Capital cities of individual Russian lands. Capitals of Rus' and Russia. Which cities were the capital? When did the Battle of Kulikovo take place?

No one can say for sure who founded Ladoga. There are versions that the city was founded by the Scandinavians. However, it is known for certain that the history of this settlement, where artisans and traders lived, began in 753. Jewelers, tanners, potters and woodcarvers actively traded here, which was a very profitable occupation, since Ladoga stood on the way “from the Varangians to the Greeks.” Archaeological excavations have shown that the Normans, the Finno-Ugric peoples, and the Ilmen Slovenes got along with each other here.

The advantageous position on the Volkhov River at the place where it flows into Lake Ladoga has always attracted overseas merchants. Thus, it is known for certain that the Arabs reached Ladoga. Locals sold furs to southern guests in exchange for silver coins, as evidenced by the treasures found. The Varangians often visited Ladoga, left their boats for repairs and generally were the local masters. The Scandinavian name of the city is Aldeigjuborg. This place name appears in Scandinavian poems written at the turn of the 10th century.

Monument to Rurik and Oleg in Ladoga

Ladoga played a big role in the history of Russian statehood, for it was its inhabitants who called Rurik to reign. “The Tale of Bygone Years” from the Ipatiev list tells us about this: “... and the first one came to the Slovens and cut down the city of Ladoga and the elder Rurik sat in Ladoza...”. Under the leadership of the Varangian, the Ladoga residents built the first wood-earth fortress to protect themselves from warring tribes. And later, at the turn of the 9th-10th centuries. ekov, stone fortifications appeared, the ruins of which can be seen to this day. Soon Ladoga turned into a typical ancient Russian city with an area of ​​​​twelve hectares and Orthodox Church inside the fortress.

And after Ladoga, Rurik moved to reign in Novgorod, which later united with Kiev thanks to the cunning and perseverance of the Prophetic Oleg. Therefore, there is every reason to assert that it was Ladoga, and not Novgorod, that was the first center of Rus' and that Rurik ruled here from 862 to 865. Even on the city's coat of arms there is a banner of Rurik, depicting a falcon flying down. Nevertheless, there are other versions that prove the opposite: the Varangian initially sat down to reign in the Rurik settlement, that is, in Novgorod. However, this does not prevent the city from celebrating an impressive date this year - 1263 years since the founding of Ladoga.

Ladoga claims not only to be called the first capital Ancient Rus'. “In summer 6430 (922). Oleg goes to Novugorod, and from there to Ladoga. Friends say that when I go over the sea, I will bite a serpent in the foot, and then I will die; there is his grave in Ladoz,” the Novgorod chronicle of the late 11th century tells about the death of the Prophetic Oleg. Despite the fact that the grave of the legendary prince is located in Kyiv on Mount Shchekavitsa, there is a theory that it is in Ladoga that his remains are buried.

Ruins of an ancient fortress in Staraya Ladoga

It is also precisely established that after the grand ducal throne passed to Novgorod, Ladoga fought off overseas invaders. Thus, the ruler of Norway, Earl Eirik, regularly went with robberies to Rus', where Vladimir I Svyatoslavovich was already ruling by that time. In 997, the Ladoga fortress, which had stood for a century, was destroyed. But this did not stop Yaroslav the Wise from giving Ladoga and the surrounding lands as a dowry to his wife Ingigerda, the daughter of the Swedish king. And the mayor of the city was a Swede named Rögnvald Ulvsson, who was a relative of the wife of the Novgorod prince. Actually, from this dynastic marriage comes the hypothesis about the origin of the name Ingria, which is similar to the girl’s name. And the so-called Ingermanland includes lands near the Neva River from Gulf of Finland to Lake Ladoga.

The Swedish trace in the history of Ladoga remained even after Alexander Nevsky, when, at his order, the St. Nicholas Monastery was founded in the city in honor of the victory over the Swedes in the Battle of Nevsky in 1240. Later, several centuries later, during the Time of Troubles, the same Swedes, having invaded Russia in 1611, stormed this monastery and destroyed it to the ground.

