View source for Narva

{{Short description|City in Estonia}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = City
| image_skyline      = Narva asv2022-04 img09 Castle.jpg
| image_caption      = Narva's medieval [[Hermann Castle]] by the [[Narva (river)|Narva River]]
| image_flag         = Flag_of_et-Narva.svg
| image_shield       = Narva_vapp.svg
| pushpin_label      = Narva
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Europe##Location within [[Baltic Sea]] region##Location within Estonia
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| pushpin_map        = Europe#Baltic Sea#Estonia
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[File:Flag of Estonia.svg|border|23px]] [[Estonia]]
| subdivision_type1  = [[Counties of Estonia|County]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[File:Ida-Virumaa lipp.svg|border|23px]] [[Ida-Viru County|Ida-Viru]]
| leader_title       = [[List of mayors of Narva|Mayor]]
| leader_name        = [[Katri Raik]]<ref>[https://news.err.ee/1609562182/katri-raik-elected-narva-mayor-again-as-toots-ousted-by-no-confidence-vote ERR News. ''Katri Raik elected Narva mayor again as Toots ousted by no-confidence vote.''] Retrieved 22 February 2025.</ref>
| established_title  = First mentioned
| established_date   = 1172
| established_title1 = [[City rights]]
| established_date1  = 1345
| area_total_km2     = 84.54
| area_total_sq_mi   = 32.63
| population_as_of   = 2024
| population_footnotes = <ref>[http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=PO0240&lang=1 Population by sex, age and place of residence after the 2017 administrative reform, 1 January]. Statistics Estonia.</ref>
| population_total   = 52,495
| population_rank    = [[List of cities and towns in Estonia|3rd]]
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_density_sq_mi = 
| demographics_type1 = [[Ethnicity]] {{nobold|(2011)}}<ref name="PC0429">[http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=PC0429&lang=1 Census 2011: population by ethnic nationality, sex, age group and place of residence]. Statistics Estonia.</ref>
| demographics1_footnotes = 
| demographics1_title1 = [[Russians]]
| demographics1_info1 = 87.7%
| demographics1_title2 = [[Estonians]]
| demographics1_info2 = 5.2%
| demographics1_title3 = other
| demographics1_info3 = 7.1%
| population_demonym = {{lang|et|narvalane}} ([[Estonian language|Estonian]])                                           <!-- GDP  --------------->
| timezone           = [[Eastern European Time|EET]]
| utc_offset         = +2
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern European Summer Time|EEST]]
| utc_offset_DST     = +3
| coordinates        = {{Coord|59|22|33|N|28|11|46|E|type:city_region:EE-44|display=it}}
| elevation_m        = 25
| area_code          = (+372) 035
| postal_code_type   = Postal code
| postal_code        = 20001 to 21020
| website            = {{URL|www.narva.ee}}
| footnotes          = 
| iso_code           = EE-511
| module             = {{Infobox mapframe |wikidata=yes |zoom=10 |height=300 |width= | stroke-width=1 |coord={{WikidataCoord|display=i}}}}
| official_name      = Narva
}}

'''Narva'''{{efn|{{IPA|et|ˈnɑrʋɑ}}; {{langx|de|Narwa}}; {{langx|ru|Нарва}} {{IPA|ru|ˈnarvə|}}}} is a municipality and city in [[Estonia]]. It is located in [[Ida-Viru County]], at the [[Extreme points of Estonia|eastern extreme point of Estonia]], on the west bank of the [[Narva (river)|Narva River]], which forms the [[Estonia–Russia border|Estonia–Russia international border]]. With a population of 52,495 (as of 2024),<ref>[http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=PO0240&lang=1 Population by sex, age and place of residence after the 2017 administrative reform, 1 January]. Statistics Estonia.</ref> it is the third-largest city in Estonia after the capital [[Tallinn]] and [[Tartu]].

Narva profited from long distance trade though never part of the [[Hanseatic league]], was ruled for 120 years by the Swedish and after 1704 the Russian crown. It was an important center of cotton milling and the textile industry for about 100 years starting in 1872. It was nearly completely destroyed in 1944 during [[World War II]].<ref name=kattago/> During the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] occupation of Estonia in 1944–1991, the city's original inhabitants were not permitted to return, and immigrant workers from [[Soviet Russia]] and other parts of the [[USSR]] were introduced.<ref name=duncan>{{cite book|last=Duncan |first=W. Raymond |title=Ethnic Nationalism And Regional Conflict: The Former Soviet Union And Yugoslavia |year=2019 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780429715938 |page=207 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NXekDwAAQBAJ |quote=According to the last census held in interwar Estonia in 1934, Narva's population of 23,500 was 65 percent Estonian.55 What took place under Stalin's rule can only be termed a form of "ethnic cleansing" in which evacuated and otherwise displaced residents of Narva were not allowed to return after World War II. As an editorial in a Russian-language newspaper in Narva in 1950 put it, "Soviet Narva" did not want to see the return of "many White Guardists, spies, and exploiters."56 In short, although Narva has always been a border region with a mixed population, it was deliberately turned into an overwhelmingly non-Estonian city by Soviet policy}}</ref><ref name=kattago/> Narva’s population, 65% ethnic Estonian as of the 1934 census, became overwhelmingly non-Estonian in the second half of the 20th century.<ref name=duncan/> According to more recent data, 46.7% of the city's inhabitants are [[Estonian citizenship|citizens]] of Estonia, 36.3% are citizens of the [[Russian Federation]], while 15.3% have [[Estonian nationality law#Undefined citizenship|undefined citizenship]].<ref name=narva2013>{{Cite web|url=http://www.narva.ee/files/7095.pdf |title=Üldinfo - Narva Linnavalitsus |trans-title=Narva in figures |date=2013 |website=www.narva.ee}}</ref>

==History==
===Early settlement===
People settled in the area from the 5th to 4th millennium BC, as evidenced by archeological findings of the [[Narva culture]], named after the Narva River.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.narvamuuseum.ee/?next=kujunemine&lang=eng&menu=menu_ajalugu |title=History of Narva: Formation of city |access-date=19 March 2009 |publisher=Narva Museum}}</ref> The fortified settlement at Narva Joaoru is the oldest known in Estonia, dated to around 1000 BC.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Kriiska |first=Aivar |author2=Lavento, Mika |year=2006 |title=Narva Joaoru asulakohalt leitud keraamika kõrbekihi AMS-dateeringud |journal=Narva Muuseumi Toimetised |language=et, en, ru |issue=6 |url=https://www.etis.ee/ShowFile.aspx?FileVID=15962 |access-date=2 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720131250/https://www.etis.ee/ShowFile.aspx?FileVID=15962 |archive-date=20 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The earliest known written reference of the toponym Narva is in the [[First Novgorod Chronicle]], which in the year 1172 describes a district in [[Novgorod]] called ''Nerevsky'' or ''Narovsky konets'' (yard). According to historians, this name probably derives from the name of the then village of Narva, or from the Narva River, and indicates that a frequently used trade route went through Narva, albeit no evidence of the existence of a trading settlement in Narva at the time has been found so far.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Raik |first=Katri |year=2005 |title=Miks pidada linna, eriti Narva sünnipäeva? |journal=Narva Muuseumi Toimetised |language=et |issue=5 }}</ref>

