History of the St. Petersburg

Early Russia’s foremost cultural and art centre, Novgorod was first mentioned in a scripture in 859. For the many centuries ever since Novgorod produced a large artistic school and preserved numberless monuments of the 11th-17th-century architecture, along with artistically outstanding works of early monumental painting. Novgorod remained unconquered throughout the hard times of Tartar invasion, so that its cultural monuments and artistic traditions survived until to-day. This explains the city’s special significance in Russian art.

Novgorod. Kremlin-citadel. Belfry of St Sophia Cathedral (1437, rebuilt in the 16th and 17th centuries). General view from the West

Novgorod. Entrance arch of the kremlin (built in 1820 on the site of the Voskresenskaya (Resurrection) Tower pulled down late in the 17th century). View from the kremlin, from the East

Novgorod. Kremlin towers and the Volkhov River.

Novgorod. The Torgovaya Storona. View of the kremlin through the arch of the former Gostiny Dvor

Novgorod. Kremlin-citadel. View of the kremlin wall from the Volkhov River

Novgorod. Kremlin-citadel. Vladychny Dvor. Clock Tower of St Euthymus (1443; upper section rebuilt in 1673) with the overgate Church of St Sergius of Radonezh (1463, 1459). General view from the North

Novgorod. Kremlin-citadel (walls and towers dating from 1484-1490). General view from the Torgovaya (Merchandise) Storona.