Furmanov is located in the Ivanovo region, 33 km from Ivanovo. The village of Sereda-Upino in 1918 received the status of a city called Sereda. In 1941, the city was changed in honor of the writer Dmitry Furmanov.
1 Temple of the Ascension of the Lord (1727), st. Bolshaya
Furmanovskaya, 79. In common parlance, the temple is called White in
contrast to the Red Brick Church of All Who Sorrow Joy.
2 Temple in
the name of the Icon of the Mother of God of Joy of All Who Sorrow
(1897), st. Socialist, 36. Brick church in Russian style.
3 Gorbunov’s mansion, st. Sovetskaya, 6. An architectural monument of
the 19th century.
4 Memorial Museum of Dmitry Furmanov, st. Bolshaya
Furmanovskaya, 69. The house in which the writer Dmitry Furmanov was
born.
5 Furmanovskaya Art Gallery named after. D. A. Trubnikova,
Sovetskaya St., 9. from 10:00 to 17:00 except Tuesday and the last
Friday of the month.
By plane
There is a regional airport in Ivanovo.
By train
Furmanov stands on the Nizhny Novgorod - Ivanovo - Yaroslavl railway.
Trains from the Volga region to St. Petersburg and Yaroslavl stop here,
including two daily “parrots” Ivanovo-Yaroslavl.
By car
Furmanov is located on the A113 Kostroma - Ivanovo highway.
By
bus
The city is connected by bus to Ivanovo and Kostroma.
Bus
station
Dining room "Concordia", st. Socialist, 15.
Cafe "Lada", st.
Timiryazeva, 28.
"Tavern", st. Revolutionary, 8
Hotel “Three Lions”, Sovetskaya str., 12. ☎ +7-49341-21571
On the question of the origin of the former name of the settlement -
the appearance of the toponym "Sereda-Upino" - there are several
hypothetical versions, which remain mysterious to this day. Presumably
the original village that existed here since time immemorial was “Upino”
(upe - Balts - river, stream). According to one version, the additional
oikonym - Sereda, was probably added to the original one due to the fact
that trading opened in the village on Wednesday (“on Wednesday”) -
Wednesday was the weekly trading day. According to another, “middle” is
a plot of land received by a landowner, located in the middle of
communal peasant lands, or in the middle of land owned by the church.
In March 1941, it was renamed Furmanov in honor of a native of the
city, writer D. A. Furmanov.
Location and Overview
Furmanov is a town situated in the northern
part of Ivanovo Oblast, Russia, serving as the administrative center of
Furmanovsky District. Its geographical coordinates are approximately
57°15′N 41°08′E, placing it about 33 kilometers northwest of the oblast
capital, Ivanovo. The town lies at an elevation of around 130 meters
(430 feet) above sea level. Furmanov is positioned in the central
European part of Russia, within a region characterized by its proximity
to major river systems and its role in the broader Volga River basin.
The surrounding Furmanovsky District covers an area of 763.2 square
kilometers (294.7 square miles), making it a relatively compact
administrative unit in the oblast. This district is predominantly rural,
with 104 rural localities and no additional urban centers beyond
Furmanov itself, which accounts for about 86% of the district's
population of approximately 34,537 (as of 2021).
Furmanov and its
district are part of Ivanovo Oblast, one of Russia's smallest regions by
land area, spanning about 21,800 square kilometers (8,400 square miles).
The oblast borders Kostroma Oblast to the north, Nizhny Novgorod Oblast
to the east, Vladimir Oblast to the south, and Yaroslavl Oblast to the
west. It lies between the Volga and Klyazma rivers, contributing to its
strategic location in the central industrial belt of Russia.
Topography and Terrain
The terrain around Furmanov is typical of
Ivanovo Oblast's rolling morainic plain, formed by glacial activity
during the Pleistocene era. This landscape features gentle undulations
with low hills and shallow valleys, lacking significant mountainous or
rugged features. Elevations in the region generally range from 100 to
150 meters, with Furmanov itself at 130 meters. The northern location
within the oblast places it closer to the Volga River's influence, where
the terrain transitions into broader floodplains and occasional
low-lying depressions. Swamps and marshy areas are common, particularly
in poorly drained sections, contributing to a mosaic of forested and
open lands. Soils in much of the area are infertile podzols, derived
from glacial deposits, though the southwestern parts of the oblast
(somewhat influencing the district's southern edges) have more fertile
chernozem-like soils suitable for agriculture.
