If now we cross over to the other side of the river, we are at once confronted by something which very few Russian towns possess—­a kremlin, or citadel.  This is a large and slightly-elevated enclosure, surrounded by high brick walls, and in part by the remains of a moat.  Before the days of heavy artillery these walls must have presented a formidable barrier to any besieging force, but they have long ceased to have any military significance, and are now nothing more than an historical monument.  Passing through the gateway which faces the bridge, we find ourselves in a large open space.  To the right stands the cathedral—­a small, much-venerated church, which can make no pretensions to architectural beauty—­and an irregular group of buildings containing the consistory and the residence of the Archbishop.  To the left is a long symmetrical range of buildings containing the Government offices and the law courts.  Midway between this and the cathedral, in the centre of the great open space, stands a colossal monument, composed of a massive circular stone pedestal and an enormous globe, on and around which cluster a number of emblematic and historical figures.  This curious monument, which has at least the merit of being original in design, was erected in 1862, in commemoration of Russia’s thousandth birthday, and is supposed to represent the history of Russia in general and of Novgorod in particular during the last thousand years.  It was placed here because Novgorod is the oldest of Russian towns, and because somewhere in the surrounding country occurred the incident which is commonly recognised as the foundation of the Russian Empire.  The incident in question is thus described in the oldest chronicle: 

“At that time, as the southern Slavonians paid tribute to the Kozars, so the Novgorodian Slavonians suffered from the attacks of the Variags.  For some time the Variags exacted tribute from the Novgorodian Slavonians and the neighbouring Finns; then the conquered tribes, by uniting their forces, drove out the foreigners.  But among the Slavonians arose strong internal dissensions; the clans rose against each other.  Then, for the creation of order and safety, they resolved to call in princes from a foreign land.  In the year 862 Slavonic legates went away beyond the sea to the Variag tribe called Rus, and said, ’Our land is great and fruitful, but there is no order in it; come and reign and rule over us.’  Three brothers accepted the invitation, and appeared with their armed followers.  The eldest of these, Rurik, settled in Novgorod; the second, Sineus, at Byelo-ozero; and the third, Truvor, in Isborsk.  From them our land is called Rus.  After two years the brothers of Rurik died.  He alone began to rule over the Novgorod district, and confided to his men the administration of the principal towns.”