Sernya

Sernya, known as Zolotaryovka in Russian, is a site of medieval city ruins located in what is now the Penza Oblast of Russia. Founded around the 3rd century CE, the city covered an area of 14 hectares, comparable in size to the cities of the Rus' principalities during the 12th and 13th centuries. The site includes remains of a fortress that spanned 2.5 hectares, indicating its strategic importance. Sernya was a hub for Askizi and Volga Bulgar traders and renowned for its jewelry craft. The city met its demise in 1242 CE when it was destroyed by Mongol forces under Subutai, following a betrayal by the Moksha forces who had initially allied with the Mongols. The Mongols employed advanced siege techniques and brutally massacred the city's defenders and inhabitants. Archaeological investigations have provided significant insights into the site's historical and cultural context.