Old Ladoga map or sightseeing diagram. Sights of Staraya Ladoga - the first capital of Russia. Religious buildings of Staraya Ladoga

We will tell you what interesting places to see in ancient capital Rus. Let's talk about the fortress, monasteries and local infrastructure. Read before you travel.

Historians for many years cannot come to a consensus about where the first capital was. Ancient Rus... However, most sources, including The Tale of Bygone Years, claim that Ladoga was the center of the ancient Russian state.

For more than a thousand-year history, the settlement has constantly attracted attention - first researchers and scientists, and then tourists. The village, which at the end of the last century became a conservation area, stores hundreds of archaeological and architectural monuments and attracts both lovers of Russian history and travelers who are bored with the majestic palaces and the aesthetics of the imperial possessions.

Legends of Staraya Ladoga

Several legends are associated with the capital of Ancient Russia. Here are the main ones:

• In these places there was a stone castle of Rurik. Only a fragment of the protective wall remained from it, and scientists have not yet agreed on it. The dating is the same, but whether Rurik himself was involved in it is a big question.
• Under the ruins of the fortress there is a chain of secret tunnels in case of a siege. They are mentioned by various, including very serious, sources. Most of them date back to the century before last. Unfortunately, a large-scale expedition led by N.E. Brandenburg did not find any secret passages.
• Alexander Nevsky consecrated his sword in the fortress church before the battle on Lake Peipsi. Like, this is what brought him victory.
• The guides and local residents are sure that the same prophetic Oleg is buried in one of the mounds near the fortress. It is not known for certain.

The main attractions of Staraya Ladoga

Before heading to the village of Staraya Ladoga, you should take care of accommodation. The best option is to stay at any hotel in St. Petersburg or its environs. The road from the northern capital is not the easiest one.

To have time to go "gallop across Europe" in a day and get acquainted with the main sights, you need to go by train from Ladozhsky railway station to Volkhovstroy-1 station at half past seven in the morning. In Volkhov we change to bus number 23, which will take you to the desired destination in 15 minutes. bus stop"Old Ladoga". The cost of the trip in this case will be about 700 rubles. You can go back by bus directly to St. Petersburg, it leaves at 19:00, the ticket costs 250 rubles.

Old Ladoga fortress

Perhaps the main attraction of Ladoga. It is located in the center of the village, on the banks of the Volkhov River. The first buildings appeared here under the Prophetic Oleg and subsequently expanded and supplemented. The buildings of the 15th century are best preserved, the older ones are in a dilapidated state, but their appearance is maintained unchanged. In the seventies of the XX century, reconstruction was carried out, and a museum was opened on the territory of the architectural complex.

In addition to defensive structures and fortress walls, the fortress complex includes several historical monuments. The Church of St. George the Victorious was built long before the beginning of the Mongol-Tatar yoke, in the XII century. It is there that the first known image of St. George is located, which made the architectural monument a museum of the only fresco. There is another temple nearby, wooden church Demetrius of Thessaloniki. It was built in 1901 on the site of a 17th century chapel. Also in one of the towers of the fortress there is a museum of local lore, and behind its wall there is an Earthen settlement.

Varyazhskaya street

After walking around the fortress, you should walk along Varyazhskaya Street, which is on the opposite bank of the Ladozhka River. At its very beginning, a modest monument is erected - a bronze falcon on a stone, a symbol of Staraya Ladoga. Ahead is an inconspicuous village landscape: a narrow country road, small houses. But after a few minutes the trail leads to a large square with a public garden and a monument to the founders of the Russian State, Rurik and Oleg. It is Varyazhskaya Street that is considered the first street in Russia. The thing is archaeological finds, which scientists date back to the 9th century: they prove that already at that time the shores of Ladozhka were fully developed. From the monument you can go down to the river and admire the view of the fortress for a few minutes. The restored Arrow Tower is especially visible.

Museums

Let's go back to the square. In its northeastern part, in the very corner, there are two houses, a stone and a wooden one. In the 19th century, they belonged to the merchants Kalyazins. The stone now houses the Ladoga archeology museum, the wooden one housed a museum of merchant life until recently. Over time, the building fell into disrepair, and the second museum had to be closed. However, the house is not demolished: moreover, its "face" is regularly updated so that Ladoga does not lose an important cultural monument.

Monasteries

Varyazhskaya Street leads to the Assumption Convent. Despite the fact that the first mentions in the annals date back to the 15th century, 1156 is considered to be the date of its foundation. For a long time, the monastery had a bad reputation: it was the place of imprisonment of many famous women. Among his "hostages" are the first wife of Peter the Great, Evdokia Lopukhin, Evdokia Hannibal and the wives of the Decembrists.

On the territory of the monastery there is a cathedral of the same name, which deserves special attention of tourists. The Assumption Cathedral was built in the XII century and became the standard of Novgorod architecture. From the moment of its foundation, it has been preserved in its original form, and on its walls more than 13 thousand fragments of wall paintings dating from the same XII century have been found. The Assumption Church is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Old Ladoga, along with the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, where the relics of the saints are kept. Both churches are open from 9 am to 7 pm.

Another important shrine of Old Ladoga is the Nikolsky Monastery. This is one of the most significant monuments of Russian history. The monastery was founded in 1240, immediately after the victory in the Battle of the Neva, personally by Alexander Nevsky. The prince dedicated it to Nicholas the Wonderworker, the patron saint of travelers, sailors and fishermen. In less than eight centuries, the monastery has gone through a lot: a devastating attack by the Swedes in 1611, re-erection, several restorations. In 1927 the monastery was closed, but in 2002 everything returned to its usual course. Today the relics of the founders of the Valaam Monastery - Sergius and German are kept in the shrine. In addition, the churches of St. John Chrysostom and St. Nicholas with its majestic bell tower are interesting.

