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Hotels, motels and where to sleep
Restaurant, taverns and where to eat
Kovrov (in russian literally 'carpet') is located in the Vladimir Polesie. This is a large city of the region with a population of about 150 thousand people located on the banks of the Klyazma. It is the administrative center of the Kovrov district. Kovrov is one of the major cities of the Vladimir Region and Central Russia. The area is about 60 square kilometers.
The city is located on the right and left (Zarechnaya Slobodka) banks of the Klyazma River (a tributary of the Oka), 64 km from Vladimir and 250 km northeast of Moscow.
Monument in honor of the 200th anniversary of Kovrov (Square of
the 200th anniversary).
Victory Square (Victory Square).
Savior Transfiguration Cathedral, st. Pershutova, 28. Monumental
cathedral in neo-Byzantine style, built in 1870–1884. project N.A.
Artleben - an architect and archaeologist who studied the monuments
of ancient Russian architecture of the Vladimir region.
Nativity
Cathedral, st. Volodarsky (Klyazma coast).
Train Station.
Church of John the Warrior.
Museums
House-Museum V.A.
Degtyarev Str. Degtyarev, 6.
Kovrovsky historical memorial
museum, Abelman str., 20. Tue – Fri, 10–17; Sat and Sun, 11–17.
Museum of hares, st. Griboedova, d.117
Klyazminsky town - a village on the banks of the Klyazma, 15 km
north-east of Kovrov. In addition to the sonorous name, this place
has a rich history, since it was here that Starodub-on-Klyazma was
located - one of the ancient cities of the Vladimir region. Starodub
was founded in 1152, survived the Mongol invasion, and in the XIII –
XIV centuries it even became the center of a small principality. The
city was completely destroyed in 1609 by Polish troops and was not
restored. A small monument standing next to the road, and a hillfort
on the riverbank, now occupied by rural houses and the Church of the
Intercession of the Church (1803), remind of old times. The church
is quite ordinary, but the contrast between the old Russian type of
church with onion domes on narrow drums and the bell tower is
remarkable, the completion of which carries obvious signs of
classicism. Despite the unsightly attractions, the place is very
atmospheric.
Getting there: buses to Panteleevo and Sannikovo
(every 1-2 hours)
By plane
The nearest international
airports are located in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod. A small regional
airport is located in Ivanovo.
By train
The Kovrov railway
station is located on the railway connecting Moscow and Nizhny
Novgorod. And also Murom - Ivanovo.
By car
The city is
located north of the M7 highway. Turning off the highway in the
Seninsky courtyards onto the P71 road, you will get to Kovrov. By
P71 you can get to Kovrov from Ivanovo.
By bus
Regular
buses from Moscow to Kovrov will start from Schelkovsky bus station
(metro 3 Schelkovskaya). The city is also connected by bus with
Ivanovo, Vladimir, Cheboksary.
On the ship
The city is
located on the bank of the Klyazma River, which has become
unnavigable due to shoaling. So on the ship to the city not to get.
The city has a trolleybus and bus lines. There are 8 trolleybus routes and many bus routes. Flights are very frequent (usually with an interval of 2-10 minutes), so you can quickly get to any point of the city. The fare is 17 rubles.
Hotel "Visit", st. Dimitrova, 59. ☎ +7 (49232) 9-42-06. Double
room: 2400 rubles (2011). Billiards. Wi-Fi
Hotel "Carpet", st.
Uritsky, 14. ☎ +7 (49232) 2-12-15. Old and cheap hotel.
Hotel
"Old Town", st. Abelman, 1. ☎ +7 (49232) 4-65-55, 5-32-45. Double
rooms: from 2000 rubles (2011). Own restaurant. Good feedback.
Many cafes and restaurants with varied cuisine.
Cafe
"Zaryu-Paru", st. Abelman, 4. In the basement near the station. The
atmosphere is gloomy, the service is unhurried, but the food is
quite edible.
Cafe "Monarch", st. Fedorov, 2 (at the entrance to
the city from the side of Klyazma). ☎ +7 (49232) 4-88-20. Sun – Thu
10–24, Fri and Sat 10–2. Hot dishes: from 100 rubles (2012). Cafe
"Monarch" - the first thing that sees a traveler entering the city
Kovrov from Klyazma. European cuisine.
Early Origins and Founding (12th–15th Centuries)
The history
of Kovrov traces back to the medieval period in what is now Vladimir
Oblast, Russia. According to local legend, the settlement originated
in 1157 when Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky, while traveling from Suzdal
to Starodub (now the village of Klyazminsky Gorodok in Kovrov
District), became lost in the dense forests during a winter journey.
