Veliky Novgorod is one of the oldest and most beautiful Russian cities. If you are lucky enough to be in it, you have a wonderful opportunity to get to know better its rich history and unique ancient Russian architectural monuments.
You are in Veliky Novgorod. What sights of this city-museum should be seen first of all? Many guests of the city begin their inspection with a visit to Detinets - the Novgorod Kremlin. Once wooden, the Kremlin has been rebuilt and strengthened several times. Judging by the chronicles, it received the first stone walls in 1044, underwent a major reconstruction in the first half of the 14th century. To view the Novgorod Kremlin, you should drive to Sofiyskaya Square (Victory Square). From here you can immediately get to the Kremlin and get acquainted with one of its main attractions - St. Sophia Cathedral. The construction of the Cathedral of Hagia Sophia dates back to the 11th century, it is the oldest surviving cathedral built by the Slavs in Russia. The northern side of Detinets was called the Vladychny Dvor in ancient times. While examining it, visit the three-story Faceted Chamber, which is a witness of many historical events. In 1478, it was there that Ivan III announced his decree on the annexation of Novgorod to Moscow. Make sure to take the time to visit the Museum of Fine Arts located in Sofia Square. You will see a rich collection of paintings, among which there are works by I. K. Aivazovsky, landscapes of I. I. Shishkin. There you can also get acquainted with a collection of weapons and household items that once belonged to the Novgorod nobles. Do not forget to visit the Millennium of Russia monument, the idea of which was put forward in 1861 by the Minister of Internal Affairs Sergei Stepanovich Lansky. The competition for the best design of the monument was won by a little-known 24-year-old sculptor and painter Mikhail Osipovich Mikeshin. He attracted a group of talented sculptors to work on the monument, the opening of the monument took place on September 8, 1862 in the presence of Emperor Alexander II. After passing the Kremlin, you can get on the pedestrian bridge and see the majestic panorama of Volkhov. The river divides the city into two parts - Torgovaya and Sofia. Crossing the bridge, be sure to see the ensemble of Yaroslav's courtyard: the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior with paintings by Theophanes the Greek, the Church of the Blessing, the Cathedral of the Sign, the Church of the Apostle Philip. To the left of the bridge you will see the former traveling palace of Catherine II, its construction dates back to 1771. To the right of the bridge, you will see the sparkling golden dome of the belfry of the Yuriev Monastery, founded in 1030 under Prince Yaroslav. For antiquity, this monastery is the second after the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. Many architectural monuments are located in the vicinity of Veliky Novgorod. The Vitoslavlitsy Museum of Wooden Architecture is located just four kilometers from the city. Once upon a time in its place was the small village of Vitoslavlitsy, then, in the XII century, the Panteleimonov Monastery was founded. The village is long gone, but the name remains. Seven churches and three chapels, which are unique monuments of Russian wooden architecture, have been transported to the museum.