Subsequently, Ladoga remained on the sidelines of Russian history. Peter the Great founded Novaya Ladoga closer to the lake, and it became known as Staraya Ladoga. The settlement also lost its city status, and many Ladoga residents moved to a new place. But the first wife of Emperor Peter Evdokia Lopukhina managed to visit here. In the local Ladoga Assumption Monastery, where she was transferred from Suzdal, the nun was imprisoned for seven years until the death of her husband.

Painting by Zabolotsky “View of Old Ladoga”, 1833

IN Soviet era Staraya Ladoga was administrative center Staroladozhsky village council of the Volkhov district, which included 17 villages. But the story did not end there, because this area was very fond of Russian artists back in tsarist times.

Old Ladoga has always attracted creative people thanks to its romantic views. Aivazovsky, Kiprensky, Venetsianov, Ivanov, Roerich, Serov and many others walked and enjoyed nature here. This tradition was continued by Soviet artists. Paintings painted in Staraya Ladoga found their way to major exhibitions and joined museum collections. Now Ladoga is a village on the picturesque bank of the Volkhov River with a population of no more than two thousand people.

If anyone knows which city's coat of arms is shown in this illustration,

let him sit silently, looking bored, or read the post further. Suddenly, too, from the well-forgotten old, he will discover something new.
And if a descendant of proud Ukrainians pays attention to this post, then
all the more necessary to sit and delve into what is written below..

Last weekend the birthdays of the cities of Moscow and Tula were celebrated. I drew attention to the fact that my native Tula turns out to be a year older than Moscow. In this regard, I wanted to know how the oldest cities in our country are. It must be said that Tula and Moscow did not make it into the top ten oldest.

10. Ryazan. Population: 532,772 people


Ryazan opens our Top of the most ancient cities in the country. The name of the city comes from the territory of the principality, which at the beginning of the 11th century was located on the right bank of the Oka. Tourism in Ryazan is widely developed, because the land on which it is built is ancient territory Russia. There is a lot to see here: St. John the Theologian Monastery, Trinity Monastery, Ryazan Historical Museum-Reserve and much more.

9. Yaroslavl. Population: 603,961 people


One of the oldest cities in Russia dates back to 1010. In the past, Yaroslavl proudly bore the title “city of a hundred churches.” Now there are only thirty of them left. You can see all the churches in one day. Yaroslavl has preserved many old cathedrals and architectural monuments, which is not surprising, since it is part of the Golden Ring of Russia. The most important attraction in the historical center of the city is the Transfiguration Cathedral (not to be confused with the monastery of the same name), built in 1516.

8. Kazan. Population: 1,205,651 people


Kazan was founded in 1005 as an outpost on the border of Volga Bulgaria. One of the most ancient cities in Russia has a centuries-old rich history and unique cultural and historical heritage. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. One of the main attractions in the city is the Kazan Kremlin, built of white brick. And the Kul Sharif mosque is considered the main symbol of the Republic of Tatarstan.

7. Vladimir. Population: 362,581 people


The museum city was founded in 990. It is one of the oldest in the country and is included in the Golden Ring of Russia. They say about Vladimir: “even the city’s hospitals, shops and pharmacies are architectural monuments built by our ancestors.” And there is no exaggeration in this description. Many houses in the city are over 300 years old. And the world famous Golden Gate, Assumption and Demetrius Cathedrals are included in the UNESCO list.

6. Murom. Population: 110,746 people


The first mention of Murom appears in the Tale of Bygone Years. It was from this ancient source that the origin of the city’s name was established. In ancient times, one of the tribes of Finno-Ugric origin called “Muroms” lived in this territory. Prince Vladimir in 988 gave the city to his son Gleb for administration. It was he who became the first ruler of Murom. Tourists will be interested to see the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, which is the oldest in the country.

5. Suzdal. Population: 9978 people


There are several references to this city in ancient sources. One dates back to 1024. It describes the revolt of the Magi. The second, in the year 999, which states that Suzdal was founded as a result of the merger of several settlements. Currently, one of the oldest cities is part of the Golden Ring of Russia. On its territory there is a huge number of monuments, which have no equal anywhere in the country.