===Middle Ages===
Narva's favorable location at the intersection of both trade routes and the Narva River was behind the founding of [[Narva castle]] and the subsequent development of the castle's surrounding urban settlement. The castle was founded during the [[Danish Estonia|Danish rule of northern Estonia]] in the second half of the 13th century; the earliest written record of the castle is from 1277.<ref name=kivimae>{{Cite book |last=Kivimäe |first=Jüri |chapter=Medieval Narva: Featuring a Small Town between East and West |year=2004 |editor-last=Brüggemann |editor-first=Karsten|editor-link=Karsten Brüggemann |title=Narva and the Baltic Sea Region |location=Narva |publisher=Narva College of the University of Tartu |isbn=9985-4-0417-3}}</ref> ''Narvia'' village is mentioned in the [[Danish Census Book]] already in 1241. A town developed around the stronghold and in 1345 obtained [[Lübeck City Rights]] from King [[Valdemar IV of Denmark]].<ref name=museum>{{cite web |url=http://www.narvamuuseum.ee/?lang=eng&next=linnus&menu=menu_ajalugu |title=History of Narva: Narva fortifications and Narva Castle |access-date=19 March 2009 |publisher=Narva Museum}}</ref> The castle and surrounding town of Narva (''Narwa'', in German) became a possession of the [[Livonian Order]] in 1346, after the Danish king sold its lands in Northern Estonia. In 1492, [[Ivangorod fortress]] across the Narva River was established by [[Ivan III of Russia|Ivan III]] of [[Grand Duchy of Moscow|Moscow]].

Trade, particularly [[Hanseatic League|Hanseatic]] long-distance trade remained Narva's ''raison d'être'' throughout the Middle Ages.<ref name=kivimae/> However, due to opposition from [[Tallinn]], Narva itself never became part of the Hanseatic League and also remained a small town – its population in 1530 is estimated at 600–750 people.<ref name=kivimae/>

===Swedish rule 1581-1704===
[[File:Mälestusmärk " Rootsi lõvi" Narvas.jpg|thumb|left|[[The Swedish Lion in Narva|The Swedish Lion monument]] in memory of the [[Battle of Narva (1700)]].]]
[[File:Old Narva.jpg|thumb|left|View of Narva in the 1750s]]
Captured by the [[Tsardom of Russia|Tsardom of Russia (Muscovy)]] during the [[Livonian War]] in 1558–1581, for a short period Narva became an important trading port and transshipment center of Russian goods from [[Pskov]] and [[Novgorod]]. In 1581, the Swedish troops under the command of [[Pontus De la Gardie]] conquered the city and it became part of the [[Kingdom of Sweden]]. During the [[Russo-Swedish War (1590–1595)]], when [[Arvid Stålarm the Younger|Arvid Stålarm]] was governor, Russian forces attempted to regain the city without success ([[Treaty of Teusina]], May 1595).

During the [[Estonia under Swedish rule|Swedish rule]], the [[baroque architecture|baroque]] Old Town of Narva was built. Following a large fire in 1659 that almost completely destroyed the town, only stone buildings were allowed to be built in its central part. Income from flourishing trade allowed rebuilding of the town center in two decades.<ref name=museum/> Until World War II, the baroque architecture of the Old Town underwent practically no changes, and it became renowned all over Europe. Towards the end of Swedish rule, the defence structures of Narva were greatly improved. Beginning in 1680s, an outstanding system of [[bastion]]s was designed by renowned military engineer [[Erik Dahlbergh]] and built around the town. The new defences were among the most powerful in Northern Europe.<ref name="museum"/>
===Russian tsarist rule, after 1704 ===
During the [[Great Northern War]] of 1700–1721, Narva became the setting for [[Battle of Narva (1700)|the first great battle]] between the forces of King [[Charles XII of Sweden]] and Tsar [[Peter I of Russia]] (Muscovy) in November 1700. Although outnumbered four to one, the Swedish forces routed their 40,000-strong opponent. The forces of Tsar Peter I [[Battle of Narva (1704)|conquered]] the city in 1704.

After the Great Northern War, the bastions were renovated. Narva remained on the list of fortifications of the [[Russian Empire]] until 1863, although there turned out to be no real military need for it.<ref name="museum"/> Administratively the city of Narva, including its then suburb of Ivangorod (Jaanilinn) was a part of the [[Saint Petersburg Governorate]] of the Russian Empire until 1917.

In the middle of the 19th century, Narva developed into a major industrial city. [[Ludwig Knoop]] established the [[Krenholm Manufacturing Company]] in 1857. The factory used the affordable energy of the powerful Narva waterfalls, and at the end of the century became, with about 10,000 workers, one of the largest [[cotton mill]]s in Europe and the world.<ref name="timeline">{{cite web |url= http://www.narvamuuseum.ee/?lang=eng&next=kronoloogia&menu=menu_ajalugu |title=History of Narva: Timeline |access-date=25 March 2009 |publisher=Narva Museum}}</ref> In 1872, Krenholm Manufacturing became the site of the first [[strike action|strike]] in Estonia.<ref name="raun"/> At the end of the 19th century, Narva was the leading industrial town in Estonia – 41% of industrial workers in Estonia worked in Narva, compared to 33% in [[Tallinn]].<ref name="raun">{{cite book |last=Raun |first=Toivo U. |title=Estonia and the Estonians |year=2001 |publisher=Hoover Institution Press, Stanford University |location=Stanford, United States |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=YQ1NRJlUrwkC |isbn=0-8179-2852-9}}</ref> The first railway in Estonia, completed in 1870, connected Narva to [[Saint Petersburg]] and to Tallinn.

In August 1890, Narva was the site of a meeting between two Emperors, [[Wilhelm II]] of Germany and [[Alexander III of Russia]].

===Independent Estonia (post-World War I)===
[[File:Narva linna plaan, 1929.jpg|thumb|left|A 1929 plan of Narva, including the suburb of Jaanilinn (Ivangorod), part of Narva at the time]]
The status of Narva was resolved in a July 1917 referendum, when the district population, at that time roughly equally divided between ethnic Russians and Estonians, voted to attach itself to the newly autonomous, and soon to be independent state of, Estonia.<ref name=batt>{{cite book|title=Region, state and identity in Central and Eastern Europe|editor-last=Batt |editor-first=Judy |editor-last2=Wolczuk |editor-first2=Kataryna |location=London, [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]] |publisher=Frank Cass Publishers |year=2002|pages=222|isbn=0-7146-5243-1|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sw72GPjF0DYC&q=narva%20referendum&pg=PA98 |access-date=12 November 2009}}</ref> Narva became part of the independent Republic of Estonia in 1918, at the end of [[World War I]]. The town saw fighting during the [[Estonian War of Independence]]. The war started when Russian [[Bolshevik]] troops attacked Narva on 28 November 1918, capturing the city on the next day. The Russian bolshevik troops retained control of the city until 19 January 1919.<ref>{{cite book|script-title=ru:Нарва: культурно-исторический справочник |trans-title=Narva: kulturno-istoricheskiy spravochnik |language=ru|year=2001|publisher=Narva Museum|location=Narva}}</ref>
[[File:Finnish president Svinhufvud and Estonian Konstantin Päts 1936 in Narva.png|thumb|President of Finland [[Pehr Evind Svinhufvud]] (left) and president of Estonia [[Konstantin Päts]] (centre) during a state visit in Narva in 1936.]]
[[File:Sõjajärgne Narva Peetriplats.jpg|thumb|View of Narva after the World War II battles in 1944]]
Heavy battles occurred both in and around Narva during World War II. The city was damaged in the German invasion of 1941 and by smaller air raids throughout the war, but remained relatively intact until February 1944.<ref name=kattago>{{cite journal |last=Kattago |first=Siobhan |year=2008 |title=Commemorating Liberation and Occupation: War Memorials Along the Road to Narva |journal=[[Journal of Baltic Studies]] |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=431–449 |doi=10.1080/01629770802461225|s2cid=145001694 }}</ref> However, as the focus of the [[Battle of Narva (1944)|Battle of Narva]], the city was destroyed by Soviet bombardment and fires and explosions set by retreating German troops.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.narva.ee/en/for_tourists/welcome_to_narva_city,_estonia!/narva_history/page:1016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413045732/http://www.narva.ee/en/for_tourists/welcome_to_narva_city,_estonia!/narva_history/page:1016 |archive-date=April 13, 2009|title=Old town: Expansion and Tragedy |date=13 April 2009|website=www.narva.ee }}</ref> The most devastating action was the [[Bombing of Narva in World War II|bombing raids of 6 and 7 March]] 1944 by the [[Soviet Air Force]], which destroyed the [[Baroque]] old town.<ref name=kattago/><ref name=museum/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Maripuu |first1=Alise |title=False Narratives: How Narva Was Rebuilt from the Ruins of War |url=https://news.err.ee/1609724061/false-narratives-how-narva-was-rebuilt-from-the-ruins-of-war |access-date=June 19, 2025 |work=ERR |date=June 19, 2025}}</ref>

