title: Meshchovsk
text: # Meshchovsk
  
  Meshchovsk (Russian: Мещо́вск) is a town and the administrative center of Meshchovsky District in Kaluga Oblast, Russia, located on the Tureya River 85 kilometers (53 mi) southwest of Kaluga, the administrative center of the oblast. Population: 3,810 (2021 Census); 4,100 (2010 Census); 4,540 (2002 Census); 5,382 (1989 Census).
  
  ## History
  
     Principality of Mezetsk 1238–ca. 1400 Grand Duchy of Lithuania ca. 1400–1503 Grand Duchy of Moscow 1503–1547 Tsardom of Russia 1547–1721  Russian Empire 1721–1917 Russian Republic 1917 Soviet Russia 1917–1922  Soviet Union 1922–1991  Russian Federation 1991–present
  
  It was first mentioned in Russian chronicles in connection with the Mongol invasion of Rus' in 1238. During the Middle Ages it was the patrimony of Princes Mezetsky.
  
  Catherine the Great granted it town rights in 1776.
  
  During World War II, Meshchovsk was occupied by the German Army from October 7, 1941 to January 7, 1942.
  
  ## Administrative and municipal status
  
  Within the framework of administrative divisions, Meshchovsk serves as the administrative center of Meshchovsky District, to which it is directly subordinated. As a municipal division, the town of Meshchovsk, together with forty-eight rural localities, is incorporated within Meshchovsky Municipal District as Meshchovsk Urban Settlement.
  
  ## Architecture
  
  Notable buildings include the old (1678–1696) and new (1829–1854) Orthodox cathedrals, both dedicated to the feast of the Annunciation.
  
  ## Notable people
  
  It was the birthplace in 1846 of Vyacheslav von Plehve, the German-descended director of the Imperial Russian Police and later Minister of the Interior.
  
  