Until recently, Derbent was considered the most ancient city in Russia. However, after the aggravation of relations between Ukraine and Russia in 2014, Derbent lost its status, since Kerch became the oldest city in Russia after the annexation of Crimea.

Moving away from foreign policy, we will tell you about both localities, as well as how old the oldest cities in Russia are. You may also be interested in the article about the most ancient cities in the world.

The oldest city in Russia

Derbent

Dagestan's Derbent is recognized as the oldest city in Russia (the name is translated into Russian as “closed gates”). The question of Derbent's age remains open. Historians believe that the first settlements on this site appeared at the end of the fourth millennium BC. The first mentions of Derbent are found in ancient Greek chronicles: already in the 6th century. BC the ancient Greek geographer Hecataeus of Miletus wrote about the “Caspian Gates” located here. But the stone walls that laid the foundation for modern Derbent went up in 438 AD. - the Persians erected them. Therefore, this year is considered the official founding date of the city, although in 2012, by order of Vladimir Putin, local residents celebrated the 2000th anniversary of Derbent.

Ancient Derbent is located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea, not far from the place where the Samur River ends. The city was surrounded by the Greater Caucasus mountains on one side and the waters of the Caspian Sea on the other, and therefore had the strategic importance of a connecting link between Eastern Europe and “Anterior Asia”, protection from numerous raids of the Scythians, Huns and Khazars. Derbent was rightly called the “crossroads of civilizations”: at this point East and West, North and South converged.

Even today, after many centuries, the defensive complex of Derbent inspires awe. Derbent fortress - two grandiose stone walls (height - from 12 to 20 meters, thickness - 3), separated from each other by 400 meters, a sea wall extending into the water for half a kilometer, and the monumental citadel of Naryn-Kala, rising on top of 300- meter steep hill.

Now in the oldest city of Russia there are many extremely interesting museum exhibitions. By by and large, more than half of the city is a museum-reserve under open air. Special attention deserves the Juma mosque located on the territory of the fortress (translated from Arabic as “Friday mosque”, that is, the most great mosque cities). It is recognized as the oldest mosque and one of the most ancient buildings in Russia that have survived to this day - the date of construction of the Derbent Juma Mosque is 733 AD.

Kerch

Kerch, Cherzeti, Cherchio, Korchev, Charsha, Bosporus, Panticapaeum (and even this is not full list names that it can boast of Crimean city with a history of thousands of years) celebrated its 2600th anniversary in September 2000. Its territory contains monuments worthy of being among the most famous sights of Russia.

Archaeologists have discovered evidence that people settled on the territory of Kerch long before the official date of the founding of the city - approximately eight thousand years BC. But there were also finds that confirmed a completely shocking figure: it turns out that this piece of the Kerch Peninsula was inhabited during the time of the Neanderthals!

Kerch experienced its first heyday during the era of the Bosporan Kingdom. The city of Panticapaeum, the oldest “ancestor” of Kerch, grew up on the shore of the strait at the end of the 7th century BC. It was he who became the starting point for the expansion of the Hellenes into the peninsula. Until the 3rd century BC. Patnikapaean culture was at its peak: gold and silver coins were minted here, local residents were familiar with the works of Hesiod and Herodotus, the city was famous for its winemakers, foundry and pottery masters, and traded with Europe, China and the countries of Central Asia. The Yeni-Kale fortress is one of the most famous attractions of Kerch

Four hundred years later, the Slavs became the masters of Charshi, who renamed the city Korchev. The settlement that protected the strait served as the most important trade and military point of the Kyiv state. However, in the 12th century, after repeated raids by the Cumans, he returned under the wing of Byzantium. Kerch returned to Russia only at the end of the 18th century, after the sixth Russian-Turkish war.
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Small towns in Russia are keepers of ancient memories. Modest, unspoiled by crowds of tourists, unlike their European counterparts. And at the same time majestic in its simplicity. What treasures they reveal to a caring gaze, how many stories and legends they keep! We are together with Ekaterina We invite you to go on a short trip to ancient Russian cities.