===Soviet era 1944–1991===
By the end of July 1944, 98 per cent of Narva had been destroyed.<ref name=kattago/> After the war, most of the buildings could have been restored as the walls of the houses still existed, but in the early 1950s, the Soviet authorities decided to demolish the ruins to make room for apartment buildings.<ref name=kattago/><ref name='faure'>{{cite book|last1=Faure|first1=Gunter|last2=Mensing|first2=Teresa|title=The Estonians; The long road to independence|year=2012|publisher=Lulu|isbn=9781105530036|page=23}}</ref> Only three buildings remain of the old town, including the [[Baroque]]-style [[Narva Town Hall|Town Hall]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.narvamuuseum.ee/?next=vanalinn&lang=eng&menu=menu_ajalugu |title=History of Narva: The Old Town of Narva |access-date=19 March 2009 |publisher=Narva Museum}}</ref> The civilian casualties of the bombing were low as the [[Wehrmacht|German forces]] had evacuated the city in January 1944.

The original native inhabitants were not allowed to return after the war. A 1950 governmental statement said this was done to avoid the return of [[White Army]] "spies, and exploiters".<ref name=duncan/> Instead, immigrant Russian-speaking workers from other parts of the USSR were brought in to populate the city.<ref name=kattago/><ref name=duncan/> The city, whose population had been 65% Estonian according to the last census in 1934, became overwhelmingly non-Estonian.<ref name=duncan/> The main reason behind this was a plan to build a secret [[uranium]] processing plant in the city, which would turn Narva into a [[closed town]].<ref name='faure'/> In 1947 nearby [[Sillamäe]] was selected as the location of the factory instead of Narva, but the existence of such a plan was decisive for the development of Narva in the [[Aftermath of World War II#Soviet Union|postwar years]], and thus also shaped its later evolution.<ref name=vseviov>{{cite book|last=Vseviov |first=David |title=Nõukogudeaegne Narva. Elanikkonna kujunemine 1944–1970 |language=et, ru |year=2001 |location=Tartu |publisher=Okupatsioonide Repressiivpoliitika Uurimise Riiklik Komisjon }}</ref> The planned uranium factory and other large-scale industrial developments, like the restoring of [[Kreenholm Manufacture]], were the driving force behind the influx of internal migrants from other parts of the Soviet Union, mainly Russia.<ref name=vseviov/>

In January 1945, [[Ivangorod|Jaanilinn]] (Ivangorod), the suburb on the eastern bank of the river was separated from Estonia (and from Narva) by the Soviet authorities, and the settlement around [[Ivangorod fortress]] was made administratively part of the neighboring [[Leningrad Oblast]] of the [[Russian SFSR]]. In 1954, Ivangorod became officially a town in its own rights.
{{clear|left}}

[[File:Narva old town 2009.jpg|thumb|left|The Narva [[Narva Town Hall|town hall]], surrounded by [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-era apartment blocks, is one of the few buildings which were restored after World War II.]]

===Restoration of Estonian independence, 1991-present===
After Estonia [[History of Estonia#Regaining independence|regained its independence]] in 1991, the city's leaders, holdovers from the Soviet era, wanted autonomy, and contended that the notion of a breakaway "Transnarovan Soviet republic" in [[Ida-Viru County|northeastern Estonia]] was becoming increasingly popular, but this was contradicted by polls showing 87% of the region's population opposed secession from Estonia.<ref name=batt/>

In 1993, dissatisfaction with newly enacted [[Estonian nationality law|citizenship]] and election laws (non-citizens were not allowed to hold office) culminated in the Narva referendum of 16–17 July 1993, which proposed autonomy for both Narva and [[Sillamäe]], a nearby town.<ref name="batt"/> Although 97% voted in favor of the referendum, turnout in Narva was a mere 55%, and there were credible charges of vote rigging.<ref name="batt"/>

[[File:Kindlused Narva jõe kaldal.jpg|thumb|280px|View of Narva in 2014. [[Ivangorod fortress]], in Russia, lies across the river on the right.]]

After 1991, disputes regarding the Estonian-Russian border in the Narva sector remained, as the new [[constitution of Estonia]] (adopted in 1992) recognizes the 1920 [[Treaty of Tartu (Russian–Estonian)|Treaty of Tartu]] border to be currently legal.

The Russian Federation, however, considers Estonia to be a successor of the [[Estonian SSR]] and recognizes the 1945 border between the two former national republics. Officially, Estonia has no territorial claims in the area, and which was also reflected in the new Estonian-Russian border treaty signed in Moscow on 18 May 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vm.ee/?q=en/node/93#treaties|title=Estonia and Russia: Treaties|publisher=Estonian Foreign Ministry|quote=Estonia sticks to its former position that it has no territorial claims with respect to Russia, and Narva presently sits peacefully within Estonia's borders. As such, Estonia sees no obstacles for the entry into force of the current treaty.|access-date=12 November 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102004351/http://www.vm.ee/?q=en%2Fnode%2F93#treaties|archive-date=2 January 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.epl.ee/artikkel/400839|title=Milleks meile idapiir ja ilma lepinguta?|last=Berg|first=Eiki|work=[[Eesti Päevaleht]]|language=et|access-date=27 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071009061426/http://www.epl.ee/artikkel/400839|archive-date=9 October 2007|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.epl.ee/artikkel/476082|title=Enn Eesmaa: väide Petseri-soovist on ennekõike provokatiivne|work=[[Eesti Päevaleht]]|language=et|access-date=27 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090826212424/http://www.epl.ee/artikkel/476082|archive-date=26 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Russia failed to ratify it because, together with the ratification, the Estonian parliament approved a communiqué, which mentioned the Soviet Occupation.

