Novgorod

Places of Interest - Russia

introduction

Veliky Novgorod is one of the oldest historic cities of Northwestern Russia and is the capital of the Novgorod oblast (region). The name is the same as the authentic Russian and literally means new city. Novgorods became one of the most important political and cultural centers in Northwest Russia that you can still see in the many churches and museums that the city is rich of.

The Kremlin in the heart of the city is the main attraction of Novgorod. The city lies on the river Volchov, six kilometers from its origin in Lake Ilmen. Veliky Novgorod is surrounded by marsh and forest areas, where much peat is put.

highlights

The Kremlin

The Kremlin of Novgorod, the oldest in Russia, overlooks the river Volkhov and is the most famous site in the city. The fortress also known as Detinets covers an area of 12.1 hectares. The wall of the kremlin is 1385 meters long, 3.3 meters thick and almost 11 meters high.

The kremlin was mentioned for the first time in old chronicles in the year 1044, but historians assume that there have already been defensive works from Norwegian saga-times. According to the Novorod chronicles, the towers and walls of the citadel were regularly restored after fires and were replaced by stone towers during the major renovation from 1484 to 1490. This was after the fall of the Republic of Novgorod and the incorporation in Moskovy of the Moscow architecture.

Within the Kremlin you will find, among other things, the Byzantine St. Sophia Cathedral from the year of 1050 which is one of Russia's oldest buildings. The simple exterior of the building provided security against an attack and/or fire. In the 14th century, the domes were added that were most likely the first in this architectural form. During communist times the church was decorated as a museum. The main icon of the cathedral is the symbol of the city's savior who saved the city from an attack by soldiers of the town of Suzdal.

Other attractions in the Kremlin include the 17th century bell tower, the Facets room, the historical museum and the Millennium of Russia monument dating from 1862. This 300-ton sculpture set in 1862, functioning as a grand city symbol contains no less than 127 important Russian figures. The 16 meter high monument has barely survived WWII; the Nazis had already cut them into parts to take back to Germany when they were disturbed by the Russian blitz attack. The entire Kremlin is surrounded by a large park.

Other attractions:

The Yaroslav's court (the old market).

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history

Novgorod was first mentioned in the year 859. According to the sources, the city was already an important trading point on the traderoute from the Varjagen in the north to the Greeks in the south. In 882, leader Oleg conquered the city of Kiev and founded the Kiev Empire. The size of Novgorod and its economic, political and cultural influence made the city the second of the empire. In Norwegian sagas the city is mentioned as the capital of Gardariki (the Norwegian name for the Slavic areas).

No less than four Viking kings used the city as a refuge when they were attacked by enemies. In the period that the Kiev Empire was falling apart, Novgorod had her prince Vsevolod sent home in 1136, which is seen as the traditional beginning of the Republic of Novgorod. The city state of Novgorod was very powerful and controlled the majority of Northeast Europe, from Estonia to Great Perm in the Ural Mountains. This made it one of the largest states of medieval Europe. Although Novgorod was not on the coast, seagoing ships could easily reach the city by river, and soon Veliki Novgorod was the largest trading center in Russia.

Although the city was not a member of the Hanseatic League, this Novgorod was regarded as its most eastern ally. During the Middle Ages, a cultural revival took place in the city. During the Mongol invasion in Roes, Novgorod was not conquered as the only big city of the Roes. The Mongolian armies actually turned about 100 kilometers from the city; not because of the strength of the city, but probably because the Mongolian commanders did not want to sink into the swampy areas around the city. In 1240 the Swedish army suffered a defeat against the Novgorod armies during the Battle of the Neva and in 1242 the advance of the German Order to the east was halted by the Battle on the ice.

However, in the long run, the city proved unable to feed its large population sufficiently and became dependent on Vladimir-Suzdal for the import of grain. In particular, the Grand Duchy of Moscow bore on Novgorod. In the end it was Ivan III who defeated the Novgorodic troops in 1471 during the Battle of the Shelon and annexed the city in 1478.

Novgorod remained for almost a century the second largest city in Russia, until the famine of the sixties of the 16th century and the looting of Ivan the Terrible in 1570, killing thousands of residents during the Novgorod Massacre. In 1703, however, Saint Petersburg was founded, leaving Novgorod lost its strategic and economic position. During WW2 the city was conquered by the German army on 15 August 1941, which occupied it until 19 January 1944, when the Red Army retook it.

Of the 2536 stone buildings that the city counted for the war, fewer than 40 were left in the cessation of the fighting. In 1944, the city was restored again. After the war, the historic center was gradually restored. In 1992, its most important monuments were declared World Heritage. In 1999 her name was officially changed to Veliky Novgorod.

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tips & advice (2016)

The train and bus station are almost next to each other at about 1.5 km to the west of the center (Kremlin).

Novgorod - Saraya Russa: there are several buses a day to Saraya Russa, some of which can be reserved in advance. There is certainly one at 11:30 - costs 230R (excluding large luggage 20R a piece) - arrival 13:05.

Germana street is located near Karla Marxa. Here is the Marlinovska restaurant with traditional decor, beautiful authentic clothing of the waitresses and old-fashioned dishes to serve.

Name: BM hostel

Address: Bolshaya Sankt-Peterburgskaya ul., 14

Price: 390R (10-bed dormitory)

Phone nr. : +7 816 268-64-65

Content:

This simple but excellent hostel is located in the busy and wide Sint Peterburgstreet. One of the employees does not really care about foreigners, but with a bit of humor and patience you'll get there (also with her). Nobody speaks English. This hostel houses several dormitories and it seems that "workers" regularly sleep here.

If you book via the website you can sleep for 350R. There is a kitchenette, toilets and there is free WIFI.