Battle of Mount Tugov (1257)

The Battle of Mount Tugov is a semi-legendary battle between the army of the Principality of Yaroslavl and the Golden Horde, which occurred on July 16, 1257 (July 3 old style) in the proximity of the city of Yaroslavl.

In 1257, on the order of Möngke Khan the Mongols of the Golden Horde organized a census in Russia and in other territories under Mongol control, in order to ensure a more effective recruitment of soldiers and tax collection. Remembering the consequences of a punitive expedition in 1252, carried out under the command of Nevryueva, the population of North-Eastern Russia made almost no attempt ​​to resist.

While the reason of an armed encounter remain unknown, either in the intent of driving out the Tatars from the city, or to prevent them from entering the city, the inhabitants of Yaroslavl, led by their prince Konstantin Vsevolodovich took up arms and on the right bank of the Kotorosl River in a place now called Tugov mountain, entered a battle with the army of the Horde. The army of Yaroslavl was completely defeated, suffering heavy losses, and the prince was killed in battle. Yaroslavl was severely ravaged. The name of the Mount Tugov actually means "Mount of Sorrow".

In 1692, the Church of Saint Paraskeva was built on the battle site, where annual requiems were held to commemorate the soldiers who died in battle.

Some historians have questioned the veracity of the accounts of the battle. No archaeological and palaeographic research has yet been carried out on the site.