4. Smolensk. Population: 330,049 people


The hero city was first mentioned in 946 in the Tale of Bygone Years as a settlement of the Krivichi tribe. And twenty years later, Prince Oleg captured Smolensk and annexed it to Ancient Rus'. He made his son Igor the prince of the city, but he, due to his youth, could not perform administrative functions, so Smolensk was controlled from Kyiv. Of the main attractions of the ancient city of Russia, it is worth noting the Boris and Gleb Monastery, the Church of St. John the Evangelist, and the Assumption Cathedral.

3. Veliky Novgorod. Population: 221,954 people
This ancient city was built in 859. It can rightfully be called unique, because such architectural monuments cannot be found in any other city in the world. And the atmosphere of Novgorod, which received bronze in the rating of the oldest cities in the country, cannot be confused with anything. This is due to the fact that the city was built on the site where many events took place. important events Rus'. Tourists should look at the main attraction of Veliky Novgorod - St. Sophia Cathedral. It is often called the religious center of the country. And the Novgorod Kremlin is one of the most beautiful buildings in the country.

2. Old Ladoga. Population: 2012 people


Staraya Ladoga, which took second place in the ranking of the oldest cities in Russia, was founded in 753. But historical evidence shows that even before the founding of the city, people lived here. It is interesting that the first prince of Ancient Rus', Rurik, came from Staraya Ladoga. Since the city was close to the territories of hostile states, it was the first outpost on the route of foreigners. It was destroyed and rebuilt more than once. The wooden fortress of Staraya Ladoga was replaced with a stone one in the 9th century, which allowed it to become the first fortress in the country made of this material.

1. Derbent. Population: 121,251 people


Derbent is rightfully considered the oldest city in Russia. After all, its history goes back as much as 5,000 years! It was founded when Ancient Rus' did not yet exist in the project. The earliest mentions of the city date from sources from the 6th century BC. But then it was called the Caspian Gate. Included Russian Empire Derbent entered only in 1813, after a truce agreement was signed with Persia. With such a long history, it would be surprising if the city did not have ancient monuments. Among the most famous: the Juma Mosque, built in the 8th century, and the Naryn-Kala fortress, 2500 years old.

Well, I think those who didn’t know already guessed that the illustration for this post shows the city’s coat of arms...

I don’t know from which buoys the descendants of Jovian dolphins, who in our centuries settled Kyiv and its surroundings, decided to appropriate the image of the capital of ancient Rus' - Ladoga.
And why is Kyiv considered the mother of Russian cities? After all, in fact, it became only the third capital.

Now about the capitals of Rus'

It has been noticed that, unfortunately, there is a lot of speculation on the topic of “the capital of Rus'”. For example, in Ukraine, the theory is supported that the main, historical and almost the only legitimate capital of Rus' (meaning both the borders of the ancient Russian state and its modern “heirs”: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus) is exclusively Kyiv. There are various arguments for this, the main ones of which can probably be named:

• Kyiv is the original and original capital of Rus'.


• Kyiv was the capital for a very long time.


• Well then...

1. Ladoga (862 - 864)— this is 2 years.

Ladoga, which arose in the mid-8th century, is named as the residence of Rurik in the Ipatiev list of the Tale of Bygone Years. According to this version, Rurik sat in Ladoga until 864, and only after that he founded Veliky Novgorod.

Ladoga is not only one of the most ancient cities in Russia, it is also one of the most ancient Slavic outposts, which was constantly attacked by its northern neighbors. The fortress was burned, destroyed, but again and again rose from the ashes, putting a barrier to the invaders. In the 9th century, the wooden walls of the Ladoga fortress were replaced with stone ones, built from local limestone, and Ladoga became the first stone fortress in Rus'.

2. Novgorod (862 - 882)- that's 20 years.

According to other chronicles, the first capital Old Russian state became Veliky Novgorod.

Veliky Novgorod is one of the most ancient and famous Russian cities, first mentioned in the Novgorod Chronicle in 859 in connection with the name of the legendary Prince Rurik, who began advancing to Rus' from Ladoga.

