# Staritsa Candle Factory > Explore the candle-making heritage of Staritsa and Zelino: the factory opening in 1893, wax candles, archival sources and fifteen chapters of Russian history. On 21 February 1893, Staritsa Candle Factory opened in Zelino, in the Staritsa district of Tver Governorate. The heritage of wax production, candle making and cultural memory. Zelino 1893 is a related, separate project. https://www.staritsa.org/en/ [Zelino 1893](https://zelino.ru/) ## A candle-making heritage Staritsa Candle Factory opened in Zelino on 21 February 1893. Its story belongs to a candle-making heritage in which material, light and memory take shape. Staritsa Candle Factory produced both wax and candles. Its heritage brings together wax production, the skill of candle makers and the traditions of candlelight. [The opening recorded · 1893](https://www.staritsa.org/history/scenes/factory-archive.webp) ## Light through the ages ### 988 — The Christianisation of Rus’ The baptism of Rus’ under Prince Vladimir marked a turning point in spiritual and cultural life. The Christian tradition brought the lighting of wax candles in churches. Their light accompanied prayer, while beeswax linked church life to the work of forest beekeepers and candle makers. About this image: Viktor Vasnetsov. The Baptism of Prince Vladimir, 1885–1893. A later artistic depiction of the event. Public domain — according to the Wikimedia Commons record Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vasnetsov%20Bapt%20Vladimir%20fresco%20in%20Kiev.jpg Historical source: https://www.prlib.ru/news/2135422 ### 1380 — The Battle of Kulikovo Dmitry Donskoy’s army defeated Mamai’s forces on the field of Kulikovo. The battle entered chronicles and legend. Medieval Rus’ also lived by craft and trade: wax passed through Novgorod to Europe, where it was made into church candles. About this image: Miniature from The Tale of the Battle with Mamai, 17th century. A later artistic depiction of the event. Public domain — according to the Wikimedia Commons record Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Battle%20of%20Kulikovo%2017th%20century%20miniature.jpg Historical source: https://kulpole.ru/places/pole-bitvy ### 1613 — The Romanov dynasty begins After the Time of Troubles, the Assembly of the Land elected Mikhail Romanov as tsar. Recovery and Romanov rule began. Before electricity, light reflected wealth: costly wax candles stood alongside cheaper tallow candles, while pine splints remained common in peasant homes. About this image: Portrait of Mikhail Romanov, 1680s, Russian Museum. Photograph: Shakko, 2012. Cropped and toned. CC BY-SA 3.0 Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mikhail%20of%20Russia%20(1680s%2C%20GRM).jpg Historical source: https://www.prlib.ru/romanovy_3 ### 1703 — The founding of St Petersburg Peter I founded St Petersburg on the Neva. The new city formed part of changes in trade, naval power and everyday life. Electric light was still far away: candles and oil lamps lit the evenings, and candle making remained an essential urban craft. About this image: Alexey Zubov. Panoramic View of St Petersburg, 1716. The city depicted after its founding. Public domain — according to the Wikimedia Commons record Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alexey%20Zubov%20-%20Panoramic%20View%20of%20St.%20Petersburg.jpg Historical source: https://www.prlib.ru/history/619267 ### 1721 — The Russian Empire After the Great Northern War, Peter I assumed the title of emperor. Russia entered its imperial era. Candlelight linked ceremonial halls with chandeliers and candelabra, domestic rooms and church services. Behind that light lay the daily work of craftspeople. About this image: Jean-Marc Nattier. Portrait of Peter I, 1717. Painted before he assumed the imperial title. Public domain — according to the Wikimedia Commons record Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jean-Marc%20Nattier%2C%20Pierre%20Ier%20(1717).jpg Historical source: https://www.prlib.ru/node/619684 ### 1812 — The war of 1812 Napoleon’s invasion, the Battle of Borodino and the abandonment of Moscow brought severe trials. Under Mikhail Kutuzov, the Russian army continued the struggle that ended in the invaders’ expulsion. In this story, the candle remembers those who died and those who would rebuild peaceful life. About this image: George Dawe. Portrait of Mikhail Kutuzov, 1829, Hermitage Museum. A posthumous portrait. Public domain — according to the Wikimedia Commons record Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kutuzov2%20by%20Daw.jpg Historical source: https://www.prlib.ru/1812_3-2 ### 1861 — The emancipation of the serfs Alexander II signed the emancipation manifesto. Society, industry and domestic life were changing in the 19th century. Advances in chemistry brought stearin and paraffin candles, and factory production grew in Russia. The Krestovnikov brothers’ factory in Kazan had produced stearin candles since 1855. About this image: Portrait of Alexander II, circa 1874. Attribution: W. & D. Downey; Library and Archives Canada, C-010136. Public domain — according to the Wikimedia Commons record Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Zar%20Alexander%20II%20(cropped).jpg Historical source: https://www.prlib.ru/item/466031 ### 1893 — Staritsa Candle Factory