(Locator); (Russia Tourist Map)...Nizhny Novgorod is the fourth largest city in Russia with a population of over 1.3 million and rich history. It was founded by the Grand Prince Yuri in 1221 at the confluence of the Volga and Oka rivers. The prince's palace, stone cathedrals, and monasteries were built inside the fortress. Throughout its existence in the 13th and 14th centuries, the town was burned and destroyed seven times by the tribes and armies of invaders and each time the residents restored and rebuilt it. In the 18th century Nizhny Novgorod grew to become one of the biggest trade center in Europe. Today it remains a major commercial center and the site of numerous art exhibitions. Nizhny Novgorod recently regained its original name, having been renamed as Gorky in 1932. A great number of historical, architectural and cultural monuments remain in the city, giving premise to UNESCO for inclusion of Nizhny Novgorod in the list of 100 cities constituting world historical and cultural value.
|