Varangians
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The Varangians were Viking conquerors, traders and settlers, mostly from present-day Sweden. The Varangians settled in the territories of present-day Belarus, Russia and Ukraine from the 8th and 9th centuries, and established the state of Kievan Rus' as well as the principalities of Polotsk and Turov. They also formed the Byzantine Varangian Guard, which later also included Anglo-Saxons.
One of the runic inscriptions in Hagia Sophia, probably carved by members of the Varangian Guard
Piraeus Lion drawing of curved lindworm. The runes on the lion tell of Swedish warriors, most likely Varangians, mercenaries in the service of the Byzantine (Eastern Roman) Emperor.
Nicholas Roerich: Guests from Overseas (1899)
Viktor Vasnetsov, The Invitation of the Varangians: Rurik and his brothers arrive in Staraya Ladoga.
Veliky Novgorod
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Veliky Novgorod, also known simply as Novgorod (Новгород), is the largest city and administrative centre of Novgorod Oblast, Russia. It is one of the oldest cities in Russia, being first mentioned in the 9th century. The city lies along the Volkhov River just downstream from its outflow from Lake Ilmen and is situated on the M10 federal highway connecting Moscow and Saint Petersburg. UNESCO recognized Novgorod as a World Heritage Site in 1992. The city has a population of 224,286 (2021 Census).
Novgorod Kremlin
Cathedral of St. Sophia, a symbol of the city and the main cathedral of the Novgorod Republic
Monastery of the Tithes is one of eight ancient monasteries of the old Russian state Novgorodian Rus'
12th-century Novgorod icon called The Angel with Golden Hair