Bezhetsky District
Staritsa () is a town and the administrative center of Staritsky District of Tver Oblast, located on the Volga River, from Tver, with population of 8,607 (2010). Staritsa located not far from Osipov's native Bezhetsky District. The town was established in 1297 under the name of Gorodok (), lit. "small town"). Since the 15th century, the town has been called Staritsa. In the 15th century, the local principality was ruled by Ivan III's son Andrey, and then by Andrey's son Vladimir. While Ivan the Terrible had no children, Vladimir was regarded by boyars as his only heir. As the Tsar suspected Staritsa's ruler of plotting against him, Vladimir and his children were forced to take poison. The opulence of Staritsa during Vladimir's reign can be seen in the Assumption abbey. Later in 1775, Staritsa became a center of an uyezd.