Gardariki (Icelandic Garðaríki or Garðaveldi, Scandianvian Gårdarike) is the Norse term used in medieval times for the state of Kievan Rus'. The shortened form Gardarna also refers to the same country.

The meaning of the word is usually interpreted as "the kingdom of cities". Gardar contains the same root as Slavic grad ("town") and English garden. For Germanic etymology of the second element, see the article on Reich.

As the Varangians dealt mainly with Northern Russian lands, their sagas regard the city of Holmsgardr (Hólmgarður, Novgorod the Great) as the capital of Gardariki. Other local towns mentioned in the sagas are Aldeigjuborg (Old Ladoga), Kœnugardr (Kiev), Pallteskja (Polotsk), Smaleskia (Smolensk), Surdalar (Suzdal), Moramar (Murom), and Rostofa (Rostov).

See also

• Gord (Slavic settlement)

Kievan Rus

Gardarike | Gardarike | Gardarike | Gårdarike