Nizh·niy Nov·go·rod or Nizh·ny Nov·go·rod 
(nĭzh′nē nŏvgə-rŏd′, nyēzhnē nôvgə-rət)
(nĭzh′nē nŏvgə-rŏd′, nyēzhnē nôvgə-rət) A city of western Russia on the Volga River west of Kazan. Founded as a frontier post in 1221, it was formerly famous for its trade fairs. The city was renamed Gorky from 1932 until 1990 in honor of Maksim Gorky, who was born here in 1868.