History

Ryazan is one of typical cities of ancient Rus', mentioned in the Slavic Primary Chronicle under year 1096.

It is argued that Ryazan kremlin was founded in 1095 by Russian settlers, as a step of the drive into the territory previously populated by fennic peoples. Initially it was built of wood, gradually replaced by masonry. The oldest preserved part of the kremlin are dated by 15th century. Initially it was a border settlement, at the junction of forest and steppe zones. The first ruler of Ryazan was supposedly Yaroslav Sviatoslavich, Prince of Chernigov (a city of Kievan Rus'), later Prince of Murom-Ryzan. A separate Ryzan Prinicipality was established in the middle of 12th century.

Because of its geographical position, Ryazan suffered from numerous invasions from the steppe side: khazars, pechenegs, polovtsians. Ryazan was the first Russian city to meet mongols of Batu Khan. On December 21, 1237 it was devastated and failed to recover to its previous position.