Verkhny Mamon is a village in the Voronezh region with an unusual name for modern people. To date, this settlement does not even have the official status of a city, and this despite the ancient and rich history. What is remarkable about this village, are there any interesting sights in it and when was it founded?
From time immemorial to the present day…
The official date of foundation of Upper Mamon is 1702. It is believed that it was then that the outpost of the Ostrogozhsky regiment appeared on the Mamonka River. According to some versions, the original settlement was called Mamodinovy. There are historical documents that say that in 1731 the village had its own church. In 1771 the Kazan Church was built. Neighboring villages on the banks of the Don - Osetrovka and Lower Mamon - were founded by settlers from Upper Mamon closer to the middle of the eighteenth century. These settlements still exist today. According to the "census" for 1798, Upper Mamon is a village inwhere 1368 men and 1401 women permanently resided. During the existence of the settlement, the population increased. As of 2010, about 8,500 people live in Upper Mamon.
Origin of the unusual name
In the ancient Greek language there was a word "mamomas", which can literally be translated into modern Russian as "property" or "state". Remarkably, the Greeks borrowed it from the Hebrew language. The word “mammon” came to the Russian language from ancient Greek, meaning already “natural we alth” or “treasures of the earth”. It is from this definition that the river Mamonovka got its name. According to historical evidence, in the old days, local lands were distinguished by fertility, many different animals were found in the forests. It is not surprising that the new settlement was named Upper Mamon.
History of the village during the Great Patriotic War
This settlement is also known as a place of military glory of Soviet soldiers during the Great Patriotic War. In 1942, on December 16, Operation "Small Saturn" was launched near the village - the soldiers of the Red Army launched an offensive. The Soviet fighters managed to cope with the task, the enemy defense was broken through, and just before the New Year, they managed to liberate all the occupied settlements in the area. But, despite such a successful military operation, the village of Upper Mamon remembers not only the heroic deed of Soviet soldiers. During the entire period of the Great Patriotic War, more than 1,500 fighters died at the front,born in this locality.
Interesting facts about Upper Mammon
In total, about 60 archaeologically significant sites have been discovered in this ancient village and its environs. There are real monuments of nature and architecture in the area. The Don River itself is a real attraction. But still, the calling card of the nature of these places is considered to be "Nevestin Klyuch" - an area near the Gnilusha River, where groundwater comes to the surface in the form of fountains and springs. At different times, famous people and significant historical figures passed through the village, and sometimes stopped in this area. There are among them representatives of royal families, and famous poets and writers. The village of Verkhny Mamon (Voronezh region) is also the birthplace of many figures from various fields who have received public recognition. Over the years, the following were born here: Hero of the Soviet Union Barbarashinov Mikhail Nikanorovich, architect Shaforostova Natalya Ivanovna, laureate of the Lenin Prize Mukonin Vasily Fedotovich, writer and journalist Kotenko Vladimir Mikhailovich and many other talented and outstanding our compatriots.
Modern history of Upper Mamon
Today Upper Mamon is a fairly large settlement, a regional center. Various enterprises operate in the village, including several large food industries, construction organizations and farms. The settlement boasts a modern developed infrastructure, it has a large hospital, several clinics,institutions of preschool and secondary education. A local lyceum with several areas of specialized education is something that Upper Mamon can be proud of. Voronezh is the nearest city where you can get a higher education. But what is especially pleasant is that students can get excellent preparation for entering a university in their native village. There are many historical and natural attractions in Upper Mamon and its surroundings. However, this area is most popular among travelers who prefer ecotourism. In the village or its surroundings, you can stay for a few days - with a tent or by renting a room from local residents. In the summer, it is incredibly beautiful here, there are many berries and mushrooms in the nearby forests, and the rivers are suitable for swimming and fishing.