He stumbled upon the hut of a hunter named Elifan, and in gratitude
for his miraculous rescue on Christmas Day, the prince ordered the
construction of a wooden church dedicated to the Nativity of Christ
on the high bank of the Klyazma River. This event led to the
establishment of a village initially called Elifanovka, which was
later renamed Rozhdestvenskoe (meaning "Christmas village") after
the church.
During the 12th century, the area was overshadowed by
the nearby fortified town of Starodub-on-the-Klyazma, which served
as a key defensive outpost in the region. Kovrov itself began as a
modest settlement on the site of what was then Elifanovka Village,
positioned strategically along the Klyazma River, a tributary of the
Oka. This location facilitated early trade and transportation,
though the settlement remained relatively minor in the broader
context of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, a powerful medieval
Russian state that defended its northeastern borders against nomadic
incursions. Archaeological evidence and historical records confirm
human activity in the region dating to this era, with Kovrov
emerging as a small village amid the principality's expansion under
princes like Yury Dolgoruky, the founder of Moscow.
By the 15th
century, the area had gained some prominence, but it was not yet a
major center. The settlement's early development was tied to
agriculture, hunting, and rudimentary crafts, reflecting the rural
character of much of medieval Rus'.
Ownership Changes and
Growth (16th–18th Centuries)
In the first half of the 16th
century, the village came under the ownership of the Kovrov princes,
a noble family, and was renamed Kovrovo in their honor. This period
marked a shift toward more structured land management under the
Muscovite state. However, in the early 17th century, the estate was
gifted by Prince Ivan Kovrov to the Suzdal Spaso-Evfimiyevsky
Monastery, integrating it into the monastic economy. The monastery
oversaw agricultural activities and local trade, which included
timber, furs, and basic textiles.
Following the secularization
reforms of Catherine the Great in 1764, Kovrovo transitioned from
monastic control to become an "economic village," meaning it was
managed directly by the state for revenue purposes. This change
spurred modest growth. The pivotal moment came in 1778 when Empress
Catherine II granted it town status, establishing Kovrov as the
administrative center of a district within the Vladimir Province
(guberniya). By this time, Kovrov had evolved from a village into a
small urban settlement, with a population engaged in trade along the
Klyazma River. The town's name, often linked etymologically to
"kovrov" (meaning "of carpets" in Russian), may reflect early
artisanal traditions in textile production, though some sources
attribute it directly to the princely family rather than carpet
weaving.
In the late 18th century, Kovrov became a center for the
textile industry, specializing in cotton cloth and decorative
textiles. This marked the beginning of its industrial trajectory,
with local workshops producing goods for regional markets.
Industrialization and Expansion (19th Century)
The 19th century
transformed Kovrov from a quiet district town into an emerging
industrial hub. By 1856, it featured two churches, 242 houses, and
120 shops, indicating a growing commercial base. The most
significant development was the arrival of the railroad in 1863,
when the Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod line passed through the town. This
connectivity led to the construction of large railway workshops,
where some of Russia's first freight and passenger cars were
manufactured. The railroad not only boosted trade but also attracted
workers and investment, fostering urbanization.
In 1883, a
weaving mill was established, expanding the textile sector that had
roots in the 18th century. Toward the end of the century, Kovrov
began developing as a "city of gunsmiths," with small-scale arms
production emerging alongside textiles. The surrounding Kovrov
District, formalized in 1929 but with historical ties to the area,
supported agriculture and crafts, including among middling
landowners like the Chikhachev family, whose estates (such as
Dorozhaevo and Borduki) exemplified noble life in the Vladimir
Province during the Nicholas I era.
Soviet Era and Modern
Industrialization (20th–21st Centuries)
The early 20th century
solidified Kovrov's industrial identity. In 1916, the Degtyarev
Plant was founded as Russia's first machine-gun factory, marking the
town's entry into military production. During the Soviet pre-war
five-year plans (1920s–1930s), a small iron plant was reconstructed
into a major facility of national importance, and the railway
workshops were repurposed for producing excavators and other heavy
machinery. The Degtyarev Plant expanded to manufacture infantry
weapons, missiles, and even motorcycles, becoming a cornerstone of
the Soviet defense industry.
Kovrov's administrative status
evolved during the Soviet period. In 1929, Kovrov District was
formed as part of the Ivanovo Industrial Region, and in 1936, the
city was elevated to regional subordination while remaining the
district center. It was transferred to the newly formed Vladimir
Region in 1944, and by 2005, the district gained municipal status.
