Revolution Square in Galich — Live Web Camera Online

History of Revolution Square

Revolution Square is the central and largest square of Galich, serving as the compositional core of the city's planning and spatial structure. It originated on the site of an ancient trading square that existed here since the late 15th century. Historically, it was about half the size of the present-day square and was lined with wooden shops and barns. Since ancient times, Galich developed as a trading town with corresponding architecture. Before the revolution, the square was called Trading Square, and after 1917 it was renamed Revolution Square.

Trading Rows — Architectural Dominant

The Trading Rows are a federal heritage site in the Empire style. The idea of constructing stone trading rows was laid out in Galich's master plan of 1781. The complex was built in two stages during the 1820s–1830s.

They consist of the Upper and Lower Trading Rows: the Upper Trading Rows occupy the elevated eastern half of the square, while the Lower Trading Rows are located significantly lower, in the western part of the square. Between them are two parks and a roadway. Every year in December, a major intercity fair was held on the square.

Monuments and Memorials on the Square

Several monuments are installed on Revolution Square. The monument to V.I. Lenin was erected in 1964. In 2015, local authorities wanted to dismantle the monument, but residents opposed it, after which the monument was restored.

The "Warriors — Victors" memorial is located in the park near the Lower Trading Rows. It consists of a tall stele with the years of the war and the inscription "Glory to the Warrior-Victors," as well as a Monument to the Liberator Soldier. There is also a mass grave of soldiers who died from wounds in hospitals.

The monument to Mikhail Markovich Smodor — a Russian photographer who took a large number of photographs capturing the history and daily life of the county town of Galich at the beginning of the 20th century. Smodor moved to Galich in 1907, opened a photo studio, and in 1935 was arrested and sent to the Gulag to build the Moscow-Volga Canal.

Galich as a Trading Town

Since ancient times, Galich developed as a trading town, and the square was the center of commercial life where major fairs were held. According to local legend, one of the houses on the square (with a mezzanine rising above the Upper Trading Rows buildings) was built by French prisoners after the War of 1812. This is one of three houses in Galich built according to the same design.

The legend of "First Galich" tells of an ancient town that stood on a cape at the confluence of the Chyolmsa River into Galich Lake. The Vetluga chronicler dates its foundation to 1167. The town's destruction is associated with the campaign of Vasily Temny (according to legend).

What You Can See on the Camera

The webcam broadcasts a view of Revolution Square and the Trading Rows in Galich. The square features a column monument, pedestrian zones with benches, landscaped flowerbeds, and trees. Roads with vehicle traffic, crosswalks, road signs, and street lighting run around the square. People strolling and relaxing, as well as cyclists, can be seen on the square. In the background are trees and other city buildings. The camera allows you to observe the life of the city in real time.