Novgorod

Novgorod is the oldest of Russian cities, and the place where Russia first came into existence as a state, in the C9th.  Legend has it that the local population sent a messenger to a Viking warlord named Rurik, saying “We have a rich land, but there is no order in it. Come and rule us”.  (Russian historians have agonized over this letter for hundreds of years, trying to come up with stories which make it sound a bit better for them.  One point which is mostly agreed is that although Rurik was a Viking, he was also a Slav himself, and thus a brother nation to the Russians anyhow). However, Rurik’s successors found the chilly northern climate not to their liking – and that there were better lifestyles to be had to the South… and consequently they moved to Kiev (now in the independent country of Ukraine) within a generation.  Novgorod languished in forgotten obscurity for hundreds of years – leaving it happily untouched by horrible soviet-era building programs. 

The medieval Kremlin in Novgorod (yes, they have one too) is in more authentic condition than the one in Moscow.  However, beyond the Kremlin and few medieval churches in the neighbourhood,  there is not much more to see or do in Novgorod – a day or two would cover everything comfortably.  Although it doesn’t lie on the main train-line between Moscow and St Petersburg, you can use train services (daytime to/from St Petersburg, overnight to/from Moscow) to “position” Novgorod between St P and Moscow in your travel plans – and it is worthwhile doing so if you are interested in Russia’s ancient history.