DOR'PAT, formerly also written D oRPT (Russian official name Yuricv, Esth. Tarto lin, Lett. Tchrpat(t). A town in the Russian Government of Livonia. on the Embach. 163 miles southwest of Saint Petersburg (Map: Rus sia, C 3). The Domberg. situated at the north west extremity of the town, was formerly occu pied by a citadel, a cathedral, and a bishop's palace: it now is the site of an observatory, a library, and a number of buildings connected with the university. Dorpat has a number of Protestant churches, a town hall, a monument to Barclay de Tolly, a native of Dorpat, fine promenades, and a botanical garden. The town is protected by dikes from the overflowing of the Embach. Besides its famous university, Dor pat contains a teachers' seminary, a veterinary school, several gymnasia. and a number of scien tific societies. In industrial importance Dor pat occupies in Livonia a position next to Riga. There are a number of manufacturing establish ments, and the commerce is of considerable volume. The population, 42.421 in 1897, con
sisted principally of Esthonians and Germans, also sonic 11ussian: and .Jews. The official language is Russian, lint German is spoken by a large proportion of the inhabitants. 1)or pat is believed to have been founded by Prince Varo.slav 1. in 10:30. With its capture by the Teutonic Knights in 1225 the town became the seat of a bishop and subsequently a commercial centre. and a member of the Ilanseatie League. In 1539 it was captured by the Russians. who in 1582 ceded it to Polaml. It was subsequently taken by the Swedes, the Poles, and the Rus sians. In 1704 it came into the permanent pos session of Russia. In 1708 the Russians nearly destroyed the town and removed the inhabitants to the interior 111 Russia. Consult Hausinann..1us der tiesehichte der Stadt Dorpat (Dorpat. 1872).