Tver region has an outstanding natural and historical-cultural potential. This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Russia. Its historical heritage is unique. The beauty of the nature of the region is fascinating, and the abundance of historical and cultural monuments makes it interesting and attractive. Sights of the Tver region are directly related to the history of the region, with its outstanding and famous people who lived on this earth at different times.
On the way "from the Varangians to the Greeks"
Tver region has always occupied a favorable geographical position. The most ancient trade routes passed through its territory: the Volga-Baltic and “from the Varangians to the Greeks”, and its location between the two capitals contributed a lot to the possession of the richest cultural, historical, architectural components. The main tourist centers on its territory are Lake Seliger, Tver Lakeland, the system of lakes of the Upper Volga, Bezhetsky Verkh, Toropetsk Territory. Of the cities, Tver, Vyshny Volochek, Staritsa, Torzhok, Toropets, Kalyazin, Rzhev and others are especially interesting. A number of old villages stand out: Ivanishchi, Gorodnya, Bernovo, Mednoye, Kushalino, Vydropuzhsk, Rogozh.
Historical past
No wonder the Tver region is called the heart of Russia. One of the most ancient Russian cities - Tver - has been known since 1135. The great Principality of Tver that arose, being the main center for the creation of the Russian state, existed as an independent state entity until the end of the 15th century. A sufficiently rich and glorious historical past, saturated with interesting events, the modern life of the region was reflected in numerous historical and cultural monuments of history. Despite the significant variability of urban and rural landscapes, among the new life as living islands of history, there remain ancient sights of the Tver region, revealing the beauty of the architecture of Ancient Russia. These are windmills, wooden churches, Slavic mounds dating from the XII-XIV centuries, and many others.
Historical monuments
The national shrine of the Tver land is Nilova Deserts. This is the most famous monastery in the region, founded in the 16th century. The region is also famous for manor culture monuments. So, having been in Torzhok, it is worth visiting the estates Mitino, Nikolskoye, Rayek, recognized as masterpieces of Russian provincial classicism. Noble nests of various sizes and architecture are represented in other areas of the region. These are the estates of Podgorodnee, Kuropatkin and Mikhailovskoye in the Toropetsky district, the estate of the architect A.S. Khrenov in the Bologovsky district and others. The Gornitsa estate located in a small village of the Kuvshinovsky district is interesting for visiting. Here you can see the well-preserved unique stone Vladimir Church.
In Tver itself, among the architectural masterpieces, it is worth highlighting the Tver Imperial Track Palace, built in the 18th century and designed in the style of classicism with the inclusion of Baroque elements. Its main purpose was to provide rest for members of the emperor’s family along the way from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Now the palace houses the Tver Regional Art Gallery, called the main treasury of the city.
The track palace is located on the territory of the former historical center of the city - the Tver Kremlin. In the City Garden you can see the preserved ruins of the castle moat. The Kremlin itself after the last fire in 1763 was no longer restored.
Among the majority of regional centers in the Tver region, the pretty town of Kimry stands out with its architectural appearance. This is the most striking example of a "town of provincial Russian Art Nouveau."
Temples of the Tver region
In any, even the smallest, town of the region, you can find genuine historical sights, among which a considerable place is occupied by the churches of the Tver region. So, Red Hill is interesting for the preserved trading rows of the XIX century, temples of the XVIII – XIX centuries. Here is the Anthony Monastery, built in the XV century.
In
Vyshniy Volochyok, based on a system of channels and islets, such well-known
Attractions of the Tver region, like the Transfiguration Church and Kazan Convent. In Torzhok, the most famous cathedral of the
Borisoglebsky monastery.From the point of view of tourism, the picturesque town on the Volga Staritsa is interesting. Tver region of the sights here is in all its ancient glory. Numerous church ensembles and individual churches are distinguished by some unique architecture that clearly does not correspond to the established canons. Of the stone architectural monuments in Staritsa, the Assumption Monastery, founded in 1297, stands out. The shrine, surrounded by a solid stone wall, has survived with all the buildings. The architectural monuments of the 18th century also deserve attention in the city: Pyatnitskaya church with graceful aisles-rotundas, located at the foot of the old settlement, the Ilyinsky church in the Baroque style, the St. Nicholas church that fits perfectly into the coastal panorama of the Volga. A special attraction of the town is also Aptekarsky Lane, a unique street that can no longer be found in Russia.
“The city of the Russian heart”, the exact silhouette of which forms a local river, winding around a small ancient town, is called Kashin. Tver region attractions
here demonstrates in a vibrant variety. The famous resort has preserved many architectural monuments. Among them are the Ilyinsko-Preobrazhenskaya (1778), Frolo-Lavrovskaya (1751), Peter and Paul (1782) churches and others. Of particular note is the “Cathedral House”, which served as the 18th-19th centuries, the house of priests of the Resurrection Cathedral, the Gostiny Dvor and former government offices dating back to the 19th century.
The Church of the White Trinity, consecrated in 1564, is considered the most ancient temple in Tver. The temple once belonged to the Trinity-Sergius Monastery and was exempted from paying taxes to the local bishop, for which it allegedly got its name.
The Assumption Cathedral, built in 1722, is interesting. This is the only building in Tver, preserved from the ancient Otroch-Uspensky monastery, founded in the XIII century. One of the unique masterpieces of the cult architecture of Tver is considered to be St. Catherine’s Church (1774-1781), made in the Baroque style with original extensions in the style of classicism.
Museums in the Tver Region
Many interesting museums can be visited when traveling around the area. In Tver itself, this is the museum of M. E. Saltykov-Shchedrin, opened for the 150th anniversary of the satirical writer in the mansion where he lived, holding the post of vice-governor of the city. This is the Tver United State Museum, opened in 1866. Its unique expositions tell about the history, culture and nature of the region. As well as a museum of Tver life and a museum of military traditions, the expositions of which are collections of ancient Russian weapons of the 4th-16th centuries.
The only Museum of Natural History in the region is the Museum of Nature of the Seliger Region, opened in 1986.
In the village of Emmaus, not far from Tver, is the V. A. Serov Memorial Art Museum, a representative of the art of socialist realism. The basis of the expositions are genuine works of the master, telling about his life and career.
In Torzhok, the Open-Air Architectural and Ethnographic Museum and the All-Russian Historical and Ethnographic Museum deserve special attention.
Natural monuments
Thinking about what to see in the Tver region, what else this region can attract, do not forget that this is the land of numerous lakes, rivers and picturesque forests. It is here that the Volga originates. Its source is a unique natural monument of world significance. In Volgoverkhovye you can visit the Transfiguration Desert, founded in 1849, a museum dedicated to the great Volga.
Natural attractions of the Tver region unique and irreplaceable. There is something to admire. The incredible beauty of the nature of the region inspired the artist I. I. Shishkin to write the famous paintings “Morning in a pine forest” and “Ship forest”.
One of the most beautiful and famous natural attractions of the region is Lake Seliger. This is a whole system of lakes, forming stretches and numerous bays. A beautiful view of the lake opens from the bell tower of the Nilova Deserts monastery.
The largest island of Seliger is Khachin. This protected area covers a network of inland lakes. In the autumn period, a mountain ash grove located on another Seliger island - Klichen is called a real miracle of nature.
Tver land will leave pleasant memories for a long time. No wonder she always attracted the creative intelligentsia of Russia with her charm.