The Tver region has extraordinary natural, historical and cultural potential. This is one of the most popular regions of Russia among tourists. Its historical heritage is unique. The natural beauty of the region is amazing, and the abundance of historical and cultural monuments make it interesting and attractive. The sights of the Tver region are directly related to the history of the region, with its outstanding and famous people who lived on this land at different times.

On the way “from the Varangians to the Greeks”

The Tver region has always occupied an advantageous position 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 greatly contributed to the possession of the richest cultural, historical, and architectural components. The main tourist centers on its territory are Lake Seliger, Tverskoye Poozerie, the system of lakes in the Upper Volga region, Bezhetsky Verkh, and Toropetsky Territory. Particularly interesting cities are Tver, Vyshny Volochek, Staritsa, Torzhok, Toropets, Kalyazin, Rzhev and others. A number of ancient villages stand out: Ivanishchi, Gorodnya, Bernovo, Mednoye, Kushalino, Vydropuzhsk, Rogozha.

Historical background

It is not for nothing that the Tver region is called the heart of Russia. One of the most ancient Russian cities - Tver - has been known since 1135. The emerging Great Principality of Tver, being the main center for the creation of the Russian state, existed as an independent state entity until the end of the 15th century. The region’s rather rich and glorious historical past and the modern life of the region, full of interesting events, are reflected in numerous historical and cultural monuments. Despite the significant variability of urban and rural landscapes, among the new life, ancient sights of the Tver region remain as living islands of history, revealing their beauty. These are wooden churches, Slavic mounds dating from the 12th-14th centuries, and many others.

Historical monuments

The national shrine of the Tver land is considered to be Nilova Pustyn. This is the most famous monastery region, founded in the 16th century. The region is also famous for its monuments of manor culture. So, having visited Torzhok, it is worth visiting the estates of Mitino, Nikolskoye, Raek, recognized as masterpieces of Russian provincial classicism. Noble nests of various sizes and architecture are also represented in other areas of the region. These are the estates of Podgorodnee, Kuropatkina and Mikhailovskoye in the Toropetsk district, the estate of the architect A. S. Khrenov in the Bologovsky district and others. The Gornitsy estate, located in a small village in the Kuvshinovsky district, is interesting to visit. Here you can see a well-preserved unique stone Vladimir Church.

In Tver itself, among the architectural masterpieces, it is worth highlighting the Tver Imperial Travel 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 their route from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Now the palace houses what is called the main treasury of the city.

The Travel 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 fortress moat. The Kremlin itself was never rebuilt after the last fire in 1763.

Among the majority of regional centers in the Tver region, the pretty town of Kimry especially stands out for its architectural appearance. This is the most striking example of a “town of provincial Russian modernism.”

Temples of the Tver region

In any, even the smallest, town in the region you can find genuine historical attractions, among which churches in the Tver region occupy a significant place. Thus, Red Hill is interesting for its preserved shopping arcades of the 19th century and churches of the 18th-19th centuries. The Anthony Monastery, built in the 15th century, is also located here.

Based on a system of canals and islands, such famous sights of the Tver region as the Transfiguration Church and the Kazansky convent. The most famous cathedral in Torzhok

From a tourism point of view, the picturesque town on the Volga Staritsa is interesting. The Tver region presents attractions here in all its ancient glory. Numerous church ensembles and individual temples are distinguished by some kind of unique architecture that clearly does not correspond to the established canons. From stone architectural monuments In Staritsa, the Assumption Monastery, founded in 1297, stands out. The shrine, surrounded by a solid stone wall, has been preserved with all its buildings. The city's architectural monuments of the 18th century also deserve attention: the Pyatnitskaya Church with elegant rotunda chapels, located at the foot of the old settlement, the Baroque Ilyinskaya Church, and the St. Nicholas Church, which fits perfectly into the coastal panorama of the Volga. A special attraction of the town is also Aptekarsky Lane, a unique street that cannot be found anywhere else in Russia.

