Since its inception Russ famous densely populated and fortified villages.He was famous enough that the Vikings, who later became her reign, called the Slavic lands "Gardariki" - the country towns.Scandinavians struck strengthening Slavs, as they themselves spent most of their life in the sea.Now we can understand what is the ancient Russian city, and what he is famous for.
Causes
no secret that people - a social being.For a better survival it is necessary to gather in groups.And if before such a "center of life" became a tribe, then the departure of barbaric customs had to find a civilized replacement.
In fact, the emergence of cities in people's lives so naturally that could hardly be otherwise.From the village or the village they differ one important factor - the fortifications that protected the settlement.Simply put, walls.That is from the word "city" (strengthening) and went the word "city".
formation of ancient cities is primarily associated with the need to protect from enemies and the establishment of the administrative center for the Duchy.After all, they most often was "blue blood" of Russia.For these people, it was important to the sense of security and comfort.Flocked here all merchants and craftsmen, transforming the settlement in full of life Novgorod, Kiev, Lutsk.
In addition, the newly created settlement becomes beautiful shopping centers, here might flock to the merchants from around the world, receiving a promise under the protection of a military squad.Because of the incredible importance of trade city in Russia often erected on the banks of rivers (such as the Volga and the Dnieper River), because at that time the waterways were the safest and fastest way to deliver goods.Located on the shores of rivers settlements abound as never before.
population
First of all, the city was not able to exist without a ruler.It was either a prince or a governor.The building in which he lived, it was the richest secular shelter, it became the center of the settlement.He tackled a variety of legal issues and establish rules.
second part of the ancient town - is boyars - people close to the prince, and able to influence it directly to their word.They occupied various bureaucratic positions and lived in such settlements richer than all, except that the merchants, but those long in one place not to stay.At the time of their life is an endless journey.
Further it is necessary to recall the various artisans of all possible professions, ranging from painters and ending blacksmiths.As a rule, their housing facilities were inside the city, and a workshop - behind the walls outside.
and the last in the social ladder were farmers, they did not live in villages, and settled on the land that was treated.In Old Town they tend to fall only trade or legal matters.
Cathedral
Center of ancient city - the church.The cathedral, located in front of the main square, was a real character.The most monumental and rich decorated building, the temple was the center of spiritual power.
The bigger the city, the more churches appeared inside it.But none of them had the right to be grander than the main and the first temple that symbolized the entire settlement.Knyazhye cathedrals, parish church and home - all of them had seemed to stretch to the main spiritual center.
special role played by the monasteries, which sometimes became literally a city within a city.Often fortified settlement at all could be just around the residence of monks.Then, the main temple of the monastery became dominant in the spiritual life of the city.
Cathedrals actively decorated and gilded domes appeared for a reason: they could be seen from several kilometers away, and they were a "guiding light" for travelers and lost souls.Temple his pomp was to remind people that life on earth - nothing can be considered the true and only God's beauty, which was the church.
Gate
gates, which in fortified villages were up to four (the cardinal), was paid to, oddly enough, of great importance.As the only passage in the Old Russian city they represented a great symbolic value: "open the gate" meant to give the city the enemy.
Gates tried as much as possible to decorate and make the best of at least one main entrance through which rode to the prince and honorable people.They were immediately shake the visitor and witness the prosperity and happiness of the locals.On a good finish gate spared neither money nor effort, often repair them all over town.
was also considered to be a kind of sacred place, that protect not only the forces of the earth, and the saints.In areas above the gates were often set of icons, and right next to them was a small chapel, whose purpose was to protect the entrance of God's Will.
Trading
small area, usually near the river (about which most of the settlements were based) was a necessary part of economic life.The ancient Russian city of Russia could hardly exist without trade, which were the main merchants.
Here on bargaining, they were placed and unload their goods here were the main transaction.Often, already spontaneously, are emerging markets.Not one where peasants sold, and the rich, the elite of the city created a place with a lot of foreign goods, expensive jewelry.He represented not symbolic, but the true "sign of quality" of the settlement.That bargain was possible to understand how rich the settlement, because the merchant will not be idle when there is no benefit.
