In the history of Kievan Rus, there are not many rulers who left a significant mark. Each of the princes left his milestone in the chronology of events, which is now being studied by scientists. Some of them distinguished themselves by campaigns against neighboring states, some annexed new lands, some entered into a historically important alliance with enemies. Yuri Dolgoruky, of course, was not the last among them. This ruler is interesting if only because many historians consider him the founder of Moscow. The prince received the nickname "Dolgoruky" for his constant attempts to conquer Kyiv and other cities of Kievan Rus.
Beginning of reign
Before considering the years of government, it is worth reading his biography. Date of birth is still a controversial issue. It is known that the future prince appeared in 1090 and was the youngest son of Vladimir Monomakh. Yuri Dolgoruky is the bearer of the Rurik family name. And although he was born in Kyiv, his childhood passed in Rostov. For the first time he became the prince of Rostov-Suzdal principality since 1113 together with his brother Mstislav. However, starting from 1125, the lands become the sole subjection of Yuri.
Despite his imperious and difficult nature, the policies of Yuri Dolgoruky under his rule brought much benefit to Kievan Rus, although ambitious plans (for the most part) brought death and destruction. Several years passed after the accession of the ruler to the throne, as he led a campaign against the Volga Bulgars. Such an order came from Vladimir Monomakh, after the capture of Suzdal by this people. After the campaign, in 1125, Prince Yuri Dolgoruky moved the capital of his principality to Suzdal, thereby reducing the political significance of Rostov.
On the throne of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality and the first conquest of Kyiv
The period from 1120 to 1147 is not particularly remarkable, except for one fact - during this period Moscow was founded. The internal policy of Yuri Dolgoruky is reduced to the construction of churches. And of course, intervention in the internecine strife of the princes of Kievan Rus. Although we must give him his due - many existing cities, as history testifies, Yuri Dolgoruky turned into centers of trade and crafts. Such an approach could not but contribute to their development.
Internecine strife arose, as a rule, because of the Kyiv throne and the order of its succession. The desire to sit on the throne in the main city of Russia was not alien to the Rostov-Suzdal ruler. The Grand Duke not only tried to remove the new henchmen, but also personally take this place. Finally Kyivthe throne in 1149 was taken by Yuri Dolgoruky. In short, the seniority of succession was violated, and many were outraged. The displaced Izyaslav took advantage of this discontent and made an alliance with the Hungarians and Poles.
The unpopularity of the new sovereign and the concluded alliance did not allow Dolgoruky to hold on to the board for a long time. The year 1151 became for Yuri Vladimirovich the date of the loss of the throne in Kyiv and the return to his principality.
Foundation of Moscow
It is Prince Yuri Dolgoruky who is considered the founder of Moscow, although there are still disputes between historians on this issue. The border settlement was located at the point of contact of several principalities at once - Novgorod, Ryazan, Suzdal, Seversky and Smolensk. The town was located on the Moscow River, which, like other villages on the banks, belonged to the boyar Kuchka. The reasons why the owner of the land was executed are unknown, but after that Yuri Dolgoruky took the city and other settlements for himself. Moscow began to develop - a princely estate, a wooden Kremlin, churches and other buildings were built. Christianity was also planted among the pagan population.
Initially, the settlement was called Kukov, later renamed to Moscow. But it became a major city that had significance and political influence on the life of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality and Kievan Rus only after the change of three generations of the descendants of Yuri the First.
Foundation of Russian cities - Pereyaslavl-Zalessky
The reign of Yuri Dolgoruky was distinguished not only by attemptsthe capture of the throne of Kyiv, but also the creation and development of new Russian cities. So, in addition to Moscow, such cities as Pereyaslavl-Zalessky and Yuryev-Polsky were founded.
The construction was not due to the ambitious plans of the prince. Frequent attacks of the Volga Bulgars led to the need to strengthen the borders of the principality. Pereyaslavl-Zalessky was moved to a lowland - at the mouth of the Trubezh River. A ditch was dug along the perimeter of the southern and western sides of the city, which connected with the natural barriers of the approaches to the city. The fortress for the defense of Pereyaslavl was considered one of the largest built by Yuri.
Yuryev-Polsky - a fortress on the border of the Principality
The city of Yuryev-Polsky was founded for the same purpose. A round fortress was erected to protect the city. It was surrounded by 7-meter ramparts, which have survived to this day. There were three gaps in the wall of the fortress - the gates to Vladimir, Moscow and Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. A city was built near the mouth of the Gza River on the banks of the Koloksha.
Gorodets on the Volga River
The city was founded by Yuri Dolgoruky in 1152 in the middle reaches of the Volga. In ancient manuscripts, he was also called Radilov. The city had a military garrison, artisans and peasants. The inhabitants of the city not only ensured the existence of the city, but also carried on active trade with Kyiv, Asian countries, Bulgaria, and the B altic states. The main purpose of Gorodets was to deter the Volga Bulgars from advancing into the Russian lands.
Foundation of Dmitrov
The city was founded in 1154 and named after the son of Yuri Dolgoruky, who was born in the same year. Dmitrov was built in the swampy lowland of the Yakhroma River. For protection, the Kremlin was erected, built at the foot of the mountain. On the one hand, the fortress was protected by impenetrable swamps, on the other hand, an artificial moat, in some places reaching a width of 30 meters. The walls were fortified with towers. It was a remote place, surrounded by swamps and forests, on the very outskirts of the Suzdal principality.
