Gdov
|
|
Gdov (Гдов) is a both a Russian district, found in the north of the Pskov Oblast, and a town within it, which stands on the river Gdovka. The population of the city is 18.8 thousand people (January 1, 2000).
Gdov was founded an outpost guarding Pskov. In the 14th century a fortress was built there, remains of which can be seen so this very day. The city was attackd on numerous occasions by Swedes and Poles, but was finally returned to Russia in 1617. In 1780 it formally acquired the status of a town; its coat of arms was granted on May 28, 1781. Between 1874 and 1912 Gdov issued stamps for the Zemstvo post. The first stamp, worth 2 kopeks appeared on April 16, 1874. Stamp production ceased, however, with the coming of World War I. On May 1919, the Northern Army, under General Rodzianko, captured Gdov, along with Pskov and Yaurburg.
Notable people of Gdov
- Hieromartyr Benjamin, bishop of Gdov
- Archbishop Dimitry of Gdov (also Demetrius) (arrested in 1929, at the age of 75, shot 8 years of solitary confinement later in the Yaroslavl prison in 1938)
External link
- Gdov. The Town guide book (http://eng.rustowns.com/gdov/guide/?guide=11)