Veliky novgorod also known as novgorod the great or just novgorod is one of the most important historic cities in russia unesco recognised novgorod as a world heritage site in 1992 at its peak during the 14th century the city was the capital of novgorod republic and one of europes largest cities and a major baltics to byzantium station on the trade route from the varangians to the greeks city was not destroyed by nazis in a period of ww2 as well as never been captured by tatar hordes