The Volga River makes the western border of the district, and the whole area of Kalyazinsky District is flat and belongs to the drainage basins of the right tributaries of the Volga. The central and the southern parts of the district belong to the basin of the Nerl River, whereas the rivers in the northern part mainly drain into the Zhabnya River. The town of Kalyazin is located at the mouth of the Zhabnya.
History
In 1134, Yuri Dolgorukiy, the Prince of Moscow, founded the fortress of Ksnyatin in the mouth of the Nerl. In the end of the 12th century, the village of Nikola-na-Zhabne was founded at the mouth of the Zhabnya, where Kalyazin is currently located. In the 15th century, the Makaryev Monastery was founded on the left bank of the Volga across Kalyazin. By the time, Kalyazin belonged to the Grand Duchy of Moscow. In the beginning of the 17th century, during the Time of Troubles, Kalyazin was twice plundered by Polish-Lithuanian troops. In the 18th century, the area was included into Moscow Governorate. In 1775, Kalyazin was granted town rights, and Kalyazinsky Uyezd was established. It was a part of newly established Tver Viceroyalty. In 1796, the Viceroyalty was abolished and transformed into Tver Governorate. Kalyazinsky Uyezd was abolished, but in 1803, it was re-established. On May 30, 1922 Kalyazinsky Uyezd was abolished and merged into Kashinsky Uyezd. On October 3, 1927 Kashinsky Uyezd was abolished and split between Bezhetsky and Kimrsky Uyezds. On 12 August 1929, Tver Governorate was abolished, and the area was transferred to Moscow Oblast. Uyezds were abolished as well, and Kalyazinsky District, with the administrative center in Kalyazin, was established within Kimry Okrug of Moscow Oblast. On July 23, 1930, the okrugs were abolished, and the districts were directly subordinated to the oblast. On January 29, 1935 Kalinin Oblast was established, and Kalyazinsky District was transferred to Kalinin Oblast. On February 13, 1963, during the abortive Khrushchyov administrative reform, Kalyazinsky District was merged into Kimrsky District, but on March 4, 1964 it was re-established. In 1990, Kalinin Oblast was renamed Tver Oblast. In the 1930s, during the construction of the Uglich Reservoir, the historic part of Kalyazin, including the Makaryev Monastery, was submerged under water. On July 12, 1929 Nerlsky District with the administrative center in the selo of Nerl was created as well. It was a part of Kimry Okrug of Moscow Oblast. On July 1, 1936 it was transferred to Kalinin Oblast. On July 4, 1956 the district was abolished and merged into Kalyazinsky District.
Economy
Industry
Two factories in Kalyazin one producing oil extraction equipment and another one manufacturing some parts of MiG airplanes, are responsible for 42% of the total industrial production of the district. Chemical, food, leather, and textile industry are present as well.
Agriculture
The main agricultural specializations of the district are cattle breeding with meat and milk production, as well as flax growing. As of 2014, there were 25 large- and mid-size farms in the district.
Transportation
The railway connecting Moscow via Kimry with Uglich crosses the district from west to east and runs through Kalyazin. There is infrequent passenger traffic. Kalyazin is connected by roads with Sergiyev Posad, Uglich, and Tver and Kimry via Kashin. There are local roads as well. There is bus traffic originating from Kalyazin. The Volga is navigable, however, there is no passenger navigation.
Culture and recreation
The district contains twenty-eight cultural heritage monuments of federal significance and additionally forty-two objects classified as cultural and historical heritage of local significance. The district landmark is the Kalyazin Bell Tower, submerged by the Uglich Reservoir and located only partially above the water level. Other federal monuments include the ensemble of administrative buildings and living houses in the center of Kalyazin, the Ascencion and the Epiphany Churches in Kalyazin, the Epiphany Church in the village of Semendyayevo, and the estates of Kalabriyevo and Rylovo, as well as an archeological site. The Kalyazin District Museum is located in Kalyazin.