Hydrography
Furmanov is situated on the banks of the Shacha River, a tributary of
the Volga River, which enhances its hydrological significance. The
Shacha flows through the town, providing a vital water source and
contributing to local ecosystems. The Volga River itself traverses the
northern extremity of Ivanovo Oblast, approximately 50-60 kilometers
north of Furmanov, forming a major waterway that influences regional
drainage patterns. Smaller streams and wetlands dot the district,
feeding into this system and occasionally leading to seasonal flooding
in low-lying areas. Peat bogs, common in the oblast, store significant
water reserves and are historically used for fuel, though they also pose
challenges for land development. The region's hydrology supports limited
navigation and fishing, but it is more notable for its role in
sustaining forests and agriculture.
Climate
Furmanov
experiences a humid continental climate (Dfb classification), marked by
distinct seasonal variations. Winters are long and cold, with average
January temperatures ranging from -12°C (10°F) in the west to -13°C
(9°F) in the east of the oblast, often accompanied by heavy snowfall and
persistent frost. Summers are short and warm, with July averages around
+18°C (64°F). Annual precipitation is moderate, approximately 600 mm (24
inches), distributed fairly evenly but with peaks in summer months. The
northern position exposes the area to occasional Arctic air masses in
winter, leading to extreme lows below -30°C (-22°F), while summer
humidity can make highs feel warmer. Climate data for Furmanov aligns
closely with Ivanovo's, with minimal microclimatic variations due to the
flat terrain.
Natural Environment and Resources
The natural
environment around Furmanov is dominated by mixed coniferous-deciduous
forests, including species like spruce, pine, and fir, interspersed with
birch and aspen in secondary growth areas. These woodlands cover
significant portions of the district, providing habitats for wildlife
such as elk, foxes, and various bird species. Swamps and peatlands are
prevalent, serving as carbon sinks but also limiting arable land. The
oblast's overall environmental condition is relatively favorable, with
low industrial pollution in rural northern areas like Furmanovsky
District, though historical textile activities in nearby Ivanovo have
impacted water quality regionally. Natural resources include abundant
peat deposits used for energy, as well as timber and limited mineral
sands. Biodiversity is moderate, with protected areas in the oblast
focusing on wetland preservation, though none are specifically noted in
Furmanov itself. Agriculture in the district emphasizes dairying,
livestock, and flax cultivation, adapted to the infertile soils and
short growing season.
Origins and Early History
The exact founding date of Furmanov is
unknown, but its origins trace back to the 17th century as a village.
The settlement likely began as "Upino," a name possibly derived from
Baltic roots meaning "river" or "stream," hinting at Finno-Ugric or
Merian (an ancient Finnic tribe) influences in the region. Over time, it
evolved into "Sereda-Upino" (also called Upina-Sereda or Terentyeva
Sereda). The "Sereda" component may refer to weekly markets held on
Wednesdays (sereda in Old Slavic), or it could denote a "middle" plot of
land amid communal or church-owned territories.
The first written
record of the village appears in a 1624 customs document as "Terentyeva
Sereda." By 1627–1631, it was documented as a bustling trading hub
within the Shuisky uyezd (district), owned by the boyar Prince Dmitry
Mamstryukovich Cherkassky, who maintained a residence in nearby Shuya.
The village featured 20 shops and 15 benches, with markets operating
every Wednesday, making it a key commercial center for local goods. This
early economic activity laid the foundation for its growth, as it sat
along trade routes connecting larger towns.
19th Century
Development
In the 19th century, Sereda-Upino transformed into an
industrial and commercial focal point within the Kostroma Governorate's
Nerekhtsky Uyezd. By 1848, it was renowned for its factory-based
economy, including calico weaving, flax spinning, and seasonal carpentry
trades. The village hosted major horse fairs, attracting traders from
surrounding areas, and benefited from its position on the Armenny trade
route from Nerekhta to Shuya, about 41 versts (roughly 44 km) from the
district center.
