Site Overview
Kyiv - King Rurik's town? Home of princes, merchants and artisans
Kyiv became the capital of Kyivan Rus. The Vikings knew it as Kœnugarr. It is situated on the banks of the river Dnieper, which flows to the Black Sea and was the route to Byzantium. This strategic location made it as important as Novgorod.
Development
The town developed around three hills, one of which contained a kremlin within which lived the prince. The merchants and artisans lived around the foot of the hills, at Podol, and included Scandinavian residents.
Expansion
Kyiv expanded rapidly during the 11th and 12th centuries and so the earliest cemeteries have been lost. The result has been a lack of Viking finds, other than a richly-equipped chambered grave. However, the 'Russian Primary Chronicle' claims that Kyiv was founded by the Viking king, Rurik.
Artefacts
The National Historical Museum of Ukraine was founded in 1899 to house archaeological artefacts.
Contact Details
Address
Kyiv, Ukraine
