Bronnitsy

Bronnitsy began as the village of Bronniche on the road from Moscow toward Kolomna. Its first known written mention comes in the will of Sophia Vitovtovna, widow of Grand Prince Vasily I, who left it to her grandson Yuri in 1453. The village and its meadows later served the needs of the grand-princely and royal household.

In 1618 Cossacks serving the Polish side under Hetman Sahaidachny devastated Bronniche during the Time of Troubles. A royal mare stable was established here by 1634, and villagers cared for horses and supplied fodder and hay from the extensive flood meadows. The settlement’s position on the road also brought travellers and armies through it. Bronnitsy received town status under Catherine II, bringing new administrative importance to the old royal village.