“The city of the Russian heart”, the exact silhouette of which is formed by the local river meandering around a small ancient town, is called Kashin. The Tver region's attractions are demonstrated here in a vibrant variety. Famous resort has preserved many architectural monuments. Among them are the Ilyinsko-Preobrazhenskaya (1778), Frolo-Lavrovskaya (1751), Peter and Paul (1782) churches and others. The “Cathedral House”, which served as the house of priests of the Resurrection Cathedral in the 18th-19th centuries, the Gostiny Dvor and the former Public Offices dating back to the 19th century, also stands out.

The most ancient temple on the territory of Tver is the White Trinity Church, consecrated in 1564. The temple once belonged to the Trinity-Sergius Monastery and was exempt from paying taxes to the local bishop, for which it allegedly received its name.

The Assumption Cathedral, built in 1722, is interesting. This is the only building in Tver that has survived from the ancient Otroch-Uspensky Monastery, founded in the 13th century. One of unique masterpieces The St. Catherine's Church (1774-1781), made in the Baroque style with original extensions in the classicist style, is also considered to be part of the religious architecture of Tver.

Museums of the Tver region

You can visit many interesting museums while traveling around the region. In Tver itself, this is the M.E. Saltykov-Shchedrin Museum, opened on the 150th anniversary of the satirical writer in the mansion where he lived while serving as vice-governor of the city. This and opened in 1866. Its unique exhibitions tell about the history of the region. As well as the Museum of Tver Life and the Museum of Military Traditions, the exhibitions of which include collections of ancient Russian weapons of the 4th-16th centuries.

The only natural history museum in the region is the Museum of Nature of the Seliger Region, opened in 1986.

In the village of Emmaus, not far from Tver, there is the Memorial Art Museum of V. A. Serov, a representative of the art of socialist realism. The basis of the exhibitions are original works of the master, telling about his life and creative path.

In Torzhok, the Open Air Architectural and Ethnographic Museum and the All-Russian Historical and Ethnographic Museum deserve special attention.

Natural monuments

When thinking about what to see in the Tver region, what else this region can attract, do not forget that this is a land of numerous lakes, rivers and picturesque forests. This is where the Volga originates. Its origin is unique natural monument, of global significance. In the Volgoverkhovye you can visit the Spaso-Preobrazhenskaya Hermitage, founded in 1849, a museum dedicated to the great Volga.

The natural attractions of the Tver region are unique and irreplaceable. There is a lot to admire here. The incredible beauty of the region’s nature inspired the artist I. I. Shishkin to paint 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 reaches and numerous bays. A beautiful view of the lake opens from the bell tower of the Nilova Monastery.

The largest island of Seliger is Khachin. This protected area is covered by a network of inland lakes. In autumn, the rowan grove located on another island of Seliger - Klichen - is called a real miracle of nature.

The Tver land will leave pleasant memories for a long time. No wonder she has always attracted the creative intelligentsia of Russia with her charm.

More than 1000 species of higher plants grow on the territory of the National Park, 223 species of bryophytes and 131 species of lichens have been identified.
The northern border of the distribution of maple, linden, and elm passes through the park; hazel and wild apple trees are also found.
10 plant species are listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, 88 species are listed in the Red Book of the Vologda Region.
24 species of the orchid family were found in the park, some of them form unique viable populations.


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  Every year, the environmental and educational newspaper “Bulletin of the Russian North” is published in the Russian North National Park.
  Main sections: conservation science, territory protection, environmental education, tourism, children's section, “event calendar”.
  All issues of the newspaper are in the MEDIA / OUR NEWSPAPER section

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  On the territory of the Russian North National Park there are unique natural, historical and cultural attractions.
  Read more in the TOURISM / WHAT TO SEE section

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  The Russian North National Park is a venue for children's environmental camps and research expeditions.
  Reports on our eco-camps can be found in the TOURISM / ECOLOGICAL CAMPS section

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  On the territory of the National Park, 305 species of vertebrate animals were discovered: 31 species of fish, 7 amphibians, 6 reptiles are found in reservoirs, 214 species of birds, 50 species of mammals are known.
  In the national park in last years The white-tailed eagle and osprey, listed in the Red Book of the Russian Federation, have settled and successfully reproduced. About 86 species of fauna require special protection.
  More details in the section ABOUT THE PARK / FLORA AND FAUNA

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  Every year thousands of enthusiastic tourists visit the territory of the National Park.
  More information about what to see is in the TOURISM / WHAT TO SEE section

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  Winter lovers active rest They will enjoy skiing and scootering through the endless snow-covered expanses of the Russian North National Park.
  Read more about recreation in the park in the TOURISM section

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  The Russian North National Park is a source of inspiration for artists and poets.
  In the TOURISM / WHAT TO SEE section you will find photos most beautiful places, for which our National Park is famous.

