Background
In 1971 Ivanovo celebrated its 100th anniversary, even though it was first mentioned in chronicles long ago. In 1561 Russian tsar Ivan Grozny (Ivan the Terrible) gave this village (at those times it was a village) as a gift to his wife’s brothers. Some time later it was destroyed by the Polish and Lithuanian armies. After it was restored it became a large industrial and trade center: textile, cotton and linen manufacturers appeared here as early as the seventeenth century. During the period of Soviet Russia many work associations functioned in Ivanovo. Today Ivanovo attracts tourists with its unique architecture – especially private residences, trimmed with marble, rare wood, bronze and granite. Travelling to Ivanovo you can also visit such well-known villages as Paleh and Holuy, which are located not for from the city. Ivanovo is still a textile center of Russia and this is why it is often called “Russian Manchester” or “City of Brides”.