Mozhaysk (English) Можайск (Russian) |
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Residential buildings in Mozhaysk |
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Location of Moscow Oblast in Russia |
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Administrative status (as of September 2013) | |
Country | Russia |
Federal subject | Moscow Oblast |
Administrative district | Mozhaysky District |
Town | Mozhaysk |
Administrative center of | Mozhaysky District, Town of Mozhaysk |
Municipal status (as of July 2011) | |
Municipal district | Mozhaysky Municipal District |
Urban settlement | Mozhaysk Urban Settlement |
Administrative center of | Mozhaysk Municipal District, Mozhaysk Urban Settlement |
Statistics | |
Population (2010 Census) | 31,363 inhabitants |
Time zone | MSK (UTC+03:00) |
First mentioned | 1231 |
Town status since | 1708 |
Postal code(s) | 143200–143204, 143210 |
Dialing code(s) | +7 49638 |
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Mozhaysk (Russian: Можайск; IPA: [mɐˈʐajsk]) is a town and the administrative center of Mozhaysky District in Moscow Oblast, Russia, located 110 kilometers (68 mi) to the west of Moscow, on the historic road leading to Smolensk and then to Poland. Population: 31,363 (2010 Census);31,459 (2002 Census);30,735 (1989 Census).
It was first mentioned in 1231 as an appanage of Chernigov; it was named after the Mozhay (Mozhaya) River, whose name is of Baltic origin (cf. Lithuanian mažoja 'small'). Later it was an important stronghold of the Smolensk dynasty, at one time owned by Theodore the Black. The Muscovites seized it in 1303, but in the course of the following century had serious troubles defending it against Algirdas of Lithuania. The principality was usually held by a younger brother of the ruling Grand Duke of Moscow, until the practice was dropped in 1493. In 1562, the Treaty of Mozhaysk was signed there. Town status was granted to Mozhaysk in 1708. Mozhaysk continued to defend the Western approaches to Moscow during the French invasion of Russia in 1812 and World War II (during which it was captured by the Germans on October 16, 1941 and recaptured by the Red Army on January 20, 1942). The Battle of Borodino took place 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) from the town.