Yelets, Russia
Yelets is the oldest center of the Central Black Earth Region. It was mentioned in historical documents as early as 1146, when it belonged to the Princes of Ryazan. The town's position at the very south of Russian lands made it an easy prey for Turkic conquerors. The Mongols burned it in 1239, Uzbeg Khan ravaged it in 1316, Timur sacked it in 1395, and the Tatars devastated it in 1414.

View of Ascension Cathedral in Yelets, Russia