Velikiy Novgorod

Novgorod is one of the oldest cities in Russia; it was first mentioned in the 9th century. From 1136 to 1478, it was the center of a separate administrative and political entity known as the Novgorod Republic, which controlled much of the Russian North. Novgorod served as the intermediary between other Russian cities and northwestern Europe, allowing it to flourish through trade with the Hanseatic League, whose major trading post, or kontor, in the city was the Peterhof. At its peak in the 14th century, it was one of Europe's largest cities.

The city was historically known as Veliky Novgorod to distinguish it from other Russian cities known as Novgorod. In 1999, it was officially renamed Veliky Novgorod. UNESCO recognized Novgorod as a World Heritage Site in 1992.