History of Novgorod

859: City of Novgorod first mentioned in the Russian Chronicles

1014: Gained independence from Kiev Start of heyday

1044: Stone walls built around the town Kremlin

1136: Merchants overthrew nobles and formed a republic

1240: Alexander Nevsky helps defend Novgorod from the Swedes

1242: Defended against the Teutonic Order

1045: The church of Saint Sophia is built

1456: Defeated by Vasily II of Moscow

1478: Taken over by the State of Moscow End of heyday

1223: Only city in Russia to survive the Mongol invasion