Yarensk
# Yarensk

Yarensk (Russian: Я́ренск) is a rural locality (a selo) and the administrative center of Lensky District of Arkhangelsk Oblast, Russia, located on the bank of the Vychegda River near its confluence with the Yarenga. Population: 3,660 (2010 Census); 4,085 (2002 Census); 4,246 (1989 Census).

## History

The town of Yarensk was documented as early as 1384 as a station on the road leading from Novgorod to the Ural Mountains. In the Russian Empire, it was the seat of a huge uyezd within Vologda Governorate. Much of the present-day Komi Republic was administered from Yarensk. The Tsar used the town as a place of exile, most notably for Prince Vasily Galitzine.

In 1924, the town was demoted in status to that of a rural locality.

## Culture

The modern village has a mid-18th century Orthodox cathedral adapted for use as a local history museum.

## Yarensk in fiction

Yarensk was one of the Russian towns visited by Robinson Crusoe in Defoe's novel.

