15 Facts About Veliky Novgorod

Veliky Novgorod is traditionally considered to be a cradle of Russian statehood.

Archaeological data suggests that the Gorodishche, the residence of the Knyaz, dates from the mid-9th century, whereas the town itself dates only from the end of the 10th century; hence the name Veliky Novgorod, "new city", from Old East Slavic and ; the Old Norse term is a calque of an Old Russian word.

In 882, Rurik's successor, Oleg of Veliky Novgorod, conquered Kiev and founded the state of Kievan Rus'.

Many Viking kings and yarls came to Veliky Novgorod seeking refuge or employment, including Olaf I of Norway, Olaf II of Norway, Magnus I of Norway, and Harald Hardrada.

At about the same time, in 1229, German merchants at Veliky Novgorod were granted certain privileges, which made their position more secure.

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Veliky Novgorod was never conquered by the Mongols during the Mongol invasion of Rus.

Veliky Novgorod went to war 26 times with Sweden and 11 times with the Livonian Brothers of the Sword.

At the time of annexation, Veliky Novgorod became the third largest city under Muscovy and then the Tsardom of Russia and remained so until the famine of the 1560s and the Massacre of Veliky Novgorod in 1570.

Veliky Novgorod only regained a measure of its former prosperity towards the end of the century, when such ambitious buildings as the Cathedral of the Sign and the Vyazhischi Monastery were constructed.

The Veliky Novgorod Land became one of the Old Believers' strongholds after the Schism.

Veliky Novgorod continued to be a major centre of crafts which employed the majority of its population.

Veliky Novgorod chests were in widespread use all across Russia, including the Tsar's household and the northern monasteries.

In 1727, Veliky Novgorod was made the administrative center of Veliky Novgorod Governorate of the Russian Empire, which was detached from Saint Petersburg Governorate .

Veliky Novgorod is the administrative center of the oblast and, within the framework of administrative divisions, it serves as the administrative center of Novgorodsky District, even though it is not a part of it.

Minor planet, 3799 Veliky Novgorod, discovered by the Soviet astronomer Nikolai Stepanovich Chernykh in 1979, is named after the city.