A Brief History of Rostov-On-Don

By Russian standards, Rostov is a relatively young city. It was founded first as a customs house on the high, west bank of the Don River in 1749. Short thereafter a fort was erected and named for the Russian saint Dmitri Rostovsky. Later “-on-Don” was added to distinguish this city from the smaller, Golden Ring city of Rostov the Great in the Yaroslav region. However, prior to this Russian “founding”, various groups have traveled to and settled at the mouth of the Don River. An ancient Greek colony existed here during the 3^rd BC and lasted over 700 years. Genoese merchants established a trading settlement here. Later the Turks built a fortress and still later the site was an Armenian settlement. All this was prior to Peter I’s “founding” of the city.

Rostov developed rapidly in the 19^th century, and became the leading center of trade and transport in the south of Russia. Rostov is linked by waterways to five seas. Rostov has, at various times, earned nicknames such as “The Chicago of Russia” because of its rapid economic growth, “The Liverpool of Russia” because of its extensive port activities and “The Third Russian Metropolis,” after Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Rostov is, perhaps one of the most culturally diverse cities in Russia. More than 20 different nationalities live and work in Rostov, which is known for its atmosphere of atmosphere of cultural tolerance and friendship.

Rostov was a strong White Army center during the October Revolution and ensuing civil war. Rostov was one of the last cities taken by the Red Army, and many White Army Cossacks were killed in the ensuing purges.

During World War II, Rostov was taken twice by German forces, and more of the city was destroyed. The city subsequently rebuilt itself and reestablished its position as the leading city for trade and business in the South of Russia.

During the Soviet era Rostov was never close to foreigners, and in fact has a long and successful history of foreign relations. Additionally, the entrepreneurial spirit which founded and developed in the city was not crushed by the Soviets, but rather sharpened. For this reason, the city of Rostov is known all over Russia for its spirit of free enterprise.

Rostov is also home to the Don Cossacks, who have lived on and worked the fertile black earth of the Don steppe for hundreds of years. The past five years have seen a resurgence of Cossack traditions and identity. Also from Rostov are the Nobel Laureates Mikhail Sholokhov whose novel “Quiet flows the Don” is still a local favourite and Alexander Solzhenitsyn,who studied mathematics at Rostov State University. Anton Chekhov was raised and educated in nearby Tagonrog, where several museums commemorate this favourite son.

A Brief History of Rostov-on-Don

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