Archaeologists do not give an exact answer to the question of which city is the most ancient city in Russia, but according to the data of archaeological excavations and research, there are three cities that can be called the oldest. These are Derbent, Veliky Novgorod, Staraya Ladoga.
Derbent
This ancient city is 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 survived from the same time.
The name of the city has Persian roots, the word "darbant" means "narrow gate". In ancient times, 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, burned during strife, after which the city was rebuilt again.
Some researchers doubt that it is Derbent that can be considered the most ancient city of Russia, since it was founded and flourished at a time when there was still no Russian people or Kievan Rus. And the fact that the city is now located on the territory of the modern Russian Federation does not give reason to consider it a true Russian one.
Despite this, the city is very popular with 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.
Velikiy Novgorod
The second contender for the title of the oldest city in Russia is Veliky Novgorod. This is the place where Christianity originated in Ancient Russia. Every indigenous resident of Novgorod believes that this is the oldest city in the country.
The foundation of Veliky Novgorod took place in 859. After the pagan city turned into a Christian one, many churches began to be built here. Novgorod became the spiritual center of Kievan Rus.
Currently, there are many ancient cultural monuments in Novgorod, the very spirit of the city is saturated with antiquity and grandeur. This is truly a Russian city.
Staraya Ladoga
Most researchers are inclined to the version that Staraya Ladoga is the most ancient Russian city. The city was founded in the 8th century. It was a port city on the way of the Varangian trade route to Volkhov, the location was the confluence of the Ilmen and Ladoga lakes.
Currently, the history of the city has not been fully studied, and archaeological research is being conducted in the vicinity of the city. Staraya Ladoga keeps many ancient cultural monuments and sights.