Alexandrov

Very close to Moscow is the city of Alexandrov, which in the 16th century became the main arena of terrible events that took place in Rus'. Previously, on the site of Alexandrov there was a Great Sloboda, and in the 14th century it began to be called Alexandrovskaya Sloboda. In 1564, Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible moved here along with all his entourage. It seems to the Tsar that he is surrounded by traitors and enemies in Moscow, and he leaves the capital. For seventeen years, Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda remained the residence of Ivan the Terrible. Here the tsar issues a decree on the oprichnina, marries Marya Sobakina and immediately, in a fit of anger, kills his son.

After this tragedy, the king leaves the settlement and never returns here. Now the main attraction of Alexandrov is the Kremlin. Palace buildings appeared during Vasily III, at the same time the Trinity Cathedral was built. After the sack of Novgorod, Ivan IV removed the gates from the St. Sophia Cathedral and installed them at the entrance to the Trinity Cathedral. In 1654, it was founded in the settlement convent. On the territory of the Kremlin, the Intercession Church, the Crucifixion Church-belltower, Marfin's Chambers and the Assumption Church have also been preserved. The Church of the Intercession was built at the beginning of the 16th century and is the first stone tented church in Rus'.

Kashin

Kashin is an ancient city in the Tver region. Nature itself has distinguished Kashin from other cities - the Kashinka River flows through it, which with its loops forms the shape of a heart. There are wooden bridges across the river. The fact that they still remain wooden is also a tribute to tradition and history.

There are many churches in Kashin, which are several centuries old. The Resurrection Cathedral, for example, was built in 1382 and witnessed the confrontation between two principalities - Moscow and Tver. If you climb the bell tower of the cathedral, you will have a view of the entire city. Unfortunately, not all churches have survived. But those that have survived: Frolo-Lavrovskaya, Ilyinsko-Preobrazhenskaya, Petropavlovskaya, Entrance to Jerusalem and others - create a unique atmosphere in Kashin. Kashin is also a resort town, the only one in the Tver region. There is a source of medicinal and table mineral water here.

Kalyazin

Kalyazin is another city in the Tver region. The first mentions of it refer to XII century. Ironically, famous city became not thanks to its cultural monuments, but precisely because they were destroyed. In 1940, the historical part of the old city was flooded due to the construction of the Uglich hydroelectric power station. Only the bell tower of St. Nicholas Cathedral survived, becoming one of the symbols of Russia. Now this bell tower stands alone in the middle of the water, causing both admiration and sadness, mixed with bewilderment. Why was it necessary to destroy such beauty?

Myshkin

Do you want to see what a merchant town in Russia looked like? late XIX century - come to Myshkin. The architecture of this, the smallest in Yaroslavl region, the city has been preserved as it was 100-150 years ago. The city's coat of arms depicts a mouse. This animal is a symbol of Myshkin. According to legend, one of the princes fell asleep on the banks of the Volga, and a mouse warned him about a creeping snake. Despite its modest size, Myshkin can boast a large number attractions.

The museums here are unusual, and the locals are very proud of them. For example, there is the world's only Mouse Museum, which displays a huge number of mouse exhibits from all over the world. There is also a museum in Myshkin unique technology, where you can look at vintage cars and motorcycles and even ride them. And in Myshkin there is a flax museum, a felt boot museum and many others. When you've had your fill of museums, climb the bell tower of the five-domed Assumption Cathedral to enjoy a beautiful panorama.

Chukhloma

A city with such interesting name(correctly spoken with the emphasis on the first syllable) is located in the Kostroma region. It is located on the shores of the picturesque Chukhloma Lake, where residents have been fishing for centuries. There is still debate about the origin of the name. There is a version that it came from the word “chud” - the collective name of all the Finno-Ugric tribes that inhabited the north of Russia.

Chukhloma was first mentioned in chronicles from 1381. The city repelled many attacks by Tatars and Poles. However, only the earthen ramparts have survived from the fortifications. Modern look the city was found in the 18th century. The main attraction of Chukhloma is the Avraamiev Gorodets Monastery, founded in the 14th century by a student of Sergei of Radonezh. Not far from the city is the Lermontov family estate. Works in Chukhlom local history museum, the Assumption Church and the Transfiguration Cathedral, built in the first half of the 18th century, have been preserved.

Staraya Ladoga

Staraya Ladoga is the ancient capital of Rus', a place of amazing open spaces and incredible colors. What power is felt in this, not even a city, but a village! A colossal number of monuments have been preserved here. Ladoga is mentioned in chronicles from 862; there is a version that it was the first capital of Rus'. The construction of the stone Kremlin in Ladoga began in the 12th century. The walls of the fortress withstood more than one attack by the Swedes. In 1704, Peter I founded Novaya Ladoga, and Staraya Ladoga lost its city status.

