Prior to assuming the throne of Kiev Prince of Novgorod and Vladimir were Svyatoslavich (who baptized Rus) and his son Yaroslav the Wise. The adoption of Christianity gradually transformed Novgorod into a powerful spiritual center of Russia, developing trade and commerce. In 1136 Novgorod was "free in princes – the princes were invited to" work under the contract "for a certain period. If Prince does not meet the expectations, it could drive. From the xii century Novgorod Land became an independent feudal republic. Govern the life of the Republic of Novgorod Veche (meeting of representatives from different parts of the city), which decides issues of war and peace, foreign and domestic policy. At the Chamber chose Bishop – Archbishop of Novgorod. Initially, all the buildings were wooden Novgorod – a fortress, houses and farm buildings, churches had been cut down from logs.
Ancient Novgorod were famous as skilled carpenters, and even to fight walked around with an ax. The whole city was divided into five areas of concentration. City planning was from the Kremlin: the streets radiate in all directions inside the city and its surroundings is a huge number of monasteries, in which geriatric care, many of Novgorod. During its long history of Novgorod was reconstructed several times to reschedule the streets, varied buildings. To replace the wooden buildings had stone, the first of which was Hagia Sophia – the Wisdom of God. Key Milestones in the history of Novgorod: 859 – the first mention of Novgorod in the Tale of Bygone Years "in connection with the famous by" from the Vikings to the Greeks, the .862 – calling on the Varangian Rurik .1019 city – prince Yaroslav the Wise Novgorod proclaimed independent from Kieva.1044 city – begins construction of stone walls of the Kremlin (Detinets) .1045 – in Detinets lay the first stone temple Sv.Sofii.1136 – Novgorod is "free in princes" and becomes a republic, headed by the Chamber – the people, the sobranie.1242 – Battle on the Ice, the victory of Novgorod, led by Prince Alexander Nevskim.1471 city – the battle on the river Shelon, the defeat of Novgorod from the Muscovites and the beginning annexation of Novgorod to Moskve.1478 city – the end of the Novgorod .1570 city – the defeat of Novgorod, Ivan Groznym.1611-1617 years.