Rostov Veliky

The name Rostov is associated with the given name Rostislav. The town was historically known as Rostov Veliky ('Rostov the Great'). It was given the title in the 12th century as it was the center of a principality. However, by the 17th century, it became known simply as Rostov as its importance had declined.^[11] Its status as a religious center was diminished as the see was transferred to Yaroslavl in 1788.^[12] The name of the town was officially changed to Rostov Veliky on 8 January 2025.^[10]

Rostov was preceded by Sarskoye Gorodishche, which some scholars interpret as the capital of the Finnic Merya tribe, while others believe it was an important Viking trade enclave and fortress guarding the Volga trade route. It is known from Norse sources as Rostofa,^[13] or Raðstofa.^[14] The Scythians also settled there. These different ethnic groups, such as the Vikings, Scyths, Slavs and Finns, were likely the ancestors of many of today's people in that region. The town was first mentioned in sources under the year 862 as an already important settlement; by the end of the 10th century, Rostov became the center of the Principality of Rostov ruled by Yaroslav the Wise, later becoming the nucleus of Rostov-Suzdal, a prominent Russian principality. It was finally incorporated into the Grand Principality of Moscow in 1474.^[12]

Since the incorporation into the centralized Russian state, the traditions of the old principality were symbolically represented in various expanded titles of the grand princes of Moscow and later the tsars and emperors of Russia: up to 1917, they were all styled as rulers of various historical polities, including Rostov. Thus in Latin versions of those titles, the old principality was referred to as Rostovia.

Rostov remained an ecclesiastic center – from 988, it was the see of the Diocese of Yaroslavl, one of the first Russian bishoprics. In the 14th century, the bishops of Rostov became archbishops, and from the 16th century, metropolitans. In 1608, Rostov was completely destroyed by the Poles during the Polish invasion. Afterwards, Metropolitan Iona (Jonah) Sysoyevich [ru] commissioned the town's main landmark: the Rostov Kremlin. This is regarded by some as the finest outside that of Moscow.^[12] In 1788, the see was transferred to Yaroslavl and Rostov lost its religious authority.^[12]

Rostov is renowned for manufacturing enamels.

On August 24, 1953, the town was hit by an F3 tornado, causing severe damage. The tornado traveled 6 kilometers with a maximum width of up to 550 meters.^[15]

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Rostov serves as the administrative center of Rostovsky District, even though it is not a part of it.^[1] As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the town of oblast significance of Rostov—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts.^[1] As a municipal division, the town of oblast significance of Rostov is incorporated within Rostovsky Municipal District as Rostov Urban Settlement.^[4]

The architecture of the city shows many examples of early Russian Orthodox architecture. The central town square of Rostov is occupied by the Assumption Cathedral. It is unknown when the present building was erected, the mid-16th century being the most likely date. Lower parts of the cathedral walls are dated to the 12th century. The ponderous bell tower was constructed mostly in the 17th century. Its bells are among the largest and most famous in Russia - each has its own name. The largest bell, cast in 1688, weighs 32,000 kilograms (71,000 lb). It is named Sysoy to honor the city's founding father. The church is home to the incorrupt body of Saint Leontius of Rostov [ru].^[16]

An area situated between the cathedral square and the lake was chosen by Iona Sysoevich as a place for his fairy-tale residence. All the construction works were carried out between 1667 and 1694. Major buildings include the ornate Savior Church-na-Senyakh (1675), the sombre Church of St. Gregory (1670), and the barbican churches of St. John the Apostle (1683) and of the Resurrection of Christ (1670). The residence, often erroneously called kremlin, also includes eleven ornate tower bells, numerous palaces, several small belfries, and the diminutive baroque Church of Our Lady of Smolensk (1693). All the churches are elaborately painted and decorated.

The cathedral and four tall kremlin churches with their silver "blind" domes were imitated throughout the city. This is particularly evident in the Savior-on-the-Market church and the cathedral church of the Nativity convent, both dating from the 17th century and situated near the kremlin walls. The oldest church within the town center was consecrated to St. Isidore the Blessed in 1565. According to legend, Ivan the Terrible had the architect executed, because his church was so much smaller than its predecessor.

The kremlin is flanked by two monasteries, both facing the Lake Nero. To the right from the kremlin stands the Abraham Monastery, founded in the 11th century and one of the oldest in Russia. Its cathedral, commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in 1553 to commemorate the conquest of Kazan, inspired numerous churches in the region, particularly in Yaroslavl.

Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery, situated to the left from the Kremlin on the town's outskirts, has been venerated as the shrine of St. Dmitry of Rostov. Most of the monastery structures were built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in the fine neoclassical style. There are also two 17th-century churches: the Conception of St. Anna, and the Transfiguration of Our Savior. Unlike most other churches in the town, the monastery belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church and houses a theological seminary.

• 
  Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos
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  The citadel of Rostov seen from Lake Nero
• 
  Rostov Kremlin in summer (1911)
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  The courtyard in the kremlin
• 
  Lake Nero

The vicinity of Rostov is rich in old architecture. For example, an old wooden church (1687–1689) may be seen in Ishnya. One of the best preserved monasteries in Russia, named after the saints Boris and Gleb, is situated in Borisoglebsky, about 20 kilometers (12 mi) west of the town. The monastery was favored by Ivan the Terrible, who personally supervised the construction of towered walls and bell-tower around an even more ancient cathedral. The only addition made to the monastery after Ivan's death is a barbican church, commissioned by the metropolitan Iona Sysoyevich.

• Jämsä, Finland^[17]
• Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States^[18]

• Dmitry Borisovich (1253–1294), Russian nobleman
• Konstantin of Rostov (1186–1218), the eldest son of Vsevolod the Big Nest and Maria Shvarnovna
• Vasilko Konstantinovich (1209–1238), the first prince of Rostov
• Demetrius of Rostov (1651–1709), archbishop
• Olena Kryvytska (born 1987), Ukrainian fencer
• Lev Naumov (1925–2005), Russian classical pianist, composer and educator
• Yuri Alexandrovich Bilibin (1901–1952), geologist
• Aleksandr Safoshkin (born 1976) Russian gymnast