. Its golden domes serve as a landmark and give completeness to the panorama of the settlement.
• Museum of PBTF History: The museum building, though modest in architecture, is the keeper of the memory of the place, organically fitting into the administrative centre.

The history of the settlement of Preobrazheniye is inextricably linked with the fates of sailors, explorers, and workers of the fishing industry. The local chronicle preserves the names of people whose activities influenced not only the development of the locality but also the fishing industry complex of the entire Far East.

Distinguished Figures

• Vasily Matveyevich Babkin (1813–1876) — Lieutenant Colonel of the Corps of Fleet Navigators, hydrographer, and researcher. It was he who, in 1860 on the schooner "Vostok", discovered the picturesque bay and named it in honour of the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord, which subsequently determined the name of the settlement.
• Yuri Petrovich Volkov (1939–2021) — A renowned captain of fishing vessels and Hero of Socialist Labour. He dedicated his entire life to working at the Preobrazheniye Trawl Fleet Base (PBTF). His crews set records for fish catches, and he was awarded the State Prize of the USSR for introducing advanced fishing methods.
• Oleg Nikolayevich Kozhemyako — A statesman and Governor of the Primorsky Territory. His managerial career is closely linked to the settlement: in the 1990s and 2000s, he headed the board of directors of PBTF, playing a key role in preserving the town-forming enterprise during a difficult economic period for Russia.
• Alexey Andreyevich Bachal — A fleet veteran and legendary captain who rose from sailor to ship commander. He is a symbol of the continuity of maritime traditions in the settlement and was awarded the medal "For Valiant Labour".
• Pavel Petrovich Kovynev — A cultural worker and local historian. As the director of the local House of Culture, he initiated the creation and became the chief curator of the Museum of PBTF History. Thanks to his efforts, unique exhibits and documents about the settlement's past were collected.
• Leonid Ivanovich Kovalev — A participant in the Second World War. One of many residents of the settlement who went to the front; he fought heroically in the Battle of Stalingrad, becoming an example of courage for future generations of Preobrazheniye residents.