Velikiye Luki, Industrial city in Pskov Oblast, Russia
Velikiye Luki is an urban okrug in Pskov Oblast, Russia, that stretches along the Lovat River and covers several districts. The old fortress ramparts form a green ring in the center, while the outer neighborhoods consist of residential blocks and industrial facilities.
The settlement first appears in chronicles from 1166 under the name Luki and received a fortress in 1211 to protect trade routes between Novgorod and the western regions. During World War II the city was almost completely destroyed in heavy fighting and was later rebuilt.
The name combines the word for great with an old Slavic term for river bend, referring to its location on the winding Lovat. Today the city serves as a crossroads for travelers between the Baltic regions and central Russia.
The city lies on the main railway line between Moscow and the Baltic states, providing train connections in multiple directions. The central part with the old earthworks can be explored on foot, while local buses are available for reaching the outer districts.
The defense lasted more than two months during the winter of 1942 to 1943 and required several Soviet offensives to liberate the city. This resistance earned it the unofficial nickname Small Stalingrad, which it still carries today.
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