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  National Park
  expresses gratitude
  Internet studios
  “Saitovo” for a creative approach to creating the park’s website. We wish the studio team creative success!

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  On January 11, Russia celebrates the Day of Nature Reserves and national parks. The order to create the first reserve - Barguzinsky (Republic of Buryatia) was signed on December 29, 1916 (January 11, new style). The creation of the first reserve on the shores of Lake Baikal occurred during the First World War, which indicates the attention of the Russian state to the preservation of protected areas. IN Russian Federation The creation of specially protected natural areas (SPNA) is an effective form of environmental protection.

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  Illegal movement of mechanized Vehicle by territory national park off public roads is a direct violation of Federal Law No. 33-FZ “On Specially Protected Natural Areas”, in particular paragraph 2zh of Art. 15, and is a violation of the protected area regime. According to Article 8.39 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, administrative liability is provided for this offense: a fine for citizens from 3 to 4 thousand rubles. We call on everyone local residents and guests of the Kirillovsky district to comply with environmental legislation and not violate the regime of protected areas!

The Republic of Armenia is nestled between Western Asia and the Armenian Highlands. This country is considered to be an open-air museum, which is fully justified, since Armenia has about four thousand cultural and architectural monuments, majestic Mountain peaks, religious complexes of extraordinary beauty and much more.

It is worth noting that in Armenia the subtropical climate is only in the southern and northeastern parts of the country, while in the remaining regions continental and temperate climate prevails.

Natural and cultural attractions

A tourist who decides to visit Armenia for the first time will find it difficult to resist all the beauties and the wide selection of attractions that this amazing eastern country offers. Undoubtedly, it’s worth starting from the capital - Yerevan, the oldest city in which the main part is concentrated cultural heritage countries.

The Grand Cascade is a long staircase made of milky tuff connecting the lower and upper parts of the city - one of the most unusual attractions of Yerevan. There are fountains on the stairs, flower beds are laid out, and in the evenings everything around begins to sparkle thanks to the intricate illumination. Observation deck at the top of the stairs it offers amazing views of the city and the pearl of Armenia - Mount Ararat.

In your walking route, be sure to include the city center and some of its outskirts: the Museum of the History of Armenia, Republic Square, the art gallery, the Government House, the unique Cathedral of St. Gregory the Illuminator and the Blue Mosque.

Speaking about natural attractions, we can and should mention the mountainous landscape. Bible Mountain Ararat and unique lake Sevano, whose transparency is the subject of legends, and whose shores are decorated with man-made monuments from different times. In the village of Araks there is a large memorial complex - the Sardarapat ethnographic museum, which has collected thousands of relics telling about the history of the Armenian people, from ancient times to modern times.

Temples and monasteries are located literally at every step.

It is impossible not to mention such objects as the pagan temple in Garni - an architectural monument from Hellenic times; Tatev Monastery is a laconic architectural complex, which in the Middle Ages was considered the intellectual center of Armenia. You should also pay attention to the Zvartnots Temple, which rightfully occupies a leading position in the list of the most visited places and which is considered one of the greatest treasures of ancient world architecture; Khor Virap Monastery is the main decoration of the Ararat region; and in the southeast of Armenia, in the Vayots Dzor region, near the gorge of the mountain river Arpa, there is the Noravank monastery, special in that in the 12th-14th centuries. was the throne of the bishops of the Syunik region.

Cultural characteristics

The Armenian people managed not to lose in the storm of historical events such national characteristics as hospitality, the strength of family ties, respect for the older generation and spiritual wealth.

Armenian hospitality is not just words. Any guest becomes welcome, and it is impossible to turn away from a glass or snack, since refusal is considered disrespect and is regarded as wishing misfortune on the hosts.