Mounds

The sights of Staraya Ladoga do not end with its topographic boundaries. On the northern outskirts of the village, on the high bank of the Volkhva, there is a group of mounds. The tallest of them is usually called Olegov. Despite the fact that Pushkin in the "Song of the Prophetic Oleg" and Nestor in the "Tale of Bygone Years" call Kiev the place of death of the prince, the Novgorod chronicles indicate that Oleg was buried in Ladoga. Of course, today there is no evidence of this or that theory, which can be trusted unquestioningly. However, it is worth going to the mounds, if only for the sake of a panoramic view of Staraya Ladoga and the measured flow of the Volkhv's waters.

Tanechkina cave

One kilometer from the grave of the Prophetic Oleg lies another place that extreme travelers have chosen - Tanechkina Cave. A man-made grotto with many labyrinths and passages appeared in the 19th century. Some of the passages are blocked up, the walls are mesmerizing layers of rocks. Here, in the cave, the largest colony of bats in the northwest winters. Of course, you shouldn't go to explore the cave without an experienced guide.

What else to see

The largest event in Staraya Ladoga is considered to be the festival "Staraya Ladoga - the first capital of Russia". Traditionally, it takes place in the summer, the program lasts two days. The main part of the holiday is reconstructed military competitions, but a lot of events pass by. These include a theatrical performance about the first centuries of Ladoga's existence, a competition in historical costumes, concerts of folk music, demonstration performances of participants and interactive platforms for adults and children. The festival takes place in the Staroladozhskaya fortress, a ticket for an adult will cost 300 rubles, a ticket for children - half the price.

I really enjoy visiting various interesting places located in the vicinity of St. Petersburg, where I live. Each trip adds an extra piece of glass to the overall mosaic of life experiences. I think that Staraya Ladoga I can rightfully consider even a whole fragment of this constantly transforming picture of wanderings.

This settlement, which, according to scientists, is the first capital of Northern Russia, was once of great importance. It was the most important strategic trade center on the path "from the Varangians to the Greeks" familiar to all of us from history lessons and steadfastly endured all the vicissitudes of the past centuries.

And suddenly, in 1704, at the behest of I, he not only loses his city status, but does not even have the right to his own coat of arms. All "regalia" are transferred to the city of Novaya Ladoga.

Perhaps there were good reasons for that ... But today, in our days, I, who often visit "both Ladoga", for some reason cannot get used to the idea that the magnificent, breathing heroic legends, imbued with historical tragedy and carrying its existence from the depths centuries Old Ladoga is not a city, but just a village. But it is not for us, as they say, to create history. Although it was joyful for the citizens of Ladoga, when in November 2007, by the decision of local deputies, its coat of arms was again approved here, on the purple field of which a diving falcon is depicted.

Once again, there was a whiff of old epics about Prince Rurik, and the bold Finiste, the clear falcon, beloved in Russia since ancient times.

I want to assure you that for all travelers, young and old, it is here that there are many opportunities to replenish their hiking book with new fascinating pages, which I propose to turn over with me.

How to get there

Staraya Ladoga is an old village located in the Volkhov district Leningrad region 128 km from our Northern capital, St. Petersburg, and 712 km from Her Majesty Moscow. There is no airport, train or bus station. But getting here is not at all difficult.

And, believe me, it is worth visiting Staraya Ladoga!

By plane

By train

Since people somehow did not want to lay a railway line past the old Ladoga, you cannot get here directly by train or commuter train. But, nevertheless, they can be a good intermediate help along the way.

So, from St. Petersburg from the Moskovsky and Ladozhsky railway stations there are swallow electric trains to the Volkhovstroy-I station (Volkhov town).

All the details of the schedule You will have to spend about 2 hours on the road. With the capabilities of modern gadgets, you will certainly find how to while away them, but I like to just look out the window and think more.

At the same time, the tickets will cost you (when traveling from the Moscow railway station)

• adult: 318 rubles;
• children, school and student: 159 rubles.
• preferential for pensioners: 47 rubles.

When departing from Ladozhsky railway station:

• adult: 287 rubles;
• children, school and student: 143 rubles.
• preferential for pensioners: 43 rubles.

There are no direct trains from Moscow to this station. Therefore, you can get by train to St. Petersburg (from the Leningradsky railway station in Moscow), and then proceed as described above.

From Volkhov to Staraya Ladoga, the journey will have to be continued by bus, as described in the section below.

By bus

Bus transfers are quite to my taste, however, if only they are not very long. When traveling to Staraya Ladoga, you simply cannot do without the help of this type of transport. Of course, I do not take into account the trip in my little car, which is discussed in the section below.

You can get to Staraya Ladoga (2) from Volkhov (1) by buses No. 23 and 23 A, following to the city of Novaya Ladoga (3).

The journey will take about 20 minutes.

There are no direct flights from St. Petersburg (1) to Staraya Ladoga (3) from the bus station (Obvodny Canal Embankment, 36). But there is an opportunity to get there with transfers again through the Volkhov (2).

The real timetable, taking into account the transfer you need, can be found on Yandex.

Of course, you will have to be on the way in any case (train + bus or bus + bus) at least, or even more than 3 hours. This is not so easy if you are traveling with children or elderly companions. Therefore, I advise you to use the services of a travel agency for your first visit to Staraya Ladoga.

By car

This is my favorite type of travel! Today, in an age of such wonderful help as a navigator, it is not difficult to determine the path, although we prefer the good old roadmaps.

From St. Petersburg, you need to move along the Murmansk highway, which also has the names M18, E-105 or “Cola Route”.

Fortunately, it is not very congested, although due to road works, which often occur in late summer and autumn, unexpected traffic jams can occur. Therefore, before the trip, ask about her condition in advance. After 120 km, you will turn right onto the A 115 highway near the village of Yushkovo, from where you need to drive about another 7 km to Staraya Ladoga.

