Novgorod is one of the most ancient cities of Russia located in its North-West, near the site where the Volkhov river takes its waters from Lake Ilmen, emerged as a political center of Slavic and Fino-Ugric tribes in the mid-9th century, while as a town it was formed in the middle of the 10th century. Throughout many centuries, Novgorod was a political center of vast territories stretching up from Baltic lands and Finland in the West to northern Urals in the East. It was also one of the greatest international trade centers on the Baltic-Volga commercial route that tied northern Europe with Asia as early as in the mid - 8th century. Novgorod is the cradle of Russian republican and democratic traditions.

You are welcome to admire the monuments of the twelth century Novgorod architecture - the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Yaroslav's Court and the Church of the Nativity of Our Lady in St. Anthony's Monastery, that have brought to us old fresco painting, carved iconostases, the necropolis of the 17th - 18th centuries. Many experts of Russian art believe Novgorod to be Russian Florence; none of the other old Russian cities has managed to preserve so many ancient architectural monuments adorned with wall murals. The Kremlin of Novgorod - the oldest in Russia, this fortress was mentioned in chronicles in 1044, while its today's walls and towers were constructed at the close of 15th century.