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Coordinates: 61°30′N 38°56′E / 61.5°N 38.933°E
| Kargopol (English) | |
|---|---|
| — Inhabited locality — | |
 The 17th-century churches of Kargopol are decorated with unique stone carving. |
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.svg) Location of Arkhangelsk Oblast on the map of Russia |
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  Location of Kargopol on the map of Arkhangelsk Oblast
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| Coordinates: 61°30′N 38°56′E / 61.5°N 38.933°ECoordinates: 61°30′N 38°56′E / 61.5°N 38.933°E | |
| Administrative status | |
| Country | Russia |
| Federal subject | Arkhangelsk Oblast |
| In administrative jurisdiction of | Arkhangelsk Oblast[citation needed] |
| Administrative center of | Kargopolsky District[citation needed] |
| Statistics | |
| Population (2002 Census) | 11,192 inhabitants[1] |
| Time zone | MSK/MSD (UTC+3) |
Kargopol (Russian: Каргополь) is a town in and the administrative center of Kargopolsky District of Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia. It is situated on both sides of the Onega River several miles north of Lake Lacha. Population: 11,192 (2002 Census);[2] 12,495 (1989 Census).[3]
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History
It is not clear when Kargopol was founded, but, when first chronicled in 1146, it was a trade station of the Republic of Novgorod and one of the most northerly permanent Slavic settlements. Although documentation for its early history is scarce, it is believed that Kargopol was the most significant trade centre of Bjarmaland throughout the 13th and 14th centuries. In 1447, it was the place where Dmitry Shemyaka found refuge from Vasily II's ire.
Situated on the ancient route between Moscow and Arkhangelsk (then the only Russian seaport), Kargopol became one of the most prosperous cities of Russia, especially after the Muscovy Company started to operate in the mid-16th century. During the Time of Troubles it withstood a siege by Polish and Lithuanian brigands. The peasant rebel Ivan Bolotnikov was executed in Kargopol in 1608.
After Russia regained access to the Baltic Sea and St. Petersburg was founded, Kargopol gradually faded to obscurity. The people of Kargopol were still active in the exploration of Asian Russia, however. Alexandr Baranov, the first governor of Russian America (Alaska), was born in this town.
Landmarks
Today, Kargopol is a sleepy historical town adjoining the Kenoozero National Park. It is best known in Russia for Kargopol toys (Kargopolskiye igrushki), which are small, simple clay figures painted in traditional style.
During its golden age in the 17th century, Kargopol became home to a highly localised brand of medieval Russian architecture. Quite a few wooden and white stone churches survive in the town and its vicinity. The earliest of these buildings is the black-domed Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, built of dolomite by Novgorodians and consecrated in 1562. The interior features a curious iron hand sticking from the drum. A hallmark of Kargopol churches is delicate stone carving.
Kargopol "Bigfoot"
Kargopol is also known throughout the Russian northwest for its numerous sasquatch or bigfoot sightings. The best known legend is reported to have happened in the early 1990s, and was documented by authors Maya Bykova and Vadim Makarov (in his book Atlas of the Snowman). According to the legend, about six kilometres from the town of Kargopol, two hairy creatures, one a large "mother", the other its "child", made their way towards a military barracks. A young soldier on guard duty noticed the creatures and hurried back to the barracks for help. The sasquatch, carrying its young, entered behind the soldier. Although making non-threatening gestures and sounds, the creature was attacked by a soldier (who promptly passed out due to the overwhelming stench coming from the creature). Frightened, the creature ran away into the forest. As many as a dozen soldiers are reported to have witnessed these strange creatures on this night.
References
- ^ Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Federal State Statistics Service) (2004-05-21). "Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек (Population of Russia, its federal districts, federal subjects, districts, urban localities, rural localities—administrative centers, and rural localities with population of over 3,000)" (in Russian). Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года (All-Russia Population Census of 2002). Federal State Statistics Service. http://perepis2002.ru/ct/html/TOM_01_04_1.htm. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- ^ Федеральная служба государственной статистики (Federal State Statistics Service) (2004-05-21). "Численность населения России, субъектов Российской Федерации в составе федеральных округов, районов, городских поселений, сельских населённых пунктов – районных центров и сельских населённых пунктов с населением 3 тысячи и более человек (Population of Russia, its federal districts, federal subjects, districts, urban localities, rural localities—administrative centers, and rural localities with population of over 3,000)" (in Russian). Всероссийская перепись населения 2002 года (All-Russia Population Census of 2002). Federal State Statistics Service. http://www.perepis2002.ru/ct/doc/1_TOM_01_04.xls. Retrieved 2008-07-25.
- ^ "Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 г. Численность наличного населения союзных и автономных республик, автономных областей и округов, краёв, областей, районов, городских поселений и сёл-райцентров. (All Union Population Census of 1989. Present population of union and autonomous republics, autonomous oblasts and okrugs, krais, oblasts, districts, urban settlements, and villages serving as district administrative centers.)" (in Russian). Всесоюзная перепись населения 1989 года (All-Union Population Census of 1989). Demoscope Weekly (website of the Institute of Demographics of the State University—Higher School of Economics. 1989. http://demoscope.ru/weekly/ssp/rus89_reg2.php. Retrieved 2007-12-13.
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