From Moscow you will take the M10 (E18) highway in the direction of St. Petersburg. At Zuevo - turn onto A115 (on) and through the Volkhov you get to Staraya Ladoga.

The road in this case is much more distant than from St. Petersburg. Therefore, if you decide on such a trip, take care of the rest in advance at the end of the path in Staraya Ladoga. I will tell you about possible stopping options in the “Areas. Where is the best place to live. "

Prompt:

Staraya Ladoga - time is now

Difference in hours:

Moscow 0

Kazan 0

Samara 1

Ekaterinburg 2

Novosibirsk 4

Vladivostok 7

When is the season. When is the best time to go

We are going to Staraya Ladoga, mainly to plunge into the historical era of the past of Russia. The ancient fortress, museums, temples and monasteries, in my opinion, are worth visiting at any time of the year.

Moreover, if you do not like to be in some place during tourist invasions, then the off-season is quite suitable for such a trip. I often had to admire the paintings of St. Petersburg artists depicting Staraya Ladoga. Winter landscapes on their canvases are in no way inferior to warm summer-spring ones.

But I still prefer to be here in the summer on fine sunny days.

Staraya Ladoga in summer

This is not only my favorite time of the year, but also my preferred time to travel. As for Staraya Ladoga, choosing summer to visit this historical site, you get the opportunity to visit festivals and holidays that are traditionally held here and hospitably gathering an increasing number of tourists.

In addition, the climatic regime allows swimming in rivers and the opportunity to sunbathe, as well as take long walks in the village itself and in its picturesque surroundings, where nature pleases the eye and cheers up. There are no sudden temperature changes here. Basically, the thermometer will indicate from + 18 to +23. That is, painful acclimatization and sunstroke will not follow.

It is during the summer period that the opportunity appears to visit some temples and museums, which are closed during the cold season.

Staraya Ladoga in autumn

The charming Indian summer, when autumn is just coming into its own, is amazing in Staraya Ladoga!

And leaf fall in early October will also delight your soul. November is already pulling winter with it, the temperature rarely rises above 0 ° C. If you are ready for such circumstances, aiming to visit the magnificent monasteries and the ancient fortress, and the sad pre-winter pictures of nature do not depress you, then the weather will not interfere with your trip.

Staraya Ladoga in spring

In spring you especially feel the awakening of life! It seems to me that a trip to Staraya Ladoga at this time of the year can become quite unusual and even symbolic, if we consider it as a touch to the times of the past, to the revival of the pages ancient history after a long winter oblivion.

March is still rainy and snowy, not having time to "reanimate" after winter. It gets warmer in April. The average temperature rises to 8 ° C. By the way, it is in this month that you can usually witness an amazing spectacle - an ice drift on the Volkhov - which artists are trying so hard to catch. And May prepares us in full for summer. In the surrounding forests, the soil dries up, the first flowers of the Russian northwest appear.

Old Ladoga in winter

One friend from Staraya Ladoga told me that on the first day of December, the inhabitants of this village are especially attentive to the weather. Indeed, according to popular belief, what it is, such is the winter itself. It's warm in the morning - to be warm to the beginning of the winter. Blizzard at noon - blizzard in January. If a blizzard starts spinning in the evening, then winter will certainly not want to give up its rights to spring for a long time.

Snow lasts here throughout the winter season, and, unlike the metropolitan "50 shades of gray" due to city smoke and soot, here it is really white. The temperature rarely drops below - 23 ° C, mostly in January days it is around - 12 - -16 ° C. In Staraya Ladoga, it is also wonderful to be at the solemn Christmas services in monasteries, and on Epiphany to plunge into a real consecrated ice-hole - Jordan!

Districts. Where is the best place to live

Staraya Ladoga is a small village. It has only 22 streets. All the sights, about which my story will go below, are, in general, within walking distance from each other. If you use the services of booking through, then in the village itself on this site is only "Holiday Home, Barskiy 11" (Holiday Home Barskiy 11) (1) , there are also recreation centers and hotels in nearby settlements, such as the village of Chernavino ( 2 ), the village of Yushkovo ( 3-4 ) and the city of Volkhov ( 5 ).

In addition to these options, there are hotels in Staraya Ladoga and its environs that cannot be booked through Booking. For example, on the map below - the hotel "Staraya Ladoga" on the street. Sovetskaya, 6 (1) , and the recreation center "Staroladozhskaya Dacha", located 2 km in the village of Seltso-Gorka (2).

Due to the lack of hotel competition, the prices here are quite high for the province (starting from 2000 rubles per room). Many positive feedback about the hotel "Metallurg" in Volkhov, a city located from Staraya Ladoga, 20 minutes away by regular bus.

But my advice is this: if you decide to stay in these places for more than a day, then a quite suitable option is to simply rent an apartment in Volkhov or Novaya Ladoga (from 1,000 rubles / day). You can find it through the search engines from the series "Rent a house for daily rent" on the Internet.

If you are traveling with a company, and even in a warm summer time, then the option with tents is not excluded. True, there are no special campsites here. Despite its uniqueness, this village is not included in the category of long tourist stops. Travelers and pilgrims (there are 2 monasteries in Staraya Ladoga) usually come here only for a day.

Major attractions. What to see

For me, my acquaintance with Staraya Ladoga began with a meeting with an old mound, about which there is a belief that it is the grave of the Prophetic Oleg himself.

This attraction is located at the entrance to the village by car from St. Petersburg. When you rise to its ten-meter height, you will have a beautiful view of the mighty Volkhov and Staraya Ladoga itself. And you, like an enchanted wanderer, somehow immediately fall in love with this land forever. There are many pagan tales about the mound, supposedly it is a kind of mystical "place of power." I do not attach any importance to such "compositions", but when you stand at the top and see the opening picture, then forces simply cannot but appear in the soul, inspired by beauty.

In total, there are three such mounds near the village, originally from the VIII-X centuries.

