Location: Veliky Novgorod
Top Things to do in Veliky Novgorod
Top Restaurants in Veliky Novgorod
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The 10 Best Things to do in Veliky Novgorod, Northwestern District
Immerse yourself in Russian history with a trip to Veliky Novgorod. The town is best known for its incredible medieval churches and monuments, including the 11th century St. Sophia Cathedral. These are some of the oldest buildings in Russia, set in a small town that's easy to get around. Easily accessible by train, bus or car, it's a popular getaway from St. Petersburg.
Restaurants in Veliky Novgorod
1. Novgorod Kremlin (Detinets)
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,370 reviews
Reviewed By NikoliGogol - Edmonton, Canada
This is a very important historic site worth reading about before seeing. There had been competing centers of power at the turn of the last millennium between Novgorod, Kiev, and Moscow. Ivan the Terrible was brutal to the occupants of Novgorod. We had a guide who gave us the history of the long past and of the occupation by Nazis during WWII. The Kremlin is the chief attraction of the city which is somewhat neglected compared to St. Petersburg and Moscow. The Kremlin itself is free but do get a guide.
2. Granovitaya Palata
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 196 reviews
Also known as the Chamber of Facets, this is the only Gothic style building in the Detinets, once used for court sessions and now housing a museum with arts and crafts and an interesting icon collection.
3. Millennium of Russia
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 802 reviews
Shaped like a bell and surrounded by 128 bronze figures, this monument to Russia's millennium honors the politicians and other people who most contributed to the development of the country between 862 and 1862.
Reviewed By KirillChurilin - St. Petersburg, Russia
This monument is really great and definitely must-see of the Great Novgorod. All the Russian history is on it.
4. St. Sophia Cathedral
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 527 reviews
One of the oldest stone buildings in Russia, this magnificent cathedral is considered to be the symbol of the city, and was once the hiding place for Novgorod's treasury.
Reviewed By AlbertSalichs - Manresa, Spain
St. Sophia Cathedral is the religious building most important in Kremlin of Veliky Novgorod and provably in all Novgorod, a city located almost 200km to the South-East from Saint Petersburg. It is a very important historical city in Russia, so the Kremlin is wonderful. Inside the Kremlin, there are the Cathedral and other buildings. The Cathedral is a typical religious orthodox building: a white facade and some domes on too, the most important golden and the other ones blue. Also, in the inner hall of the cathedral, you can see fantastic frescos: the full building is wonderful. (see also Novgorod Kremlin)
5. Church of the Savior's Transfiguration on Ilin Street
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 143 reviews
This church is most notable for the frescoes inside which were painted by Feofan Grek, one of Russia's most celebrated icon artists.
6. Center of Musical Antiquities
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 109 reviews
The center of musical antiquities executes the scientific program for detection and restoration in forms and sounding of ancient music instruments of the 10-15th centuries, evidence of which archaeologists discover in the old part of Veliky Novgorod. The cultural and educational program of the Center includes exhibitions, tours, consulting, lecture-demonstrations dedicated to the musical culture of ancient Novgorod.
Reviewed By Getaway469567 - St. Petersburg, Russia
Various ancient music instruments presented here will tell their story. If you are visiting Veliky Novgorod you must visit this wonderful place with the great atmosphere. You will be told a story of the ancient Russian city, the medieval capital through acquaintance with the music of this time. The storyteller is genius, who loves her work and keeps this place. The museum was created by Vladimir Povetkin, who was a legendary person in Novgorod, he reconstructed many instruments by himself and was playing them. The excursion during the working days is mainly dedicated to the history of the city and this amazing place while the musical instruments are the focus of the story during the weekends. Anyways, we have enjoyed music from all the instruments in the end of our excursion. We were about to dance as they sound amazing! We are truly grateful to the highly dedicated and professional staff of the museum. We will come back!
7. Yaroslav Courtyard (Dvorishche)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 223 reviews
Various architectural masterpieces are conveniently located all in one place inside this court, which was the economic and political center of Novgorod in ancient times.
8. St. George Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 301 reviews
Four blue domes cap the cathedral of this striking, walled-in Russian monastery dating back to the 12th century.
Reviewed By 30vladimirr - Moscow, Russia
St. George's Monastery is located on the outskirts of Veliky Novgorod, where the Volkhov River flows into Lake Ilmen. On the territory of the monastery, there is a large St. George Cathedral, until the Mongol period. Huge, powerful, majestic. This is the first cathedral, about which the chronicle says: it was built by master Peter. As I wrote earlier, in such places, you are surprised how such a thing could have been built in those years. On the territory of the monastery, you are in peace, letting go of all the problems that you had in life, enjoying the silence and architecture of the monastery. I highly recommend visiting.
9. Vitoslavitsy Museum of Folk Wooden Architecture
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 929 reviews
Reviewed By annae937 - Cape Cod, United States
My friends brought me here to see this living history museum while I was visiting Russia. The museum is broken into a series of regions and eras, ranging from the yurt exhibit as you come in, to examples of wooden churches, ordinary houses from various regions, and other interesting exhibits. I would compare this to the Highland Folk Museum in Newcastle, Scotland; or Plimoth Plantation or Old Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts, USA (though a lot less "reenactor" staff than Plimoth plantation). Worth a detour out of your way if you love living history, architecture, and to go poking in cupboards and historical buildings.
