Kalach is a city (since 1945) in Russia, the administrative center of the Kalacheevsky district of the Voronezh region and the urban settlement of Kalach. Population - 17,624 (2021).
Monument to V.I. Lenin
Monument to Jacques Jacobin
Monument to
V. F. Margelov
Monument to E. A. Rodionov
Monument to J.V. Stalin
Kalacheevskaya chalk cave
Temple complex of the Assumption Church
(XVIII-XX centuries. Architectural monument)
Assumption Church (1750.
Architectural monument)
Lisitsyn's House (Kalach, 9 January Street,
3; early 20th century. Architectural monument)
Primary school
building (Kalach, Lenin Square, 10; 19th century. Architectural
monument)
Residential building (Kalach, Krasnoarmeyskaya street, 3;
19th century. Architectural monument)
Residential building (Kalach,
Lenin Square, 6; 1900. Architectural monument)
Kalach is a town in Voronezh Oblast, Russia, serving as the
administrative center of Kalacheyevsky District. It is situated at the
confluence of the Tolucheyevka and Podgornaya Rivers in the Don River
basin, approximately 294 kilometers southeast of Voronezh, at
coordinates 50°26′N 41°00′E and an elevation of 90 meters. The town
experiences a moderately continental climate with cold winters and hot,
dry summers.
Pre-History and Early Settlement
The territory
around Kalach has been inhabited since ancient times. Archaeological
evidence suggests human activity dating back to the second millennium
BCE, with early inhabitants engaging in agriculture and livestock
breeding. For centuries, the area served as nomadic campsites for
various groups. By 1571, a permanent public guard service was
established within the boundaries of what is now Kalacheyevsky District
to monitor and protect the southern Russian frontier from incursions.
Founding and 18th-Century Development
Kalach was founded in 1716
as a sloboda (a type of free settlement) in the Voronezh Governorate.
The establishment was ordered in 1715 by the Voronezh gubernian
chancellery to create a fortified settlement. It was primarily populated
by free Ukrainian settlers and Cossacks from the Ostrogozhsky regiment,
who formed permanent communities in the early 18th century. The name
"Kalach" is derived from the Russian word for a ring-shaped bread,
possibly inspired by the local landscape or cultural traditions. As part
of Russia's expansion into the steppe regions, Kalach functioned as an
outpost against nomadic threats.
During this period, the settlement
grew steadily, with a population of 12,928 recorded in 1859.
Architectural developments included the construction of the Assumption
Church in 1750, which remains a key monument.
19th-Century Growth
and Industrialization
The 19th century marked Kalach's emergence as a
trade and agricultural center in the fertile Chernozem region. Key
infrastructure, such as the primary school on Lenin Square and various
residential buildings on Krasnoarmeyskaya Street, dates from this era.
The town's commercial significance surged in 1896 with the opening of a
railway line, which connected Kalach to broader Russian trade networks
and facilitated the export of grain and other agricultural products.
Notable structures from the late 19th and early 20th centuries include
the Temple complex of the Assumption Church (spanning the 18th to 20th
centuries) and Lisitsyn's House (early 1900s) on 9 January Street, both
recognized as architectural monuments.
Russian Civil War and
Early Soviet Period (1917–1941)
The Russian Civil War (1918–1922)
brought intense conflict to the region. Kalach served as the center of
Kalacheyevsky uyezd from 1919 to 1924, witnessing fierce battles between
Red and White forces as part of the broader struggles in southern
Russia.
Under Soviet rule, administrative reorganization occurred on
July 30, 1928, when Kalach was designated the center of the newly formed
Kalacheyevsky District. The interwar period focused on economic
strengthening, with improvements in agriculture through collectivization
(kolkhozes), increased crop yields, livestock growth, and mechanization.
World War II (1941–1945)
During the Great Patriotic War, Kalach
and its district contributed heavily to the Soviet effort. Over 15,000
residents fought on various fronts, with more than 9,000 perishing in
battle. Seventeen locals were honored as Heroes of the Soviet Union for
their valor. In July 1942, defensive battles occurred near Kalach as
part of the larger Battle of Stalingrad, though the town itself was not
directly occupied. Post-war, five district residents received the Hero
of Socialist Labor award for contributions to reconstruction and
industry.
