Novhorod-Siverskyi (, , , Novgorod-Severskiy), historically known as Novhorod-Siversk () or Novgorod-Seversk (), 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, from the capital, Kyiv. It hosts the administration of Novhorod-Siverskyi urban hromada, one of the hromadas of Ukraine. The city's population is
History
The town was first mentioned in a text by Volodimer Monomakh related to events from the early 1080s and recorded in the Laurentian Codex under 1096. 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. Under the Polish rule the city was awarded Magdeburg Law.
The city was occupied with Russian forces from 24 February to 2 April 2022. This caused a humanitarian crisis in the city and forced many civilians to evacuate. Russian troops blocked the entrances and exits of the city with tanks, not even allowing ambulances. At checkpoints, local residents' phones were forcefully taken and broken. The city council destroyed documents related to the Donbas war participants to protect them from Russian troops. On 12 May 2022, the Russian army fired several missiles at a local school, killing three and wounding 19 people.
Points of interest
Architecture
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. 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 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 (1786–1787), and shopping arcades (early 19th century).
Economy
thumb|Monument to Prince Igor in Novhorod-Siverskyi
Novhorod-Siversky is a centre of food industry, hemp processing, as well as textile and construction industries.