Of course, I strongly advise you to immediately visit the heart of Staraya Ladoga - its fortress, the 900th anniversary of which was widely celebrated in 2016. You can learn more about it from my

On July 15, 1971, a local history museum was opened in Staraya Ladoga. In 1984, he received the status of a historical, architectural and archaeological museum-reserve of federal significance, among the attractions of which is the aforementioned Star Ladoga fortress.

In addition to it, I advise you to visit other places located on the territory of the museum. For example, the Church of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos (XII century) in the Old Ladoga Holy Dormition Monastery, which is rightly called the "Pearl of North-West Russia".

Also noteworthy is the monastery itself, one of the oldest in the Tikhvin diocese. You can also see the architectural ensemble of the Nikolsky Monastery, which attracts Orthodox pilgrims to these places. Visit the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist on Malyshevaya Hill, which, after restoration in 1991 by the efforts of masters and artists from St. Petersburg, was the first of all the churches of Staraya Ladoga to be returned to believers.

By the way, if you go around this temple and go down to Volkhov, then you will find yourself in front of the Holy Spring of St. Paraskeva Friday. Walking along Varyazhskaya street, you should definitely go to the two-storey houses (stone and wooden - of the 19th century) of the merchant P. V. Kalyazin, where the expositions "Life of the merchants of the Novaya Ladoga district" and "Archeology of Ladoga" are presented today. And this is not a complete list. interesting places worthy of travelers' attention!

Thus, this village, small by modern standards, is a real storehouse of artistic, spiritual and historical treasures.

Top 5

Each traveler has his own preferences among the attractions of the places they visit. I will offer you my top five.

Beaches. Which is better

This historic village does not belong to the category of places where beach vacation... But I want to suggest that on fine days you can swim in Volkhov. However, keep in mind that it has a fairly strong current. If you are traveling by car, then you can arrange a spontaneous parking somewhere on its shore.

I will suggest one more place, directly in Staraya Ladoga itself, where we ourselves once swam. If you go around the Nikolsky Monastery on the right, you will see a parking lot for cars and buses. Opposite it there will be a descent to the water. I marked this place with an arrow.

Churches and temples. Which are worth visiting

The village of Staraya Ladoga is rich not only in facts military history but also with its spirituality. It is always surprising to me how firmly the cities of Russia are bound by the incorruptible thread of time!

Judge for yourself. The daughter of the Swedish king Olaf Shötkonung, princess Ingegerda (baptized Irina), in 1019 marries the great Novgorod prince Yaroslav the Wise. Her dowry also includes the city of Aldeygaborg (present-day Old Ladoga). The adjacent territory has since been called Ingermanland, which means "land of Ingegerdy". Widowed, Irina took monastic vows with the name Anna and became the first Russian princess-nun.

Today we know her as Saint Anna of Novgorod. Like flowers woven into a beautiful wreath, Orthodox monasteries are beginning to be created on the lands of St. Anne. I will tell you a little about them.

1. Holy Dormition Monastery, located north of the fortress. There is a version that this monastery was founded in 1156 thanks to Anna of Novgorodskaya.
   Surprisingly, monasteries and churches in Staraya Ladoga shared human destinies at the time of all the historical troubles. In the XIV century. the monastery protects St. Anna of Kashinskaya and her spouse - Prince Mikhail of Tver during the Tatar devastation of Tver. In 1718, the first wife of I, Evdokia Lopukhina, was exiled here as a monk, Elena.
   The linden trees planted by her have been preserved in the monastery. Here Evdokia Andreevna Hannibal finished her days.
2. The main attraction of the monastery is the Assumption Cathedral.
   This northern pearl, according to scientists, was built by Novgorod craftsmen as a prince's tomb. The temple is open during the summer on weekends. To visit at another time, you must first make an appointment by calling the monastery. Read about history, shrines and the possibility of visiting the monastery
3. Another Staroladozhsky monastery, Nikolsky for men, is located on the left bank of the Volkhov, 500 meters from the Rurik fortress. According to legend, it was founded in 1240 by the squad of Alexander Nevsky after the battle with the Swedes.
   That is why the hill behind the monastery is called "Victory", and the stream flowing down to the river is called "Bloody". During the Swedish intervention, it was here that monks from Valaam hid, saving the main shrine - the relics of Saints Sergius and Gleb. Until the 1917 revolution, local fishermen had a tradition not to start fishing without going up to the gates of the Nikolsky monastery with prayer on boats. All the details about the monastery
4. The wonderful temple of John the Baptist (first mentioned in 1276) is also attributed to the Nikolsky monastery. Previously, it was the cathedral of the Ioannovsky monastery, which was venerated by Boris Godunov. This tsar even in 1604 donated a bell here with the inscription "Ladoga is the stronghold of my state."
   And again, dear travelers, I want to draw your attention to how amazingly the history of Russia and its church has intertwined. And what a great importance in the eyes of the kings-rulers Old Ladoga had, today undeservedly forgotten by us. As for St. John's Cathedral, during the restoration of the end of the 20th century, St. Petersburg artists worked here. Services are held on Saturdays and church holidays.
   If you go around the cathedral on the right and go down towards Volkhov, then you will come out to the Holy Spring of Paraskeva, in whose name, by the way, one of the boundaries of the temple is consecrated, which is also considered the patroness of the family.
5. In the story about the temples of Staraya Ladoga, it is impossible not to dwell on the St. George Church (XII century), where frescoes of the XII century have been preserved. This is a UNESCO monument. For her light and slender appearance, she is called the "Ladoga Bride".
   Both this temple and the Assumption Cathedral remind me very much of my favorite Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. (eight)
   All three are like snow-white swans who, once flying over Russia, were so amazed at its beauty that they decided to stay here forever and keep our country from all hardships and enemy encroachments.

Museums. Which are worth visiting

The village of Staraya Ladoga, in my opinion, is a single big museum under open air... I would especially like to highlight her ancient fortress- Rurik's castle. You can visit it all year round. Nevertheless, I highly recommend choosing warm summer days for this purpose.

