In 1663, by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich, the construction of a fortress on the Volga Upland began. The goal is to defend the southeastern borders. This is how the history of Penza begins, as, indeed, of many other cities in central Russia.
Epoch of the middle ages
The initial mission of the fortress was protection from the Tatars; the inhabitants of the surrounding villages sought refuge behind its reliable walls. The population increased, and guests from the East began to arrive less often with predatory goals. A new, more peaceful stage of the city's life began. In addition, it changed its status, in 1719 the Penza province was formed, and the city became its center.
In 1780, the next changes were noted in the history of Penza, now it is not the center of the province, but the main city of the Penza governorship. 16 years later, it becomes the center of the Penza district and the Penza province. At the end of the 18th century, the time of the cultural flourishing of this settlement began. In 1796, Penza was declared a provincial city.
An era of ups and downs
The beginning of the 19th century in the history of Penza, in short, was marked by a certain setback. This happened in connection with the abolition of the province in 1801, respectively, the return of Penza to the status of a county town. True, this period was completely short-lived, the province was restored, Penza is its capital, and the status of the main city of the province was retained until 1928, until the next administrative-territorial reform was conceived and carried out by the Soviet government.
The 19th century is a period of prosperity not only for Penza, but for the whole of Russia, industries are actively developing, a railway line, an iron foundry, a paper mill, and a hippodrome appear. The cultural sphere is also developing - the residents of Penza are proud that the first Russian circus appeared in their city.
The era of prosperity continues at the beginning of the twentieth century, then Penza, together with the whole of Russia, is experiencing revolutionary events, a change of political power, wars, collectivization and industrialization. The history of the city is inseparable from the history of the country.
