UDC

008

Authors

Mikhaylova Larisa Vladimirovna
Institute of History, Political and Social Sciences, Petrozavodsk State University (Petrozavodsk, Russia)
e-mail: larisa.mihailova@gmail.com

Abstract

This article is a result of the research into the cultural landscape of Solovetsky Monastery, one of its components being secular object names on the Solovetsky Islands, whose origin is closely related to monastic life. The author studied various sources, identified place names and divided them into groups describing the space of the Solovetsky Islands. The first group consists of toponyms defining the objects by shape, size, colour, etc. The second group is comprised of anthroponymic place names associated with the names of secular residents and distinguished visitors of Solovki. The third and largest group of toponyms deals with the economic activities of the monastery. These place names tell us that the key trade of the Solovetsky Monastery was fishing, hence the names of many camps and fishing places located on the largest Solovetsky Island and other islands of the archipelago. The numerous names of islands, lakes, capes, canals, piers and various buildings prove that Solovetsky Monastery has for centuries had extensive economic activity that used to impress its contemporaries and still impresses us in the 21st century by its layout, accuracy, efficiency and modest architecture. The centre of the Solovetsky Monastery complex is the Kremlin, its fortress wall with 8 towers being important in terms of defence. The monastery includes religious, commercial, residential and utility buildings. It also had its own workshops and factories: a sawmill, a tannery, a brickyard, etc.; a tar works, a seaweed factory; as well as various services: a weather station, a power station and a radio station. The staff of the biological station was engaged in fish-farming, collected and classified material on the White Sea biology. Solovetsky Monastery was also a cultural and spiritual centre for pilgrims and thousands of northern peasants who sent young men to the monastery to get primary education and learn various crafts and trades.

Keywords

Solovetsky Islands, Solovetsky Monastery, Solovetsky Monastery toponymy, cultural landscape, fishery, trades, economic activities

References

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