Novgorod is the foremost historic city of North-Western Russia. It is situated on
the M10 federal highway connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg. The name means "new town".
Notwithstanding its name, Novgorod is the most ancient Slavic city recorded in Russia.
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The chronicle first mentions it in 859, when it was already a major station on the trade route
from the Baltic to Byzantium. The Varangian name of the city Holmgard (also Holmgar?r,
Holmgar?ur, Holmgaard, Holmegard) is mentioned in the Norse Sagas as existing at a yet
earlier stage, but historical facts cannot here be disentangled from legend. Originally, Holmgard
referred only to the stronghold southeast of the present-day city, whereas the town
itself dates only from the end of the 9th century, hence the name Novgorod, "new city".
By the mid-10th century, however, Novgorod had become a fully developed medieval city and for
600 years was Russia's most pioneering artistic and political centre. Today it's mostly
known for its history, and for some of the most diverse and beautiful architecture in the
country. No other Russian or Ukrainian city may compete with Novgorod in the variety and
age of its medieval monuments.