The ethnic identity of Armenians is another national peculiarity: even if a person was born outside the country, does not know the Armenian language and has never been to his historical homeland, he still identifies himself with his ancient people, knows the history of the country and sacredly honors the memory of his ancestors.

National holidays

• 1 - New Year;
• January 6—Christmas;
• January 7 - All Souls' Day;
• January 28 - Army Day;
• February 14 - Terendez;
• March 8 - Women's Day;
• April 7 - Motherhood and Beauty Holiday;
• April 24 - Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Genocide;
• May 1—Labor Day;
• May 8 - Yerkrapah Day;
• May 9 - Victory and Peace Holiday;
• May 28 - First Republic Day;
• June 1—Children's Rights Day;
• July 5—Constitution Day;
• 98th day after Easter - Vardavar;
• September 1 - Day of Knowledge, Writing and Literature;
• September 21 - Independence Day;
• December 7 - Day of Remembrance for Earthquake Victims;
• 8 weeks before Easter - Vardanants Holiday;
• Sunday 64 days after Easter is the Feast of Holy Etchmiadzin.

National cuisine

Armenian cuisine is a separate attraction of the country, along with Mount Ararat and Lake Sevan.

The basis of all culinary delights are greens, meat, cheese and pita bread. Many dishes are sprinkled with all kinds of herbs, and various sauces, mostly spicy, become an addition and finishing touch.

The cult of shashlik in the country is characterized by a wide variety of ways to prepare this dish: on the grill - karsi-khorovats, in a saucepan - khazani-khorovats, with fat tail fat - iki-bir, and in general, there are several dozen varieties of shish kebab.

First courses are also common in Armenia: yayni with dried apricots and beef, poch made from tomatoes, hot peppers and beef, chulumbur apur made from milk, rice and onions, etc.

Naturally, Armenian feasts are accompanied by the famous local cognac and delicious homemade wines.

Shopping

From a trip to Armenia, you will definitely want to bring something that will remind you of your trip for a long time.

Local shops provide a wide range of souvenirs, so you definitely won’t leave without gifts for yourself and your loved ones.

Pay attention to the hand-woven carpets with national patterns, as well as tablecloths and bed linens.

Local craftsmen make original paintings from stone or wood, figurines and dishes, boxes and ceramics, including dishes that are used to prepare national dishes. It is also worth paying tribute to silver and gold jewelry, which are distinguished by their extraordinary elegance.

Finally, bring as a gift the famous Armenian cognac and delicious wines, homemade cheese and local sweets that you are unlikely to find in your homeland.

Store opening hours: from 10.00 to 19.00, some are open longer.

Hundreds of applications were received from Russian regions for the competition. Until September 29, 2013, site visitors 10russia.ru will determine the winners. It is planned that the objects that receive the most votes will be recreated in miniature in the Rossiya landscape park in the Moscow region. “AiF” took a closer look at some contenders for victory.

Kizhi (1)

Historical, cultural and natural complex. The basis of the museum collection is the ensemble of the Kizhi churchyard. It consists of two churches and a bell tower of the 18th-19th centuries, surrounded by a single fence. The Transfiguration Church was cut down without nails, using an ax and a chisel. The churchyard and the buildings of the museum exhibition are exceptional examples of traditional wooden architecture of Karelia and the north of Russia in general.

Lake Baikal (3)

Largest storage facility fresh water on the planet, the most deep lake peace. The area is comparable to Belgium. More than 1 thousand local species of plants and animals are found nowhere else.

Naryn-Kala (5)

The fortress itself ancient city Russia - Derbent. Its walls were rebuilt several times, but overall its appearance was preserved. On the territory there are the remains of an ancient Christian temple, an underground prison, a bath system, and the oldest mosque.

Mamayev Kurgan (7)

The memorial is dedicated to the heroes. The remains of 34,505 defenders are buried in the hill, and there are also 35 tombstones of Heroes of the Soviet Union. Statue “The Motherland Calls!” recognized as one of the seven wonders of Russia.

