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Novgorod the Great
The history of
Novgorod the Great includes more than 1200 years. For the
first time the chronicles mention it in 859. Due to its advantageous
geographic position the city was developing as trading center
of ancient Rus` and accumulated fantastic riches. In the XII-XV
centuries Novgorod was the capital of the Novgorod feudal
republic, the largest state formation of medieval Europe.
Its territory extended from the Great Lithuanian principality
up to Ural Mountains, from the White Sea up to the upper reaches
of Volga. There were the most close trade contacts with German
merchants; they had in the city their own trade yard. Up to
200 German merchants could stay in Novgorod for the long time.
Novgorod the Great was the most eastern settlement of the
Hanseatic trade union.
No other Russian
city has kept so many monuments of architecture, painting
and applied arts of the X-XVII centuries. Since 1992 all monuments
of Novgorod are protected by UNESCO as a part of the world
cultural heritage.
You can visit
the Novgorod Kremlin, which has arisen in
the X century, "the stony chronicle of Novgorod";
the Sofia Cathedral (1045-1050), the northern
pearl of the Russian architecture, which probably will reveal
you a secret of the Pigeon, which for some centuries became
stiff on the central gold dome of the cathedral; the
Yuryev Monastery (1030), grounded by Yaroslav the
Wise; the world famous church of the Savior's Transfiguration
in Ilyina street - the only one church in the world
that kept for descendants the unique frescos of Theophanes
the Greek; the St. Anthony's Monastery (1106),
grounded, according to a legend, by St. Anthony the Roman,
who in wonderful way has sailed to Novgorod on a debris of
rock (the "floating" rock lies in that place, where
Anthony has left it); you can see the famous Novgorod collection
of icons and the unique surprising Monument of Russia's
Millennium, that will tell you about the famous heroes
of the past.
You will get an
opportunity to visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture
"Vitoslavlitsy" and to take part in folklore
festivals and rites, to go boating up to sources of Volkhov
- to lake Ilmen, to hear a melodious chime of bells, to meet
the Novgorod skilled craftsmen, that revived ancient crafts.
Novgorod attracts
attention of numerous domestic and foreign tourists. The city
is advantageously situated on the route between St.-Petersburg
(180 km) and Moscow (500 km).
At your service
there are the best hotels of the city from 2 up to 4 stars.
In cafes and restaurants of Novgorod the Great they will offer
to you dishes of the ancient Russian cuisine and original
Russian drinks prepared according to the carefully saved ancient
prescriptions. Professional guides - translators will help
you to get to know history and culture of the ancient and
modern city. We'll make for you an interesting and original
program and do our best, that your acquaintance with Novgorod
the Great will be unforgettable. You'll feel friendly heat
and real Russian hospitality.
Welcome to Novgorod
the Great!
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