Already in the first centuries of its existence, Novgorod played an important role in the events that took place on Russian soil, in fact becoming the first capital of Rus'. The location of Novgorod was so advantageous geographically (the city stood at the crossroads of waterways coming from the Baltic from the north and west to the south and east) that by the middle of the 9th century it became a major commercial, political and cultural center of the northwestern lands.

Novgorod did not remain the capital for long. In 882, Prince Oleg made a campaign against Kyiv and moved the capital there. But even after the transfer of the princely residence to Kyiv, Novgorod did not lose its significance. Being located in a zone of busy trade contacts with foreign countries, Novgorod was a kind of “window to Europe”.

3. Kyiv (882 - 1243)— it's 361 years old.

In 882, Rurik's successor, the Novgorod prince Oleg the Prophet, captured Kyiv, which from that time became the capital of Rus'. With the adoption of Christianity by Russia at the end of the 10th century, Kyiv became the residence of the Russian metropolitan.

The coincidence of the political and church centers, combined with a long period of autocracy of the Kyiv princes, led to the formation of a stable institution of the capital in Rus', which was not typical for the majority European countries of that time.

In ancient Russian literature, the concept of capital corresponded to the expressions “ oldest table” and have retained their meaning to this day as “capital city” and the epithet “first throne”. Kyiv received the name “Mother of Russian Cities,” which was a translation from the Greek word for “metropolis” and likened the city to Constantinople.

Your princely dynasty things didn’t work out in Kyiv; control over it was the subject of constant struggle, which, on the one hand, led to a steady decline in its real role, and on the other, made it an object around which the interests of all Russian lands were intertwined.

Since 1169, when Andrei Bogolyubsky, having recognized seniority, first refused to take the Kiev table, the connection between the possession of Kiev and the status of the most powerful prince became optional. In subsequent times, the senior Suzdal and Volyn princes preferred to transfer Kyiv to their secondary relatives, while the Chernigov and Smolensk princes more often ruled personally. Nevertheless, the title of princes of “all Rus'” continued to be attached to the princes who had ever visited Kyiv during their lives. Both in ancient Russian sources and in the eyes of foreigners, the city continued to be perceived as a capital.

In 1240, Kyiv was destroyed by the Mongols and fell into decay for a long time. The fight for him stopped. The Vladimir Grand Dukes Yaroslav Vsevolodovich (1243) and Alexander Yaroslavich Nevsky (1249) were recognized as the oldest in Rus', and Kyiv was transferred to them. However, they preferred to leave Vladimir as their residence.
After the Mongol (and then Lithuanian) invasion, there was a massive migration of the Russian population from Kyiv and nearby lands to the undeveloped and infertile lands of Zalesye (a section of Vladimir-Suzdal Rus), where the Tatars rarely reached. In fact, the Russians (not all, of course, but those who had the will and strength to do so) left captured Kyiv and created a new state out of nowhere, and Moscow from a princely hunting estate turned into its capital in a hundred years. That is why, by the way, according to relatively recent research, the current Great Russians and Turkic peoples do not have common genes
In the subsequent era, until the conquest of Kyiv by Lithuania (1362), it was ruled by provincial princes who did not claim all-Russian supremacy.

4. Vladimir (1243 - 1389)- that's 146 years.

Vladimir-on-Klyazma, founded in 1108 by Vladimir Monomakh, became the capital of North-Eastern Rus' in 1157, when Prince Andrei Yuryevich Bogolyubsky moved his residence here from Suzdal.

Recognition of eldership in the princely family, indeed, turned out to be torn off from the Kyiv table, but it was attached to the personality of the prince, and not to his city, and did not always belong to the Vladimir princes.

The time of maximum influence of the principality was the reign of Vsevolod Yuryevich Big Nest. His supremacy was recognized by the princes of all Russian lands, except Chernigov and Polotsk, and from now on Vladimir princes began to be called "great".