Over time, the Ladoga fortress turned into almost ruins. But from the middle of the 20th century, work began on its restoration. Reconstruction continues to this day. There is a very interesting local history museum on the territory of the fortress. In Staraya Ladoga there is an amazingly beautiful ancient temple George. It was erected in the 12th century. To the north of the Ladoga fortress stands the Assumption Cathedral, also built in the 12th century. True, it was rebuilt in the 17th century.

Kronstadt

The construction of Kronstadt began in 1703, when Peter I founded Fort Kronshlot (Crown Castle). The purpose of this construction was to close the water passage for enemy ships and thereby protect the new capital from attacks. After 20 years, construction began on the main fortress, called Kronstadt (Crown City). Peter I commissioned the most talented craftsmen to work on the architecture of the fortress. Therefore, Kronstadt is a unique port city. Its center is listed World Heritage UNESCO.

One of the most famous attractions of Kronstadt is the Naval St. Nicholas Cathedral. It was built in 1913, in the neo-Byzantine style. Now it is considered the main temple Navy Russia. On the square in front of the cathedral there is a monument to Admiral Makarov, who died in Russian-Japanese war. Another famous building in Kronstadt is the Italian Palace. It was built for the favorite of Peter I - the first governor of Kronstadt, A. D. Menshikov. The greatest impression in Kronstadt remains after a walk along the embankment among the mighty ships.

Belozersk

They say that the Kremlin in Belozersk has a special attractive force that makes you fall in love forever. And this despite the fact that all that remains of the Kremlin here are earthen ramparts with a moat and the Transfiguration Cathedral. But it seems that all the magnetism is in these shafts. They appeared in the 15th century under Ivan III. In those days, their height reached 30 m. Now they have settled a little, but they still look impressive and impressive. And Belozersk itself is one of the oldest cities in Russia. It is mentioned in chronicles as early as 862. It is believed that the city was ruled by Rurik’s brother, Sineus. The city is located on the shores of Lake Belye.

This is where the name “Belozersk” came from. In 1352, a plague epidemic occurred in Belozersk, which killed almost the entire population of the city. After this tragedy, Belozersk was moved 17 km to the west, where it is now located. In 1612, Belozersk was besieged and ravaged by the Poles. Gradually the city is falling into decay. It seems that civilization is completely bypassing him. But maybe this is for the better? Wooden buildings have been preserved in the city center; on Voskresensky Prospekt there are still two-story merchant mansions of the 1st half of the 19th century century. The oldest surviving temple here is the Church of the Assumption, built in 1553.

Totma

Totma (emphasis on the first syllable) is a very small town in the Vologda region. But what majestic architecture is here! The temples resemble beautiful ships soaring upward. The first mention of Totma dates back to 1137. In the 13th century, salt was found here, which made Totma richest city. In the 18th-19th centuries, local merchants organized fur-trading expeditions to the Aleutian Islands and the shores of Russian America. This was the time of the city's greatest prosperity. Returning from their campaigns, rich merchants built churches.

How beautiful these temples are! Their style is unique. It seems to be baroque, but not ordinary. The walls of the temples are decorated with cartouches - intricate patterns, like on nautical maps, and the windows in some places are round and look like ship portholes. This unique style made it possible to distinguish the “Totem Baroque” into a separate school. Previously, there were 19 such churches in Totma, now only 4 remain. The most famous of them are the Church of the Entrance to Jerusalem and the Church of the Nativity.

Tobolsk

Tobolsk stands at the confluence of the Tobol River and the Irtysh. It was founded in 1587 and was the first in Siberia to receive city status. Tobolsk is called the spiritual center of Siberia. There are more than 200 historical sites here, including the only stone Kremlin in Siberia. Tobolsk was a city of exile. Archpriest Avvakuam, A.N., was sent into exile here. Radishcheva, P.A. Sumarokov, Decembrists. The latter’s family spent nine months here in 1917 Russian Emperor Nicholas II.

