Magic of the Northern Lakes and the Northern Capital

1 day.

 

TORZHOK - SELIGER - NILOVA DESTYN

07:15 - 07:30. Group gathering in Moscow: metro station "VDNH"

Departure to Ostashkov (~ 370 km). Travel information.

Transit sightseeing tour of Torzhka.

Torzhok is the oldest city with more than a thousand years of history. The first mention of Torzhka dates back to 1015, and already at that time it was a fortress of Veliky Novgorod on one of the important trade routes. Despite the fact that the city was repeatedly captured, Torzhka has many ancient architectural monuments, and it will find something to surprise you. In the city is one of the oldest in Russia, now operating Boris-Gleb monastery. Torzhok was famous for its fairs, merchants, leathers, gold sewing. Through the transit city passed and stopped here V. A. Zhukovsky, A. S. Pushkin, P. A. Vyazemsky, S. A. Sobolevsky, V. G. Belinsky, M. Bakunin, I. S. Turgenev.

During the tour, you will learn how the Trade became New, and then Torzhkom, how to properly prepare fire patties and how they are related to A.S. Pushkin.

Lunch at the café.

Ostashkov is the only city on the banks of Seliger. It has preserved its own recognizable architectural style - an abundance of mezzanines on buildings, corner houses facing both streets with facades, and "exemplary" houses with rounded corners. But, of course, the main attraction of Ostashkov is the lake. Seliger fascinates and admires its greatness and power at any time of the year.

Departure by bus to the island "Stolbny", where there is a Russian shrine - the monastery of Nilova Pustin with the miraculous relics of St. Nile Stolobensky.

Reverend Neil became famous for healing, saving people from the storms on Seliger, as well as an incredible spiritual feat - for 27 years of his hermitage, he never lay down, but slept on two wooden hooks. According to his will, a majestic monastery was built on the island - "the golden-headed city on the island." Here rise magnificent temples and monastic buildings, and surrounds the monastery granite embankment! The Epiphany Cathedral of the Nile Desert was built according to the project that participated in the competition of projects for the construction of St. Isaac’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg. On the bell tower of the Epiphany Cathedral there is one of the best observation platforms of Seliger (climbing to the observation deck at will), with which you can admire unforgettable views of the monastic harmas, endless distances of the Seliger region.

The temple is surrounded on all sides by residential buildings, of which the Brotherly Corps stands out, outwardly most similar to any St. Petersburg palace. In other parts of the monastery there are outbuildings (there is even its own water tower), on the shore there is a park, and on the very tip of the cape there is a snow-white baroque Church of the Cross.

Moving to Valdai (~200 km).

Accommodation in the hotel "Valdai Dawns", Valdai - 1 night. Free time.

 

2 days.

 

Valdai, the Great New Town

Breakfast at the hotel restaurant. Room release.

Valdai is an ancient and beautiful city with a 500-year history. The city is known for its Orthodox shrines and natural sites, such as the National Park and the purest Valdai Lake, stretching for 40 kilometers.

The main symbol of the Valdai region is the Valdai Iversky Bogoroditsky Svyatoozersky Monastery, founded in 1653 on the picturesque island of Selvitsky Valdai Lake. The Iberian Monastery was founded by Metropolitan Nikon of Novgorod, who wished to build a monastery in the image and likeness of the Iverian Monastery on Athos. The main shrine of the monastery is the miraculous icon of the Iberian Mother of God, which, according to legend, was written by the Evangelist Luke in the days of the earthly life of the Virgin. A genuine work of art is a unique salary of the icon, created in the city of Chrysostom by the Lokhtachev masters and decorated with pearls, topazes, amethysts and citrines.

During a walk around the monastery we will admire its beautiful architectural ensemble and picturesque landscapes.

Departure to Veliky Novgorod (~ 150 km).

Lunch at the café.

Sightseeing bus tour around the city with a visit to the Yaroslavov Palace.

Veliky Novgorod is one of the oldest cities in Russia, which played an important role in the formation of the country. It was here that Rurik was called to reign, here the first Russian books were created, and in the Middle Ages there was the Novgorod Republic, which pursued its independent policy. Due to its favorable geographical position, Novgorod has always been a center of trade, there passed the way "from the Varangians to the Greeks", the city was part of the Hanseatic League and was famous for its rich river port. Merchants' beginning was reflected even in the territorial division of the city - historically there are two main districts: The Sofia part with the Kremlin and the Trade part with the pier.

The Novgorod Kremlin, founded in the middle of the 11th century, is located on a small elevation on the banks of the Volkhov River. In the days of the Novgorod Republic, the Kremlin hosted veche meetings of the local people to discuss various issues and problems.

