Mikhailov

a city, the administrative center of Mikhailov Raion, Riazan’ Oblast, RSFSR. Situated on the Pronia River (tributary of the Oka), 68 km southwest of Riazan’. It has a railroad station on the Ozherel’e-Michurinsk line.

Mikhailov was mentioned for the first time in 1546 as a fortified city on Moscow’s border; the settlers were strel’tsy (semi professional musketeers), gunners, and carpenters. In 1618, Mikhailov was besieged for ten days by the Poles. In 1708 it was made part of Moscow Province, and in 1778 it became a district city of Riazan’ Vicegerency, which became Riazan’ Province in 1802. Industry in the city is represented by a factory for non-woven material, a stitching-embroidery and lace factory, and food enterprises, including dairy, meat, and flour-milling combines and a vegetable-canning plant. Mikhailov has an agricultural technicum and a museum of local lore.