Brief History of Moscow

Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation.
Does anybody know how many times it got and lost this status? How old is Moscow?

It is universally recognized that the first record of Moscow dates back from 1147. Russian prince from the Rurik Dynasty Yuri Dolgorukiy is considered to be the founder of Moscow. Dolgorukiy means the Long-Armed as he managed to acquire vast territories which then made Kievan Rus' with the political center in Kiev.

Moscow has a long and complicated history with many difficulties and invasions. Many times it was under the threat of being conquered, many times it was rebuilt... But still it proved to be a strong city.

Only in the 15th century Ivan the Great (Ivan III) made Moscow the capital of all Rus. This Grand Prince of Moscow is known as the gatherer of the Russian lands as he managed to unite all the Russian principalities under one authority and save Rus from the Golden Horde which had been dominated Rus for more than one century.

Till the 18th century Moscow was a political center of Russia under Ivan IV the Terrible and his successors. The time of the 16th century is to be one of the hardest for the city. Moscow experienced the Times of Troubles and then the establishment of the new dynasty - the Romanovs.

Under Peter the Great Moscow lost its status of the capital of the Russian Empire. In 1712 Saint-Petersburg acquired this status, however, Moscow still remained a spiritual and cultural center. For example, Moscow State University was founded in this city in 1755 under Elizaveta Petrovna, the Empress of Russia, Peter's daughter.

1812 is a memorable day for Moscow. During this year the Moscovites courageously fought against the Frenchmen led by Napoleon. After long exhaustive battles Moscow was free. In 2012 a big fest was held in Moscow - 200 Years of the Battle of Borodino, the most difficult fight with the French armies.

A century later, in 1918, Moscow became the capital, but not of the Empire, but of the The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, and later of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. Moscow developed in every field: transport system, architecture, culture, science...

After the Great Patriotic War Moscow is recognised as one of the Hero Cities of Russia which fearlessly defended themselves.

Since 1991 Moscow is the capital of the Russian Federation and along with Saint-Petersburg is a federal city.