Mansions
epitome of the secular authorities were housing the prince or governor.It was not only the residence of the ruler, and an administrative building.It solves various legal issues at the trial, to gather the troops before going.Often it was the most fortified place in the city, which has a protected courtyard, where they were to come running all the inhabitants in the event of a military threat.
around the chambers of the ruler is less rich knights home.Most often, they were made of wood, in contrast to the prince's house, who could afford the stonework.Old Russian cities were architecturally rich precisely because of the dwellings of the nobility, who tried to decorate your house as much as possible and show the material wealth.
common people also placed in separate wooden single-storey houses, or huddled in the barracks, which are often standing at the edge of town.
Fortifications
As already mentioned, the city states of ancient created primarily to protect people.For this purpose were organized to strengthen.
Initially the walls were wooden, but over time more and more appeared stone defenses.It is clear that such "pleasure" could afford only wealthy princes.Fortifications by pointy top of the heavy logs were called harpoons.This word originally meant every city in the Old Russian language.
In addition to the stockade settlement defended ramparts.In general, most of the settlements appeared already in profitable strategic points.In the valley to the city existed long (before the first military conflict), but because often they were based on the high points.We can say that we do not know anything bad about the fortified settlements because they instantly disappear from the face of the earth.
Planning
For modern, very chaotic and confusing settlements, this pattern - the ancient Russian city.Fortress, which is home to most of the population was really skillfully and precisely laid out as would be dictated by the nature.
In fact, the city at the time were a rounded shape.In the middle, as already mentioned, it rises two important centers: the spiritual and the secular.This is the main Cathedral and Princes estate.Around them, twisting spiral going home rich boyars.Thus, obvivaya, for example, a hill town descended lower and lower, until the walls.Inside it is divided into "street" and "ends" that strings passed through the coil, and walked from the gate to the main center.
Later, with the development of settlements in the workshops, which initially were outside the main features as boundary walls, creating a secondary reinforcement.Gradually, with the course of the centuries the city grew it this way.
Kiev
Of course, the modern capital of Ukraine - the most famous ancient Russian city. It is possible to find proof of all theses mentioned above.In addition, it must be regarded as the first truly large fortified settlement on the territory of the Slavs.
main city surrounded by fortifications, located on a hill, and Hem held workshops.There, near the Dnieper, was bargaining.The main entrance to Kiev, its main entrance - a well-known Golden Gate, which was said to have not only practical, but also a sacred meaning, especially because they are named in honor of the gates of Constantinople.
Hagia Sophia was the spiritual center of the city.It dragged him to the other temples and churches, which he excelled, and beauty, and greatness.
This Kiev can be considered as a perfect illustration of how the city looked old Russian.
Novgorod
old cities of Russia is impossible to list, without mentioning Novgorod.This densely populated center of the principality serves an important purpose: it was a very "European" city.It flocked here diplomats and traders from the Old World, as Novgorod was in the middle of trade routes in Europe and the rest of Russia.
main thing is that we now have thanks to Novgorod - is infinitely large quantity of various historical monuments of ancient Russia.A unique opportunity to see them now by buying a plane ticket there because Novgorod was destroyed and captured during the Mongol yoke, but to pay exorbitant tribute.
widely known so-called "Novgorod Kremlin", or Novgorod Kremlin.These fortifications have long been a reliable fort great city.In addition, not to mention Yaroslav's Court - a huge area on the banks of the Volkhov Novgorod, where there was a lot of bargaining and houses a variety of well-off merchants.In addition, it is assumed that it was there and was the abode of the prince, but to find it in Veliky Novgorod is still not possible, perhaps because of the lack of settlement in the history of Princess whole system itself.
Moscow
history of ancient cities, of course, can not be described without the presence of such a huge list of settlements, as Moscow.She had the opportunity to grow and become the center of modern Russia due to its unique location: in fact every major northern trade route passed her.
course, the main attraction of the city is the historic Kremlin.It is with him now there are the first association at the mention of the word, but originally it meant just a "fortress."Initially, like all cities, Moscow's protection was wooden and much later acquired a familiar look.
The Kremlin is also the main church of Moscow - Cathedral of the Assumption, which is perfectly preserved to this day.Its appearance is literally embodies the architecture of its time.
Total
Many names of ancient cities is not sounded, but not pursue goals to establish a list of them.Three is enough to demonstrate how conservative were the Russian people in laying the settlements.And do not say that it is the quality they had unjustly not, the appearance that the city had been dictated by the nature of survival.The plan was the most practical and, moreover, created a symbol of the center of the region, with which fortified settlements were.Who is like building a city is no longer important, but it is possible that about our architecture ever will say the same.