Panorama of Vladimir - Golden Gate and Trinity Church Photo: bestmaps.ru

After the Mongol invasion (1237-1240) all Russian lands came under supreme authority Mongol Empire, subordinate to its western wing - the Ulus of Jochi or the Golden Horde. And it was the Grand Dukes of Vladimir who were nominally recognized in the Horde as the oldest in all of Rus'. In 1299, the metropolitan moved his residence to Vladimir. From the beginning In the 14th century, the Vladimir princes began to bear the title of “Grand Dukes of All Rus'.”

5. Moscow (1389 - 1712) + (1918— n. c.) = 421

Moscow was first mentioned in chronicles in 1147. In 1263, Moscow was inherited by the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky, Daniil Alexandrovich. Without claiming the great reign of Vladimir, he was able to significantly expand the territory of his principality at the expense of the neighboring Smolensk and Ryazan volosts. This allowed Daniel to recruit into his service large number service people who formed the basis of the powerful Moscow boyars. In modern historiography, this factor is considered as the most important in the process of the successful rise of Moscow.

In 1325, the metropolitan moved to Moscow from Vladimir.

In 1547, Ivan IV accepted the royal title, and Moscow until 1712 became the capital of the kingdom - the Russian State.

6. St. Petersburg/Petrograd (1712 - 1918)- that's 206 years.

In 1712, by the will of Peter I, the capital of Russia was moved to St. Petersburg, specially founded as the capital city.

Thus, neither by originality nor by duration, Kyiv has the right to be called the “only correct” capital of Rus', just like any other capital in the entire history of Rus'.

In many educational and popular science materials, the idea is widespread that Kyiv became the capital in 882, after the city was captured by Prince Oleg. This statement, as a rule, is based on a story from the “Tale of Bygone Years”, in which, under the year 882, it is said: “And Oleg the prince sat in Kyiv, and Oleg said: behold, be the mother of the Russian city.” At first glance, everything is obvious, but recent research by specialists in the history of Ancient Rus' shows that the formation of ideas about Kyiv as the capital was a much more complex and lengthy process.

Examples of use

In 882, Rurik's successor, the Novgorod prince Oleg the Prophet, captured Kyiv, which from that time became the capital of Rus'. (Wikipedia, Capitals of Russia)

In 882, Kyiv became the capital of Rus' and since then received the honorary name “mother of Russian cities”. (Material on the Potomu.Ru website)

V.M. Vasnetsov. Baptism of Rus'. 1885-1896.

Reality

A rather detailed analysis of how ideas about Kyiv as a capital were formed was given in his article “Was there a capital in Ancient Rus'” by A.V. Nazarenko.

The term “capital” itself, writes the researcher, in Old Russian language not recorded. Its analogue is known, “table”, or “capital city”. However, the “table” was not only Kyiv, but also a number of other cities of Rus', which were owned by representatives of the ancient Russian princely family, for example, Novgorod. Kyiv, being the capital, should at least be distinguished by some specific definition, or even be called something else.

Such epithets do appear in sources, but only in the 11th-12th centuries. One of them, the “oldest city,” is recorded in the “Tale of Bygone Years”, in the story about the events of 1096: about the invitation of the Kyiv prince Svyatopolk Izyaslavovich and Pereyaslavl, Vladimir Vsevolodovich (Monomakh), their cousin Oleg Svyatoslavovich, to Kyiv, to conclude an agreement. In another text, the “Word on the Renewal of the Church of the Tithes,” dating from the mid-12th century, Kyiv is called “the elder in the cities,” the Kiev prince is called the “elder in the princes,” and the local metropolitan is called the “elder in the saints.”

Another definition, the same “mother of cities,” is a direct copy of the Greek mHtropolis, from one of the epithets of Constantinople, and is used to “equalize” the status of Kyiv with Constantinople, notes Nazarenko. According to him, this expression is no longer used so often; in addition to the chronicle story about the capture of Kyiv by Oleg, the only noteworthy thing is its use in the service in memory of the illumination of the Church of St. George in Kyiv in 1051/3; here the city is also called “first throne”.

