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First Chronicle Mention of Moscow (Yuri Dolgoruky's Feast)

Type Event Region Rus' Time 1147

In 1147, the Ipatev Chronicle recorded Prince Yuri Dolgoruky of Suzdal inviting Sviatoslav Olgovich of Chernigov to meet in Moscow—the earliest survi…

Timeline

  1. 1146–1147Northeastern Rus' · Rus'During the succession struggles among the Kievan Rus' principalities, Yuri Dolgoruky cultivated northeastern Rus' and allied with the Olgovich family of Chernigov. Moscow was then a convenient meeting point within his domain, not an independent capital.
  2. 1147Moscow · Suzdal-VladimirThe Ipatev copy records under the year 6655 (1147 CE) that Yuri wrote to Sviatoslav: 'Brother, come to Moscow to see me,' after which a feast was held. This is the earliest documentary evidence of the place name Moscow. Archaeology shows settlement already existed, but the city's rise in status came only after the thirteenth century.

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