In February 2014 a new border treaty was signed by both countries.<ref>{{cite news |date=February 14, 2014 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-russia-estonia-idUSBREA1H0QN20140218|title=After 20 years, Russia and Estonia sign border treaty |publisher=Reuters}}</ref> However the treaty was not ratified by the parliaments of either Russia or Estonia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/short_news/russia-may-finally-ratify-2014-border-agreement-with-estonia/|title=Russia may finally ratify 2014 border agreement with Estonia|first=Pekka|last=Vanttinen|date=15 November 2021|website=www.euractiv.com}}</ref>

Overall, by 2014, Russian residents were happy with their status as both Estonian and [[European Union]] citizens and lived peacefully alongside their compatriots.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://m.epl.delfi.ee/arvamus/article.php?id=68259151|title=Katri Raik: Eesti, Venemaa... Ei, ikka Eesti|work=Delfi}}</ref>
Following the [[Russian annexation of Crimea]] in early 2014, various political commentators such as journalists<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |last=Rubin |first=Josh |date=2019-01-24 |title=NATO Fears That This Town Will Be the Epicenter of Conflict With Russia |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/01/narva-scenario-nato-conflict-russia-estonia/581089/ |access-date=2025-09-15 |work=[[The Atlantic]] |location=Washington, D.C. |language=en}}</ref>, political scientists<ref>{{Cite book |last=Masala |first=Carlo |title=Wenn Russland gewinnt. Ein Szenario |date=March 2025 |publisher=[[C. H. Beck]] |isbn=978-3-406-82448-7 |location=Munich |language=de |trans-title=When Russia wins. A scenario}}</ref> as well as economic and military academia<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Burilkov |first=Alex |last2=Bushnell |first2=Katelyn |last3=Mejino-López |first3=Juan |last4=Morgan |first4=Thomas |last5=Wolff |first5=Guntram |date=June 2025 |title=Fit for war by 2030? European rearmament efforts vis-à-vis Russia |url=https://www.ifw-kiel.de/fileadmin/Dateiverwaltung/IfW-Publications/fis-import/e880656a-f9f2-47d4-845c-136cea3e4b11-Kiel_Report_no3.pdf |journal=Kiel Report |publisher=Kiel Institute for the World Economy |publication-place=Kiel |volume=3 |pages=16-76 |issn=2944-0785}}</ref> have referred to a potential Russian invasion of Estonia mirroring that of Ukraine – using [[hybrid warfare]] tactics – as the [[Narva scenario]]<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Pesu |first=Matti |date=January 2020 |title=Hard security dynamics in the Baltic Sea region: From turbulence to tense stability |url=https://fiia.fi/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/bp276_hard-security-dynamics-in-the-baltic-sea-region.pdf |journal=FIIA Briefing Paper |language=en |publisher=Finnish Institute of International Affairs |publication-place=Helsinki |volume=276 |page=4 |isbn=978-951-769-628-9 |issn=1795-8059}}</ref>.

Before the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], residents mixed relatively freely with the residents across the river in Ivangorod.<ref name="onet">{{citation|url=https://www.onet.pl/turystyka/onetpodroze/narwa-najbardziej-rosyjskie-miasto-unii-europejskiej-w-estonii/7xlm226,07640b54|title=Najbardziej "rosyjskie" miasto Unii Europejskiej|author1= Deutsche Welle |author2 = BBC|language=pl|publisher=[[onet.pl]]|date=19 June 2022}}</ref> 
[[File:Narva. Resurrection of Christ Cathedral.jpg|thumb|The [[Resurrection of Christ Cathedral, Narva]] (constructed 1890–1896)]]
Those on the Estonian side mainly crossed to buy cheaper petrol, [[Groat (grain)|groats]], cleaning products, pasta and sugar.<ref name="onet"/> Those crossing from the Russian side wanted to make use of the availability of non-sanctioned goods, entertainment facilities and overall better infrastructure.<ref name="onet"/>

The invasion and subsequent conflict seriously reduced cooperation between the two neighbors, especially as visas became difficult to obtain and the residents of Narva increased the take up in [[Estonian nationality law|Estonian citizenship]].<ref name="onet"/> Narva took in many Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war<ref name="onet"/> and previously popular Russian TV stations among older Russophone residents were banned by the Estonian government.<ref name="onet"/>

On 10 June 2022, the Estonian foreign ministry summoned the Russian ambassador to protest about remarks by President [[Vladimir Putin]] praising Peter the Great for having captured Narva in the early 18th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ministry of Foreign Affairs summons Russian ambassador {{!}} Ministry of Foreign Affairs |url=https://vm.ee/en/news/ministry-foreign-affairs-summons-russian-ambassador-3 |access-date=2022-06-11 |website=vm.ee |language=en}}</ref>

In August 2022, a Soviet [[T-34]] tank memorial was removed from a stretch of road between the city center and [[Narva-Jõesuu]], to mixed responses. It was moved to the [[Estonian War Museum]] near Tallinn.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://medium.com/@nayloraliide/dispatch-from-narva-ebcf7b5f5a8 | title=Dispatch from Narva | date=26 August 2022 }}</ref> In response to the tank's removal, the following month Russian authorities erected a similar T-34 tank monument in Ivangorod near the border crossing point with Narva.<ref>[https://rus.err.ee/1608712276/v-ivangorode-torzhestvenno-otkryli-pamjatnik-tank-t-34 ERR Novosti. ''В Ивангороде торжественно открыли памятник-танк "Т-34" (Monument-tank "T-34" solemnly opened in Ivangorod)''] (in Russian) Retrieved 13 September 2022.</ref>

In April 2025, Major General [[Vahur Karus]], Chief of the [[Headquarters of the Estonian Defence Forces|Headquarters of the Estonian Defense Forces]] confirmed plans to re-establish a military base in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=Johannes Voltri {{!}} |date=2025-04-23 |title=Estonian Defense Forces to build new base in Narva |url=https://news.err.ee/1609672526/estonian-defense-forces-to-build-new-base-in-narva |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=ERR |language=en}}</ref> By July of the same year, the planned location and size of the base was confirmed to be in Kadastiku area, and home to a thousand soldiers.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ERR |first=Rene Kundla {{!}} |date=2025-07-10 |title=Mayor satisified with planned location of new Estonian Defense Forces base in Narva |url=https://news.err.ee/1609742970/mayor-satisified-with-planned-location-of-new-estonian-defense-forces-base-in-narva |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=ERR |language=en}}</ref>

==Economy==
{{expand section|date=November 2025}}
As of 2025, Narva no longer is a textile manufacturing center. After the city granted the Canadian company [[Neo Performance Materials]] a building permit for in 4 and a half months, it built Europe’s biggest production plant for [[rare-earth magnet]]s in only 500 days near an already existing rare-earth separation facility. The EU co-funded the project with $16.9 million because they are considered [[critical materials]] .<ref name="wsj">{{Cite web |last=Mackrael |first=Kim |date=November 16, 2025 |title=New Rare-Earths Plant in Europe Shows How Tough Breaking China’s Grip Will Be |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/a-new-rare-earths-plant-in-europe-shows-how-tough-breaking-chinas-grip-will-be-1c19f747 |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Demographics==
[[File:Narva city population pyramid in 2022.svg|thumb|Narva city population pyramid in 2022]]
{{Historical population|13=1922|14=26912|15=1934|16=23512|17=1959|18=30381|19=1970|20=61346|21=1979|22=75909|23=1989|24=84975|25=2000|26=68680|27=2011|28=58663|29=2021|30=53955|source=Censuses<ref>{{cite web |title=1881, 1897, 1922, 1934, 1959, 1970, 1979, 1989 Census Basic Data|url=https://www.stat.ee/et/avasta-statistikat/loendused/rahvaloendus-2021/rahvaloendustest-eestis/1881-1897-1922-1934-1959-1970-1979-1989-aasta-rahvaloenduse-pohiandmed|lang=et|publisher=[[Statistics Estonia]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Population and Housing Census 2000-2021|url=https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat|work=Public Database|publisher=[[Statistics Estonia]]}}</ref>}}On 1 January 2013 Narva's population was 59,888, down from 60,454 inhabitants a year earlier.<ref>[http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=PO0241&lang=1 Population by sex, age and administrative unit or type of settlement, 1 January]. Statistics Estonia.</ref> The population was 83,000 in 1992.<ref name=nf07>{{cite web |url=http://web.narva.ee/files/Narva_arvudes_2008.pdf |title=Narva in figures 2008 |access-date=12 November 2009 |publisher=Narva City Government |archive-date=5 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101105134404/http://web.narva.ee/files/Narva_arvudes_2008.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> 95.7% of the population of Narva are native [[Languages of Estonia#Russian|Russian speakers]],<ref>[http://pub.stat.ee/px-web.2001/Dialog/varval.asp?ma=PC0432&lang=1 Census 2011: population by mother tongue, sex and place of residence]. Statistics Estonia.</ref> and 87.7% are ethnic [[Estonian Russians|Russians]].<ref name="PC0429" /> Most non-Estonians are ethnically Russian, Belarusian, or Ukrainian immigrants or the children of immigrants, though 69% of Narva residents in the early 1990s had been born in Narva or had lived there for more than 30 years.<ref name=batt/> Ethnic [[Estonians]] account for 5.2% of total population.<ref name="PC0429" /> Much of the city was destroyed during World War II and for several years during the following reconstruction the Soviet authorities largely prohibited the return of Narva's pre-war residents (among whom ethnic Estonians had been the majority, forming 64.8% of the town's population of 23,512 according to the 1934 census),<ref>{{cite book |title=Rahvastiku koostis ja korteriolud. 1.III 1934 rahvaloenduse andmed. Vihk II |year=1935 |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |location=Tallinn |language=et, fr |hdl=10062/4439}}</ref> thus radically altering the city's ethnic composition.<ref name=raun/> Nevertheless, ethnic Russians had already formed a significant minority: 29.7% of the city's population were Russian in the census of 1934.

46.7% of the city's inhabitants are Estonian citizens, 36.3% are citizens of the [[Russian Federation]], while 15.3% of the population has [[Estonian nationality law#Undefined citizenship|undefined citizenship]].<ref name=narva2013/> Since the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]] there has been an increase in those acquiring [[Estonian nationality law|Estonian citizenship]] in the city.<ref name="onet"/>

A concern in Narva is the spread of [[HIV]], which [[HIV/AIDS in Europe#Estonia|infected]] 1.2% of Estonia's population in 2012.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://world.time.com/2013/01/21/why-europes-healthiest-economy-has-its-worst-drug-problem/|title=Why Europe's Healthiest Economy Has Its Worst Drug Problem|first=Mark|last=Lewis|date=21 January 2013|publisher=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] }}</ref> Between 2001 and 2008, more than 1,600 cases of HIV were registered in Narva, making it one of the worst areas in Estonia, alongside [[Tallinn]] and the rest of [[Ida-Viru County]].<ref>HIV statistics for Estonia: [https://web.archive.org/web/20070622223743/http://www.raplamv.ee/tervis/download.php?ID=13&type=Project 2001–2006], [http://www.tervisekaitse.ee/documents/nakkushaigused/statistika/hivstatistika_2007.pdf 2007]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [http://www.tervisekaitse.ee/documents/nakkushaigused/statistika/2008/hivstatistika2008.pdf 2008]{{dead link|date=February 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The HIV infection rate in Estonia declined in 2014, with 59 new cases in Narva.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.err.ee/114731/hiv-infection-rate-slows-in-estonia|title=HIV infection rate slows in Estonia|date=5 January 2015|website=ERR.ee }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Ethnic composition 1897-2021
! rowspan="2" |Ethnicity
! colspan="2" |1897
! colspan="2" |[[1922 Estonian census|1922]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.ester.ee/record=b1294488*est |title=1922 a. üldrahvalugemise andmed. Vihk IV, Viru maakond |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1924 |editor-last= |series=Eesti riikline statistika |location=Tallinn |pages=16–17 |language=et, fr |hdl=10062/4451}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[1934 Estonian census|1934]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://hdl.handle.net/10062/4439 |title=Rahvastiku koostis ja korteriolud. 1.III 1934 rahvaloenduse andmed. Vihk II |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1935 |location=Tallinn |pages=47–53 |language=et |hdl=10062/4439}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |1941<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://www.digar.ee/id/nlib-digar:117429 |title=Eesti Statistika : kuukiri 1942-03/04 |publisher=Riigi Statistika Keskbüroo |year=1942 |editor-last= |location=Tallinn |pages=66–67 |language=de, et}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[Soviet Census (1959)|1959]]<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Katus |first1=Kalev |url=https://www.ester.ee/record=b1565334*est |title=Rahvastiku ühtlusarvutatud sündmus- ja loendusstatistika: Ida-Virumaa 1965-1990 |last2=Puur |first2=Allan |last3=Põldma |first3=Asta |publisher=Eesti Kõrgkoolidevaheline Demouuringute Keskus |year=2002 |isbn=9985-820-66-5 |series=Sari C |location=Tallinn |pages=31–32 |language=et, en}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[Soviet Census (1970)|1970]]<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.ester.ee/record=b1655518*est |title=Население районов, городов и поселков городского типа Эстонской ССР : по данным Всесоюзной переписи населения на 15 января 1970 года |publisher=Eesti NSV Statistika Keskvalitsus |year=1972 |location=Tallinn |page=75 |language=ru}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[Soviet Census (1979)|1979]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=http://www.digar.ee/id/nlib-digar:375699 |title=Eesti Vabariigi maakondade, linnade ja alevite rahvastik: 1989. a. rahvaloenduse andmed: statistikakogumik. 1. osa: Rahvaarv rahvuse, perekonnaseisu, hariduse ja elatusallikate järgi |date=1990 |publisher=Statistikaamet |isbn=978-9949-71-932-7 |editor-last= |location=Tallinn |pages=27, 32}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[Soviet Census (1989)|1989]]<ref name=":0" />
! colspan="2" |[[2000 Estonia Census|2000]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=RL222: POPULATION BY THE PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND ETHNIC NATIONALITY |url=https://andmed.stat.ee:443/pxweb/en/stat/stat__rahvaloendus__rel2000__rahvus-emakeel-veerkeelte-oskus/RL222.px/ |access-date= |website=Estonian Statistical Database}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[2011 Estonian census|2011]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=RL0429: POPULATION BY ETHNIC NATIONALITY, SEX, AGE GROUP AND PLACE OF RESIDENCE, 31 DECEMBER 2011 |url=https://andmed.stat.ee:443/pxweb/en/stat/stat__rahvaloendus__rel2011__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel-ja-keelteoskus-murded/RL0429.px/ |access-date= |website=Estonian Statistical Database}}</ref>
! colspan="2" |[[2021 Estonian census|2021]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=RL21429: POPULATION BY ETHNIC NATIONALITY, SEX, AGE GROUP AND PLACE OF RESIDENCE (ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT), 31 DECEMBER 2021 |url=https://andmed.stat.ee:443/pxweb/en/stat/stat__rahvaloendus__rel2021__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__rahvus-emakeel/RL21429.px/ |access-date= |website=Estonian Statistical Database}}</ref>
|-
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
!amount
!%
|-
|[[Estonians]]
|7313
|44.0
|17501
|65.0
|15227
|64.8
|13625
|68.7
|3114
|11.3
|3984
|6.89
|3538
|4.86
|3224
|3.97
|3331
|4.85
|3031
|5.17
|3107
|5.76
|-
|[[Russians]]
|7217
|43.5
|7927
|29.5
|6986
|29.7
|5376
|27.1
| -
| -
|48205
|83.3
|61971
|85.1
|69763
|85.9
|58702
|85.5
|51434
|87.7
|46937
|87.0
|-
|[[Ukrainians]]
|7
|0.04
| -
| -
|1
|0.00
| -
| -
| -
| -
|1448
|2.50
|2092
|2.87
|2626
|3.23
| 1774
| 2.58
|1219
|2.08
|1140
|2.11
|-
|[[Belarusians]]
|63
|0.38
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
|1526
|2.64
|1904
|2.62
|2182
|2.69
| 1529
| 2.23
|1034
|1.76
|833
|1.54
|-
|[[Finns]]
|99
|0.60
| -
| -
|211
|0.90
|369
|1.86
| -
| -
|689
|1.19
|780
|1.07
|727
|0.90
| 682
| 0.99
|406
|0.69
|325
|0.60
|-
|[[Jews]]
| -
| -
|318
|1.18
|188
|0.80
|0
|0.00
| -
| -
| 219
| 0.38
|219
|0.30
|211
|0.26
| 89
| 0.13
|61
|0.10
|48
|0.09
|-
|[[Latvians]]
| -
| -
| -
| -
|65
|0.28
|46
|0.23
| -
| -
| 189
| 0.33
|191
|0.26
|185
|0.23
| 147
| 0.21
|83
|0.14
|85
|0.16
|-
|[[Germans]]
|1000
|6.02
|502
|1.87
|499
|2.12
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
|279
|0.38
|251
|0.31
| 218
| 0.32
|141
|0.24
|124
|0.23
|-
|[[Tatars]]
| -
| -
| -
| -
|59
|0.25
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
| -
|414
|0.57
|479
|0.59
| 376
| 0.55
|271
|0.46
|237
|0.44
|-
|[[Polish people|Poles]]
| -
| -
| -
| -
|162
|0.69
|116
|0.59
| -
| -
| -
| -
|148
|0.20
|159
|0.20
| 127
| 0.18
|95
|0.16
|88
|0.16
|-
|[[Lithuanians]]
| -
| -
| -
| -
|21
|0.09
|18
|0.09
| -
| -
| 191
| 0.33
|200
|0.27
|180
|0.22
| 141
| 0.21
|114
|0.19
|125
|0.23
|-
|unknown
| -
| -
|18
|0.07
|15
|0.06
|9
|0.05
|0
|0.00
|0
|0.00
|0
|0.00
|0
|0.00
|744
|1.08
|60
|0.10
|44
|0.08
|-
|other
|900
|5.42
|646
|2.40
|78
|0.33
|265
|1.34
|24516
|88.7
|1412
|2.44
|1047
|1.44
|1234
|1.52
|820
|1.19
|714
|1.22
|862
|1.60
|-
!Total
!16599
!100
!26912
!100
!23512
!100
!19824
!100
!27630
!100
!57863
!100
!72783
!100
!81221
!100
!68680
!100
!58663
!100
!53955
!100
|}
{{wide image|Narva_panorama_to_west_2008_crop.jpg|800px|Panorama of the western part of the city}}

{{Pie chart
|thumb = right
|caption = Religion in Narva (2021)<ref>{{cite web |title=RL21452: AT LEAST 15-YEAR-OLD PERSONS BY RELIGION AND PLACE OF RESIDENCE (ADMINISTRATIVE UNIT), 31 DECEMBER 2021 |url=https://andmed.stat.ee/en/stat/rahvaloendus__rel2021__rahvastiku-demograafilised-ja-etno-kultuurilised-naitajad__usk/RL21452 |website=Estonian Statistical Database}}</ref>
|label1 = Orthodox & Old Believers 
|value1 = 56.7
|color1 = Pink
|label2 = Catholic 
|value2 = 1.1
|color2 = Purple 
|label3 = Other Christians 
|value3 = 1.7
|color3 = LightBlue 
|label4 = Other religions 
|value4 = 1.0
|color4 = Yellow 
|label5 = Unaffiliated 
|value5 = 39.1
|color5 = White 
}}

==Geography==
Narva is situated in the eastern extreme point of Estonia, {{convert|200|km|0|abbr=on}} to the east from the Estonian capital Tallinn and {{convert|130|km|0|abbr=on}} southwest from Saint Petersburg. The capital of Ida-Viru County, [[Jõhvi]], lies {{convert|50|km|0|abbr=on}} to the west. The eastern border of the city along the Narva River (which drains [[Lake Peipus]]) coincides with the Estonian-Russian border. The Estonian part of the [[Narva Reservoir]] lies mostly within the territory of Narva, to the southwest of the city center. The mouth of the Narva River to the [[Gulf of Finland]] is about {{convert|13|km|0|abbr=on}} downstream from the city.

The municipality of Narva covers {{convert|84.54|km2|2|abbr=on}}, of which the city proper occupies {{convert|62|km2|0|abbr=on}} (excluding the reservoir), while two separate districts surrounded by [[Vaivara Parish]], Kudruküla and Olgina, cover {{convert|5.6|km2|2|abbr=on}} and {{convert|0.58|km2|2|abbr=on}}, respectively.<ref>[http://www.narvaplan.ee/index.php?lang=et&menu=5&page=3 Narva LV Arhitektuuri- ja Linnaplaneerimise Amet] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828135519/http://www.narvaplan.ee/index.php?lang=et&menu=5&page=3 |date=28 August 2008 }} (in Estonian)</ref> Kudruküla is the largest of Narva's [[dacha]] regions, located {{convert|6|km|0|abbr=on}} to northwest from the main city, near [[Narva-Jõesuu]].

