Mr. Veliky Novgorod

Whatever you say, but in the midst of the global economic crisis, vacation abroad has become almost inaccessible for many Russians. What do you do on vacation? Stay at home, go to the country? Not necessary or even undesirable! It is better to buy railway tickets and go to unknown places in Russia – because in our country there are an incredible number of interesting cities and stunning places!

For example, the ancient Russian city of Novgorod. Free city in ancient times was called the Lord - so great and beautiful. The architecture of this beautiful city in full force unfolded in the second half of the XIV century. And the beginning of the ensemble of the Novgorod Kremlin leads from the XI century: around the Novgorod settlement in 1044, Prince Vladimir Yaroslavovich ordered to build wooden walls. In the XIV century, the wooden fence began to change to stone, because if it could still protect from uninvited guests, then from fire – no.

Today, the Novgorod Kremlin is decorated with eight towers, the first of which was built in 1302. The most famous is the Clock Call, the tallest of the eight towers.

The center of the Novgorod Kremlin is the Sophia Cathedral. It became a symbol of the independence of the Novgorod Veche Republic. The five-domed cathedral is somewhat similar to the St. Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, and their construction was carried out almost simultaneously, however, the Novgorod structure looks more thorough. The bronze Sigtuna Gate on the western portal of Novgorod Sofia reminds of the capture of the Swedish capital Sigtuna by Novgorodians in 1187.
Unfortunately, the St. Sophia Cathedral of Veliky Novgorod suffered greatly during the fascist occupation, later it had to be seriously restored.
If you are already ready to study the schedule of trains that will take you to Veliky Novgorod, then our story has reached its goal. If not yet, let's continue.

According to legend, in 1030, Prince Yaroslav the Wise founded a monastery near Ilmensky Lake on the high bank of the Volkhov Yuriev, which controlled the approaches to the city from this side. The white stone walls of the monastery give it majesty and nobility. On the territory of the Yuriev Monastery at the beginning of the XII century, the Cathedral of St. George was erected. It was in his tomb that the ashes of Alexander Nevsky’s mother and brother were buried. The end of the XV century was marked by the fact that on the site of three of the seven fortress towers were built churches.

Tourists coming to Veliky Novgorod, necessarily come to worship the fallen in January 1942 in the Valley of Death (and still called Meat Bor). More than 20 thousand Soviet soldiers are buried here in the military cemetery.

If we continue the theme of ancient architecture, then in Veliky Novgorod and its environs there are still many monuments of Old Russian architecture: the Church of Boris and Gleb, the Church of the Savior on Nereditsa, the Beast Monastery, the Nikolo-Vyazhyshchi Monastery, the Znamensky Cathedral, the Church of Nikola on Lipne... Some of them do not have public transport, but you can always get there by bus or taxi.

Veliky Novgorod is a place that every Russian should see with his own eyes. Its historical spirit permeates anyone, giving pride in the greatness and beauty of the Russian land.