Vazhiny was first mentioned in the 16th century as Vazhinsky Pogostm a settlement of Novgorodians. The area was relatively unpopulated until the 18th century, when the Mariinsky Canal System, which included the Svir River, was opened. In the 19th century, the extensive timber logging started, and the selo of Vazhiny was formally established in 1900, to serve logging, timber trade, and timber transport along the Svir.[2] At the time, Vazhiny was a part of Olonetsky Uyezd of Olonets Governorate. In 1922, Olonets Governorate was abolished, and Olonetsky Uyezd was abolished as well. Vazhiny was transferred into Lodeynopolsky Uyezd of Petrograd Governorate (later Leningrad Oblast).[9]
On August 1, 1927, the uyezds in Leningrad Oblast were abolished, and Podporozhsky District with the administrative center in Podporozhye was established. It was a part of Lodeynoye Pole Okrug of Leningrad Oblast and included areas formerly belonging to Lodeynopolsky Uyezd. Vazhiny became a part of the district. In 1932, the administrative center of the district was moved to Vazhiny, due to the construction of the Upper Svir Hydroelectric Station, but on September 11, 1938 the district center was moved back to Podroporozhye. Between September 1941 and July 1944, during World War II, Vazhiny was occupied by Finnish troops.[10] In 1970, Vazhiny was granted urban-type settlement status.[2]
Economy
Industry
The economy of Vazhiny is based on timber industry.[11]
Transportation
Vazhiny is connected by road with Podporozhye and have an access to a paved road connecting Lodeynoye Pole with Vytegra, as well as to the road connecting Podporozhye and Olonets.
The Svir River is navigable and is a part of the Volga–Baltic Waterway, connecting the basins of the Volga and the Neva Rivers. There is regular cruise and cargo traffic along the waterway.
Culture and recreation
The Resurrection Church
Vazhiny is a part of so-called Podporozhye Ring, which includes some of the best samples of wooden ecclesiastical architecture in Leningrad Oblast. The settlement contains the wooden Resurrection Church (1630).[12]
^Лодейнопольский район (с августа 1927) (in Russian). Система классификаторов исполнительных органов государственной власти Санкт-Петербурга. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
Законодательное собрание Ленинградской области. Областной закон №32-оз от 15 июня 2010 г. «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Ленинградской области и порядке его изменения», в ред. Областного закона №23-оз от 8 мая 2014 г. «Об объединении муниципальных образований "Приморское городское поселение" Выборгского района Ленинградской области и "Глебычевское сельское поселение" Выборгского района Ленинградской области и о внесении изменений в отдельные Областные законы». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Вести", №112, 23 июня 2010 г. (Legislative Assembly of Leningrad Oblast. Oblast Law #32-oz of June 15, 2010 On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Leningrad Oblast and on the Procedures for Its Change, as amended by the Oblast Law #23-oz of May 8, 2014 On Merging the Municipal Formations of "Primorskoye Urban Settlement" in Vyborgsky District of Leningrad Oblast and "Glebychevskoye Rural Settlement" in Vyborgsky District of Leningrad Oblast and on Amending Various Oblast Laws. Effective as of the day of the official publication.).
Законодательное собрание Ленинградской области. Областной закон №32-оз от 15 июня 2010 г. «Об административно-территориальном устройстве Ленинградской области и порядке его изменения», в ред. Областного закона №23-оз от 8 мая 2014 г. «Об объединении муниципальных образований "Приморское городское поселение" Выборгского района Ленинградской области и "Глебычевское сельское поселение" Выборгского района Ленинградской области и о внесении изменений в отдельные Областные законы». Вступил в силу со дня официального опубликования. Опубликован: "Вести", №112, 23 июня 2010 г. (Legislative Assembly of Leningrad Oblast. Oblast Law #32-oz of June 15, 2010 On the Administrative-Territorial Structure of Leningrad Oblast and on the Procedures for Its Change, as amended by the Oblast Law #23-oz of May 8, 2014 On Merging the Municipal Formations of "Primorskoye Urban Settlement" in Vyborgsky District of Leningrad Oblast and "Glebychevskoye Rural Settlement" in Vyborgsky District of Leningrad Oblast and on Amending Various Oblast Laws. Effective as of the day of the official publication.).
Законодательное собрание Ленинградской области. Областной закон №51-оз от 1 сентября 2004 г. «Об установлении границ и наделении соответствующим статусом муниципального образования Подпорожский муниципальный район и муниципальных образований в его составе», в ред. Областного закона №17-оз от 6 мая 2010 г «О внесении изменений в некоторые областные законы в связи с принятием федерального закона "О внесении изменений в отдельные законодательные акты Российской Федерации в связи с совершенствованием организации местного самоуправления"». Вступил в силу через 10 дней со дня официального опубликования (24 сентября 2004 г.). Опубликован: "Вестник Правительства Ленинградской области", №27, 14 сентября 2004 г. (Legislative Assembly of Leningrad Oblast. Oblast Law #51-oz of September 1, 2004 On Establishing the Borders of and Granting an Appropriate Status to the Municipal Formation of Podporozhsky Municipal District and to the Municipal Formations Comprised By It, as amended by the Oblast Law #17-oz of May 6, 2010 On Amending Various Oblast Laws Due to the Adoption of the Federal Law "On Amending Various Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation Due to the Improvement of the Organization of the Local Self-Government". Effective as of after 10 days from the day of the official publication (September 24 2004).).