Lyubsha

Lyubsha (Russian: Любша) is an archaeological site situated on the right bank of the Volkhov, about 1,500 metres downstream from Staraya Ladoga.

As was determined by the 1997 excavations, Lyubsha is the site of one of the oldest Slavic fort in Russia,[1] established in the first half of the 8th century, thus predating Ladoga.

Its layout and dimensions closely resemble the contemporaneous hill forts of Great Moravia.

[2] Constantine Zuckerman connects its destruction with a conflict (Vadim's uprising) that marked the downfall of the Rus' Khaganate.

Immediately north of Lyubsha lies the village of Gorchakovshchina, which used to be a trading post at the head of navigation on the Volkhov, near its ancient entry into Lake Ladoga.