The concept of an all-Russian capital developed in the 11th-13th centuries, notes the author of the article. The very idea of ​​a single, main “capital city,” according to A.V. Nazarenko, organically belongs to the complex of imperial political ideas; attempts to form and implement it were repeatedly made in the Western, Latin world. Plans for a unified capital were repeatedly undertaken by Frankish and later German rulers, he writes. Thus, Charlemagne tried to create a national center parallel to Rome with elements of sacralization in Aachen. The same, essentially “Roman-centric” idea was tried to be implemented by Otto III, who tried to organize an empire centered in Rome according to the late antique model. Frederick I Barbarossa was also an apologist for the empire controlled from Rome. However, a number of such important factors as fragmentation feudal period, political and church polycentricity (as well as the opposition of these centers) did not allow this idea to be realized in the West.

In Rus', where a similar concept could have developed based on the Constantinople rather than the Roman model, its formation was significantly facilitated by the era of autocracy of Vladimir the Holy and Yaroslav the Wise, during which a fairly developed metropolitan ideological complex managed to develop around Kiev, which, according to A. IN. Nazarenko, further, more distinct crystallization of the idea of ​​the eldership of Kyiv. In addition, the researcher notes, the fundamental connection that existed between the church-administrative unity of the country and the idea of ​​the political sovereignty of its ruler made the presence of an all-Russian Metropolis of Kyiv the most important prerequisite for the establishment of the idea of ​​state unity of Rus' and its preservation in conditions of political particularism, which, in turn, , stabilized the idea of ​​Kyiv as the capital of Rus' as a whole. All together, this formed a strong ideological complex, which determined the amazing historical survival of the idea and feeling of all-Russian unity, concludes A.V. Nazarenko.

Sources and literature

Nazarenko A.V. Was there a capital in Ancient Rus'? Some comparative historical and terminological observations // A.V. Nazarenko. Ancient Rus' and the Slavs (historical and philological studies). Ancient Rus' and the Slavs ( The most ancient states Eastern Europe, 2007). M., 2009. pp. 103-113.

Capitals of Rus' They were the residences of the great Russian princes, but did not have the official status of a capital.

Ladoga (862-864).

Ladoga is considered by many historians to be the first capital of Ancient Rus'. According to " Tales of Bygone Years» Rurik settled in Ladoga and ruled there from 862 to 864, until he moved to Novgorod.

Novgorod (864-882).

The primacy of Novgorod over the rest of the Russian lands at that time was confirmed even by Arab chroniclers. After the death of Rurik in 879, Oleg became the Grand Duke and ruled there for another three years, after which he captured Kyiv and moved the capital there. After this, Novgorod remained the second most important among Russian cities.

Kyiv (882-1243).

After accepting Christianity Vladimir the Great Kyiv became not only the residence of the prince, but also. It was at this time that Rus' began to form concept of "capital"- capital city, first throne. Oleg called Kyiv " mother of Russian cities" The mother of cities is literal translation Greek "metropolis", and essentially means capital. So Oleg compared Kyiv with Constantinople. Kyiv princes began to receive the title of “All Rus'”, and later this title passed to the Grand Dukes of Vladimir and Moscow.

In 1240, Kyiv was destroyed by the Tatar-Mongols, and the struggle for it ceased. The oldest became Grand Duke Vladimirsky Yaroslav Vsevolodovich and Alexander Nevsky. Kyiv passed to them, but Vladimir became the capital, and Kyiv turned into a province for a long time.

Vladimir (1243-1389).

Vladimir was founded Vladimir Monomakh in 1108. Andrey Bogolyubsky Vladimir was rebuilt according to the model of Kyiv. It began to be considered the capital of Rus' officially in 1243, although in fact this happened earlier. By the end of the 14th century, the Moscow and Vladimir principalities practically merged and Moscow princes began to rule in Vladimir. Vasily I became the last prince to be crowned in Vladimir, and his son Vasily II was already crowned in Moscow, where the capital moved after him. Vladimir finally turned into a provincial city.

Moscow (1389-1712).

During the reign of Ivan III and Vasily III The unification of Rus' with its capital in Moscow was completed. Ivan III then became the first sovereign head when he refused to obey the Khan of the Horde. Successor Grand Duke of Moscow Ivan III became Ivan IV, who in 1547 took the royal title and became Ivan the Terrible, which completed the formation of sovereignty Russian State.