Once I happened to read on some Internet forum a sad response from tourists that they did not manage to take a good look at the exposition in the fortress tower due to the fact that the frost that covered the glass over the models interfered with. I myself did not visit Staraya Ladoga in winter, but, as they say, there is no smoke without fire.

Attention: the church of St. George with its unique frescoes of the pre-Mongol period on the territory of the fortress can be visited only in warm weather from May to October.

The entrance to the territory of the fortress is paid: adults: 80 rubles; preschoolers, schoolchildren, pensioners: 10 rubles; full-time students of Russian universities: free.

A single ticket for viewing the exposition in the Gate Tower, the Church of St. Dmitry of Thessaloniki and the exposition "Archeology of Ladoga": for adults - 150 rubles; preschoolers: 10 rubles; schoolchildren and pensioners 80 rubles.

Temple of St. George the Victorious: adults: 80 rubles; preschoolers: free; schoolchildren, pensioners: 50 rubles.

Visiting other attractions on the territory of the Staraya Ladoga Museum-Reserve (a short excursion, time and cost of the visit) is described in detail on the museum's website.

Parks

There are no significant parks for recreation in Staraya Ladoga. But, nevertheless, I will note a well-groomed park where you can look.

It is located not far from the Assumption Monastery. Here you can see the stele erected in 2003 to commemorate the 1250th anniversary of Staraya Ladoga. There is also a square on Varyazhskaya Street, where in 2015 a monument to the famous Russian princes Rurik and Prophetic Oleg was erected.

The sculptor of this monument is Oleg Shorov.

Tourist streets

I'll tell you about one wonderful street in Staraya Ladoga with a characteristic name for this place "Varyazhskaya". It runs along the bank of the Ladozhka River to the fence of the Assumption Monastery and is the most old street in Russia. Its length is only about 200 meters.

Therefore, I believe that you just need to go through it! The first mentions of Varyazhskaya Street date back to the 15th century, and it gained fame after archaeological excavations found household items dating back to the 9th-10th centuries. This allows us to believe with confidence that at that time the left bank of the Ladozhka River was already thoroughly populated. The street was built up especially actively in the 18th century, when merchants began to settle here. In two houses-museums of one of them - Kolyazin, I just invited you.

In 2003, in connection with the celebration of the anniversary of Staraya Ladoga, several similar merchant houses were demolished on Varyazhskaya Street, requiring restoration. It is a pity, of course, that today you can see only the three remaining of them, plus the house for the clergy of the Assumption Monastery and seven wooden houses from the post-war period. In 1913, a stone chapel appeared here, built according to the assumptions of historians on the site of the ancient Resurrection Church of the 13th century.

At the beginning of Varyazhskaya Street, you are greeted by a bronze falcon. I already wrote that this is a symbol of the coat of arms of Staraya Ladoga. It is somewhat absurd, in my opinion, that tourists leave coins “for luck” in the beak and on the wings of this proud bird.

Either they are trying to bribe the falcon, or something else. Only Finist Clear Falcon and the "bribe-handout" somehow do not fit into a single logical chain for me. Also on this street in a small park in 2015 a monument to Rurik and Prophetic Oleg was erected.

What to see in 1 day

Let's imagine that you have safely arrived in the Russian village of Staraya Ladoga, and you have a whole day to spare. I will suggest one of the options for its implementation.

• To begin with, at 10.00 am we will have a bite to eat at the Drevnyaya Ladoga cafe. And then we will move according to the attached map.
  
• 10.30 - heading for an overview of Rurik's castle (1) (Staroladozhskaya fortress) (expositions of its Klimentovskaya tower and the church of Dmitry Solunsky).
  If the weather permits (and only in summer), we also go to the Church of St. George the Victorious.
• 12.00 - by all means we will walk along Varyazhskaya street (2) , the oldest in Russia. We survey the monument to Rurik and Prophetic Oleg, admire the bronze falcon.
  If you wish, we go to the museums - archeology and the life of merchants, located in the surviving and restored houses of the merchant Kolyazin.
• 13.00 - visit the Holy Dormition Monastery (3) ... By the way, here, thanks to the efforts of the nuns, an amazing inner park, on the flower beds of which amusing animals hid among the flowers.
  The main shrines of the monastery are located in churches of the Exaltation of the Cross at the Hospital building: particles of the relics of the saints: the great martyr Barbara, Rev. Seraphim of Sarov and the Diveyevo holy wives, Rev. Arseny Konevsky and Antipa of Valaam, the Monk Martyr Maria of Gatchina.
  About architectural ensemble and other attractions can be read
• 14.00 - Lunch at the "Prince Rurik" restaurant. (6)
  
• 15.00 - We will go to the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist (4), examine its interior, look into the church shop. Now we will go around the temple and go down to the Holy Spring of Paraskeva Friday (5). Only daredevils dive here, and we can just drink water and wash ourselves.
  
• 16.00 - take a leisurely stroll in reverse direction to the old Nikolsky monastery. (When visiting monasteries and churches, do not forget that the appearance must comply with the rules for visiting Orthodox monasteries).
  Shrines: In 2002, an ark with a particle of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was brought here from Bari; there are also particles of the relics of other great saints in the monastery. The revered icon here is the list of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos "Chernigov-Gethsemane" handed over to the monastery in 2004.
  The image suffered during the persecution: a crack from an ax and three bullet wounds. The monastery is open to pilgrims from 9.00 to 18.00, and on the days of evening services until 19.00 every day. All the details about the monastery and the schedule of services
• 17.00 - I hope that our trip takes place on a fine summer day. Now, if you do not stay for the evening service, then you can plunge into the waves of Volkhov warmed by the sun. There is a descent to it just behind this monastery.
  Just keep in mind - the current is strong! You can just sit on the beach and relax.

