The history of the Russian capital has its roots in the not-too-distant past: Chronicles first mention Moscow (in Russian, Moskva) in 1147, describing it as the centre of the almost unimportant principality of Suzdal. Only a couple of centuries later, in the 14th century, Moscow began to rise.

As Aldo Ferrari explains, "Moscow's rise is primarily due to its fortunate geographical position within the river system, consisting of the Moskva, the Oka, and the upper reaches of the Volga. In addition to being commercially advantageous, this position was also quite safe, far from both Lithuanian incursions and Mongol reprisals."

A key moment in Muscovite history came in 1317, when Prince Yuri married a sister of Özbek, the first khan of the Golden Horde. This marriage enabled Muscovite rulers to compete with Tver's rival princes for political supremacy over northeastern Rus' territories. Ultimately, Moscow triumphed. As a consequence, its lords accepted the honorary title of "grand princes" from the khan, making them responsible for collecting taxes across all Eastern Slavic principalities subject to the Mongols. Thus, Muscovites rapidly enriched themselves.

Another turning point came when Moscow gained the seat of the Metropolitan of Rus' in 1325. The Metropolitan first established his seat in Kyiv, then moved it to Vladimir by the end of the 13th century. A few years later, Prince Ivan, I convinced the Metropolitan to transfer it to Moscow. The Metropolitan's presence greatly increased the city's and its rulers' prestige, granting them, then as now, a religious mission as defenders of Orthodox Christianity.

Also noteworthy is the great stability that the nascent principality of Moscow enjoyed during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. This stability is further evident in its avoidance of almost all dynastic conflicts and in the long average reigns of its princes.