Swijaschsk – a historic town in the Volga region, located entirely on a small island in nearly perfect round shape. The area is 62.7 hectares. The island is situated at the point where two tributaries of the Volga converge: on one side, it is washed by the Swijaga River (which gave Swijaschsk its name), and on the other side by the Schtschuka. Near the island is the place where the Swijaga flows into the wide Volga.

The geography of this area is varied, contributing to its picturesque nature. The island with Swijaschsk lies as if in a bay – in a large water "pocket" formed by the Swijaga and Schtschuka on the right bank of the Volga. Surrounding it are many small islands, peninsulas, and sandbanks.

From an administrative perspective, Swijaschsk is a village. At the same time, it is a nature reserve called "Island Town Swijaschsk." The entire area of the island is registered as a historical settlement – a protected cultural asset. It has historical, scenic, and architectural-artistic significance.

Swijaschsk has an unusual history: it was… brought from Uglitsch. In the literal sense: in the form of a dismantled wooden fortress. When he wanted to conquer the Khanate of Kazan, Tsar Ivan the Terrible ordered the construction of a fortress near Kazan in a short time, where his troops could be stationed. The site was chosen 30 km from the capital of the Khanate. At that time, these lands were not yet flooded, so the area of Swijaschsk was not an island.

The fortress was brought from Uglitsch and rebuilt on the banks of the Volga in four weeks. Thus, the town of Swijaschsk was established in 1551. The founding date of the fortress and the birthday of the town is dated to May 24. In terms of the quality of the fortifications, Swijaschsk was compared to Novgorod and Pskov.

Three years later, when Kazan became part of the Moscow state, large-scale construction of Orthodox temples and monasteries began in the Khanate, and Swijaschsk became one of the main "outposts" of Christianity in the Volga lands. By the way, the first monastery – the Trinity-Sergius Monastery – was founded here in 1551. In 1555, another monastery – the Swijaschsk Dormition Monastery – was founded, which is still active today under the name Dormition Monastery.

While the first monastery belonged to the Moscow Trinity-Sergius Monastery, thus being a kind of "branch," the Dormition Monastery became completely independent for the region: it was founded in the year the Diocese of Kazan was established. The founder and first abbot was Hermann of Kazan and Swijaschsk, who is referred to as a saint of the Volga region.

In the following centuries until the October Revolution, Swijaschsk was referred to as a "monastery town." This was associated with the high concentration of monastery temples in a small area. However, the population of Swijaschsk at that time was 15 times larger than today: at the beginning of the 20th century, about 3000 people lived here. The town had the status of a Ujesd town.