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City and Region Info History

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Voronezh Region

• Area: 52,400 km²
• Population: 2,504,000 people
• Time: GMT+3
  The time in Voronezh, Russia

Voronezh is situated approximately 250 miles south of Moscow and is easily reached by overnight train or by air. The city has a population of about one million people and is situated in, what is known as, the Black Earth Region, a particularly fertile agricultural area. However, Voronezh itself is an industrial city, home to a large rubber and tire plant and the Ilyushin Aircraft Company. Voronezh has a strong educational base with nine universities specializing in industry, agriculture, arts and science, including the third largest university in Russia.

Voronezh is an ancient city dating from 1586 when a fortress was built as part of the Belgorod Line, a series of defenses on the southern edge of the Russian State designed to repel Tartar invasions.

The city lies on the Voronezh River, both east and west banks, which flows into the nearby Don which in turn leads to the Black Sea. It was its favorable geographical position that led to the growth of the city as an important trading route. The city really took off under the reign of Peter the Great who, following defeat at the hands of the Turks at Azov, decreed that Russia must have a navy, and that these ships should be built in Voronezh. So in 1695 Peter the Great decreed that Voronezh should be the centre of the shipbuilding industry in Russia, craftsmen from around Europe were brought to Voronezh, and just one year later Peter sailed at the head of his new fleet, in his flagship Principium, and captured Azov.

The region prospered as the navy grew and supporting industries were established. The city took on a cosmopolitan air as the influence of the influx of foreign craftsman was felt. Styles of dress and architecture changed to make Voronezh far from an average Russian city. Unfortunately these buildings were mostly destroyed in a great fire that swept through the city in 1748.

Voronezh lies in the Black Earth region (the soil is really black) and is known as Russia's breadbasket, as Voronezh grew so did its agricultural industry to become a crucial element of the economy.

Voronezh was the scene of fierce fighting during the Russian Civil war of 1917-20 with the city changing hands a number of times. During the following years the regions industry expanded, aircraft production began and steel and rubber plants grew larger.

Voronezh played a pivotal role in the Second World War, or Great Patriotic War as it is known in Russia. The Nazis advance into Russia was halted here, the Germans occupied the West bank of the river, but could not cross to the East. The surrounding Black Earth region saw crucial battles that turned the tide of the war, including the largest tank battle in history at Kursk. Voronezh was almost completely destroyed, 92% of the city was in ruins, what was left had been turned into a huge minefield, 58,000 were found following the liberation (only Stalingrad and Sevastopol had more). But the people had not been defeated.

The city was rebuilt, ancient buildings recreated, but the rivalry between Moscow and Voronezh manifested itself in the disgraceful decision not to recognize the sacrifice of Voronezh as Stalin refused to grant 'Hero City' status, something Moscow has even though no fighting actually took place there.