During human civilization there are many settlements which became cities.But the time of war, natural disasters, many of them have turned into ruins.It has survived some of them.What are the most ancient cities in Russia today?This question is of interest to many.
Some problems
Determine the oldest city in the country is very difficult: do not always know the date of foundation settlement.Based on data from the chroniclers and historians, the date can be determined only approximately.Reading the book of the chronicles, historians point out that mentions a particular city, with some historical events related to its references.The ancient city of Russia could in the old days wearing other names.Therefore the exact date when they were built, sometimes do not know.But this is the most ancient cities.There are also official statements on the day of foundation, then there is no problem determining the age of historical places.
To study historians refer to the Nikon Chronicle, which was compiled in the XVI century.We study information from Arab sources that date back to X century.It helps in this and the known historical work - "The Tale of Bygone Years".Do not stop, and archaeologists who are digging and help determine the most ancient cities of Russia.List of changes, there are items of masonry walls, pavements, which give more and more information to historians.Today it Veliky Novgorod, Staraya Ladoga, Smolensk, Moore, Pskov, Derbent, Kerch.
Novgorod
History of Novgorod the Great is still unknown.The exact date of its foundation No one knows.All about.But the fact that he is part of the ancient city of Russia - it is a fact.Fixed date of the Novgorod - 859 years.From her calendar age and being a great city.Today it 1155 years.But this is not accurate.After a year of its foundation considered the date mentioned in the Nikon Chronicle: at the time he died, Elder Gostomysl Novgorod.So the city was laid much earlier.
chronicler Nestor in "The Tale of Bygone Years" wrote about the ancient city of Russia.The list, which was called the Laurentian, pointed out that before the arrival of Rurik (in 862) Novgorod has long existed.We founded it, according to the Ipatiev Chronicle, even Ilmen Slovenes, who settled near the lake.They named it after himself - Ilmer.They founded the city and called it Novgorod.
Throughout its history, Veliky Novgorod experienced a lot of events: he was also the capital of the Free State, and captures the Moscow, Swedish and Levonskimi rulers.Alexander Nevsky, Prince of Novgorod, rebuffed the Swedes on the banks of the Neva River in 1240 and the Order of the Teutonic Knights - in 1242 on Lake Peipsi.
oldest Russian cities
Among the enumerated places that are considered the oldest, along with all costs and Staraya Ladoga.Historians attribute this to the settlement of the VIII century.It is believed that the city was founded in 753.Historians believe that it was from Lake Ladoga and was called Rurik to rule and became the first prince in Russia.From the north of the city attacked neighbors, and Fortress suffered destruction and fires.But in the ninth century, it is not surrounded by wooden walls and stone, made of limestone, and the northern Ladoga became a reliable fortress - the first in Russia.
What are the ancient cities of Russia can be put on a par with the Ladoga and Novgorod?That is Smolensk.In the annals it is also mentioned in 862.Through it, as through Lake Ladoga, to the famous route "from the Vikings to the Greeks."Smolensk was the defense of Moscow and withstood many wars and battles.Until now, the fragments of the walls of the fortress, which was built in the XVI century and was considered a miracle of fortification techniques of the time.
Moore - at least the ancient city, which emerged almost simultaneously with Smolensk.This was the so-called city of the tribe of Murom, the Finno-Ugric origin.His gaze is directed to the east: there was a constant threat of attack.That Volga-Kama Bulgars, the Tatar-Mongols.These ancient cities of Russia, as Moore suffered terrible devastation and decades of no one did.Only in the fourteenth century, it was restored, and in the beginning of the XV century, Moore has obeyed Moscow.
ancient city are endless, how deep the history of the country, so there are many historical places: Rostov, Suzdal, Yaroslavl, Vladimir.But there is one town, which is more than 5,000 years, and it still exists today.
«Darband" - the narrow gate
No matter how many people are arguing about which is the most ancient city of Russia, it is Derbent.This is the territory of the Republic of Dagestan, but it is a part of Russia.Means and Derbent - the most ancient city of Russia.It is located near the Caspian Sea: the bottleneck that remained between the coast and the mountains of the Caucasus.It should be noted that when there was a settlement of Darband, there was neither the Kievan Rus, neither the Russian Empire.In the annals of Derbent it is mentioned in the VI century BC.e., but settlements have arisen before.
today preserved fortress Naryn-Kala, which is more than 2,500 years old, and Juma Mosque, built in the eighth century.Dagestan Derbent controlled corridor through which the Great Silk Road.Many nations have tried to seize the city, they stormed it, destroyed.During its long history of Derbent many times and had flourishing and decline.Defensive Shield - fortification length of 40 km - survived to the present day.Organization UNESCO considers Derbent most ancient Russian cities.
Crimean peninsula
But there is another fact that makes its own adjustments to the question under consideration: a return to Russia of the Crimean peninsula.Therefore, in the list of ancient sites added to the city of Kerch.
It is located on the shores of the Strait, in the eastern part of the peninsula.It is believed that Kerch was founded more than 2600 years ago.The city preserved ancient monuments, historical objects.The excavations of archaeologists confirm the age of Kerch, who founded the ancient Greek colonists.
Talking about what the ancient Russian cities there are in our day, can last a very long time: a big country, a lot of interesting historical sites.The main thing is that the history of the country it is necessary to learn and remember, and ancient monuments - to preserve for posterity.