On January 10, 1945, by decree of the Presidium of the
Supreme Soviet of the RSFSR, the settlement of Kalach was officially
elevated to town status, reflecting its growing importance.
Post-War Soviet Era (1945–1991)
The post-war decades saw significant
industrial and infrastructural expansion. In 1960, the largest grain
elevator in Voronezh Oblast began operations, bolstering agricultural
processing. Between 1970 and 1980, major enterprises were established in
the suburbs, including a sugar factory, cheese factory, meat processing
plant, dairy production facilities, bakery, building materials plant,
auto repair shops, and linear production management for main gas
pipelines (Transgaz). Chalk mining was also active during this time but
has since ceased.
The population peaked at 23,183 in the 1989 Soviet
census, up from earlier figures.
Post-Soviet and Modern Era
(1991–Present)
Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Kalach
transitioned to a market economy while retaining its agricultural and
industrial focus. The town borders the large village of Zabrody to the
west and south. An emerging IT cluster named "Chernozemye" represents
modern diversification.
Population trends indicate a decline: 20,950
in 2002, 20,046 in 2010, and further to 16,635 by 2025, mirroring
broader rural depopulation in Russia.
Administratively, Kalach is a
town of district significance and heads Kalach Urban Settlement, which
includes the town and seven rural localities. Municipally, it forms part
of Kalacheyevsky Municipal District. Governance involves a Council of
People's Deputies (15 members, five-year terms), a head of the urban
settlement, an administration, and an Audit Commission. The town uses
the MSK time zone (UTC+3) and has postal codes 397600–397602 and 397659.
Cultural and Historical Heritage
Kalach and its district feature
over 100 monuments of history, culture, and architecture. Prominent
sites include the Kalacheevskaya chalk caves, a network of underground
passages totaling about 892 meters (or approximately 1 km by some
accounts), likely excavated in the 18th–19th centuries and used as an
underground monastery.
Monuments commemorate figures such as V.I.
Lenin, V.F. Margelov (founder of Soviet airborne troops), and others.
Cultural institutions include the Kalacheevsky District Museum of Local
Lore, Cinema "October," cultural centers like RDK Yubileiny, and the 5-D
center "Red Star." The town is mentioned in the song “Echelonnaya (Song
about Voroshilov)” by Osip Kolychev.
Kalach (also spelled Kalač) is an urban locality and the
administrative center of Kalacheyevsky District in Voronezh Oblast,
southwestern Russia. Situated in the eastern part of the oblast, it lies
in the Oka-Don Plain within the broader East European Plain. This region
is characterized by steppe landscapes, fertile chernozem soils, and
agricultural dominance. The town's geography is influenced by its
position at the confluence of two rivers in the Don River basin,
contributing to a low-lying, fluvial environment. With a population of
approximately 20,046 as of the 2010 census (down from 23,183 in 1989),
Kalach reflects demographic trends in rural Russia. Its coordinates are
50°26′N 41°00′E, placing it about 294 kilometers (183 miles) southeast
of Voronezh, the oblast capital.
Location and Administrative
Context
Kalach is positioned in the eastern section of Voronezh
Oblast, which spans the central part of the East European Plain and is
bisected by the Don River basin. The district covers 2,106 square
kilometers (813 square miles), with Kalach as its hub. It is
approximately 190-294 kilometers southeast of Voronezh (sources vary,
with official estimates leaning toward 294 km), and lies near the
borders with Rostov and Volgograd oblasts. The town's strategic location
supports agriculture and local transport, with roads connecting to
larger centers like Voronezh and Boguchar. The oblast as a whole is part
of the Central Black Earth Region, known for its productive farmlands.
Topography and Landforms
The topography around Kalach is
predominantly flat to gently undulating, typical of the Oka-Don Plain in
the northeastern Voronezh Oblast. The town sits at an average elevation
of 90-91 meters (295-298 feet) above sea level, with the surrounding
district featuring elevations up to 176 meters in some areas. The
landscape is characterized by broad steppes, intersected by river
valleys and occasional ravines (balkas), which add minor relief to the
otherwise level terrain. Voronezh Oblast's surface is hilly overall,
with southern slopes of the Middle Russian Upland influencing the
region, but near Kalach, it remains relatively flat, supporting
extensive agriculture like wheat and sunflower cultivation. Vegetation
includes grassland steppes with patches of deciduous forests in riverine
areas, transitioning to more open fields outward. The area's geology
consists of sedimentary deposits, including loess and chernozem soils,
which are highly fertile but prone to erosion in ravines.