It is interesting that not only people were exiled to Tobolsk. In 1593, a bell was banished here from Uglich because its ringing announced the death of Tsarevich Dmitry and thereby caused trouble. When going on an excursion to the Tobolsk Kremlin, visit the rentery (storage of the state fur treasury), Gostiny Dvor, and bell tower. It’s nice to just stroll around Tobolsk, go into Ermak’s garden, and admire the facades of the buildings.

Before naming the most ancient cities of Russia, it is necessary to clarify what is meant, an original Russian city that originally arose on the lands of Rus', or a settlement located on the territory modern Russia. In the second case, the answer will be clear - this is Derbent. It has been known about since the 6th century BC, when there was no Rus' at all.

Territory inhabited since time immemorial

Of course, as excavations show, there were ancient settlements everywhere, including on the territory of Moscow. And in Crimea, on the White Rock, a skeleton of a mother and child was found, which is 150,000 years old.

Later, during the Copper Age (Chalcolithic), settlements were already protected in every possible way, a prototype of fortresses appeared - a fortified settlement was erected on a high place, a fence was built near the river. Archaeologists still have a lot of work to do - there are already hundreds of excavated settlements on the territory of our country belonging to various temporary cultures. Herodotus mentions the wooden city of Gelon, which, according to some scientists, could be located on the territory of present-day Saratov. Much is known about the existence, especially in the Crimea, of ancient cities such as Tiras and Olbia, Tanais and Phanagoria. These cities and many others formed medieval Rus'. Based on the above, we can conclude that Rurik did not come out of nowhere.

One of many

There are many lists of ancient Russian cities and they all differ. Some indicate only one settlements, in some others, the dates of formation do not always coincide. Scientists argue, and new data appear. Below is one of the lists.

		Dates of foundation
	Veliky Novgorod
	Rostov Veliky
	Belozersk
	Veliky Izborsk
	Smolensk
	Vladimir
	Yaroslavl

A few more

The most ancient cities in Russia are those whose names sound more familiar, and their origin dates back to us closer to the 9th century. Researchers do not have complete agreement on which city of Rus' should be considered the most ancient; all the lists differ - somewhere the first line is occupied by Veliky Novgorod, somewhere by Staraya Ladoga (in another version it occupies the fifth line), somewhere by Murom. Izborsk, which was a suburb of Pskov under Princess Olga (10th century), is rarely mentioned in articles, and in some lists it occupies second place. The year of foundation is indicated as 862. Its peers are considered to be Polotsk and Rostov, Murom and Ladoga, Beloozero, Smolensk and Lyubich. The list of “The Most Ancient Cities of Russia” continues with Pskov, whose date of birth is 903, followed by Uglich, Trubchevsk, Bryansk, Vladimir, Rostov. Suzdal was founded in 999. Kazan in 1005, Yaroslavl in 1010.

Novgorod is the oldest

Most often, the list is headed by Veliky Novgorod, first mentioned in the Novgorod Chronicle of 859. The mention is associated with Rurik, who came to Rus' from Ladoga (based on this information, in some lists this settlement is indicated under the first number). The favorable location made Novgorod already by the middle of the 9th century the center of the northwestern lands and the first capital of Ancient Rus'. The city is a major cultural, political and shopping mall, conducting exchanges of goods with many foreign countries.

But in 882, Prince Oleg conquers Kyiv and makes it his capital and leaves Novgorod. The city continued to develop quite successfully, becoming the first “window to Europe” for Rus'. It may be noted that the first bishop arrived in Veliky Novgorod in 989.

Year of the construction boom

The second number in some list of “The Most Ancient Cities of Russia” is Belozersk, founded in 862. I wonder whose efforts laid the foundation for so many cities this year? Beloozero (the second name of the city) was moved several times - either it would flood it, or a pestilence would destroy half the population. Trade routes passed through it along the Sheksna and Mologa rivers to the Volga and beyond. Both Novgorod and Belozersk are cities with rich history, they still exist, but in this article they are interesting precisely as the ancient cities of Russia.

The list continues with the well-known Murom, thanks to the great prisoner Ilya. The history of this outpost dates back to the settlement of Oka by the Finnish Muroma tribe. The city was the capital of the Murom-Ryazan principality. Due to the fact that it was in the border zone, the city was constantly subject to raids. In 862, Polotsk (Polotesk) was founded at the mouth of the Polota River at its confluence with the Western Dvina. Included Old Russian state Polotsk dates back to 907, there is documentary evidence of this. At the same time, the city of Rostov was built on the shores of Lake Nero, which later became part of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality.

