# Staraya Ladoga founded (753)

URL: https://history-russia.com/timeline/753-staraya-ladoga-founded
Categories: main-event

Staraya Ladoga on the Volkhov River was founded around 753, according to tree-ring dates from its earliest buildings. Scandinavian, Finnic and Slavic traders met there at the entrance to the river routes leading to the Volga and Dnieper. Chronicle tradition names Ladoga as one of Rurik's first seats. Ladoga is often called the first capital of Rus' and marks the start of the Viking-age trade that created the Rus' state.

## Why it matters
Ladoga is often called the first capital of Rus' and marks the start of the Viking-age trade that created the Rus' state.

Ruler at the time: [Huns, Khazars and Early Slavs](https://history-russia.com/rulers/huns-khazars-and-early-slavs)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Staraya Ladoga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staraya_Ladoga)
- [Wikipedia — Volga trade route](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volga_trade_route)
- [Wikipedia — Early Slavs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_Slavs)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Staraya Ladoga founded](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Staraya+Ladoga+founded)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of Russian history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Russian_history)