Solvychegodsk

Solvychegodsk is a city in Kotlas district of the Arkhangelsk region, a balneo-mud resort. The city is located on the right bank of the Vychegdy River. The population is 3.9 thousand inhabitants (2001). The settlement of Novgorodians near the Salt Lake was founded no later than the XIV century and since the end of the XV century was called Usolsk. At the beginning of the XVI century industrialists Stroganov founded near Usolsk their salt vats. Part of the funds from the extraction of salt was given to the city: churches were built, crafts were founded. Thanks to Stroganov, Usolsk became one of the centers of original Russian art. Here there was a school of facial sewing (embroidered church covers, veils and shrouds; some samples can be seen in the museums of the Moscow Kremlin), icon painting ("Stroganov's letter"), coinage on silver and filigree. National fame brought to the city paintings on enamel. Usol masters created funny scenes on tobacco boxes, boxes, pipes, decorating them with floral compositions and humorous inscriptions. The enamelled fishery experienced the economic flourishing of the city. At the beginning of the XVIII century, salt vats were closed, trade routes shifted. Since 1780 Solvychegodsk became the district center of the Vologda governorship, since 1796 - Vologda province. In Tsarist times, Solvychegodsk was a place of exile. Among other revolutionaries, I. Stalin lived here intermittently in 1909-1911.

In Soviet times, a resort was opened here on the waters of Salt Lake. Water and dirt are used to treat diseases of the organs of movement and support, nervous system, gynecological diseases. A rich collection of local art products is located in the historical and art museum of the city. The exposition presents Stroganov icons, facial sewing, decorative and applied art.