History of Arkhangelsk

Arkhangelsk was founded by the order of Ivan the Great in 1583. Arkhangelsk was built as a wooden fortress on the right bank of the North Dvina, on the Pur-Navolok near the Michael- Arkhangelsk monastery (founded at the end of XIVth century). The official date of foundation of Arkhangelsk is considered to be 1584 when the city was built within a year (by voevodes' report).

During the first decade Arkhangelsk had the following names: Novy city (New city), Novy Kholmogory, Novy Kholmogorsky city. These names were connected with one event: a new city (Arkhangelsk) was given a role of the main port in the Northern Dvina (this role came to Arkhangelsk from the village Kholmogory). But the city was named by the name of Arkhangelsk monastery. And since 1613 the city was officially called Arkhangelsk city. Later the name Arkhangelsk was completely established.

Arkhangelsk was the first big sea port in ancient Russia. In XXII century prosperity of Arkhangelsk was explained by the development of trade by the White Sea with England and other countries of Western Europe. Since 1620s there was a foreign colony.

In XVII-XVIII centuries Arkhangelsk played an important role in the historical development of Russian trade navy. In 1693 Peter the Great founded a shipyard on the nearest island Solombala and also he founded the Admiralty. In 1701-1705 the first Russian regular Novodvinskaya fortress was built in Korabelny outfall (now it is located on the territory of Arkhangelsk).

The highest peak of the development was reached in 1700-1722. In 1722 the decree was issued. According to this decree the trade was transferred from the North Dvina to the Neva. This temporarily increased economic activity of Arkhangelsk. But Arkhangelsk stayed an important city and the main trade port of the Russian North.

In 1762 Arkhangelsk was given the same trade rights as St. Petersburg. In the middle of the XVIII and at the beginning of the XIX century the role of Arkhangelsk became more important, especially in the period of 1807-1813 when Arkhangelsk was the only port in Russia to which foreign goods were delivered, this happened because other Russian ports were blocked by Napoleon and also this was connected with continental and economic blockade of Great Britain.

At the end of the XIX century - beginning of XX century Arkhangelsk was the biggest center of timber production and timber export in Russia.

In 1918-1919 Arkhangelsk was occupied by British, American and French forces. Arkhangelsk was liberated by the Red Army in 1920.

Arkhangelsk played a big role in mastering of the Artic Region and the North sea. Expeditions of V.Y. Chichagov, A.M. Siviryakov, F.P. Litke, V.A. Rusanov, G.Y. Sedov were sent to Arkhangelsk.

Since 1929 Arkhangelsk became a centre of the North krai (territory), since 1936 - of the North oblast (region), since 1937 - of the Arkhangelsk region.