Valdai bell

1 day

07:00

Gathering groups of metro station Voikovskaya (the first car from the center, access to the shopping center "Metropolis", to the / t "Warsaw" from glass doors to the right, exit No. 1).

07:15

Going to Valdai.

"Heaven is in the land of Valdai."

One of these phrases of disgraced Patriarch Nikon can describe these magical, amazing places.

A tiny patriarchal city on the shores of the wondrous Lake Valdai, surrounded by protected pine forests – small northern Switzerland! Lake Valdai is truly crystal - it is one of the ten world lakes with the cleanest water, is located on the territory of the Valdai National Park and is a biosphere reserve of our planet from the UNESCO List. So the city of Valdai is one of the rare Russian cities located right in the heart of the nature reserve.

Excursion to the Holy Lake Iversky monastery.

Crystal Lake Valdai hides from prying eyes seven picturesque islands: Ant, Ryabinov, Dubki, Plastic... But he can't hide one treasure. The glory of the Iversky Svyatoozersky Bogoroditsky Monastery thunders throughout Russia, to which we are going.

In 1653, then not disgraced, but fondled by the royal grace, the hero-patriarch Nikon chooses one of the secluded islands to establish a monastery here in the image and likeness of the Iberian monastery on the Greek Athos (Patriarch Nikon was even sent an exact plan of the Iberian monastery from Mount Athos). The majestic lake so impressed Nikon that he called him Saint, and the monastery - Svyatoozersky. From all over Russia, talented architects and skilled icon painters were brought to Valdai, and especially for the monastery, on Greek Athos, they made a List of the Image of the Mother of God of Iberia, the colors for writing which were mixed with particles of the relics of saints and mixed in holy water. Even on the way from Greece, the image of the Iberian Mother of God became famous for great miracles.

Brilliant golden domes, snow-white walls and towers with angels-flugers rise from the lake surface, like the epic city of Kitezh. From the Great Land to the monastery you can only cross the bridge, as on the border of the world of vanity and the sublime world. Here, even the tower clock has no hands, and time really freezes. The panoramas of the snow-white monastery against the backdrop of an immense lake are fascinating and breathtaking, and the fabulous ensemble of the monastery, erected by the talented architect Afanasy Fomin in the XVII century, amazes with the beauty embodied in stone. In the XVII century, the Iversky Monastery was the center of spiritual life and enlightenment, here was located the first Russian church printing house and its own tiled production.

Thousands of pilgrims come to the Iversky monastery not only from Russia, but also from abroad! Feel the life-giving power of Russian Orthodoxy by touching the most important shrine of the monastery - the miraculous image of the Iberian Icon of the Mother of God. You will be able to approach the miraculous icon and turn to the Virgin with a prayer for help.

Lunch.

Sightseeing tour of Valdai city.

Valdai is a village of Yamshchikov (and earlier this word was called the owners of inns) on the "main highway of the Empire", literally halfway between St. Petersburg and Moscow. After Peter I put in order the road connecting Northern Palmyra with Moscow, endless trade trains stretched through Valdai, troops marched, cybitkas and carriages raced. Valdai became rich, flourished, Catherine the Great by her highest decree gave the former village the status of the city of Valdai, and even directed its development. Largely due to this, many monuments of world importance have been preserved in Valdai. You will visit Freedom Square (former Trading Square) - this is a miniature "Valdai Arbat", a favorite place for meetings and walks of residents and guests of Valdai. Here is the heart of the city – the Trinity Cathedral, which you will visit. The Trinity Cathedral with an impressive bell tower was built in the XVIII century, and most recently restored and again is the "calling card" of the sights of the city of Valdai.

Excursion to the Museum of Bells.

"And the bell, the gift of Valdai!"

Since ancient times, strings of wagon trains stretched through Valdai and ringing bells and bells were poured on all voices! At the very beginning of the XIX century in Valdai, the bell-molling industry is developing, on which not only underbelly bells and bells are poured, but also huge bells-giants, weighing up to two thousand poods. Valdai bells still ring today at the churches and cathedrals of Venice, Rome, New York, and the bell forever became the “musical brand” of Valdai.

We are going to the unique Museum of Bells. The place for him was chosen the most suitable - this is the magnificently restored royal way Catherine Church. It was built by the “Russian Leonardo”, a brilliant engineer, architect and inventor Nikolai Lvov, whose talent was admired by Empress Catherine II.

You will see one of the most extensive collections of bells in the world! Bells of shepherds and firefighters, yamshchik and ship, door, home and bells for church belfries - from giant unbearable to tiny bell rings. You will learn about the sacred meaning of the bell ringing and hear the beautiful legend of the Novgorod bell, which split into thousands of small Valdai bells. And you can also call the legendary bells, from which the melodic crystal ringing will flow. Since ancient times in Russia bell ringing called all the cleanest and brightest!

Moving to Borovichi.

Accommodation at the Tkachi Hotel in Borovichi. Room categories: Standard.

Dinner (for extra charge)

2 days

Breakfast.

Room release.

Sightseeing tour of the city of Borovichi.

