Ryazan', city, central European Russia, capital of Ryazan' Oblast, on the Oka River. The city is an industrial and transportation center. Manufactures include agricultural machinery, chemicals, and clothing. Ryazan' was originally founded in the 11th century, downstream from its present site. It was completely destroyed by the Tatars in 1237, and the seat of the Ryazan' bishopric was then moved to the city of Pereyaslav-Ryazanskiy. In the 15th century the community became the capital of a principality. It passed to Moscow in 1521 and was given its present name in 1778. Population (1999) 528,800.
