An interview with a manager of Old Ladoga conservation area L. Gubchevskaya

In Leningrad region the celebrations of the 1250th anniversary of Old Ladoga, the first capital of Russia are under way.


ZAHARTSEV: The village Old Ladoga is situated on the river Volhov near the Ladoga Lake more than 100 kilometers away from the present St. Petersburg. According to the found manuscripts it was actually the capital of ancient Russia, at least of its northern part. The manager of the Local History Museum L. Gubchevskaya told that.


GUBCHEVSKAYA: Whereas the table of the prince, there is the capital. According to Novgorod chronicles and Ipatievskaya chronicles, the “Notes of the past times” Riurik together with his brothers came here in 862, founded the city, e.g. built the fortress. A chronographer writes that where the main prince kings, there is the table of meal. Consequently following the logic there is the capital.


ZAHARTSEV: At that time the city of Ladoga was a big political and trade center. Through this place a way “from the Varangians into the Greeks” ran. However some time later another cities and another lands were developing and Old Ladoga was completely forgotten.


GUBCHEVSKAYA: Let’s say the sky closed up over Ladoga. It disappeared in the mists of time and was forgotten for approximately 300 years. However the darkest hour is near the dawn. Today Old Ladoga is the only ancient city in Russia that preserved its old plan that used to be before the reign of Peter the I.


ZAHARTSEV: The complex restoration of the ancient land has been taking place in the nearest few years. The ancient churches have been restored, in St. George church the murals of the XII century have been preserved, the convents regenerated, the burial hills have been dignified. According to the legen Ole the Oracular buried in one of these burial hills. The positive fact is that before the 1250th anniversary both archeologists, historians, local historians and tourists as well come here. It’s a very good incentive for the recreation of the ancient land.


President Vladimir Putin came to Old Ladoga for its anniversary. He came here with the boat “Pallada” and became the first after Peter the Great the Chief of State who visited this ancient city.



Alexey Zahartsev (own correspondent in St. Petersburg)