Arzamas (Russian: Арзама́с) is a city in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast, Russia, located on the Tyosha River (a tributary of the Oka), 410 kilometers (250 mi) east of Moscow. The population as of 2024 is 103,629.[9] Arzamas was founded in 1578[3] by Ivan the Terrible in the lands populated at the time by Mordvins. By 1737, more than 7,000 people lived in Arzamas and the town became a major transit centre on the route from Moscow to eastern parts of Russia. It was known for its geese and onions as well as leather crafts.