Veliky Novgorod

Velikiy Novgorod is one of the most ancient cities of Russia located in its North-West, near the site where the Volkhov river takes its waters from Lake Ilmen. Novgorod was first mentioned as a fortress in the chronicles of 859, and this date is accepted as a starting point of the city's age.

However, historians and archaeologists still debate over the exact date of the city's foundation and the location of the "old" city, compared to which the later settlement was considered "new". Prevailing is the point of view that the old city is the so-called "Gorodische" ("abandoned city"), located on the right bank of the Volkhov river, 2 kilometers from contemporary Novgorod.

Starting from the very early stage of its existence, Novgorod had a quite different political order than other Russian cities. At the times of the Kievan Rus', the oldest son of the Great Prince of Kiev traditionally ruled in Novgorod in order to learn the ropes and get skilled. Prince Vladimir, who converted Russia into Christianity, and his son Yaroslav the Wise were among those who occupied Novgorod throne. From the year 1136 and on, Novgorod became "free in princes", which means that princes were invited for a period of time (usually during the wars). He was actually hired on certain conditions which were stated in a contract. If the prince didn't come up to the expectations, he was simply fired and expelled. Moreover, the prince and his troops were forbidden to live within the city borders and hunt nearby.

The history of Novgorod is full of events. Here are the major ones, in chronological order:

859 - Novgorod is first mentioned in the chronicles in relation to the famous trading route "from the Varangians to the Greeks".
862 - Varangian Prince Rurik is invited to rule in Novgorod.
1019 - Prince Yaroslav the Wise grants Novgorod independence from Kiev and rights of a "free city".
1044 - Prince Vladimir starts building stone walls of the Kremlin.
1045 - the first stone cathedral of St. Sophia is founded.
1136 - Novgorod becomes "free in princes" and is now a republic ruled by “Veche”.
1242 - Novgorodians, led by Prince Alexander Nevsky, win the Battle in Ice on the Chudskoye Lake against the Livonian knights.
1471 - Novgorodians loose to the Muskovites the battle on the Shelon' river; annexation of Novgorod to the Moscow kingdom begins.
1478 - The end of the Novgorod Republic.
1570 - Novgorod is defeated and pillaged by Ivan the Terrible.
1611-1617 - Novgorod is occupied by the Swedes.
1706 - the Likhoud brothers found the first Greek and Latin school in Novgorod.
1727 - Novgorod becomes a regional centre.
1862 - the Monument to the Millennium of Russia is opened.
1865 - Museum of the Society of the Antiquity Lovers is opened in Novgorod as the first provincial museum in the Russian Empire.
1941-1945 - Novgorod is occupied by the Nazi.
1951 - the first birch-bark scroll is found during the archaeological excavations.
1997 - Novgorod is awarded a Banner of Honor of the European Council for its achievements in economic and social development.
1999 - the historical name of Veliky Novgorod (Novgorod the Great) is returned to the city.

Starting from the middle of the 20th century, systematic archaeological excavations are held on a large scale within the city borders and at the Rurik's Gorodische.. During this time, archeologists have found over 2 thousand of lead seals, a large number of weaponry, jewelry, household utensils, and various music instruments. The subject of great pride of the historians is over a thousand of birch-bark scrolls of various contents and in a perfect condition.

What about Novgorod today?

Churches and monasteries are the major attractions of Veliky Novgorod. Eventually, out of two hundred churches only 38 survived, although their number is still quite impressive compared to other Russian cities. Some of the churches are functioning as temples, and others are open for visiting as sites of interest.

Other cultural sites include Historical Museum, Museum of Visual Arts, and a marvelous open-air Museum of Wooden Architecture "Vitoslavlitsy". Temporary and permanent exhibitions of visual and applied arts and handicrafts are open. In 1992, architectural monuments of Veliky Novgorod were included in the World Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO.

For those who come for more than one day, the city offers a large variety of hotels of different quality and price levels. Most of the lodging places are situated within 10 minutes of driving from the historical centre. Numerous restaurants, cafes and bars hospitably open their doors to the guests, and in summer-time the number of eateries doubles, when additional tables are taken out into the streets. There also are night-clubs and dancing-clubs, theatres and a modern movie-centre, billiard-clubs and casinos.

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