Kargopol

Kargopol is a town of 13000 in Russia. It is built on both sides of the Onega River in the Kargopolsky district of the Arkhangelsk region not far from Lake Lacha.

It was founded in 1146 by people who moved there from Novgorod.

For several centuries Kargopol was an important trade center. When the cities of Arkhangelsk and Saint Petersburg were built, Kargopol became less important.

Kargopol is famous for its examples of medieval Russian architecture, mainly wooden and stone churches. The earliest of these buildings is the stone Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, completed in 1562.

It is also famous for "Kargopolskie igrushki", literally Kargopol toys. They are small, simple clay figures which have been painted in traditional style.