Second reign in Kyiv
Despite the fact that Yuriy's possessions were quite extensive, the prince did not stop trying to get the throne of Kyiv. Having conquered Ryazan in 1154, the prince went on a campaign to the southern lands of Kievan Rus. On the way, he concluded a truce with Rostislav of Smolensk and in 1155 again reigned in the capital of Kievan Rus, occupying it together with his ally Svyatoslav Olgovich. Izyaslav, who ruled Kyiv, surrendered the city without a fight and fled to Chernigov. To strengthen his power, Yuri sent his sons to reign in the cities that were under his influence. However, the reign was short-lived - in 1157 Yuri Dolgoruky died. There is a version that he was poisoned by the boyars, who did not like the new ruler. After his death, an uprising broke out, during which the princely court was plundered.
Family life of Yuri Dolgoruky
Some historical and artistic sources mention the complex nature of the prince. At the same time, they indicate that Yuri was a beloved son and his father, Vladimir Monomakh, indulged him in everything. However, the time came when Dolgoruky had to submit to the will of the Kyiv prince. In 1108 Yuri Dolgorukygot a wife. Naturally, the marriage took place for the political reasons of the father, however, like all marriages concluded then between the rulers of states.
The first wife of the future Rostov-Suzdal prince was the daughter of the Polovtsian Khan Alena Osipovna. The wife fell in love with the prince, and he somewhat settled down. Soon the young couple was sent to the northeast to the Rostov principality. From this marriage were born Rostislav (ruled in Novgorod), Andrei Bogolyubsky, Ivan, Gleb and Boris. Three daughters were born from the first wife: Elena, Maria and Olga.
Yuri Dolgoruky also had a second wife. The biography has very little information about her, nowhere is even the year of her marriage mentioned. But from her, Yuri Dolgoruky had six sons - Vasilko, Mstislav, Yaroslav, Svyatoslav, Mikhail and Vsevolod.
Residence of Yuri Dolgoruky
Since the Grand Duke did not feel too confident in Rostov because of the political situation in the state, he moved to Suzdal. But his residence was by no means in Suzdal, but in a village called Kideksha. This was done for similar reasons - Yuri Dolgoruky was afraid of the Suzdal boyars. A fortified settlement quickly grew up where the Kamenka flows into the Nerl. On the one hand, Kideksha was protected by high banks of the river, on the other hand, the fortress was surrounded by a high rampart with an oak palisade on it.
Since Yuri Dolgoruky was distinguished by strong piety, churches were also built in the village. However, after the death of the princeKideksha has lost its meaning. His son moved the capital to Vladimir, and the residence to Bogolyubovo. In 1238, after the invasion of the Tatar-Mongol horde, the village was plundered and fell into disrepair.
Monument to the founder of Moscow
Disputes about the origin of the city do not stop between historians until now. And yet, the residents themselves believe that it was founded by Yuri Dolgoruky. Moscow served as a meeting place for the prince and his brother, according to ancient chronicles. Under Stalin, it was decided to erect a monument to Yuri Dolgoruky. It is located on Tverskaya Square in Moscow. In 1946, a competition was announced, won by Orlov, who had never done monumental sculpture before.
But as it turned out, Comrade Stalin himself became interested in the sculptor. Apparently, he really liked the patriotism of the sculptor - at that time, the Soviet pioneers were more important than the delegation from the United States. It turned out that the product created by Orlov, intended for the home of pioneers, was presented to a representative of America. Orlov wrote a complaint, after which he was scheduled to meet with the head of the USSR. After that, the sculptor led the work on the creation of the monument. Changes were made to the project of the monument in the process of creation - as if according to Stalin's remarks. One way or another, but the monument was erected in 1954. But if Stalin was very pleased, then Nikita Khrushchev for some reason did not like the monument. He was especially annoyed by the naturalness of the stallion - at his direction, the genitals were removed.
Monuments to Yuri Dolgoruky in other cities
Inhabitants of Kostroma also believe that the prince founded their city and helpedits development and prosperity. The monument was erected on Voskresenskaya Square on the day of the celebration of the 850th anniversary of the city. The project was developed by Vladimir Tserkovnikov. The monument weighs 4 tons and has a height of 4.5 meters.
A bust of Dolgoruky was erected in Pereslavl-Zalessky. Orlov worked on its creation, as well as on the Moscow monument. It is located in the Goritsky Monastery, where it was transported from Moscow in 1963.
The monument to Yuri Dolgoruky in Dmitrov was created by Tserkovnikov. It is located on the Historical Square, which is surrounded by the remains of the ancient Kremlin next to the Assumption Cathedral. Today it is a museum-reserve. According to legends, the monument was erected exactly at the place where he was predicted to have a son.
Temples built by Yuri Dolgoruky
All chroniclers noted the great piety of the prince. Therefore, in addition to fortresses and cities, you can find many temples built by order of Yuri Dolgoruky. Of those that have survived to this day, the following can be noted: the Transfiguration Cathedral (Pereslavl-Zalessky), the Church of Boris and Gleb (Kideksha), St. George's Cathedral (Vladimir), the Church of the Savior (Suzdal), the Nativity Cathedral (Suzdal).
Instead of a conclusion
The personality of the prince is very controversial. Greed, cruelty, dominance - the features that Yuri Dolgoruky fully possessed. Biography describes not only these traits. He was also a far-sighted politician who understood the importance of well-fortified borders not only with neighboring states, but also between principalities. Kievan Rus. Yuri Dolgoruky was very ambitious and pious. A biography written by various authors confirms this - several attempts to seize the princely throne in Kyiv, the capture of the cities of Bulgaria, the founding and strengthening of cities, the construction of temples.
Despite everything, the prince still left a significant mark on the history of Kievan Rus - many cities and churches exist to this day. And the fact that the Capital and the boyars did not like the reign of the prince is quite understandable. Then the rulers were very dependent on the boyars, who, in turn, were objectionable to those who had determination and authority. But in his native Rostov-Suzdal principality after his death he was remembered with gratitude. After all, it was Yuri Dolgoruky who organized the defense against the Polovtsians and Bulgars.
