Pskov
Pskov, one of the oldest among Russian cities, was first mentioned in the chronicles (Tale of Bygone Years) in 903. However, archaeological excavations proved that the city had appeared here long before this date. According to archaeological data the city’s history dates back to 2000 or more years ago. First settlements existed on the elevated place at the confluence of the Velikaya and the Pskova Rivers at the divide of the two eras.
In the 10th-early 12th cc. Pskov belonged to the Old Russian State. In 1348 Pskov became the capital of the independent Pskov Republic.
In 1425 Pskov started minting its own coins, which lasted for 85 years until it was annexed to Moscow in 1510.
Since the late 15th century Pskov was an important partner of the Hansa. In 1582 and 1607 first German-Russian phrase-books were issued here. The amount of taxes collected from Pskov exceeded the Novgorod payment twice and was almost equal to the Moscow tax volume.
At present Pskov is an important cultural centre of North-West Russia, possessing hundreds of unique historical and cultural monuments.