About halfway between St. Petersburg and Moscow is the old town of Valdai. In the Russian chronicles, this village was first mentioned in the twelfth century, but Valdai received official status only in 1770. Its historical development to a large extent determined its geographical position on the main route between the two Russian capitals. Many sights of Valdai are also associated with the ancient postal route passing through the city. Many famous people who left their mark on Russian culture stopped here. Reflected in Russian literature and the city of Valdai.
Valdai, attractions and museums
The historical appearance of the district Russian city of the middle zone is well preserved to this day. Revolutions, wars, industrialization, and perestroika did not affect him so much. The layout of the streets still clearly shows the layout of the eighteenth century. Listing the attractions of Valdai, it should be noted founded in 1654, Virgin Svyatozersky Iver Monastery. It is located on one of the islands of Lake Valdai. The latter was renamed the Holy in the seventeenth century, but the new name did not take root. This Orthodox monastery was founded by Patriarch Nikon himself in the image of the Iveron monastery on Mount Athos. For many years, it has been a center of spiritual attraction and typography. On the territory of the monastery were workshops of various artisans. The district town of the Novgorod province of Valdai was famous for their talents.
But Iversky Monastery is located on an island in the center of the lake, at some distance from the city. Other Valdai attractions are located mainly along the postal path through the city center. First of all, these include the Trinity Cathedral of the Life-Giving and the
Valdai Museum of Bells, built in 1744
. It was opened recently, in 1995. The bell became a kind of symbol of the city back in Pushkin’s times.
Valdai bells were unsurpassed in their ringing and are widely known throughout Russia. The museum features an extensive collection of these items by local artisans. The exposition is located in the Catherine Church of 1793. This is a monument of architecture. The church is named after the Empress Catherine the Great, who visited her several times on the way from one capital of the Empire to another.
The sights of Valdai are represented by the usual civilian development of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The buildings are well preserved, they still determine the appearance of the provincial city. It is the periphery that is often symbolized by Valdai. Sights, photos of which are decorated with some tourist publications, are intended only to emphasize the expressiveness of the Russian province. In Soviet times, some films were shot here. The directors loved this city for its beautiful views.