Novhorod-Siverskyi (Ukrainian : Новгород-Сіверський, IPA: [ˈnɔu̯ɦorodˈs⁽ʲ⁾iwersʲkɪj] ) is a historic city in Chernihiv Oblast, northern Ukraine. It serves as the administrative center of Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion, although until 18 July 2020 it was incorporated as a city of oblast significance and did not belong to the raion. Novhorod-Siverskyi is situated on the bank of the Desna River, 330 kilometres (210 mi) from the capital, Kyiv. It hosts the administration of Novhorod-Siverskyi urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. [1] 12,375 (2022 estimate). [2]
The town was first chronicled in 1044. From 1098 it was the capital of the Siverian Principality, which served as a buffer zone against incursions of the Cumans (Polovtsy) and other steppe peoples. One of the numerous campaigns of local princes against the Cumans produced the great monument of early East Slavic literature, the Tale of Igor's Campaign.
After the town's destruction by Mongols in 1239, it passed to the princes of Bryansk and then to the Grand Dukes of Lithuania. It was ruled by Dymitr Korybut (Kaributas), son of Algirdas. Muscovy obtained the area following the Battle of Vedrosha in 1503, but lost it to Poland after the Time of Troubles, when it submitted to False Dmitry I in the Battle of Novhorod-Siverskyi. Nowogród Siewierski was granted Magdeburg city rights in 1620 by Polish King Sigismund III Vasa. It was the easternmost powiat (county) seat of Poland. The town passed to Russia as a result of the Russo-Polish War (1654–1667). During the Cossack epoch, it received the status of military company town (sotenne misto) and later regimental town (polkove misto); these were military and administrative divisions in the Cossack army and country. Also Novhorod-Siverskyi became a cultural center of Left-bank Ukraine. It was made the capital of a separate namestnichestvo in 1782–97. Thereafter its importance steadily declined.
During World War II, Novhorod-Siverskyi was occupied by the German Army from 26 August 1941 to 16 September 1943.
Until 18 July 2020, Novhorod-Siverskyi was designated as a city of oblast significance and did not belong to Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion even though it was the center of the raion. As part of the administrative reform of Ukraine, which reduced the number of raions of Chernihiv Oblast to four, the city was merged into Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion. [3] [4] During the 24 February 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, it was occupied by Russian forces. [5]
Despite historic disasters, the town has preserved many architectural monuments, and a branch of the Chernihiv State Historical and Architectural Reserve had been established, which since 1990 has become a separate historical-cultural reserve named after The Tale of Igor's Campaign. [6] The town has managed to maintain random planning in its landscape. The boundary of the town historical center remains vague.
Tourist attractions are located on two high capes divided by ravines: the ensemble of Savior-Transfiguration Monastery and the town centre. The architectural monuments of state significance are scattered on five separate areas which compose the territory of the preserve. The biggest area is the territory of Savior-Transfiguration Monastery. The other areas are Dormition Cathedral, the wooden St. Nicolas Church, a triumphal arch, and shopping arcades.
There are constructions and residential buildings from the 18th and 19th centuries in the town centre. The main point of interest in the town is the former residence of the Chernihiv metropolitans, the monastery of the Saviour's Transfiguration. It features a Neoclassical cathedral (1791–1796, designed by Giacomo Quarenghi), 17th century stone walls, and several ecclesiastic foundations dating from the 16th century. Other landmarks include the Cossack Baroque Assumption Cathedral, a triumphal arch (1787), and the wooden church of St. Nicholas (1760).
Chernihiv Oblast, also referred to as Chernihivshchyna, is an oblast (province) in northern Ukraine. The administrative center of the oblast is the city of Chernihiv. Within the oblast are 1,511 settlements. Population: 959,315.
Chernihiv is a city and municipality in northern Ukraine, which serves as the administrative center of Chernihiv Oblast and Chernihiv Raion within the oblast. Chernihiv's population is 282,747.
Pryluky is a city and municipality located on the Udai River in Chernihiv Oblast, north-central Ukraine. It serves as the administrative center of Pryluky Raion (district). Located nearby is the Pryluky air base, a major strategic bomber base during the Cold War, which is Ukraine's largest airfield. Population: 51,637.
Semenivka is a small city in Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion, Chernihiv Oblast (province) of Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Semenivka urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. Population: 7,792.
Korop is a selyshche in Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion, Chernihiv Oblast, northern Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Korop settlement hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. Population is 4,490.
Korop Raion was a raion (district) of Chernihiv Oblast, northern Ukraine. Its administrative centre was located at the urban-type settlement of Korop. The raion was abolished on 18 July 2020 as part of the administrative reform of Ukraine, which reduced the number of raions of Chernihiv Oblast to five. The area of Korop Raion was merged into Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion. The last estimate of the raion population was 21,620
Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion is a raion (district) of Chernihiv Oblast, northern Ukraine. Its administrative centre is located at Novhorod-Siverskyi. Population: 62,141.
Semenivka Raion was a raion (district) of Chernihiv Oblast, northern Ukraine. Its administrative centre was located at the city of Semenivka. The raion was abolished on 18 July 2020 as part of the administrative reform of Ukraine, which reduced the number of raions of Chernihiv Oblast to five. The area of Semenivka Raion was merged into Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion. The last estimate of the raion population was 16,790
Kostobobriv is a village in Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion (district) of Chernihiv Oblast (province) in northern Ukraine. It belongs to Semenivka urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.
Shabalyniv is a village in Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion (district) of Chernihiv Oblast (province) in northern Ukraine. It belongs to Korop urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. It has a population of about 1600 people.
Vyshenky is a small village in Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion, Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine. The population is about 500 people. The village is located on the right bank of the Desna River. It belongs to Korop urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.
Radychiv is a small village in Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion, Chernihiv Oblast, Ukraine. The population is about 800 people. The village is located on the right bank of the Desna River. It belongs to Ponornytsia urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.
Chernihiv Oblast is subdivided into districts (raions) which are further subdivided into territorial communities (hromadas).
Hremiach is a village in Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion, Chernihiv Oblast, northern Ukraine. The village is the northernmost point of Ukraine. It belongs to Novhorod-Siverskyi urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.
Ponornytsia is a rural settlement in Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion, Chernihiv Oblast, northern Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Ponornytsia settlement hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. Population: 1,931.
Berezna is a rural settlement in Chernihiv Raion, Chernihiv Oblast, northern Ukraine. It hosts the administration of Berezna settlement hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. Population: 4,338.
Makoshyne is a rural settlement in Koriukivka Raion, Chernihiv Oblast, northern Ukraine. It belongs to Mena urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. Population: 2,081.
Mars is a village in Ukraine, in Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion, Chernihiv Oblast. It belongs to Semenivka urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. The population is 5 persons; in the early 2000s 30 persons lived in the village.
Novhorod-Siverskyi urban territorial hromada is one of the hromadas of Ukraine, located in Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion within Chernihiv Oblast. Its capital is the city of Novhorod-Siverskyi.
Chaikyne is a village located in the Novhorod-Siverskyi Raion (district) in Chernihiv Oblast of northern Ukraine. It forms part of Novhorod-Siverskyi urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine.