Narva has always been a centre of international trade. In Viking times the trade route named in ancient chronicles as „The Way from Varangians to Greeks“ started here. Later Narva was an important staging post on the road from Tallinn to Novgorod. In 1345 the trading settlement was granted town status. Narva`s golden age was in the 17th century Under the Swedish rule; when the downtown area, with its` unique architecture, was built. Unique Baroque styles of architecture gave Narva the festive appearance of an important town. Unfortunately, after World War II, only a fraction of its former glory survived.