Hydrology and Water Features
Kalach's hydrology is defined by its
location at the confluence of the Tolucheyevka (also Tolucheevka) and
Podgornaya Rivers, both tributaries in the upper Don River basin. These
small rivers merge in the town, forming a broader waterway that
eventually feeds into the Don River, approximately 60-70 kilometers to
the west. The Don basin dominates the oblast, with the main river
bisecting it north-south and supporting a network of tributaries. The
local rivers are relatively shallow and meandering, with floodplains
that can experience seasonal inundation, contributing to wetland-like
features near the confluence. Groundwater is accessed from aquifers in
the sedimentary layers, but the region faces water quality issues, with
no "conditionally clean" water bodies in the oblast due to pollution
from agriculture and industry. Environmental concerns include surface
and groundwater contamination from nearby mining and landfills,
affecting the Don pool.
Climate
Kalach has a humid continental
climate (Köppen: Dfb), featuring warm summers, long cold winters, and
moderate precipitation with distinct seasonal shifts. Annual
temperatures range from 11°F (-12°C) to 83°F (28°C), rarely below -9°F
(-23°C) or above 94°F (34°C). The warm season (May 21–September 9)
averages highs above 71°F (22°C), with July the hottest (high 82°F/28°C,
low 60°F/16°C). The cold season (November 19–March 13) sees highs below
35°F (2°C), with January the coldest (high 24°F/-4°C, low 12°F/-11°C).
Precipitation is fairly even at 19% chance of wet days yearly, totaling
around 12-16 inches (300-400 mm) annually, peaking in summer. Rain falls
mainly from March to December (peak June: 1.6 inches/41 mm), while snow
dominates winter (peak January: 7.4 inches/19 cm). Snow cover lasts
about 5 months, with the snowy period from October to April. Humidity is
low, with rare muggy days (peak July: 0.5 days). Winds are stronger in
winter (peak February: 12.4 mph/20 km/h), calmer in summer (July: 8.1
mph/13 km/h), predominantly from east, west, and north. Cloud cover is
higher in winter (77% in February) and lower in summer (33% in
July-August). Daylight varies from 8 hours in December to 16.4 hours in
June.
Environmental and Human Geography
The steppe ecosystem
around Kalach supports biodiversity adapted to continental conditions,
including grasses, herbs, and riparian vegetation along rivers.
Chernozem soils enable intensive farming, but challenges include soil
erosion in ravines, water pollution from anthropogenic sources, and
potential flooding. Climate change may exacerbate droughts and alter
precipitation, impacting agriculture. Human modifications, such as dams
and irrigation, influence local hydrology, while the town's layout
integrates with the river confluence for recreational and economic uses.
Overall, Kalach's geography blends natural fluvial-steppe features with
rural development in a fertile yet vulnerable plain.
sugar factory
food plant
meat processing plant
dairy
production plant
bakery plant Kalacheevsky
building materials
plant
car repair factories
linear production management of main
gas pipelines
chalk mining (mining stopped)
IT cluster
"Chernozemye"
1) The Council of People's Deputies is a representative body,
consists of 15 deputies, term of office - 5 years;
2) The head of
the urban settlement - elected by the Council of People's Deputies from
among its members, exercises the powers of the chairman of the Council
of People's Deputies;
3) The administration of the urban
settlement is an executive and administrative body. The head of the
administration of an urban settlement is a person appointed to the
position of head of administration under a contract concluded as a
result of a competition;
4) The Audit Commission of the urban
settlement is a control and accounting body.
Mentioned in the song “Echelonnaya (Song about Voroshilov)” to the words of Osip Kolychev.
Kalacheevsky District Museum of Local Lore
Cinema "October"
RDK
Yubileiny
DK Zabrodensky
DK im. V. I. Chapaeva
5-D center "Red
Star"