The history of the princes and states of Rus' and the story begins Russian kingdom, and then - Russian Empire.

Many people know that the Bolsheviks moved the capital from Petrograd to Moscow. But what capital was there in Russia before St. Petersburg? Was it there at all? What are the reasons for moving capitals from city to city? The word “capital” did not exist in the early Russian language; the main cities of the country, where state power was concentrated, were the prince, tsar or emperor, and where all funds were received were called “stol” or “capital city”.

Staraya Ladoga and Veliky Novgorod

Your existence Russian state according to the official chronology, it began in 862 with the arrival of Rurik. The Tale of Bygone Years recalls the city of Staraya Ladoga as the first place where the chosen Rurik and his retinue settled. It is worth noting that Staraya Ladoga is ancient city Russia, where a stone fortress was first built. The city was the most important strategic point for defense against the northern Scandinavians. However, in this small town the arriving prince did not rule for long, only 2 years. Then Rurik moved the “table” to Veliky Novgorod. It was this city that became the concentration of culture, politics, and trade in Ancient Rus'. The city was located in the center of the territory of what was then Rus', all roads led to Novgorod. Veliky Novgorod quickly began to grow and become rich, but also did not last long as the capital of the state.

Kyiv

Already 22 years later, the follower of the first Russian prince Rurik, Prince Oleg, sets off on a military campaign against Kyiv, conquers the city and remains to rule in the current capital of Ukraine. However, Oleg does not forget about former capital. Veliky Novgorod remains for a long time one of the centers of Rus', where all the Rurikovichs put their eldest sons to rule.

After the conquest of Kyiv by the Prophetic Oleg, the city on the banks of the Dnieper grows and develops. By the end of the 9th century, the army, the treasury and all the boyars surrounding the prince were concentrated in it. And by the end of the 10th century, when Vladimir Svyatoslavich baptized Rus', the city also became the religious and cultural center of the state. In the future, Kyiv will receive the title “Mother of Russian Cities.” This status puts the capital on new level and raises it to the same level as Constantinople.

Related post: Sacred trees among the Slavs

In 1054, Yaroslav the Wise dies in Kyiv, a struggle for power begins between the sons of the prince, a bloody war shook the status of the city, and after another century, Andrei Bogolyubsky, with all the power he had, did not want to occupy the Kiev throne.

Vladimir

Bogolyubsky smoothly transfers the capital to the young city of Vladimir, and completed this process Mongol invasion when Kyiv was captured and destroyed in 1240. After this event, the capital would decline for a long time, no one needed power in Kyiv anymore, and the new princes preferred to rule in Vladimir-on-Klyazma. This city was founded by Vladimir Monomakh at the beginning of the 12th century. After the Mongol invasion, the metropolitan, army and senior princes moved to Vladimir. The city became the capital and North-Eastern center of Rus'.

Moscow

The next capital of the Russian principality was Moscow, founded, according to chronicles, in 1147. This city remained the capital for a longer period than its predecessors. The period of development of Moscow occurred at the end of the 13th century, when the son and grandsons of Alexander Nevsky were able to carry out a competent policy in the region, expanded and strengthened the position of Moscow. Already at the beginning of the 14th century, the metropolitan moved to Moscow, the city became a religious center. And in the Middle Ages, where there is religion, there is power. The further competent policy of the Moscow princes managed to subjugate other regions of Rus', as well as defeat the Horde army.

Saint Petersburg

Moscow was the capital before the reign of Peter the Great. In 1703, the Tsar decided to build a city that would meet European standards, and already in 1712 the capital of the Russian Empire moved to St. Petersburg, a city on the Neva. St. Petersburg was and still remains one of the most beautiful and developed cities in Russia, but the Bolsheviks in 1918 decided to concentrate state apparatus again in Moscow. This was justified by territorial, historical, and also political reasons. It is worth noting that the transfer of the capital was proposed back in 1917 by the Provisional Government, but Kerensky did not dare to carry out such a bold move. During the First World War, St. Petersburg was close to the front, so on March 12, 1918, it was decided to evacuate the government to Moscow.