According to an 1870–1872 survey (published in
1877), Sereda had 31 households, a population of 551 (243 males, 308
females), one Orthodox church (the Voznesenskaya Church, first mentioned
in 1614 and rebuilt in stone by 1727), and three annual fairs alongside
weekly markets. The population fluctuated slightly: it rose to 935 by
the 1897 census but dipped to 536 in 1907, possibly due to economic
shifts or migrations. Textile industries, such as spinning and weaving
factories (e.g., the Gorbunov Factory), began to dominate, fostering
worker settlements and setting the stage for rapid urbanization.
Early 20th Century and Transition to Soviet Era
The early 20th
century brought significant growth amid Russia's socio-political
upheavals. By 1918, the population had surged to over 11,000, driven by
the expansion of nearby spinning and weaving factories and the influx of
workers. On July 27, 1918, following the Russian Revolution, the village
was granted town status and renamed simply Sereda, becoming the
administrative center of Seredsky Uyezd in the newly formed
Ivanovo-Voznesensk Governorate. On August 2, a district congress of
Soviets approved new boundaries and authorities, incorporating
surrounding villages like Kiselevo, Frolovka, and others, covering 1,911
acres.
The 1923 census recorded 12,836 residents and 2,977 buildings
(including 123 industrial and 22 commercial structures), reflecting
industrialization under Soviet rule. Population growth continued: 21,000
in 1926, 26,000 in 1931, and 36,062 by 1939. This period marked the
town's integration into the Soviet economic system, with textiles
remaining a core industry.
Name Change, World War II, and
Post-War Period
On March 13, 1941, Sereda was renamed Furmanov in
honor of Dmitry Andreyevich Furmanov (1891–1926), a native son,
Bolshevik revolutionary, writer, and military commissar best known for
his novel Chapaev (1923), which depicted Red Army hero Vasily Chapaev
during the Russian Civil War. The renaming coincided with the formation
of Furmanovsky District. Furmanov, born in a poor family near Sereda,
had a profound impact on Soviet literature and politics, serving as a
commissar in the Red Army before his early death from meningitis.
During the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945), Furmanov contributed heavily
to the Soviet effort. Approximately 11,000 residents served, with 5,649
killed or missing in action. Over 3,200 were awarded orders and medals,
including six Heroes of the Soviet Union and two full Cavaliers of the
Order of Glory. The war's toll highlighted the town's sacrifices, and
post-war reconstruction focused on rebuilding industry and
infrastructure.
Population peaked in the Soviet era: 38,225 in 1959,
42,000 in 1967, 44,430 in 1979, and 46,329 in 1989. However, the
dissolution of the USSR in 1991 led to economic challenges, with
population declining to 45,700 in 1992 and continuing downward through
the 1990s. In the 1990s, the town was incorporated into Furmanovsky
District.
Modern History and Developments
In the post-Soviet
period, Furmanov adapted to market reforms. It was designated an urban
settlement within Furmanovsky Municipal District in 2005. A master
development plan was adopted in 2009 by the Ivanovo-based firm "Baza,"
outlining infrastructure for 226 streets and 120 km of roads. Population
decline persisted: from 39,691 in 2002 to 36,144 in 2010, and down to
29,715 in 2021—a 17.8% drop from 2010. The 2020 census showed a diverse
but predominantly Russian composition: 89.86% Russian, with small
minorities of Tatars (0.36%), Ukrainians (0.31%), and others.
Economically, the town retains a focus on textiles and manufacturing.
Key enterprises include Furmanov Factory No. 1 (cotton fabrics), Temp
Plant (machinery), Furmanov Bread Combine, Furmanov Dairy Plant (dairy
products and cheeses), Furmanov Timber Facility, Madiyo Tekstil (knit
fabrics), and Limatonupakovka (plastic packaging). It is twinned with
Domodedovo in Moscow Oblast, fostering cultural and economic ties.