The city was called "Lord Novgorod the Great" in the XII - XIII centuries when it was at the height of its power. In 1136 - 1478 yy., as the capital city of an independent feudal state - the Novgorod republic - Novgorod lived its own life, a life in many ways different from the lives of the other ancient Russian towns. It was not only its own "lord and master", but also extended its power over nearly all northern Russia.

In the XIII century Novgorod defended its independence in battles against Sweden and the Livonian Order and saved the Russian Lands from invasion from the west. Novgorod had long been an important center on the trade route between Russia and Western Europe. Items made by Novgorod craftsmen were in great demand at markets throughout the world.

The distinctively democratic character of the Novgorod republic determined the originality of the art which developed here. The Novgorod school of architecture and icon - painting was one of the most important trends in old Russia culture. Novgorod cultural heritage is a source of national pride - no other ancient Russian towns has so many outstanding architectural monuments from XI - XVII centuries as Novgorod has. Here you can see X century wood paving and XI - XV centuries birchbark deeds - letters and documents written by the people of Novgorod on the bark of birch trees. The city contain unique murals created by the great icon - painter, Theophanes the Greek, as well as distinctive painting by local masters.

Visitors to the city will see the grand ensembles on the bank of the Volkhov River just as they stood centuries ago: the Ancient Novgorod Kremlin and the center of medieval Novgorod - Yaroslav Palace with the trade area.

We offer for You information about the Cultural Heritage of ancient Novgorod.