Central Russia is famous for its ancient cities more than any other part of our vast country. Cities with a long history, encircling the northern capital of the country, are called the silver ring of Russia.
Veliky Novgorod
The ancient capital of Novgorod Russia needs no introduction. The city, founded, according to historians, 1150 years ago. According to some chronicles, however, the new city was founded in 862 by Rurik the Varangain. The spirit of the city is unique. And of course of particular interest are the monuments of architecture. All the "normal" tourists first impulse is to get to the Kremlin and enjoy the legendary Novgorod Sophia - ancient Russian stone cathedral. But you can go further and find Praskeva Church which is older than Sophia on 163 years and makes a really lasting impression. Its ancient masonry plinths can be studied endlessly.
The Kremlin is still worth a visit. Today there is a museum on its territory. Although the antiquity of birch-bark scrolls is in doubt by some opponents of academic history, its very funny to read the "characters" and to compare them with translation. And it would be nice to ride on the outskirts of the city to the Yuriev Monastery. After walking around the courtyards of the monastery, you can go down to the river and meditate there. The scenery is very exciting. You can see the famous Rurikovo settlement. According to some legends, the decision to call Varangains was made there.
Staraya Russa
From Novgorod you can head to Staraya Russa, which by the stories of locals even older than Novgorod. The term "Russ" has a great interest in itself. According to the "Tale of Bygone Years", "the Slavs went across the sea to the Varangians to Russia." That is, until that time there were no Russians in these parts, but was there "Russ"? The question is debatable. Archaeological studies found that the city was founded in X century. The first mention of Russa in chronicles is 1167.
The most interesting cultural and historical monuments of ancient settlement is "Staraya Russa" (XI-XIV century), Holy Transfiguration Monastery (XII century), St. George's Church (XIV). More recent buildings are Trinity Church and Resurrection Cathedral (XVII century).
Velikiye Luki
If you have time, you can go to the south from Staraya Russa to Velikiye Luki. The setlement is 950 years old. It was founded on the river Lovati on which the route "from the Varangains to the Greeks" laid. The town was repeatedly destroyed by Livonian Knights, the troops of Lzhedmitri the Second and other enemies, so from the real aincient architecture there is a little left. The fortress of the XIII century was rebuilt by Peter the Great. This fortress served Russia even in 1942 during World War II.
Porhov
If you dont have enough time and resources to go to Velikiye Luki, its better to go straight to Porhov. The town in Novgorod lands is known since 1239. Alexander Nevsky built fortress on the river Sheloni to protect from Lithuanians. In 1387 on the site of the burnt wooden fortifications were built the walls of stone. Today the fortress is a museum. Its architectural ensemble now includes only the walls, three towers and Nikola Church.
The churches here are very special although not so old. The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary appears as if built back in the first centuries of our era. Although in fact it was founded in the XIV century. But it is not only in its dilapidation and lack of make-up restoration. Silhouette of the shrine itself is more similar to the southern Byzantine churches, rather than the classic Orthodox monastery.
No dome-bulbs, candle bell towers, or flat trapezoid belfries. No lush galleries. All is simple and sometimes even gloomy. Although the younger sister of the Virgin Church - snow-white Transfiguration Church looks already quite conservative.
Pskov
Our next stop is the fortress town of Pskov, the western outpost of Novgorod Russia. Pskov is famous above all for its fortifications, stretching almost by 10 kilometers. Such a long barriers surrounded not only the courtyard but the entire town. In the face of constant wars such extensive barriers were not a luxury but a necessity. The real Pskov Krom fits in a plot of land of 3 hectares surrounded by fortifications of 800-900 meters in length. The main attraction of Kremlin is the Trinity Cathedral with a huge and formidable iconostasis. Originally the temple was made of wood, and it stood from the middle of the X century until 1137. Stone cathedral was founded the same year, it collapsed in 1363. The third version of the Holy Trinity Cathedral was made in 1365, but it died in a fire in 1609.
Isborsk and Pechora
Not far from Pskov are legendary Pskov-Pechora monastery and town-village Isborsk. According to legend, the monastery began its history with the opening of "God`s Zdannyya caves." In the annals reported that the dungeon was found by two Izborsk hunters in 1392. They heard fine singing coming from somewhere underneath.
