Archaeologists do not give an exact answer to the question of which city is the oldest city in Russia, but according to archaeological excavations and studies, three cities stand out that can be called the oldest. This is Derbent, Veliky Novgorod, Staraya Ladoga.
Derbent
This ancient city is located on the territory of modern Dagestan, archaeologists date back to the 6th century BC. The first mention 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 came about because 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 retail outlet. Therefore, many nations wanted to own the city - there were many battles. Derbent was often destroyed, burned during the feud, after which the city was restored again.
Some researchers doubt that Derbent can be considered the oldest city in Russia, since it was founded and flourished at a time when there was neither the Russian people nor Kievan Rus. And the fact that now the city is located on the territory of the modern Russian Federation does not give reason to consider it to be true Russian.
Despite this, the city is very popular among tourists, because there are many ancient attractions, for example, stone buildings in the Museum-Reserve, dated to the 6th century BC, as well as ancient mosques.
Velikiy Novgorod
The second applicant for the title of the oldest city in Russia is Veliky Novgorod. This is the place where Christianity arose in Ancient Russia. Each native of Novgorod believes that this is the oldest city in the country.
The foundation of Veliky Novgorod occurred in 859. After the pagan city turned into a Christian, 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.