Next on the list

Smolensk was founded a year later in 863. It is mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years. The advantageous position on the Dnieper contributed to the rapid establishment of the capital of the Krivichi people. Smolensk is part of Kievan Rus as a strong principality. Pskov and Uglich, Bryansk and Suzdal, Yaroslavl, Kursk and Ryazan, Vladimir, Kostroma and Tver are also ancient cities of Russia. Moscow also completes the list. But these are younger entities. Thus, Tver was founded in 1208. Initially, the city was part of the Novgorod principality, and then was annexed to the Vladimir-Suzdal lands. All these cities are the historical heritage of our country.

The history of the famous route

About 40 years ago in the newspaper " Soviet Russia» a number of articles were published about ancient Russian cities concentrated on the territory of several nearby regions. The golden-domed churches of these cities, located in a closed ring, gave their name to the new tourist route. " golden ring Russia" was born from newspaper essays, the term was coined by the writer Yuri Bychkov. Initially, this route included only eight of the most ancient Russian cities - Moscow and Sergiev Posad, Pereyaslavl-Zalessky and Rostov the Great, Uglich and Yaroslavl, Kostroma and Ples, Suzdal and Vladimir, with one more point between them - Bogolyubovo. These cities were selected according to a certain principle. For example, they present all types of ancient Russian architecture, the development of which can be traced in stages.

Unofficial center

The route was gaining popularity, it became a cult, but many ancient settlements were not covered. And now, the “Golden Ring of Russia” already includes 20 cities, special routes are being created to visit other famous points.

There are cruises on the Volga under this name. The unofficial but generally recognized capital of the entire Golden Ring is Vladimir, a city located 193 km from Moscow, where the route begins and ends. The Pearl of the Ring was founded in 1108. Vladimir Monomakh, who was actively involved in urban planning, founded a wooden fortress and surrounded it with an earthen rampart. The city owes its prosperity to his grandson Andrei Bogolyubsky. Famous Vladimir icon was brought to the city by him, and he also built for her the amazing Church of the Dormition of the Mother of God. In 1157, Vladimir became the capital of the Old Russian state. The city continues to actively develop. Since that time, many monuments have been preserved, and this center of ancient architecture amazes with its beauty preserved in its original form. The main attractions of the city are the Golden Gate, built in 1164, the Assumption Cathedral, painted by Andrei Rublev in the 12th century, and Demetrius Cathedral, famous for its white stone carvings. These are not all the historical and architectural monuments that Vladimir is rich in.

Famed for warriors

All the cities of the Golden Ring amaze and fascinate with their original Russian beauty. Some occupy special niches. Thus, the city of Murom, instead of which Ivanovo sometimes appears in the list of 8 cities, is the oldest city in Russia. He, mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years, remained pagan for a very long time. After the murder of Yaroslav the Wise's great-grandson Mikhail in Murom, his father, his grandfather's namesake, Prince Yaroslav besieged the city, and, taking it, baptized the inhabitants by force in 1097. Murom was destroyed by Batu, later ravaged by the Tatars three times, it was plundered in Troubled times, but his soldiers were always in the forefront of the defenders of the Motherland. Murom city

gave Rus' the most famous hero Ilya Muromets.

Handsome Suzdal

Just to list the monasteries, churches and bell towers of Suzdal, the open-air museum, not even a page is enough. Ancient monastery walls, bell towers and gate churches - dozens of beautiful objects represent Russian architecture from the 12th to the 19th centuries. The city of Suzdal has a special attraction. White stone churches and ancient monuments, of which there are up to 200 in the city-museum, are under the protection of UNESCO. This beautiful city was first mentioned in chronicles from 1024. Now it is doing everything to attract more tourists. Street vendors selling souvenirs and mead, buffoons and horse-drawn carriages have created an atmosphere of endless celebration in the city.

Veliky Novgorod, due to its remoteness, is not included in the Golden Ring of Russia.

What is the oldest city in Russia? There is no exact answer to this question, there are versions. The most common of them, based on the first mentions in the chronicles, say that the oldest city in Russia is Derbent. There is a lot of debate about whether Kievan Rus itself existed at the moment when the first settlements of Derbent were already built?

