Vologda is a beautiful Old Russian city that originally sprawled as a small settlement on the banks of the Sukhona and the Sheksna, is steeped in history. This is confirmed by the plethora of historical artifacts that you can find on the Vologda land. One example will suffice, there are 244 architectural monuments here. There are yet other artifacts such as archaeological, written, folklore, art, natural, ethnographic, and other monuments. The city is famed for its lace. Vologda is also known throughout the world as a Russian manufacturer of delicious butter. The city made an enormous difference in Russia's becoming a great and independent country.

The Novgorod merchants searched for the best locations for their business and preferred those where they could have a deal with various buyers. That is how Vologda was founded. The Sukhona and Sheksna suited the merchants just fine. These rivers opened the potential for building up business both with the other tribes living in Russia and with the Europeans. According to historians, the city name is more associated with Finno-Ugrians. It was they who used the word “valegda” meaning clear water of the rivers to describe the locals. Importantly, the origin of the name “Vologda” has another version, although no historical records confirm it. It is supposed that the merchants of the time had to pull the ships loaded with felt and goods as the rivers were shallow. That is why “Vologda” implies it.

The monk Gerasim arrived from the Kyiv land and entered the Vologda land in 1147. He founded the Trinity Monastery close to the Kaysarov stream (“Kaysarov ruchey”) and lived happily on the land that was inaccessible to nomads and invaders. The territory, where Vologda would be founded a short time later, was protected from all sides. There was the river from one side and the forest and endless wilderness areas, through which strangers could not navigate, from the other side. The year 1264 was the first mention of Vologda as a separate settlement. This year the full-fledged agreement with the Duke of Novgorod was concluded. Vologda was recorded as one of its suburbs. Later, it developed as independent lands, where the military matters and the treasury of money and grain stocks were concentrated. In 1481, the Principality of Vologda (“Vologodsky Uyezd”) passed to the Principality of Moscow (“Knyazhestvo Moskovskoye”). It had a significant impact on the further history of the land.

Ivan the Terrible had extensive plans connected with Vologda. He wanted to turn this Principality into a fortified strongpoint patterned after the Moscow Kremlin. Over 10 thousand people constructed a new bastion fort. At first, they built Saint Sophia Cathedral, dug the Zolotukha Canal, and greatly progressed in the city construction. However, in 1571 Ivan the Terrible left Vologda, pretending that this land had neither a favorable climate nor God's blessing. As the Time of Troubles set in, Vologda favored False Dmitry III (“Lzhedmitrii III”), but soon the Principality supported Moscow. Moscow governance institutions were moved to the Vologda land. The people of Vologda fought with the Polish–Lithuanian forces for the independence of the Principality of Moscow even when the Polish and Lithuanian troops burnt their native city, Vologda, to enrich under such rough military and political conditions.

It was only with the accession to power of the House of Romanov that the city lived the real "period of plenitude". Vologda turned into the third city that could keep pace with the development of Moscow and Yaroslavl. Vologda became the center of the soldiery, shipbuilding, trade, and handicraft that connected the Russian and European lands. The environment of its land was still pivotal. Peter the Great spotted these lands. The great Emperor had high hopes for them. He wanted to promote trade relations with Siberia and Europe. However, Peter the Great formed St. Petersburg. In 1708, he limited the trade in Vologda and focused solely on his city.

The lands flourished for some time, thanks to Catherine II. She made Vologda the center of the Governorate (“guberniya”) and approved the governorate construction plan that included uniform blocks with distinct borders. Vologda got over the crisis and progressed ahead. The 19th century delivered new changes. The beginning of industrial development contributed to the becoming of Vologda an independent city. The launch of railway lines, ships, steamers, and butter factories speaks volumes. By the way, the butter factories have turned into the world-famous Russian brand. N.V. Vereshchagin patented the recipe for delicious butter. It suits the taste of everyone who tries it even once. The butter gets positive feedback and is famous for its perfect combination of ingredients and technology. Is not this what any manufacturer hankers for? The new century was a breakthrough for Vologda. At that time, Vologda became famous in Russia as a major manufacturing center of leather, goods, and shoes. Its sausage products and brick manufacture stood high. The sugar industry was placed the utmost importance. At that time, lace surpassed itself in flawlessness and excellent composition. One would fail to find such pieces that inspire both lively interests and respect anywhere else in the world.

Years passed. Times changed. Vologda obtained the present appearance and implemented new plans. The machinery production moved into top gear besides the butter production that had already made the city famous. The blocks and districts lost their tsarist look and catered to the new needs. The system of administration was modified, the people, their mindset, and preferences changed too. Russian politics did not initiate any activities but always resonated with the people of Vologda. Today, the citizens take great pride in the fact that Vologda has preserved its history, keeps up to date, and hangs on to the current trends. Let’s cite one example. Dancing, music, and other art schools for children and adolescents are flourishing. They will not cease its activities no matter what the extraneous causes are. The people of Vologda are proud of the history of their city and bolster the aspirations of the local authorities to preserve and pass its history to the next generation.