Valley of Geysers (8)

One of the largest geyser fields in the world, the only one in Eurasia. Located on the site of a disappeared lake. There are more than 20 geysers in total. Due to its inaccessibility and nature reserve regime, only a few thousand people a year visit the valley.

According to the Russian Geographical Society

This week the results of the Russia 10 competition were summed up, the purpose of which is to select the main attractions of the country. New visual symbols of Russia, chosen by popular vote (in total, almost 225 million votes were taken into account), according to the organizers of the competition, are designed to promote the image of Russia as unique country with a rich cultural and natural heritage.

We present to you the 10 winners of the competition, selected from more than 700 objects.

(Total 10 photos)

1. Lake Baikal (Photo: Gennady Losev)

Baikal is the largest reservoir of high-quality fresh water, the deepest and one of the oldest lakes on Earth. In 2008, Baikal was recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of Russia.

2. Rostov Kremlin (Photo: Valery Abramov)

The Kremlin was built in the 17th century as the Rostov Metropolitanate, that is, the residence of Metropolitan Jonah. Therefore, there is no reason to formally call it a Kremlin; the stone walls were of a rather decorative nature and were not supposed to serve for the defense of the city. In total, the Kremlin has eleven towers. Inside there are several cathedrals, among which the Assumption Cathedral with its four-domed bell tower stands out. The Kremlin also became famous for the fact that it was here that episodes of Gaidai’s film “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession” were filmed.

3. Peterhof (Photo: Ilya Shtrom)

Peterhof is a kind of triumphal monument to the successful completion of Russia’s struggle for access to the Baltic Sea. The monument of world architecture and palace and park art includes a palace and park ensemble of the 18th-19th centuries, as well as the world's largest system of fountains and water cascades. The Peterhof Museum-Reserve unites 21 museums, including such unexpected ones as the Imperial Bicycles Museum, the Playing Cards Museum and the Collectors Museum.

4. Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin (Photo: Alexander Sinderev)

From the chronicles it is known that Nizhny Novgorod was founded in 1221 by the Grand Duke of Vladimir Yuri Vsevolodovich. The city's defensive fortifications - deep ditches and high ramparts - were originally built from wood and earth. The Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin became stone in 1515, when the need arose to strengthen the defense of the city - the main stronghold of the Moscow state against the Kazan Khanate. The new Kremlin was surrounded by a two-kilometer wall with 13 towers. In the 16th century, the fortress was repeatedly besieged by the enemy, but the enemy was never able to capture it.

5. Mamaev Kurgan and the sculpture “The Motherland Calls” (Photo: Anastasia Andreeva)

The memorial “Heroes of the Battle of Stalingrad” was opened on Mamayev Kurgan in Volgograd in 1967. From the Square of Sorrow, the ascent to the top of the mound begins to the base of the main monument - “The Motherland Calls”. Along the serpentine road, in the hill, the remains of the soldiers who defended Stalingrad were reburied. The statue, the work of sculptor Vuchetich and engineer Nikitin, is made of 5,500 tons of concrete and 2,400 tons of metal structures. The height of the monument is 86 meters, the height of the sculpture itself is 53 meters. Moreover, the thickness of the walls of the sculpture is no more than 30 centimeters. The sword in the hand of the Motherland weighs 14 tons and has a length of 33 meters. They say that a car can easily fit in the palm of the statue. In 2008, the statue of the Motherland on Mamayev Kurgan was also recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of Russia.

6. Pskov Kremlin – Krom (Photo: Valery Abramov)

Pskovsky Krom is the most great fortress in Europe. The length of its walls is 9 kilometers, the area is 3 hectares. Krom is located on a narrow cape at the confluence of the Pskov River and the Velikaya River. Now the Kremlin territory unites two different parts of the city: Detinets with the Trinity Cathedral, bell tower, veche square and Dovmontov city. The pride of Russian art of the 17th century is the seven-tiered iconostasis of the Trinity Cathedral. Particularly revered shrines of the temple include miraculous icons, an ark with the relics of Pskov saints and Holga’s cross. For many centuries, the threat of enemy attack constantly hung over the city, which forced the Pskov residents to constantly improve their defensive structures. The Pskov Kremlin has withstood 26 sieges in its history. The fortress, which was in active military use for almost 1000 years, has reached us in almost its original form.