Derbent passed through. There were a lot of fierce battles for the possession of this important strategic object. Enemies stormed and destroyed the Narrow Gate. Periods of prosperity alternated with periods of decline. The city survived, and its well-preserved stone structures can be seen in the State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve.

The oldest city in Russia. Veliky Novgorod is also called this way. It is 1147 years old. In 862 it became the first capital of the Russian state. This city did not suffer from the Tatar-Mongol invasion. Here was the center for the development of culture and painting, architecture and applied arts. Now it is part of the global cultural heritage UNESCO.

The oldest city in Russia, unfortunately, has not been preserved in historical chronicle records of its existence. One can only guess what he was like. There are many cities and settlements in Russia that are more than 1000 years old. This is Staraya Ladoga, it is 1252, and Pskov - 1101, and Izborsk-1147. The numbers are quite arbitrary, exact date no one can tell the reason now. In those time immemorial They did not yet know how to write; literacy began to spread much later than these settlements were created.

There have been many trials. Many of them were destroyed and wiped off the face of the earth as a result of sieges and wars. Some cities were restored starting from scratch, while some of them disappeared into oblivion. Vshchizh, Verzhavsk, Zhizhets, Usvyat do not exist. After them, only mentions in the chronicle and the remains of fortifications remained. Each of these cities, and a hundred more destroyed, can lay claim to this title - the oldest city in Russia.

There are cities with centuries-old history who managed to survive. They showed their strong vitality, passed the tests of centuries, but as a result of repeated destructive wars they were unable to preserve the monuments of the ancient Russian past.

Such cities include Medyn Kaluga region(1386) and Dorogobuzh of the Smolensk region (1238). Here appanage princes were at enmity with each other, Batu’s soldiers committed arbitrariness, Polish-Lithuanian detachments, soldiers of the great Napoleonic army passed through them, Hitler’s troops passed through them twice. It is not surprising that with such military biography, there are almost no historical traces left in the cities.

The oldest cities in Russia were built on high river banks. Each one acquired its own unique appearance. But for all their uniqueness and diversity, the cities have a similar architectural silhouette, formed by churches with domes and bell towers.

And in the Middle Ages, all ancient Russian cities had defensive fortifications. Research continues, perhaps historians will still answer the question: “What is the oldest city in Russia?”

In ancient Rus' there was a high art of urban planning. The ancient monuments that have survived to this day testify to this.

Located on the territory of modern Dagestan, archaeologists date its foundation to the 6th century BC. The first mentions of the city in the manuscripts of ancient Greek historians and geographers also survive from the same time.

The name of the city has Persian roots, the word “darbant” means “narrow gate”. This city was called the Caspian Gate. The name was formed due to the fact that the city is located in a narrow passage between the mountains and the Caspian Sea. In ancient times, the Silk Road ran through Derbent, and the city was an important trading point. Therefore, many peoples wanted to own the city - many battles were fought here. Derbent was often destroyed and burned during strife, after which the city was restored again.

Some researchers question whether Derbent can be considered the oldest city in Russia, since it was founded and flourished at a time when there were neither people nor Kievan Rus. And the fact that now the city is located on the territory of modern Russian Federation does not give grounds to consider it truly Russian.

Despite this, the city is very popular among tourists, because there are many ancient attractions, for example, stone buildings in the Museum-Reserve dating back to the 6th century BC, as well as ancient mosques.

Veliky Novgorod

Second contender for the title oldest city Russia - Veliky Novgorod. This is the place where Christianity was born in Ancient Rus'. Every native resident of Novgorod believes that this is the city of the country.

The founding of Veliky Novgorod occurred in 859. After the pagan city turned into a Christian one, a lot began to be built here. Novgorod became the spiritual center of Kievan Rus.

Currently in Novgorod there are many ancient cultural monuments, the very spirit of the city is imbued with antiquity and grandeur. This is a truly Russian city.

Staraya Ladoga

Towards the version that it is Staraya Ladoga - ancient city, most researchers are inclined to believe. The foundation of the city dates back to the 8th century. It was a port city on the Varangian trade route to Volkhov, located at the confluence of lakes Ilmen and Ladoga.

Currently, it has not been fully studied, but archaeological research is being carried out in the vicinity of the city. Staraya Ladoga preserves many ancient cultural monuments and attractions.