Russia is a country with a centuries-old history, which has a huge territory. There are several dozens of nationalities living in different regions of the Russian Federation. Each of these regions joined Russia in a certain period: someone recently, and someone five hundred thousand years ago. Accordingly, cities appeared at different times. But which of them bear the proud title of "the oldest cities in Russia"?
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Ryazan Population: 532,772 people
Ryazan opens our top most ancient cities in the country. The name of the city came from the territory of the principality, which was located on the right bank of the Oka in the early 11th century. Tourism in Ryazan is widely developed, because the land on which it is built is the oldest territory of Russia. Here there is something to see: the St. John the Theological Monastery, the Trinity Monastery, the Ryazan Historical Museum-Reserve and much more.
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Yaroslavl Population: 603,961 people
One of the oldest cities in Russia dates back to 1010 years. In the past, Yaroslavl proudly wore the title of "the city of a hundred churches."Now they are only thirty. You can see all the churches in one day. In Yaroslavl, many old cathedrals and monuments of architecture are preserved, which is not surprising, because it is part of the Golden Ring of Russia. The most important sight in the historical center of the city is the Transfiguration Cathedral( not to be confused with the monastery of the same name), built in 1516.
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Kazan Population: 1 205 651 people
Kazan was founded in 1005 as an outpost on the border of the Volga Bulgaria. One of the most ancient cities of Russia has a centuries-old rich history and unique cultural and historical heritage. It is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. One of the main attractions in the city is the Kazan Kremlin, built of white brick. And the Kul Sharif mosque is considered the main symbol of the Republic of Tatarstan.
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Vladimir Population: 362 581 people
The city-museum was founded in 990.It is one of the oldest in the country, it is part of the Golden Ring of Russia. About Vladimir say: "Even the city's hospitals, shops and pharmacies are monuments of architecture built by our ancestors."And there is no exaggeration in this description. Many houses in the city are more than 300 years old. And the world-famous Golden Gate, the Assumption and Dmitrievsky cathedrals are included in the UNESCO list.
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Murom Population: 110 746
The first mention of Murom is slipped in the "Tale of Bygone Years".It was from this ancient source that the origin of the city's name was established. In ancient times, one of the tribes of Finno-Ugric origin called "Murom" lived on this territory.
Prince Vladimir in 988 gave the city in control of his son Gleb. It was he who became the first ruler of Murom. Tourists will be interested to see the Savior-Transfiguration Monastery, which is the oldest in the country.
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Suzdal Population: 9978 people
In ancient sources there are several references to this city. One is dated 1024 year. It describes the revolt of the Magi. The second, 999 year, which says that Suzdal was founded as a result of the merger of several settlements.
Currently one of the oldest cities in the Golden Ring of Russia. On its territory there is a huge number of monuments, equal to which there is nowhere else in the country.
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Smolensk Population: 330 049 people
The hero city was first mentioned in 946 in the "Tale of Bygone Years" as a settlement of the Krivichi tribe. And twenty years later Prince Oleg took Smolensk and annexed him to Ancient Rus. Prince of the city, he made his son Igor, but he, on an adolescence could not perform administrative functions, so Smolensk was controlled from Kiev.
Among the main attractions of the ancient city of Russia is worth noting Borisoglebsky Monastery, the Church of St. John the Theologian, and the Assumption Cathedral.
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Veliky Novgorod Population: 221,954 people
This ancient city was built in 859 year. It can rightly be called unique, because such monuments of architecture are not found in any other city in the world. And the atmosphere of Novgorod, which received the bronze rating of the oldest cities in the country, can not be confused with anything. This is due to the fact that the city was built on the site where many important events took place in Russia.
Tourists should see the main attraction of Veliky Novgorod - St. Sophia Cathedral. It is often called the religious center of the country. And the Novgorod Kremlin is one of the most beautiful buildings in the country.
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Staraya Ladoga Population: 2012 people
Staraya Ladoga, which took second place in the ranking of the oldest cities in Russia, was founded in 753.But historical evidence shows that even before the founding of the city, people lived here. It is interesting that the first prince of Ancient Rus - Rurik, was a native of Staraya Ladoga.
As the city was close to the territories of hostile states, it was the first outpost on the way of foreigners. It was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt.
The wooden fortress of the Old Ladoga in the 9th century was replaced with a stone one, which allowed it to become the first fortress in the country from this material.
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Derbent Population: 121,251 people
Derbent is considered to be the oldest city in Russia. After all, its history totals as much as 5,000 years! It was founded when Ancient Rus still did not exist in the project. The earliest mention of the city dates from the sources of the 6th century BC.But then it was called the Caspian Gate. The structure of the Russian Empire Derbent entered only in 1813, after the signing of a truce with Persia. Possessing such a long history, it would be surprising if the city did not have ancient monuments. Of the most famous: built in the 8th century Juma Mosque, and the fortress of Naryn-Kala, 2500 years old.
From this article the reader will learn about the existence of the oldest cities in Russia and how old they are. Get interesting information about the history of these cities and major sights.