===Climate===
Narva has a warm-summer [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Dfb'') with mild to warm, rainy summers with cool nights and cold, cloudy and snowy winters. Narva is one of the coldest settlements in Estonia, being located at the very northeast of the country and bordering Russia.
{{Weather box
|location = Narva, 1971–2000 normals, extremes 1928–present
|metric first = Yes
|single line = Yes
|Jan record high C = 8.9
|Feb record high C = 10.6
|Mar record high C = 17.5
|Apr record high C = 27.0
|May record high C = 31.7
|Jun record high C = 34.6
|Jul record high C = 34.5
|Aug record high C = 35.4
|Sep record high C = 29.9
|Oct record high C = 21.0
|Nov record high C = 12.5
|Dec record high C = 10.4
|year record high C = 35.4
|Jan high C = −3.2
|Feb high C = −3.1
|Mar high C = 1.6
|Apr high C = 8.7
|May high C = 15.7
|Jun high C = 19.9
|Jul high C = 21.7
|Aug high C = 20.2
|Sep high C = 14.4
|Oct high C = 8.3
|Nov high C = 2.0
|Dec high C = −1.4
|year high C = 8.7
|Jan mean C = -5.8
|Feb mean C = -6.2
|Mar mean C = -2.0
|Apr mean C = 4.0
|May mean C = 10.1
|Jun mean C = 14.8
|Jul mean C = 16.9
|Aug mean C = 15.4
|Sep mean C = 10.3
|Oct mean C = 5.4
|Nov mean C = -0.1
|Dec mean C = -3.8
|year mean C = 4.9
|Jan low C = −8.9
|Feb low C = −9.7
|Mar low C = −5.4
|Apr low C = -0.1
|May low C = 4.4
|Jun low C = 9.3
|Jul low C = 11.7
|Aug low C = 10.7
|Sep low C = 6.3
|Oct low C = 2.5
|Nov low C = −2.5
|Dec low C = −6.7
|year low C = 0.9
|Jan record low C = −39.4
|Feb record low C = −37.4
|Mar record low C = −32.7
|Apr record low C = −25.1
|May record low C = −6.3
|Jun record low C = -0.9
|Jul record low C = 2.3
|Aug record low C = -0.5
|Sep record low C = −5.4
|Oct record low C = −12.4
|Nov record low C = −22.9
|Dec record low C = −42.6
|year record low C = −42.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 36
|Feb precipitation mm = 28
|Mar precipitation mm = 33
|Apr precipitation mm = 32
|May precipitation mm = 43
|Jun precipitation mm = 62
|Jul precipitation mm = 75
|Aug precipitation mm = 89
|Sep precipitation mm = 76
|Oct precipitation mm = 72
|Nov precipitation mm = 54
|Dec precipitation mm = 47
|year precipitation mm = 646
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 11
|Feb precipitation days = 8
|Mar precipitation days = 9
|Apr precipitation days = 8
|May precipitation days = 7
|Jun precipitation days = 9
|Jul precipitation days = 10
|Aug precipitation days = 11
|Sep precipitation days = 12
|Oct precipitation days = 13
|Nov precipitation days = 14
|Dec precipitation days = 12
|year precipitation days = 124
|Jan humidity = 86
|Feb humidity = 84
|Mar humidity = 79
|Apr humidity = 72
|May humidity = 67
|Jun humidity = 73
|Jul humidity = 76
|Aug humidity = 79
|Sep humidity = 83
|Oct humidity = 84
|Nov humidity = 87
|Dec humidity = 87
|year humidity = 80
|Jan sun = 29.6
|Feb sun = 60.3
|Mar sun = 123.9
|Apr sun = 178.4
|May sun = 274.5
|Jun sun = 284.0
|Jul sun = 286.7
|Aug sun = 231.0
|Sep sun = 133.2
|Oct sun = 76.0
|Nov sun = 26.8
|Dec sun = 16.5
|year sun = 1718.7
|source 1 = Estonian Weather Service<ref name=temp>
{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.emhi.ee/index.php?ide=6,299,302
 |title       = Kliimanormid-Õhutemperatuur
 |publisher   = Estonian Weather Service
 |language    = et
 |access-date  = 24 September 2016
 |url-status     = bot: unknown
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120222111033/http://www.emhi.ee/index.php?ide=6,299,302
 |archive-date = 22 February 2012
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref name=precip>
{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.emhi.ee/index.php?ide=6,299,303
 |title       = Kliimanormid-Sademed, õhuniiskus
 |publisher   = Estonian Weather Service
 |language    = et
 |access-date  = 24 September 2016
 |url-status     = bot: unknown
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120222112141/http://www.emhi.ee/index.php?ide=6,299,303
 |archive-date = 22 February 2012
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref name=sun>
{{cite web
 |url         = http://www.emhi.ee/index.php?ide=6,299,307
 |title       = Kliimanormid-Päikesepaiste kestus
 |publisher   = Estonian Weather Service
 |language    = et
 |access-date  = 24 September 2016
 |url-status     = bot: unknown
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20120222111655/http://www.emhi.ee/index.php?ide=6,299,307
 |archive-date = 22 February 2012
 |df          = dmy-all
}}</ref><ref name=extremes>
{{cite web
| url = http://www.ilmateenistus.ee/kliima/rekordid/ohutemperatuur/
| title = Rekordid 
| language= Estonian
| publisher = Estonian Weather Service
| access-date = 19 March 2021}}</ref>
}}
{|style="width:100%;text-align:center;line-height:1.2em;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto" class="wikitable"
|-
!Colspan=14|Coastal temperature data for Narva-Jõesuu
|-
!Month
!Jan
!Feb
!Mar
!Apr
!May
!Jun
!Jul
!Aug
!Sep
!Oct
!Nov
!Dec
!style="border-left-width:medium"|Year
|-
!Average sea temperature °C (°F)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-23.1}}"|0.1<br/>(32.18)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-24.7}}"|-0.4<br/>(31.28)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-24.0}}"|-0.2<br/>(31.64)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-19.0}}"|1.3<br/>(34.34)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|0.7}}"|7.2<br/>(44.96)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|17.5}}"|14.6<br/>(58.28)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|25.5}}"|19.4<br/>(66.92)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|24.2}}"|18.7<br/>(65.66)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|18.4}}"|15.1<br/>(59.18)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|10.3}}"|10.2<br/>(50.36)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-3.0}}"|6.1<br/>(42.98)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|-13.3}}"|3.0<br/>(37.40)
| style="{{Weather box/colt|3.0}}"|7.9<br/>(46.27)
|-
!Colspan=14 style="background:#ffffff;font-weight:normal;font-size:100%;"|Source 1: Seatemperature.org<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://live.seatemperature.org/europe/estonia/narva-joesuu.htm|title =Narva-Jõesuu Sea Temperature|date=2023-04-25 }}</ref>
|}

===Neighbourhoods===
{{Main|Narva neighbourhoods}}

[[File:Narva linnaosad.png|thumb|Neighbourhoods of Narva]]
Narva is officially divided into 15 neighbourhoods: [[Elektrijaama]], [[Joaoru]], [[Kalevi, Narva|Kalevi]], [[Kerese]], [[Kreenholmi]], [[Kudruküla, Narva|Kudruküla]], [[Kulgu]], [[Olgina, Narva|Olgina]], [[Paemurru]], [[Pähklimäe]], [[Siivertsi]], [[Soldina, Narva|Soldina]], [[Sutthoffi]], [[Vanalinn, Narva|Vanalinn]] and [[Veekulgu]].

