Derbent is the most ancient city in Russia

The fact that Dagestan Derbent is the most ancient city on the territory of the Russian Federation does not cause any doubts, because facts testify to this, but disputes arise because some scientists do not want to view this city as Russian. After all, in those times when it was founded, there was no Russia, let alone the Russian Empire. However, UNESCO came to the conclusion that Dagestan Derbent is the most ancient city in Russia. And in 2012, this fact was confirmed not only by Russians, but also by representatives of other countries, when in the framework of the All-Russian program "Trees - living monuments of nature" Derbent plane trees were recognized as nature monuments and taken under protection. According to scientists, their age is several centuries.

History of ancient Derband

The oldest city in Russia, Derbent, was founded many years before Christ. The first settlements in this area appeared over 2600 years ago. Ancient Greek historian and geographer Hecataeus Miletus called this place the Caspian Gate. The most ancient city of Russia in Persian was called Derband - Narrow Gate, because it was located in the corresponding mountain pass (Dagestan corridor) between the Caucasian foothills on the western coast of the Caspian Sea. Derbent in ancient times lay on the Great Silk Road and was an important strategic object. Because of him, many battles and battles were fought. Today, on the territory of Derbent, the ruins of an ancient city have been preserved. The museum-reserve includes the whole complex of stone buildings of the 6th c. BC. E., The simplest water supply system, baths, the Persian fortress of Naryn-kala, and the extent of the fortification wall is over 40 km. The museum also houses the Juma Mosque, the oldest Muslim shrine on the territory of not only Russia, but also the CIS. That is why UNESCO considers that the place that was formerly called Derband was the most ancient city in Russia, because Dagestan is the administrative unit of the Russian Federation. Consequently, the city is located on the territory of the Russian Federation and is Russian.

Historical value of Derbent

Despite all this, the city is not yet the largest tourist center. Although there is a hope that after the international organization has recognized its historical value, flows of tourists from all parts of Russia and the world will rush into the most ancient city of Russia - Derbent.

For many centuries, art, science and craft developed in Derbent. The historical museum of the city contains many preserved objects of everyday life and artistic creations belonging to local craftsmen. The stone structures themselves with interesting architecture, strong fortress walls, which could withstand the onslaught of enemy hordes, speak of the power of the city.

The most ancient cities of Russia

Other ancient cities on the territory of the Russian Federation are Veliky Novgorod, Murom, Uglich, Rostov-Veliky, Belozersk, and others.

Of course, Veliky Novgorod is a native Russian city, but compared to Derbent, he is very young. Novgorod dates from the year 859, long before Russia adopted Christianity. Naturally, initially there were no churches with golden domes in which the city of Novgorod is so proud. After Prince Vladimir baptized the Russian people, Novgorod built the 13th-century wooden church of St. Sophia the Wise. Later the city became the spiritual center of all of Russia. Many analysts believe that the most ancient city of Russia is not Derbent, namely Veliky Novgorod - one of the most Russian and ancient in Russia.