Chekhov is a town and the administrative center of Chekhovsky District in Moscow Oblast, Russia. Population: 56,000 (1985). It was previously known as Lopasnya (until 1954).

History

Originally named Lopasnya (Лопа́сня), after the Lopasnya River, it was granted town status and given its present name in 1954 in honor of writer Anton Chekhov. Nazi Germany occupied Lopasnya from November 23 to December 12, 1941.

Administrative and municipal status

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Chekhov serves as the administrative center of Chekhovsky District. As an administrative division, it is incorporated within Chekhovsky District as the Town of Chekhov. As a municipal division, the Town of Chekhov is incorporated within Chekhovsky Municipal District as Chekhov Urban Settlement.

Military

Near Chekhov is the Russian General Staff wartime command post, buried deep underground.

Religion

On the outskirts of Chekhov lies the Davidov Hermitage, reputedly the richest monastery in Russia. It contains many churches from the 17th and 18th centuries.

Twin towns and sister cities

Chekhov is twinned with:

Sources