7. Mosque named after Akhmat Kadyrov “Heart of Chechnya” (Photo: Timur Agirov)

The “Heart of Chechnya” mosque in Grozny is considered one of the largest, most beautiful and majestic mosques in Europe and the world. It was opened on October 17, 2008 and named after Akhmat-Khadzhi Kadyrov, the first president of the Chechen Republic. The mosque is located on the picturesque bank of the Sunzha River, in the middle of a huge park with a cascade of colored fountains and night lighting. The external and internal walls of the mosque are decorated with marble, and the 36 chandeliers installed in the mosque, with their shapes, resemble the three main shrines of Islam: 27 chandeliers imitate the Kubbatu-as-Sahra mosque in Jerusalem, 8 are modeled after the Rovzatu-Nebevi mosque in Medina and the largest, eight-meter chandelier, repeats the shape of the Kaaba shrine in Mecca. The creation of a collection of exclusive chandeliers took several tons of bronze, about three kilograms of gold, and more than one million parts and Swarovski crystals.

8. Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius (Photo: Vera Ostroumova)

The Trinity Lavra of Sergius is located in the center of the city of Sergiev Posad, Moscow region, on the Konchura River. Founded in 1337 by St. Sergius of Radonezh. The earliest building of the monastery is considered to be the white stone Trinity Cathedral, erected in 1422 on the site of a wooden church and perpetuating the traditions of Moscow architecture of the 14th-15th centuries. This is a unique historical object, one of the few cathedrals where an iconostasis has been preserved, painted by the greatest icon painters - Andrei Rublev and Daniil Cherny. In the Trinity Cathedral lie the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh, which hundreds of parishioners come to venerate every day. In 1744, the Trinity-Sergius Monastery was awarded the honorary title of Lavra. Today it is a functioning monastery, the spiritual center of Orthodox Russia. Since 1940, the Trinity-Sergius Lavra has been a state museum-reserve. Is under the protection of UNESCO.

This is a unique historical, cultural and natural complex, which is a particularly valuable object of cultural heritage of the peoples of Russia and an object of the World Cultural and Cultural Heritage Site. natural heritage UNESCO. The basis of the museum collection is the ensemble of the Kizhi churchyard. It consists of two churches and a bell tower of the 18th-19th centuries, surrounded by a single fence - a reconstruction of traditional churchyard fences. The Church of the Transfiguration, rebuilt after a fire in 1714, was built from wood (including 22 domes and a cross), without nails, using an ax and a chisel. The long life of Kizhi churches is precisely explained by the fact that they were erected without the use of a saw - processing wood with an ax does not disturb its structure, so the churches are not destroyed. In 1966, on the basis of the architectural ensemble of the Kizhi Pogost, the Kizhi State Historical and Architectural Museum was founded, where, in addition to the buildings existing in their original places, a large number of chapels, houses and outbuildings from Zaonezhye and other regions of Karelia.

10. Kolomna Kremlin (Photo: Alexey Ustal)

The Kremlin in Kolomna is one of the most powerful fortresses of the Moscow state, built in 1525-1531 during the reign of Vasily III. The Kremlin is located at the confluence of the Moscow and Kolomenka rivers. Unfortunately, time has not been kind to the Kremlin - only a few towers and a couple of fragments of the fortress walls remain from the fortress. Despite this, the Kremlin still amazes us with its grandeur and power. The most interesting of the seven surviving towers is the Marinkina or Kolomenskaya Tower. There is a legend associated with this tower: the wife of False Dmitry, Marina Mnishek, was supposedly imprisoned here. Currently, a military-historical sports and cultural complex is located on the territory of the Kremlin. Knightly tournaments and games of knights, competitions of fighters, wrestlers and shooters, ancient rituals, folk festivals and fairs are held here.

The 30 finalists of the competition also included the Golden Abode of Buddha Shakyamuni Temple, Kungur Cave, Solovetsky Archipelago, Curonian Spit, Valley of Geysers, Cable-stayed bridges in Vladivostok and other attractions.