"From Varangians to Greeks"

On the banks of the fast, high-speed river Msta is located the island of antiquity Borovichi. It was on the Msta since ancient times that the main trade waterway "from the Varangians to the Greeks" ran: from the Baltic countries to the Volga, to the Caspian Sea, to distant Central Asia. Approaching the rapids of the burly Msta in the vicinity of Borovichi, wealthy merchants-caravans hired local residents as guides and pilots. Borovichi is the birthplace of numerous hereditary dynasties of skilled pilots and rivermen.

Borovichi town is amazingly original, preserved all the charm and charm of the ancient merchant hinterland. The charm of Borovichi is in the atmosphere of the XVIII-XIX centuries, which has been preserved literally in the entire appearance of the city. In ancient merchant mansions, decorated with multi-colored ceramics, in the rich wooden carvings of Posad houses, buried in the greenery and flowers of the front gardens, and even in the pavement, as many years ago, paved with cobblestones.

A business card and cinematic attraction of the city (which will probably seem familiar to you) is the Borovichi Railway Station. This is the only wooden city railway station in Russia, built in 1876 and is still in active operation. The interiors and appearance of this building are so good that they even served as a set for episodes of Nikita Mikhalkov’s film “State Counselor”. We'll definitely stop by here.

Openwork “supportless” bridge across the Mst in Borovichi is the first arched bridge in Russia. This bridge recently turned 100 (!) years old, and it still regularly carries out its service, connecting the lively districts of Borovichi – the Trade and Spassky sides.

The patron saint of the city is St. James of Borovich – the protector of all those working by the water – fishermen, pilots, shipbuilders. The Holy Spirit Yakovlev Monastery is one of the outstanding sights of Borovichi and one of the oldest monasteries of all Russia, because the estimated date of its foundation is 1327!

Departure to the village of Konchanskoye-Suvorovskoye.

Excursion to the only museum in Russia of the brilliant Russian military commander Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, in the native patrimony of the Suvorovs.

The Life of the Generalissimo

The museum-reserve in the village of Konchanskoye-Suvorovskoye is the only surviving possession of Suvorov and the only museum telling about the life of the legendary Generalissimo. Almost half a century served for the benefit of Russia, defeated the best European armies and knew no defeats military commander, in the waning years of Suvorov will be sent to this estate in exile, for the fact that he will fight with Emperor Paul the First against the "russianization" of the Russian army. From this estate, the great Generalissimo will go to the famous Italian-Swiss campaign, which will turn it into a world luminary of military science and in which he will make the legendary "Suvorov's March through the Alps".

Konchanskoye-Suvorovskoye Estate is a unique museum with the effect of the presence of the owner - everything remained here, as with the great commander. He seems to be out for a minute and about to be back. You will discover the facets of the talent and lifestyle of this ascetic, modest and great Russian. Unique expositions of Suvorov’s house, unique household items and furnishings, outbuildings – literally everything breathes the “Suvorov” spirit. On the vast territory of the estate, even oaks planted by the commander himself were preserved. The pearl of the exposition is the diorama “Suvorov’s Alpine Campaign”, which is located in the building of the former manor church.

In the kitchen wing of the estate, you can enjoy Suvorov’s favorite treat. A sandwich with radish "in Suvorov style" and 50 grams of Russian vodka (vodka, of course, for adults). It is very tasty and unusual, and most importantly - in the style of life of the great commander!

Departure to Lyubytino.

Lunch.

Excursion to the Slavic village of the X century.

"At the Dawn of Rus"

It was here, in Lyubytino, in the distant 947 came Princess Olga, the great wife of the great husband, Prince of Kiev, Igor. Throughout the river, the Grand Duchess laid lessons and cemeteries (the so-called small ancient villages), establishing and consolidating the Grand Duke's power. The picturesque surroundings and the strategic position of the pagan settlement, which for centuries was located on the Lyubytin lands, at the confluence of the rivers Bela and Msta, attracted the Grand Duchess. On the site of the princely churchyard, known today as the Malyshevsky settlement, and is located modern Lyubytino.

Not without reason for Lyubytino, the glory of "Novgorod Switzerland" was fixed - so picturesque is the indented landscape with height changes, charming wooded hills and secluded valleys, karst lakes, fast rivers and waterfalls. Here, surrounded by untouched, protected natural beauties, and immersing into the depths of distant centuries, lurked a real residential Slavic village of the X century. In this atmosphere of antiquity, among the man-made gifts of the memory of our Slavic ancestors, an island of authentic, "living" history was recreated. The basis for the creation of a unique Slavic village were artifacts and archaeological discoveries of Lyubytin monuments. In this recreated ancient village, you can literally breathe in the aromas of bygone times and literally touch the life of our ancestors. You will see and visit the houses of our forefathers, learn what barns, cages, humane, look like an ancient bread oven. Try to light a ray and melt an ancient oven, try on mail or female Slavic outfit, try grinding grains on ancient millstones, find out how they were woven on birds and a Slavic loom. A lively history that you can touch with your hands, and a photo shoot in the interiors of ancient times!

Going to Moscow.

21:00

Approximate arrival time at the nearest metro station.