If you arrived here for a day from St. Petersburg, then remember that the return journey (bus + train) will take at least 3 hours. If you are staying in Staraya Ladoga or nearby, then the next day can be devoted to exploring the surroundings and the beautiful nature of the region. For example, see Tanechkin cave (7) and go to the largest waterfall in the Leningrad region (8) (4.5 meters high).

What to see in the vicinity

I propose to visit several places worthy of attention of travelers not far from Staraya Ladoga.

1. Gorchakovshchinsky waterfall (1) ... Located on the opposite bank of the Volkhov near the village. Gorchakovshchina.
   The map is just a stone's throw away, but you can't jump over Volkhov. Therefore, you will have to return to the E 105 highway, turn to Volkhov, and from Issad turn to Gorchakovshchina. The path will take 12 km. This is a wonderful place to be found!
   Water falls from a height of 4.5 m into the reddish bowl of the soil (the local soil is to blame for everything). This is the highest of the waterfalls in the Leningrad Region. From the waterfall you can go to Volkhov on a very picturesque coast. Here tourists love to pitch tents and relax alone with nature.
2. Tanechkina cave (2). It is located 1 km from the Prophetic Oleg mound in a protected area and is not available for visiting in winter time... Entrance from the Volkhov side.
   Labyrinths of passages attract risk lovers and underground travels here. If you are one of them, take the necessary equipment. Well, or at least rubber boots, a flashlight and a helmet. There is a shallow lake in the northeastern part of the cave.
   It is surprising that the largest colony of bats in the north-west of Russia lives here. different types- about 400 individuals!
   I don't really like these mice-animals, and, by the way, I do not like climbing unknown caves either. But I know many people from St. Petersburg who take part with pleasure in such downright speleological adventures.
3. I also propose to visit the city of Novaya Ladoga, founded in 1704 by Peter I. At that time, Staraya Ladoga, standing from Novaya 13 km, loses its former urban status and is now simply called a village. You can get here by bus number 23 and 23 A, as well as by car. There are many sights, monuments and museums in Novaya Ladoga that are interesting for curious tourists. We really liked the ancient Nikolo-Medvedtsky monastery.
   He was struck by the Nikolsky Cathedral. Inside there is an amazing iconostasis, and outside, from its southeastern facade, you can climb to the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker along a spiral iron staircase, from where beautiful view on Volkhov.
   The history of Novaya Ladoga is closely connected with the life of A.V.Suvorov, therefore the bust of this great commander is, of course, present here.
   I advise you to visit and Memorial Complex in honor of the sailors and river workers who guarded the life-saving waterway "Roads of Life" during the siege of Leningrad. A visit to Novaya Ladoga itself deserves a separate day.
4. If you are interested in the spiritual page of life, then I suggest an interesting, yet little-known place - Abramovshchina. The famous abbess of the Old Ladoga Assumption Convent, Mother Superior Eupraxia, once prayed here. It is located 2.5 km from the monastery (you must ask for directions directly at the monastery). You can't get there by car, so get ready for a short hike.
   In 2004, in the Abramov region, the Holy Well of Mother Eupraxia was restored, and the worship cross was put up again. And now, as once before the 1917 revolution, the traditional procession of the cross takes place here on the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross (September 27). The place is beautiful, and I think it will be useful to visit the Holy Well.

In Staraya Ladoga, for obvious reasons, it is impossible for me to present you "TOP" budget-medium-expensive places of food. There's nothing of them at all. But they are quite good for a snack.

1. Cafe "Ancient Ladoga" awaits visitors from 10.00 to 20.00. The furnishings are stylized to resemble rustic antiquity, there is a fireplace-stove.
2. Cafe "Lyubava" is open from 10.00 to 23.00, and on weekends until 00.00.
3. The restaurant "Prince Rurik" is open from 10.00 to 21.00, on Friday and Saturday until 23.00. You can dine without alcohol here for an amount of 500-700 rubles.
4. Cafe "Ladya" at the mini-hotel of the same name. In this cafe, locals sometimes hold themed discos, for example, a "hat party".

Holidays

I really love the holiday atmosphere when you are in the epicenter of universal joy. Therefore, to time your trip to some similar event in Staraya Ladoga means to get a wonderful emotional charge and bright impressions in the traveler's piggy bank!

Of course, in Staraya Ladoga, residents celebrate generally accepted public holidays, but, in addition to them, there are special days here, when tourists flock to the walls of the ancient Rurik castle in a noisy river, tent camps are broken up, the world around is transformed, clothed in pictures of the Middle Ages.

I mean the festivals that are traditionally held here.

Festival "Old Ladoga - the first capital of Russia"

A real theater reconstruction in the open air awaits you. And as if time will turn back to the days of calling Rurik and his retinue to these lands.

The clink of swords is heard - the duels of the knights are going on. It's great to measure the heroic prowess! And over Staraya Ladoga, old songs and gusli are playing again. You can also look into the smithy, and learn about other ancient crafts. This is where the joy of children is! It seems to me that all this will be very interesting for adults too.

Usually on such days there is a fair where you can buy goods from merchants - various utensils and clothes with antiqued jewelry, try yourself in archery and crossbow shooting. You will plunge into the atmosphere of life and culture of the distant past of Russia, get acquainted with the mores and customs of the people.

By the way, in 2016 this festival was attended by over 2,500 guests from all regions and cities.

You need to find out about the time of the event additionally.

I note right away that there are few hotels, as you already understood, in Staraya Ladoga itself. You can use the nearby ones in Volkhov and Novaya Ladoga, as well as try to rent an apartment in advance. But for tourists who are not pampered by comfort, there is a simple way out - a tent.

There have been no special campsites yet, so the protection of your belongings here is completely under your own responsibility. But I think it's great to join the general fun and also break up your little "house" against the background of ancient burial mounds and fortress walls.

