Settled within the Frunzensky District, did you know that lies Kupchino? It is an informal name for a significant part of Saint Petersburg.
Kupchino is more than just a district. It is one of the largest residential areas in the city. About 410000 people call it home. Kupchino is located in the south of St. Petersburg.
For that reason it’s often called a city within a city.
The name “Kupchino” comes from the small village of Kupchinova. That village once stood where the Kupchino metro station is today. The first written records of this name date back to the early 17th century.
Let’s journey back to the 17th century. The area was under Swedish control. Swedes started a census to create a new tax system. In 1619, Swedish census takers reached Kupchino. They counted four yards. Four taxable householders lived there. By 1643, the hamlet had seven households.
The village existed even earlier. During the Russian-Swedish War, its population was larger. Orthodox inhabitants left fearing oppression from the new authorities.
The village was founded in the mid-16th century. Russian colonists actively reclaimed the northern lands then. The name relates to the Russian words “kupetz” and “pokupka” meaning merchant and purchase.
After 1658, the name transformed. The Swedish maps called it Kupsilla, Cubsilda, Kupsila or Kupsillda. Kupsilla became common. It was also used on Russian maps.
In 1702, the land became part of Russia again. In 1711, villages along the River Setuy were given to the Alexander Nevsky Monastery. This included Kupsilla. After St. Petersburg was founded, Slavs returned. The name Kupchino replaced Kupsilla.
By 1713, there were five peasant households and five landless peasants. In 1714, the hamlet was given to Tsarevich Alexey Petrovich. After his death, it went back to Alexander Nevsky Monastery.
In 1903, villagers decided to build a temple. The church was built at the expense of peasants. The famous St. Petersburg philanthropist Ivan Shustrov helped too. Engineer Vasiliy Sarandinaki designed it. The church was named after St. Gerasimos. It was hallowed on November 1 1906.
After the church was built, the hamlet was officially called a village.
Many prominent people have called Kupchino home. This includes Dmitry Medvedev, Grigori Perelman and more.
Today, Kupchino continues to evolve. It balances its historical roots with modern life. It is a vibrant part of St. Petersburg.