Staraya Lagoda, Russia's First Viking Capital

Located on the Volkhov River, five miles north of the town of Volkhov and close to Lake Ladoga is the Viking Age settlement of Staraya Ladoga. This trading post was founded originally in 753AD, some forty years before the Viking raids on Lindisfarne. The outpost was founded by Scandinavians from Sweden called Rus, which is why the archaeological site is sometimes referred to as the first capital of Russia. Staraya means 'Old' in Russian also giving a hint to its age and antiquity. 

Excavations at Staraya Ladoga (source: http://www.nortfort.ru)

Archaeologists have dated the settlement to 753 through the use of dendrochronology and the town thrived until 950 as one of the most important trading posts in Eastern Europe. It's position dominated the well established trading routes from the Baltic through to Novgorod (another important Viking town) and Constantinople or the Caspian Sea. As an example of the reach of this town, the oldest Arabic Middle Ages coin in Europe was found during excavations at Staraya Ladoga. Archaeological excavations at the site have unearthed incredible evidence for life in the Viking Age.

Viking Age shoes and other items at the Staraya Ladoga Museum (Source: Pintrest)

Rus sword and axe head found at Staraya Ladoga (source: Pintrest)

In 862 the Varangian Leader Rurik arrived at Ladoga and made it his capital. It is believed he is buried in one of the large kurgans (huge royal funerary barrows) that lie on the outskirts of Ladoga. In the late 990s Norse sagas mention that Erik Haakonsson of Norway raided the coast and burnt the town. He was probably drawn to the area in the first place due to the importance of the town and its trading prowess, it has been estimated that between 90% and 95% of all Arabic Dirham coins found in Sweden had passed through Staraya Ladoga. 

Viking Age royal burial mounds on the outskirts of Staraya Ladoga (source: Wikipedia)

By the 11th Century Staraya Ladoga was dominated by Swedes with several Swedish Kings spending their youth in the settlement. Over the following centuries the town's importance diminished as the population moved towards fishing rather than trading. Replaced by fortresses in the 14th century to the west, the settlement finally fell into disuse. 

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