By the way, you can even transform yourself into the heroes of this festival for a while. - Linen dresses and shirts, wreaths and woven belts-bracelets will give you a feeling of freedom without the usual suits-ties, which are necessary according to the dress code at work in everyday life. Long dresses and beautifully tied hair will help women feel “the loveliest and sweetest of all” without any spa salons that are fashionable today.

Festival "Sovereign Shield"

This festival is usually held in June. Its goal is to develop event tourism and reenactment movement. Moreover, I think it is useful for all of us to remember the times of our past history, the period of the Time of Troubles of the XVI-XVII centuries.

As for the children, agree with me that it is much more interesting for them to learn history in this way than from school textbooks. You can also find out if there will be a repetition of such a festival and about all others like it on the website of the Staraya Ladoga Museum. After all, wonderful owners of Ladoga can come up with something new for their dear guests. By the way, sacred music festivals and various concerts are held in Staraya Ladoga.

Hunter's day

For hunting enthusiasts, there is also an annual themed holiday, which is usually held in early autumn. Here you will witness horse riding, the work of hunting dogs (for me this is especially interesting, since one of the "furry" members of my family is a spaniel).

And of course, since the business is being held in an old Russian village, then one cannot do without falconry, master classes in working with decoys, chasing, blacksmithing!

You will see photo exhibitions, an exhibition of hunting trophies and an exhibition of children's drawings. And the concert of folk groups will certainly delight the spectators-tourists! For the male part of the guests, visiting such a holiday, I think, will be especially interesting!

Orthodox holidays

Since in small Staraya Ladoga today there are two ancient monasteries, carefully preserving their rich history, I think everyone can visit here on some twelve Orthodox holidays. Especially on the Feast of Holidays - Easter, and even on Christmas.

And on Epiphany, even in spite of the frosty time, "Jordan" is certainly consecrated here, and the most courageous can plunge into!

Security. What to watch out for

If you have become a participant in one of the large-scale holidays-festivals, then in the heat of fun, remember that ordinary pickpockets may well appear in the ranks of tourists clicking cameras and smiling at you friendly. The workers of this trade are just very fond of being in a crowd, carried away by some kind of spectacle. This phenomenon, it seems, is ineradicable neither here nor in any other country in the world.

So let's just humble ourselves and just be vigilant.

If you visit the fortress in winter, be careful - the steps can be slippery from ice. Anyway, at this time of year, a sudden meeting with the ground of our soft spots is not excluded. Therefore, I strongly advise you to have comfortable shoes and not to force on heels, which we will leave for city sidewalks.

Things to do

I love such trips to small towns and villages due to the fact that they allow you to escape from the city rush of days and plunge into the measured rhythm of provincial life at least for a short time.

Therefore, in Staraya Ladoga, in addition to visiting the sights, just enjoy life, walk (go to Varyazhskaya street), breathe fresh air, admire nature. If you are inclined to some kind of artistic hobbies, then this is the place for them. Arrange a spontaneous plein air.

Even if you are not a professional, painting the surrounding landscapes will still certainly give you positive emotions. You can also show your creativity when photographing, composing poems and stories. If you are traveling with children, then your fairy tales about the mighty Russian heroes-warriors, told during walks, will delight them very much. Remember the forgotten game of "secrets" and bury your family secret somewhere (flowers on a piece of gold under a glass). Instead of a whipping, by the way, a transparent plastic lid from under a sour cream can is also suitable.

You can at the same time smile mysteriously, imagining how one day archaeologists will find it. Walking near the mounds, and along the banks of the Volkhov, weave yourself (or your companions) a wreath of herbs and flowers, or release it on the fast streams of water, making a wish.

Also, with a similar purpose, you can quickly build a raft, a boat from improvised means.

We have forgotten all these activities while sitting at computers or looking at the blue screen of TVs. But it is these family leisure activities that unite people, giving us the joy of live communication!

Staraya Ladoga has a rich spiritual history. Go to the Holy Spring of Paraskeva, and put candles in the temples and just stay in their pacifying silence alone with yourself.

Let this trip be a celebration for the heart! After all, "places of power" are not burial mounds and graves (as various esotericists claim), but such towns like Staraya Ladoga, preserving for you and me the voice of history about the great heritage of our ancestors.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

Of the places I visit, I always take something with me as a souvenir of the trip. But this is not always a purchased souvenir or a thing made in those parts. For me, it can be a shell, an unusual pebble, a flower, which create a summer mood even in winter.

As for the Old Ladoga gifts itself, in the village itself, next to the ticket offices of the Rurik Fortress, there is a souvenir kiosk.

As always, magnets, mugs, key chains, which may well play the role of a gift or a cute little thing as a keepsake. Pay attention to metal items - brooches, pendants with the image of runes, men, animals, intricate patterns.

There are also bracelets with various embossed ornaments.

Maybe you will like something. There are also photographs and albums, as well as birch bark products with images of Old Ladoga sights: fortresses, churches, nature. In the monasteries there are church shops where you can buy cahors, gingerbread, lean products, teas, relevant literature and icons. During festivals and holidays, fairs are held in Staraya Ladoga, where works of folk craftsmen are presented.

But your main gifts to yourself are a charge of positive emotions, new discoveries, well, and photos, of course!

How to get around the city

The village is small, so to see its sights, just walk. When we come here, we leave our car in the parking lot, and then we slowly walk along Staraya Ladoga. Hustle and bustle only interfere with the measured rhythm of this ancient place. But to the mounds (if you don't look at them before entering the village, and even from their peaks to Staraya Ladoga itself), it is better to really get there by car.

You will need a car, of course, if you want to go to the waterfall, Tanechkina cave and Novaya Ladoga, located 13 km away.

I think about the correct speed limit in the area settlement I need to remind you too much, but I will touch on the parking lots. When we arrive at Staraya Ladoga, we leave the car in the parking lot near one of the two monasteries. Parking there are good, free, designed for the entrance sightseeing buses, that is, very roomy. And there is more security in this zone. Opposite the fortress, you can park right on the side of the motorway, since parking places are reserved only for museum employees directly at the ticket houses.