On the territory of the Kremlin is a monument to the Millennium of Russia. It was installed in 1862. The monument is made of bronze and granite and represents a power as a symbol of statehood, installed on a pedestal. On the perimeter there are figures of outstanding historical figures - from Dmitry Donskoy to Peter the Great.

St. Sophia Cathedral is one of the symbols of Novgorod, it was built in the early 11th century in the image and likeness of the cathedral of the same name in Kiev, but it turned out so unique that it itself became a bright example of the Novgorod architectural style. The cathedral is white-stone, with five high domes resembling Russian helmets, four of which are gray and only one sparkles with gold. At one time, in the walls of the cathedral, the gold of the princes and the Novgorod nobility were kept in hiding. Inside, you should pay attention to the Sigtun Gate - a bright and rare example of European foundry craftsmanship of the 12th century. The gates were taken from Sweden by Novgorod during one of the wars. Inside you will find preserved frescoes dating from the 13th century, icons and iconostasis dating back to the 14th and 16th centuries.

Yaroslav Palace and Ancient Trading are located on the opposite bank of the Volkhov opposite the Kremlin. There are a large number of monuments of Orthodox culture dating from the 12th-16th centuries. In St. Nicholas Cathedral, for example, frescoes and carved iconostases of the 12th century have been preserved.

Moving to St. Petersburg (~ 190 km).

Accommodation in the hotel "Orbita" 3***, St. Petersburg - 3 nights. (Reserve hotels: "Russia", "A-Hotel Fontanka", "Polyustrovo" St. Petersburg)

 

3 days.

 

St. Petersburg - Petropavlovsk fortress

Breakfast at the buffet hotel restaurant.

9:00. Sightseeing tour "Petrovsky Petersburg".

Acquaintance with the history of St. Petersburg from its foundation to the present day, the main attractions of the city: the House of Peter the Great, the Winter Palace, the Admiralty, the Senate Square, the Copper Horseman, the Transfiguration Cathedral, Nevsky Prospect, St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Savior on the Blood.

14:30. Lunch at the café.

Excursion to the territory of the Peter and Paul Fortress: acquaintance with the unique complex of fortifications, the Peter and Paul Cathedral, which is the burial place of all Russian emperors, the Bothnaya House with a copy of the boot of Peter I, an amazing monument to Peter I by the sculptor Shemyakin.

Free time.

Back to the hotel.

 

4 days.

 

Tsar's Village - Catherine's Door *

Breakfast at the buffet hotel restaurant.

9:30. Departure to Tsarskoye Selo is the ceremonial residence of Russian emperors.

11:00. Excursion "Country Imperial Residences": a walk through the Catherine Park - a masterpiece of garden and park art of the XVIII-XIX centuries, with a view of picturesque flower beds, ponds, white marble sculptures and exquisite pavilions.

Visit to the Catherine Palace and the Amber Room - for an additional fee. Payment is strictly in the office with available seats.

14:30. Lunch at the café.

16:30. Free time in the center of St. Petersburg.

Independent return to the hotel.

For an additional fee, you can organize excursions (payment from a guide on the route / in the office):

excursion along the rivers and canals "Northern Venice" (the navigation period April-October depending on weather conditions) - from 500 rubles. Man. ;

Night tour of St. Petersburg (bridges until October-November depending on weather conditions) – from 500 rubles. Man.

 

5 days.

 

KRONSTADT - PETERHOF

Breakfast at the buffet hotel restaurant.

9:00. Room release. Go to Kronstadt. Free time.

Excursion to Kronstadt "Russian Citadel in the Baltic": acquaintance with the Complex of protective structures of St. Petersburg from floods; ancient forts that protected the approaches to the northern capital from the sea; the ancient St. Petersburg dock designed for repair and equipping ships; the majestic St. Nicholas Sea Cathedral. Walk through the streets of Kronstadt with the opportunity to admire the Baltic warships.

12:00 Moving to Peterhof.

14:30. Lunch at the café.

Excursion "Primorsky Paradis": a walk through the Lower Park, where the most outstanding sculptures, fountains and architectural monuments of the museum-reserve are located. Acquaintance with the history and sights of the ceremonial residence: the Grand Peterhof Palace, the Grand Cascade, the Marley Palace, the Monplaisir Palace, the Catherine Building Museum, the Bath Building Museum, etc.

19:30. Go home. Sanitation stops en route.

 

6 days.

 

Homecoming

5:30. Arrival in Moscow (metro station "VDNH").