opens On 21 February 1893, Staritsa Candle Factory opened in Zelino, in the Staritsa district of Tver Governorate. The Herald of the Military Clergy reported its opening and consecration. About this image: The Herald of the Military Clergy, no. 7, 1 April 1893, p. 219. Scan supplied by the project owner. Archival scan supplied by the owner Source: https://www.staritsa.org/history/scenes/factory-archive.webp ### 1917 — The abdication of Nicholas II The abdication of Nicholas II ended Romanov rule. The two revolutions of 1917 changed the state and millions of lives. Urban lighting was changing too: candles already shared their place with kerosene lamps and electricity. A familiar object gradually gave way to new technologies. About this image: Saloon of the imperial train. Photographer unknown, 1910s. The photograph’s date differs from that of the event. Public domain — according to the Wikimedia Commons record Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Wagon%20Salon%20of%20Nikolay%20II.jpg Historical source: https://www.prlib.ru/section/683033 ### 1918 — Remembering the imperial family Nicholas II, his family and the people with them were killed in Yekaterinburg. Civil war divided the country; the formation of Soviet society lay ahead. A family photograph recalls the individual lives behind historical dates, while the candle flame becomes an image of mourning. About this image: Family portrait of Nicholas II, 1913. File attribution: Boasson and Eggler. The photograph predates the events of 1918. Public domain — according to the Wikimedia Commons record Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Russian%20Imperial%20Family%201913.jpg Historical source: https://statearchive.ru/483 ### 1945 — Victory and remembrance Victory in the Great Patriotic War brought peace after immense losses. Homecomings, the rebuilding of cities and lasting remembrance of those who did not return followed. Today, candles at commemorations connect family histories with the shared memory of war. About this image: Soviet and British military leaders at the Brandenburg Gate, 12 July 1945. Official War Office photographer; Imperial War Museums, TR 2913. Photographed after Victory Day. Public domain — according to the Wikimedia Commons record Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Allies%20at%20the%20Brandenburg%20Gate%2C%201945.jpg Historical source: https://www.prlib.ru/history/619229 ### 1961 — The first human spaceflight On 12 April, Yuri Gagarin became the first human to fly into space. Science and technology opened a new horizon, and electric light became part of everyday life. Candles were needed less often for ordinary illumination, yet remained in homes, celebrations and religious tradition. About this image: Yuri Gagarin at a press conference in Helsinki, 3 July 1961. Arto Jousi; Finnish Museum of Photography, Uusi Suomi collection. Photographed after the flight. Public domain — according to the Wikimedia Commons record Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yuri%20Gagarin%20(1961).jpg Historical source: https://projects.rusarchives.ru/12april/polet.php ### 1988 — A millennium of Christianity in Rus’ The millennium of the baptism of Rus’ became a notable event of the late Soviet period and an occasion to revisit spiritual heritage. A church candle recalled a tradition carried through centuries. The story returns to its beginnings before continuing into a new era. About this image: Patriarch Pimen at the millennium celebrations in Moscow, June 1988. Viktor Akhlomov; Moscow Main Archive / Mos.ru. Derivatives: cropping, resizing and toning of the reflection. CC BY 4.0 Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:1000th%20anniversary%20of%20the%20Christianization%20of%20Rus'%20in%20Moscow%2001.jpg Historical source: https://www.mos.ru/news/item/110601073/ ### 1991 — The Russian Federation The dissolution of the USSR opened a new historical period. On 25 December, the Russian SFSR was renamed the Russian Federation. Institutions and daily life changed, while family and cultural traditions connected generations. Candles retained their place in prayer, celebration and remembrance. About this image: The present-day national flag of the Russian Federation. A symbolic image, not an archival photograph from 1991; the current design dates from 1993. Public domain — according to the Wikimedia Commons record Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Flag%20of%20Russia.svg Historical source: https://www.prlib.ru/history/619842 ### Today — Modern Russia. The light continues In modern Russia, candles are lit in churches and homes, at celebrations and in memory of loved ones. The Candle of Memory initiative connects this personal gesture with the country’s shared history. Wax, stearin and paraffin remain candle-making materials. From medieval Rus’ to today, a living flame connects craft, culture and memory. About this image: Candles in Russia during the Christmas season, 8 January 2025. Photograph: Sergey A. Demidov (SergeyA-Russia). Resized; preview and reflection cropped; reflection toned. CC BY 4.0 Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Russia%20Orthodox%20Christmas%20candles.jpg Historical source: https://historyrussia.org/sobytiya/foto/22-iyunya-2022-goda-sostoyalas-memorialnaya-aktsiya-svecha-pamyati-v-muzee-pobedy.html