Vologda.

History

Tradition dates Vologda to 1147, when a monastery appeared here, though archaeologists point rather to the 13th century. In 1565 Ivan the Terrible came and decided to make the city his capital, beginning a fortress and St Sophia Cathedral modelled on the Dormition Cathedral in Moscow. In 1571 the tsar abruptly abandoned the plan. Vologda lay on the trade route from Moscow to Arkhangelsk and the White Sea, used for commerce with England and Holland.

Culture & traditions

Vologda is on Russia's list of historic cities and cares for its wooden architecture. St Sophia Cathedral of 1568–1570 stands beside the Bishop's Court, Vologda's kremlin, and the Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery was founded in 1371. The Peter the Great house became the city's first museum in 1885. The poets and writers Konstantin Batyushkov, Varlam Shalamov, Nikolai Rubtsov and Vasily Belov are linked with Vologda. The city has drama, puppet and chamber theatres, and Vologda lace is known far beyond the region.

Sport

The city has several stadiums, Dynamo, Lokomotiv and Vityaz, as well as swimming pools and a sports complex. Vologda is known for skiers and speed skaters, among them the cross-country skier Yuliya Chekalyova and the speed skater Tamara Rylova.

Food & drink

The city's great culinary pride is Vologda butter, with its sweet, nutty taste. Its method was developed by Nikolai Vereshchagin, inspired by Norman butter he tried at the 1867 Paris Exposition; at the 1878 exposition it won a gold medal and was first sold as 'Parisian butter'. In 2010 Vologda butter became the first product in Russia with a protected designation of origin.

Practical information

The airport, with scheduled flights, lies about 8–10 km from the city. Vologda is a major railway junction with trains to Moscow and Arkhangelsk. The city is on Moscow time. The climate is humid continental, with January and February the coldest months and July the warmest. May to September is the most comfortable time to visit.

What to see

• St Sophia Cathedral — Ivan the Terrible's church modelled on Moscow's Dormition Cathedral
• Vologda Kremlin — the Bishop's Court in the historic centre
• Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery — founded in 1371
• Peter the Great's House — the city's first museum, opened in 1885
• Wooden Vologda — the old timber houses of the historic city