Shatsk is a Russian town (from 1553), the administrative center of the Shatsk District of the Ryazan Region.

It is located 160 kilometers to the east of Ryazan and 350 kilometers away from Moscow, on the left bank of River Shacha (influx of Tsna).

The town with the population of 6307 people (as of 2014) takes the overall area of 8 sq km.

History of Shatsk

It was founded in 1553 as a fortified military post for defense of the southern boundaries of the Russian State and was originally named the Shatsky township. It was the most eastern point on the border line. It was a wooden stockade town surrounded with a ditch. Riflemen, gunners and Cossacks were its first settlers.

In 1774 Shatsk dwellers took part in the Peasant War (1773-75) under the leadership of Emelyan Pugachyov.

In 1708 Shatsk was attributed to the Azov Province (the Voronezh Province from 1725), and was its centre from 1719. From 1779 it was the district town of the Tambov Province.

In the 18th -19th centuries it was a large center for common hemp trade. Various crafts were developed there.

In 1856 the district town of Shatsk of the Tambov Province had 10 churches, 712 houses, and 33 shops.

Architecture and Sights

The Cherneevo-Nikolsky Monastery (17-19 centuries) is located in Starocherneevo Village that stands 18 km away from Shatsk.