Uglich: A Journey Through the Centuries

9 points6 km4 hours

Over its long life, Uglich has witnessed the whole of Russian history. It was the center of a small principality; the last heir of the Rurikid dynasty died here; merchants carried on a lively trade; and in Soviet times one of the country's first hydroelectric power plants was built in the town. Join us for a walk through the streets of ancient Uglich to learn its life story.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

📜 Learn the city's history
🏛️🕰️ Compare the eras

Route points (9)

Museum of Hydropower in Uglich

Point on route “Uglich: A Journey Through the Centuries”

Point 6

Museum of Hydropower

🏛️ Museum

Historical Background

Before the hydroelectric plants were built, the Upper Volga was a rather shallow river. In summer it became much shallower, to the delight of locals who wanted to relax on the soft sand, but this was a huge problem for shipping. Looking after the interests of shipowners (and not only theirs) was, of course, a priority. And so in 1935 construction of the Uglich Hydroelectric Power Plant began, carried out mostly by prisoners. In 1940 this marvel of Soviet thought and labor went into operation. With it came the Uglich Reservoir, which flooded vast areas upstream, wholly or partly submerging 213 settlements. In its day it was one of the largest hydroelectric plants in the country, and it played an important role in supplying Moscow with electricity during the Great Patriotic War, especially during the Battle of Moscow.

Significance for Uglich

With the building of the hydroelectric plant, great changes were expected in Uglich. There were costs as well: the western part of the town suffered badly, including the Resurrection Monastery complex, which was threatened with flooding. Yet it was a time of grand plans and great enthusiasm among the local people. They eagerly discussed building new factories and new neighborhoods around them, as well as cargo and passenger river ports. A new master plan for the town was even drawn up. Not all of it was carried out, as World War II intervened, but the Uglich Hydroelectric Power Plant nonetheless breathed new life into the town in its day.