During the
First Partition of Poland in 1772, it was annexed by Russia, and included into newly established
Pskov Governorate, a giant administrative unit comprising what is currently Pskov Oblast and a considerable part of Belarus. After 1773, the area was split between
Nevelsky and
Velizhsky Uyezds of Pskov Governorate. In 1777, it was transferred to
Polotsk Viceroyalty. In 1796, the viceroyalty was abolished and the area was transferred to
Belarus Governorate; since 1802 to
Vitebsk Governorate. Usvyaty was a center of
Usvyatskaya Volost of Velizhsky Uyezd. In the late 19th century, three annual
fairs and two weekly markets were held in the town.[11] After 1919, Vitebsk Governorate was a part of
Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic.[12] In 1924, Vitebsk Governorate was abolished, and Nevelsky and Velizhsky Uyezds were transferred to Pskov Governorate.
On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished, and Usvyatsky District was established, with the administrative center in Usvyaty. It included parts of former Nevelsky and Velizhsky Uyezds. Pskov Governorate was abolished as well, and the district became a part of
Velikiye Luki Okrug of
Leningrad Oblast. On June 17, 1929, Usvyatsky District was transferred to
Western Oblast. On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were also abolished and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast. On September 27, 1937, Western Oblast was abolished, and the district was transferred to
Smolensk Oblast. Between 1941 and 1944, Usvyaty was occupied by
German troops. On August 22, 1944, the district was transferred to newly established
Velikiye Luki Oblast. On October 2, 1957, Velikiye Luki Oblast was abolished, and Usvyatsky District was transferred to Pskov Oblast. On October 3, 1959 the district was abolished and merged into Nevelsky District. On December 30, 1966 it was re-established. On October 15, 1985 Usvyaty was granted urban-type settlement status.[13]
Economy
Industry
In Usvyaty, there are enterprises of timber and food industry.[14]
Transportation
The highway connecting
Nevel with
Smolensk via Usvyaty and
Velizh bypasses Usvyaty. The whole stretch between Nevel and Velizh has been a toll road since 2002.[15] A road connects Usvyaty with
Kunya. There are also local roads.
Culture and recreation
Usvyaty contains two objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance.[16] They are an archaeological site and a tomb of soldiers fallen in World War II.
^
abcdSłownik geograficzny Królestwa Polskiego i innych krajów słowiańskich, Tom XII (in Polish). Warszawa. 1892. p. 849.{{
cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
link)
Псковское областное Собрание депутатов. Закон №833-оз от 5 февраля 2009 г. «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Псковской области». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Псковская правда", №20, 10 февраля 2009 г. (Pskov Oblast Council of Deputies. Law #833-oz of February 5, 2009 On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Pskov Oblast. Effective as of the official publication date.).
Псковское областное Собрание депутатов. Закон №420-оз от 28 февраля 2005 г. «Об установлении границ и статусе вновь образуемых муниципальных образований на территории Псковской области», в ред. Закона №1542-ОЗ от 5 июня 2015 г. «О внесении изменений в Закон Псковской области "Об установлении границ и статусе вновь образуемых муниципальных образований на территории Псковской области"». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Псковская правда", №41–43, №44–46, №49–51, 4 марта 2005 г., 5 марта 2005 г., 11 марта 2005 г. (Pskov Oblast Council of Deputies. Law #420-oz of February 28, 2005 On Establishing the Borders and the Status of the Newly Formed Municipal Formations on the Territory of Pskov Oblast, as amended by the Law #1542-OZ of June 5, 2015 On Amending the Law of Pskov Oblast "On Establishing the Borders and the Status of the Newly Formed Municipal Formations on the Territory of Pskov Oblast". Effective as of the official publication date.).