Historical sites and monuments
The description of historical sites and monuments
Guided tour round Veliky Novgorod. - An excursion round Veliky Novgorod, one of the most ancient cities of Russia. There is no other city in Russia that preserved so many monuments of architecture, and monumental painting of XII-XVII centuries, like Veliky Novgorod. By right, it is called the city-museum of the Ancient Russia.
The Novgorod Kremlin. - The monument of Russian architecture of X-XVII centuries. The ensemble of buildings makes the walk round the Kremlin pleasant and fascinating. The Kremlin was the nucleus and the heart of the ancient town, made its silhouette and planning. The Kremlin, or Detinets, as it was called in ancient times was the civic, public and religious centre. Here “Veche” (the General Assembly of Novgorod) took place, the election of posadnik (the head of the executive power), from Kremlin armed forces of Alexander Nevsky started for the battle with Swedes. The Kremlin walls protected St. Sophia’s cathedral and the residence of Novgorod ruler.
St-Sophia’s Cathedral (1045-1050) - the oldest dressed stone church of Russia. Prince Yaroslav the Wise laid the foundation and his son Prince Vladimir built it as the church of the whole city. Architects from Byzantium and Kiev who erected that main and the only cathedral in the city in the XI century, showed the essence of Novgorodian character that is: restraint, verging on severity, scale of intentions and power.
Monument “Millennium of Russia”.-(1862) is located in the centre of the Kremlin. The composition of the monument represents a thousand year history of Russia. The general solution was admitted by all without exception as a successful one. The monument’s silhouette associates with two important symbols of Russian and Novgorod history- The cap of Monomach and Vechevoj bell. The division of the monument into three registers made it possible to translate a famous formulation of the official doctrine of that time “Orthodoxy, autocracy, national character” into the language of culture.
The Metropolitan’s Many-Sided Palace (Granovitaya Palata).-a unique exhibition of “Russian Decorative, Applied and Jeweler’s Art” of the XI-XIX centuries. The exhibition is represented by church plates and goods of secular character. The exhibition is located in Kremlin, in the ancient commercial building dressed in stone.
The History Museum.-The history of the ancient Novgorod is represented by unique archeological finds (household utensils, the famous original beresta missives of Novgorod, knick-knackery, clothes), a magnificent collection of the Novgorod icons. The museum is located within the Kremlin.
The Museum of Old Russian Icon-Painting. - A fascinating collection of Russian ancient icons. The collection occupies 14 halls. Is located within the territory of Kremlin.
The Museum of Fine Arts. - The collection of Russian XVIII-XX centuries painting. In the building of the Former Nobility Assembly of the XIX century. Now, the exposition is represented by works of Russian painters of the XVIII-XX centuries , such as Antropov, Rokotov, Tropinin, Shishkin, Korovnikov, Rerich, Serov, Kustodiev, Petrov-Vodkin; sculpture, graphic arts and Applied Decorative Art of the XVIII-XX centuries.
The Yaroslav Estate and Former Marketplace. - the political and economic centre of the ancient Novgorod republic, got it’s name because of the palace of Yaroslav The Wise, that was located there in the XI century. The Marketplace adjoined The Yaroslav Estate and in the XVI century it consisted of 42 rows of stall and a couple of landing stages, stretched out along the river Volchov. The marketplace was the most brisk place of Novgorod, merchants from other countries were received here, and later here took place foreign Gothic and German courts. By request of Novgorodian and foreign merchants the building of churches launched here. Now, The Yaroslav Estate and the Marketplace is the architectural complex, consisting of numerous churches of XII-XVI centuries, and one of the most beautiful squares of the city.
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sign (The Znamensky cathedral), II century.-Was erected in late XVII century specifically to house the icon sacred to the entire city-the icon of Annunciation that have saved Novgorod from invasion by the men of Suzdal. In this cathedral the frescos of craftsmen from Kostroma of the XVII century are preserved. In this cathedral the concerts of sacred and classic music are held.
The Church of the Transfiguration of Our Saviour. - Is located on the Market side, in ancient Ilyin street. Here one can see the only surviving frescos made by famous Byzantine master Theophanes the Greek.
Church of St Theodore Stratilates. (1361)-The church is a classic example of Novgorod architecture. Its most restoration uncovered fragments of a fresco in which techniques were used that have much in common with those of Theophanes the Greek.
The Ensemble of St Anthony’s Monastery. - The monuments of the ancient Novgorod architecture of XII-XVII centuries. The most prominent is the Cathedral of the Nativity of The Mother of God, built in XII century; there the original XII century murals can still be seen.
Handicraft workshop in the House of the Folk Art. - Way of life and traditions of Novgorod: visiting of handicraft workshops (folk suite, weaving, birch bark wickerwork, traditional folk toy), exhibitions of (samovar, embroidery, folk handicraft) +master-class (production of Russian folk toys, weaving, making photos in folk suits and head-dresses)
The nearest neighborhoods of Veliky Novgorod.
Yuryev Monastery.-Founded by Yaroslav the Wise in Xi century. Is situated in 4 km. from Novgorod, on the bank of the Ilmen Lake. In 1989 was handed to the Novgorod eparchy and functions more that 10 years. On the territory of the Monastery St. George Cathedral is situated- the unique monument of architecture of XII century, served as a sepulcher for the princes.
The Museum of Wooden Architecture “Vitoslavlitsi”. - Architectural and natural open-air museum. Is situated near The Yuryev Monastery. The Museum recreates the image of Russian village and shows the way of life of Russian peasants. Within the Museum the chapels and churches of the VI-VIII centuries, and also peasant and household buildings are presented. The furniture, collected in expeditions, house-hold utensils and other significant things that made up the peasant’s way of life at that time. The two-story house of the first quarter of the 19th century, built for Countess A. Orlova-Chesmenskaya, houses a stationary exhibition entitled "Folk Art of the Novgorod Region."
Viazhisky Monastery of St Nicholas-The monastery is located in 12 km from Veliky Novgorod and represents a wonderful architecture ensemble of XVI century. It is now a nunnery. An excursion gives an opportunity to see the monastic way of life, to know better the history of church, to attend a divine service.
Khoutyn Monastery of the Transfiguration of Our Saviour. - The monastery is located in 8 km from Novgorod. Was founded by St. Varlaamius. He laid the foundation of the Church of the Transfiguration and the nunnery. Was greatly damaged during the World War II, but was reconstructed and returned to the Orthodox Church.