City of military glory

Staraya Russa

City of military glory
By the decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR of February 16, 1984, the city of Staraya Russa was awarded the order of the Patriotic war I degree for the courage and fortitude shown by the city's workers during the great Patriotic war
On April 6, 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree awarding the city the status of " City of military glory»

The birth of Staraya Russa
Staraya Russa-a small district center of the Novgorod region with a population of less than 50 thousand people - is one of the oldest cities in Russia. It stands on the Great waterway "from the Varangians to the Greeks". It is no exaggeration to say that Russian history was born here. There is a legend about the Foundation of the city by Prince Rus, a descendant of Prince Scythian and brother of Prince sloven. The first mention of Old Russia in the Chronicles dates back to 1167. Until the 16th century, it was simply called Rusa. As part of the Novgorod Republic, Rusa was a rich trading city. The source of income for the townspeople was the salt industry. Until the 16th century, it was simply called Rusa.

History of a small town
Over the millennia of history, our ancient city has experienced many tragic shocks. This is the fight against the Lithuanians, and the Swedish occupation. Rushans have always highly valued their independence and at all times distinguished themselves in the struggle for freedom not only of their region, but also of the whole of Russia.

Terrible fights
Of all the long-suffering Russian cities that were swept up in the war, Staraya Russa had a particularly bitter fate. On July 5, 1941, the first bombs were dropped on the city. In August, on the outskirts of Staraya Russa, protracted bloody battles began. On August 9, 1941, the Germans captured the city and turned it into a real fortress. Strong points with pillboxes and bunkers were set up on the approaches, which can still be seen on city streets.

Оppositions
According to historians, Hitler personally controlled the position of the German troops of the old Russian garrison and attached special importance to this bridgehead, since Staraya Russa was a strategic transport hub. When in January 1942 our troops went on the offensive, a direct order was received from Hitler «to stand knee-deep in blood, but do not surrender to Russia!»

"Ramushevsky corridor"
The scene of the most protracted fighting was the famous "Ramushevsky corridor" - the road that connected the old Russian German group with the group in Demyansk, surrounded by troops of the North-Western front. The fascists called this group "a gun pointed at the heart of Russia". For a year and a half, the Germans lost more than 90 thousand of their soldiers there, and our losses amounted to about 120 thousand people.

Staraya Russa is a symbol of the battles of the North-Western front
Staraya Russa is a symbol of the battles of the North-Western front, formed on the first day of the war and in September 1941 stopped the enemy on the territory from the southern shore of lake Ilmen to lake Seliger. It was here that the German units aimed at Moscow and Leningrad were crushed.From August 8, 1941 to February 18, 1944, the city was under occupation

Turning point
If before the beginning of the war in the city there were about 40 thousand people, then at the time of liberation in Staraya Russa There was not a single resident. The city lay in Smoking ruins. On postcards with views of Staraya Russa the fascists wrote: "Staraya Russa is a dead city, a city that will never be reborn." They signed the death sentence of our city! But this self-satisfied prediction was not to be fulfilled.

clearance
The battles for the liberation of Staraya Russa were already underway in early 1942. At this time, the 11th army advanced in two directions at once-Starorussky and Demyansk. Slowly, but surely, day after day, the soldiers overcame kilometers of roads, then advancing, then retreating again. With heavy losses, the village of Parfino was liberated, followed by other nearby villages. However, on this, the movement of Soviet troops forward significantly slowed down. The German troops did not want to give up the city. The suburbs passed from hand to hand – the enemy, "our". And so it went on for almost 2 years.

Old Russian Mother Of God
During these months, the war broke out. This was also understood by the fascists. Feeling the moment of reckoning, the Hitlerites were in a hurry to take away everything valuable from Staraya Russa, and destroy the rest. During these days, the famous icon of the old Russian mother of God and Church utensils were stolen. Even the trams were dismantled and taken out by the occupiers. Everything that was not taken out was destroyed immediately.

Destruction of the city
By 1944, the city had no more than 30 inhabitants. They hid from the violent fascists and tried not to leave their homes and basements. Only 10 of the 3,000 homes remained relatively intact. All businesses in the city were completely destroyed. Hospitals, clubs, libraries, and stores were razed to the ground. The ancient city of Staraya Russa 1941-1945, we can say, was destroyed as a historical monument.

Enlightenment
When the Soviets finally entered the city, they saw gibbets and fires at every turn. Staraya Russa was liberated on February 18, 1944 by units of the First Shock army. More than 60 people received the title of Hero of the Soviet Union for the battles near Staraya Russa. Many – posthumously.

Despite such a stormy history, many temple architecture of the 15th and 18th centuries has been preserved in Staraya Russa. The most famous of the churches - the Transfiguration Cathedral, founded at the end of the 12th century, in its current form has come down to us since the 15th century.

The House where the writer F. M. Dostoevsky lived in 1873-1880 has been preserved.

In 1913, an obelisk topped with an eagle was erected in honor of the soldiers of the Wilmanstrand regiment who participated in the Russian-Japanese war.

On the outskirts of the city there is a monument in honor of the pilots of the North-Western front in the form of a MIG-3 fighter taking off from a stele.

Monument tank T-34-85 at the entrance to the city
T-26 at the Museum of the North-Western front and partisan territory

Monument of Glory in Victory Park

I am proud of my city and respect its history!