To be continued...
Veliky Novgorod
The ancient capital of Novgorod Russia needs no introduction. The city, founded, according to historians, 1150 years ago. According to some chronicles, however, the new city was founded in 862 by Rurik the Varangain. The spirit of the city is unique. And of course of particular interest are the monuments of architecture. All the "normal" tourists first impulse is to get to the Kremlin and enjoy the legendary Novgorod Sophia - ancient Russian stone cathedral. But you can go further and find Praskeva Church which is older than Sophia on 163 years and makes a really lasting impression. Its ancient masonry plinths can be studied endlessly.
The Kremlin is still worth a visit. Today there is a museum on its territory. Although the antiquity of birch-bark scrolls is in doubt by some opponents of academic history, its very funny to read the "characters" and to compare them with translation. And it would be nice to ride on the outskirts of the city to the Yuriev Monastery. After walking around the courtyards of the monastery, you can go down to the river and meditate there. The scenery is very exciting. You can see the famous Rurikovo settlement. According to some legends, the decision to call Varangains was made there.
Staraya Russa
From Novgorod you can head to Staraya Russa, which by the stories of locals even older than Novgorod. The term "Russ" has a great interest in itself. According to the "Tale of Bygone Years", "the Slavs went across the sea to the Varangians to Russia." That is, until that time there were no Russians in these parts, but was there "Russ"? The question is debatable. Archaeological studies found that the city was founded in X century. The first mention of Russa in chronicles is 1167.
The most interesting cultural and historical monuments of ancient settlement is "Staraya Russa" (XI-XIV century), Holy Transfiguration Monastery (XII century), St. George's Church (XIV). More recent buildings are Trinity Church and Resurrection Cathedral (XVII century).
Velikiye Luki
If you have time, you can go to the south from Staraya Russa to Velikiye Luki. The setlement is 950 years old. It was founded on the river Lovati on which the route "from the Varangains to the Greeks" laid. The town was repeatedly destroyed by Livonian Knights, the troops of Lzhedmitri the Second and other enemies, so from the real aincient architecture there is a little left. The fortress of the XIII century was rebuilt by Peter the Great. This fortress served Russia even in 1942 during World War II.
Porhov
If you dont have enough time and resources to go to Velikiye Luki, its better to go straight to Porhov. The town in Novgorod lands is known since 1239. Alexander Nevsky built fortress on the river Sheloni to protect from Lithuanians. In 1387 on the site of the burnt wooden fortifications were built the walls of stone. Today the fortress is a museum. Its architectural ensemble now includes only the walls, three towers and Nikola Church.
The churches here are very special although not so old. The Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary appears as if built back in the first centuries of our era. Although in fact it was founded in the XIV century. But it is not only in its dilapidation and lack of make-up restoration. Silhouette of the shrine itself is more similar to the southern Byzantine churches, rather than the classic Orthodox monastery.
No dome-bulbs, candle bell towers, or flat trapezoid belfries. No lush galleries. All is simple and sometimes even gloomy. Although the younger sister of the Virgin Church - snow-white Transfiguration Church looks already quite conservative.
Pskov
Our next stop is the fortress town of Pskov, the western outpost of Novgorod Russia. Pskov is famous above all for its fortifications, stretching almost by 10 kilometers. Such a long barriers surrounded not only the courtyard but the entire town. In the face of constant wars such extensive barriers were not a luxury but a necessity. The real Pskov Krom fits in a plot of land of 3 hectares surrounded by fortifications of 800-900 meters in length. The main attraction of Kremlin is the Trinity Cathedral with a huge and formidable iconostasis. Originally the temple was made of wood, and it stood from the middle of the X century until 1137. Stone cathedral was founded the same year, it collapsed in 1363. The third version of the Holy Trinity Cathedral was made in 1365, but it died in a fire in 1609.
Isborsk and Pechora
Not far from Pskov are legendary Pskov-Pechora monastery and town-village Isborsk. According to legend, the monastery began its history with the opening of "God`s Zdannyya caves." In the annals reported that the dungeon was found by two Izborsk hunters in 1392. They heard fine singing coming from somewhere underneath.
To be continued...
No comments:
Post a Comment