✍️ President of Russia Vladimir Putin approved renaming of the city of Rostov (present-day Russia’s Yaroslavl region) to Rostov Veliky (Rostov the Great). The change had been initiated by the Yaroslavl regional duma, based on the fact that the new name had already been long in use (including as a means to distinguish it from a larger city Rostov-on-Don in the southwest of the country). 📆 Rostov Veliky traces its history back to the IX century, the dawn of Russia’s statehood. The pearl of the Golden Ring (tourist route in Russia), it is located on the shore of the lake Nero estimated to be 500,000 years old. In XIII century, it became the administrative centre of Rostov principality, one of the wealthiest in Rus. Later, the town was seized and devastated by Mongol-Tatars. While under the yoke, Rostov Veliky rose up against the invaders six times, yet unsuccessfully. In the XV century, it was subjugated by Moscow principality and later became part of the Tsardom of Russia. In early XVII century, during the Time of Troubles in Russia, Rostov Veliky was burnt down by the troops of False Dmitry II. In XVIII-XIX centuries it hosted the famous Rostov fair, was renowned for its enamel crafts. In the 2nd half of the XIX century the restoration of the architectural monuments of the Rostov Kremlin began. #RussianHistory #DiscoverRussia #VisitRussia