Velikiy Novgorod << vyih LEE kee yuh NAWV guh ruht >> (pop. 224,286) is an important industrial center and one of the oldest cities in Russia. It lies on both banks of the Volkhov River. Velikiy Novgorod was once known simply as Novgorod.
Velikiy Novgorod has numerous architectural monuments built between the 1000’s and 1600’s, including many churches. These sites attract many tourists. Velikiy Novgorod’s industries include the production of chemicals, china, furniture, and machinery.
The city probably existed as early as the A.D. 600’s. In the 900’s, it became an important city in Kievan Rus—the first East Slavic state. Between the 1200’s and 1500’s, the city was a financial and commercial center. In the early 1600’s, invading Swedish forces caused much destruction. After the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Russian government established factories in the region. German forces destroyed much of Novgorod during World War II (1939-1945). The city was rebuilt as an industrial center, and historic landmarks were restored. In 1998, the city reclaimed its historic name, Velikiy Novgorod, which means Novgorod the Great.
See also Alexander Nevsky.
