Ryazan

Ryazan is a city and the administrative center of Ryazan Oblast, Russia. It lies on the Oka River, about 200 kilometers southeast of Moscow.

Historically, Ryazan first appears in chronicles in 1095 as the capital of the Ryazan Principality. It developed as a regional political, religious, and commercial hub through the medieval and early modern eras. The city later became part of the Moscow state, and its fortifications contributed to its defense in the period. The Ryazan Kremlin, a historic fortress complex in the city center, preserves medieval towers, churches, and walls.

Geographically, Ryazan is on the banks of the Oka and experiences a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm summers.

The city has a population of roughly 520,000 residents. Its economy is diversified, with manufacturing, food processing, and services playing major roles, alongside local trade and education services.

Culturally, Ryazan hosts museums, theaters, and festivals. Notable landmarks include the Ryazan Kremlin and the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, among other churches and monuments. The city serves as a regional cultural and educational center, with several higher education institutions and research facilities.

Ryazan is connected by rail and road to Moscow and other cities, and serves as a transportation hub within Ryazan Oblast. It remains a regional center for industry, history, and culture in the southeast of European Russia.