Opochka - History

History

Opochka was founded in 1414. At the time, it was a fortress subordinate to Pskov and protecting it from the south. In 1426 it was sieged by the Lithuanians, and in 1427 by Germans, but it was not conquered. In the course of the administrative reform carried out in 1708 by Peter the Great, it was included into Ingermanland Governorate (known since 1710 as Saint Petersburg Governorate). Opochka is specifically mentioned as one of the towns making the governorate. In 1727, separate Novgorod Governorate was split off, and in 1772, Pskov Governorate (which between 1777 and 1796 existed as Pskov Viceroyalty) was established. Between 1772 and 1776, Opochka was the seat of the governorate. In 1776 the borders of the governorate were considerably altered, the seat was relocated to Pskov, and Opochka became the administrative center of Opochetsky Uyezd.

On August 1, 1927, the uyezds were abolished, and Opochetsky District was established, with the administrative center in Opochka. The governorates were abolished as well, and the district became a part of Pskov Okrug of Leningrad Oblast. On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were also abolished, and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast. On January 29, 1935 the district was transferred to Kalinin Oblast, and on February 5 Opochetsky District became a part of Velikiye Luki Okrug of Kalinin Oblast, one of the okrugs abutting the state boundaries of the Soviet Union. On May 11, 1937 Opochka Okrug with the seat in Opochka was established, and the district was transferred to the okrug. On February 5, 1941 the okrug was abolished. Between July 8, 1941 and July 15, 1944, Opochka 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 Opochetsky District was transferred to Pskov Oblast.