The town's population grew rapidly, reaching an estimated 140,000 by
1977. World War II saw intensified production at local factories,
contributing to the Soviet war effort.
Post-Soviet Kovrov has
maintained its industrial focus, with heavy engineering dominating
the economy. Key products include excavators, motorcycles, milling
machinery, and weighing machines, alongside ongoing arms production.
As of the 2010 Census, the population stood at 145,214, making it
the second-largest city in Vladimir Oblast after Vladimir itself.
Cultural landmarks include a motorcycle racing track and the
Klyazminsky desman wildlife area, while the city preserves
historical sites like churches and museums reflecting its long
heritage.
Topography and Landscape
Kovrov is characterized by relatively
flat topography, typical of the northern section of Vladimir Oblast
within the East European Plain. The city's average elevation is about
125 meters above sea level, with minor variations across its urban and
surrounding areas. The broader region features low plains, broad river
valleys, and meandering river channels, interspersed with mixed forests
of coniferous and deciduous trees. To the south and east, the landscape
transitions into more swampy lowlands, including parts of the Meshchera
and Balakhna lowlands, which are known for extensive wetlands and peat
bogs. Geologically, the area consists of sedimentary rocks like
sandstone, shale, and limestone, along with some igneous formations such
as granite and diabase, supporting mineral deposits including iron ore,
apatite, and phosphate. Urban development in Kovrov includes a mix of
residential blocks, industrial zones, and green spaces, with the flat
terrain facilitating road and rail networks.
Hydrography
The
Klyazma River is the defining hydrographic feature of Kovrov, with the
city located on its right (northern) bank just above the river's
confluence with the Uvod River. The Klyazma, a major tributary of the
Oka River, flows through the city for several kilometers, providing
water resources and historically supporting trade and industry. The Oka
itself is navigable for about 157 kilometers within Vladimir Oblast and
serves as a key waterway in the region. Tributaries of the Klyazma in
the vicinity include the Kirzhach, Peksha, Koloksha, Nerl, Sudogda,
Lukh, and Suvorosch, which contribute to a network of smaller streams
and floodplains. Lakes in the northern oblast are primarily oxbow types
formed along river valleys, with notable examples like Lake Urvanovskoe
(about 12 km long) and Lake Visha (around 10 km long) located in nearby
lowlands. These water bodies, combined with seasonal flooding, influence
local ecosystems and occasionally pose risks to infrastructure.
Climate
Kovrov experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen
classification Dfb), marked by distinct seasons, moderate precipitation,
and significant temperature fluctuations. Summers are warm and partly
cloudy, with average high temperatures reaching up to 76°F (24°C) in
July, the hottest month, while winters are long, cold, snowy, and
overcast, with lows dropping to around 8°F (-13°C) in January, the
coldest month. Annual average temperature is approximately 5.5°C
(41.9°F), with extremes rarely below -14°F (-26°C) or above 86°F (30°C).
Precipitation totals about 694 mm (27.3 inches) per year, peaking in
summer (especially July) with frequent thunderstorms due to large
day-night temperature swings. Winter snowfall averages 50-60 cm
annually, contributing to a snow cover that lasts from late November to
early April. The region's inland position amplifies temperature
extremes, though the Ural Mountains to the east provide some moderation
from Siberian influences. Humidity averages around 75%, and winds can be
brisk during winter. Recent analyses indicate a worsening climate
severity, with a 1.5°C temperature increase and 9% rise in annual
rainfall over the past 15 years, potentially exacerbating flooding and
heat events.
Natural Resources and Environment
The surrounding
Kovrovsky District, covering 1,817 square kilometers, is rich in natural
resources, including forests that dominate much of the landscape and
support timber industries. Peat extraction occurs in the swampy
lowlands, and mineral resources like iron ore are present, historically
fueling the city's heavy engineering sector. Environmental concerns
include industrial pollution from factories, which can affect air and
water quality in the Klyazma basin. The area's mixed forests provide
habitats for wildlife such as deer, foxes, and various bird species,
though urbanization has fragmented some ecosystems.
Surrounding
Areas
Kovrov is bordered by rural districts with similar flat,
forested terrain and is connected via major rail lines, including the
Moscow-Nizhny Novgorod route (part of the Trans-Siberian alternative)
and links to Murom. Nearby historical sites like
Starodub-on-the-Klyazma, dating to the 12th century, lie just outside
the city. The broader Vladimir Oblast features more varied landscapes to
the south, with swamps and uplands, while the north remains
predominantly low-lying and riverine. This positioning makes Kovrov a
gateway between Moscow and the Volga region, influencing its economic
and cultural geography.