== Landmarks ==
<!--near-identical duplicate of another photo [[File:Narva jõgi 1999.jpg|260px|thumb|The reconstructed fortress of Narva (to the left) overlooking the Russian fortress of Ivangorod (to the right).]]-->
{{See also|Hermann Castle}}
Narva's [[skyline]] is dominated by the 15th-century castle, with the {{convert|51|m|ft|sp=us|adj=mid|-tall}} [[Pikk Hermann, Narva|Pikk Hermann]] tower as its most prominent landmark. The sprawling complex of the [[Kreenholm Manufacture]], located in the proximity of scenic waterfalls, is one of the largest textile mills of 19th-century Northern Europe. Other notable buildings include Swedish mansions of the 17th century, a Baroque town hall (1668–71), and remains of [[Erik Dahlberg]]'s fortifications.{{Citation needed|date=August 2009}}<!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Narva&curid=274284&diff=310257716&oldid=309316100-->

Across the Narva River lies the Russian Ivangorod fortress, established during the rule of Grand Prince [[Ivan III of Russia|Ivan III of Muscovy]] in 1492 and also referred to in some contemporary sources as the "Counter-Narva". <!--During the [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] times Narva and [[Ivangorod]] were [[twin cities]], despite belonging to different "union republics".--> From the 17th century until 1945, both the fortress and the adjacent suburb of Ivangorod ({{langx|et|Jaanilinn}}) were an administrative part of Narva.

[[Narva Kreenholmi Stadium]] is home to [[Meistriliiga]] football team, [[FC Narva Trans]].

<gallery mode="packed">
File:Castillo de Narva, Estonia, 2012-08-10, DD 01.JPG|[[Hermann Castle]]
File:Narva – Town hall (2023).jpg|Town Hall
File:Narva asv2022-04 img17 Alexander II Church.jpg|[[Alexander's Cathedral]]
File:Narva asv2022-04 img03 Resurrection Church.jpg|[[Resurrection of Christ Cathedral, Narva|Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Cathedral]]
File:20100413. Narva jõe joad.jpg|[[Kreenholm Manufacture]]
</gallery>

==Transportation==
The [[Narva railway station]] is located on an international railway line between Estonia and Russia ([[Tallinn–Narva railway]]). All passenger trains between Russia and Estonia were cancelled during the pandemic in 2020 and the service has not been resumed. There is a domestic train service between Saint Petersburg and Ivangorod. Hence, it is possible to travel between Narva and Saint Petersburg by train if one crosses the border between Narva and Ivangorod by foot. The walking distance between the border station and Ivangorod train station is about 3.5&nbsp;km.

Five daily domestic trains run between Narva and Tallinn. Some are express, which takes about {{frac|2|1|2}} hours.

Adjacent to the central rail station is a central bus station, which has multiple domestic and international connections (including to Russia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus etc.). The direct bus routes to Russia ceased on 1 February 2024, since the Russian Federation closed the border between Narva and Ivangorod for traffic - only pedestrians are now permitted to cross the border.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.err.ee/1609211776/russia-announces-closing-narva-border-point-to-vehicles-from-february | title=Russia announces closing Narva border point to vehicles from February | date=4 January 2024 }}</ref> 

There is a general aviation [[grass airfield]] near Narva (ICAO: EENA). The strip is 600 meters long.

==Sport==
The two main professional sports in the city are [[ice hockey]] and [[association football|football]].

[[Narva PSK]] play at the [[Narva Ice Hall]], which also was the host arena of the [[2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships#Division I|2005 World Junior Ice Hockey Division I Championship Group B]].

[[JK Narva Trans]] play at the [[Narva Kreenholm Stadium]]. They are founding members of the [[Meistriliiga]], and are one of two clubs which have never been relegated from the Estonian top division. They have won 2 [[Estonian Cup]]s and 2 [[Estonian Supercup]]s.

==Notable residents==
{{More citations needed section|date=September 2025}}
*[[Ludwig Busbetzky]] (1687–1699), composer and organist at the German Church in Narva
*[[Maksim Gruznov]] (born 1974), football player
*[[Reinar Hallik]] (born 1984), basketball player
*[[Evert Horn]] (1585–1615), governor of Narva (1613)
*[[Valeri Karpin]] (born 1969), Russian football player
*[[Paul Keres]] (1916–1975), chess grandmaster
*[[Leo Komarov]] (born 1987), ice hockey player
*[[Raimund Kull]] (1882–1942), conductor and composer
*[[Kersti Merilaas]] (1913–1986), poet, playwright
*[[Alika Milova]] (born 2002), singer, represented Estonia in the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2023]]
*[[Salme Peetson]] (1885–1967), actress
*[[Aleksander Promet]] (1879–1938), artist
*[[Ortvin Sarapu]] (1924–1999), chess player<ref>Ortvin Sarapu, ''Mr Chess: The Ortvin Sarapu Story'', New Zealand Chess Supplies Ltd, Wainuiomata, 1993, pp. 3-4.</ref>
*[[Paul Felix Schmidt]] (1916–1984), chess player
*[[Emmanuel Steinschneider]] (1886–1970), professor
*[[Nikolai Stepulov]] (1913–1968), Olympic boxer
*[[Adolf Szyszko-Bohusz]] (1883–1948), architect
*[[Albert Üksip]] (1886–1966), botanist

==In popular culture==
The "[[Narva scenario]]" is a loosely-defined [[Scenario planning|hypothetical military scenario]] where Russia would attack a smaller [[NATO]] country using [[hybrid warfare]] tactics similar to the initial phase of the actual 2014 Russian invasion of [[Ukraine]], a NATO non-member. 

In the first-person shooter video game ''[[Squad (video game)|Squad]]'', the map Narva is loosely based on the real city, containing [[Narva Castle]], [[Ivangorod Fortress]] and a southern industrial area.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

==Friendship and partner cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Estonia}}
Narva is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:<ref>{{cite web |title=Narva sõprus- ja partnerlinnad - Rahvusvaheline koostöö - Narva Linnavalitsus |url=https://www.narva.ee/rahvusvaheline-koostoo/-/asset_publisher/Zws5Mgif9Vg3/content/narva-soprus-ja-partnerlinnad?redirect=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.narva.ee%2Frahvusvaheline-koostoo%3Fp_p_id%3D101_INSTANCE_Zws5Mgif9Vg3%26p_p_lifecycle%3D0%26p_p_state%3Dnormal%26p_p_mode%3Dview%26p_p_col_id%3Dcolumn-1%26p_p_col_count%3D1 |website=www.narva.ee |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Bel Air, Harford County, Maryland|Bel Air]], United States
*{{flagicon|EST}} [[Pärnu]], Estonia
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Forssa]], Finland
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Humppila]], Finland
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Jokioinen]], Finland
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Lahti]], Finland
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Somero]], Finland
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Urjala]], Finland
*{{flagicon|FIN}} [[Ypäjä]], Finland
*{{flagicon|GEO}} [[Kobuleti]], Georgia
*{{flagicon|MDA}} [[Bălți]], Moldova
*{{flagicon|POL}} [[Elbląg]], Poland
*{{flagicon|SWE}} [[Karlskoga Municipality|Karlskoga]], Sweden
*{{flagicon|CHN}} [[Xiamen]], China
{{div col end}}

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage}}
* {{Official website}}
* [https://visitnarva.ee Visit Narva official city guide]

{{Cities of Estonia}}
{{Ida-Virumaa}}
{{Narva landmarks}}
{{Placename toponym Narva}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Narva| ]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Estonia]]
[[Category:Yamburgsky Uyezd]]
[[Category:Estonia–Russia border crossings]]
[[Category:Populated places in Ida-Viru County]]
[[Category:Russian communities]]
[[Category:Port cities and towns in Estonia]]
[[Category:Extreme points of Estonia]]