Old Ladoga. Vacation with children

I am sure that going to Staraya Ladoga with children is the right decision! Especially if you can get to some summer festival. Indeed, for girls and boys, such spectacular events are very interesting!

But even on ordinary days, there is certainly something to keep the kids busy. My advice: if your children are young, prepare in advance interesting story with which you can captivate them while walking along ancient fortress... As for schoolchildren, it is especially valuable for them to personally get in touch with the Middle Ages, and not just study it from books. Then, at a history lesson, the guys will be able to proudly show their friends a photo of the Prophetic Oleg mound and the Rurikov castle.

Wonderful nature, contemplation of the beauty of temple ensembles will also have a beneficial effect on fostering a sense of beauty. And what to do with children between visits to museums, I already wrote in the section "What to do". Plan your leisure time in advance. After all, not every one of us, adults, likes to contemplate only museum exhibitions. Children all the more need to switch from learning to play and fun adventures.

And let it be joint entertainment or some kind of creative action. After all, it is not at all difficult to take an album, pencils, paints and, perhaps, even plasticine with you on a trip!

Oh yes! You can also fly a kite, play a flying saucer and a ball.

After all, you got out of the city to the village, surrounded by wonderful nature!

Be sure to weave wreaths, run on the expanse of the mounds, listen to the tales that the waves of the gray Volkhov will tell.

Rent a Car- also aggregation of prices from all distributors, all in one place, let's go!

Anything to add?

Modern Staraya Ladoga is a small village 12 km above the mouth of the Volkhov River, but once it was a large urban settlement, the first capital of Russia. This place with more than a thousand years of history has always attracted researchers. The first excavations in Ladoga began in 1708. V different time eminent scientists worked here: N. I. Repnikov, V. I. Ravdonikas, N. E. Barandenburg, O. I. Davidan and many others. Over the years of work, more than 160 historical monuments... The ancient settlement layout of the X-XIII centuries, the rarest works of fortification and architecture, and much more have been preserved here.

At the end of the last century, an archaeological museum-reserve was opened on the territory of Staraya Ladoga. An area of ​​190 hectares was taken under protection, where there are architectural monuments, buildings of the 19th - early 20th centuries and the cultural layer of the Middle Ages.

Old Ladoga.

The exact time of the appearance of Ladoga is unknown, but the research carried out by archaeologists makes it possible to say with certainty that this happened no later than 753 years. Probably much earlier. The date evokes respect, because at that time there was not yet a single ancient Russian city known to us.

Archaeological excavations in Staraya Ladoga are carried out everywhere and constantly.

The appearance of Ladoga was not accidental. It was erected at the intersection of trade routes and was founded by representatives of the Slavic tribes. Eight centuries before St. Petersburg, Ladoga became a key port on the great Eurasian transcontinental trade routes and provided the Slavs with free connections with the countries of Western Europe, West Slavic Pomorie and others.

A thousand years ago, Ladoga was a prosperous city, international port, a large craft center and a reliable bank even for European countries.

The falcon is the symbol of Rurik.

It is no coincidence that it was Ladoga that in 862 became the residence and capital city of Rurik, the founder of the Rurik dynasty, called to the principality. Later, the prince moved his capital to Novgorod, and then, probably, to Kiev, but the first was still Ladoga.

Until 1703, Ladoga retained the status of a city, later became a village and was renamed Staraya Ladoga, since at the mouth of the Volkhov, on the Lake Ladoga, New Ladoga arose.

The village is famous all over the world for its many unique attractions:

Old Ladoga fortress

Counts " business card»And the main attraction of Staraya Ladoga. The fortress has not survived to this day in its original form. Its current appearance dates back to the 15th century. Part of the fortress wall is in ruins. So far, only one of its fragments has been fully restored with two towers - Vorotnaya and Klimentovskaya. But restoration work continues.

On the territory of the fortress, two unique ancient temples have survived: the Church of St. George of the 12th century and the Church of Dmitry Solunsky of the 18th century.

The ancient fortress is the main attraction of Staraya Ladoga.

Museum in the fortress.

St. George Church.

Shafts of the "earthen city" of Staraya Ladoga.

Archaeological Museum

Since its foundation, the museum has become a place for storing materials collected by the Staraya Ladoga archaeological expedition. The basis of its exposition is made up of objects collected in cultural layers and burial monuments of different eras. In total, the museum's collection contains more than 132,000 exhibits. There are collections of sculpture, painting and graphics, archeology, photographic documents and documents, building materials and frescoes, icon painting and church utensils.

Archaeological Museum.

Exposition of the archaeological museum.

Monasteries

Once there were six monasteries in Ladoga, only two of them have survived to this day. These are the Nikolsky Monastery and the Holy Dormition Monastery. Nikolsky Monastery is one of the oldest in the Leningrad Region. According to one of the legends, it was founded by Alexander Nevsky after the defeat of the Swedes in the Battle of the Neva. The shrine of the monastery is a particle of the relics of Nicholas the Wonderworker.

The Old Ladoga Monastery of the Assumption is several hundred years old. The exact date of its foundation is unknown. At different times, Evdokia Lopukhina lived here, the first wife of Peter I, Evdokia Hannibal, the wife of Pushkin's ancestor, a relative of the Decembrists, Elizaveta Shakhova, a famous poetess. After the revolution, the monastery was closed. Today the monastery is functioning again and continues to be restored.

Mounds of Staraya Ladoga

Three famous burial mounds are located in the Sopki tract. Of particular interest is one of them, called Olegova Mogila, which is located on the banks of the Volkhov River. Scientists believe that Prince Oleg, the conqueror of the Khazar Kaganate, is buried under the mound. However, this place is interesting not only from the point of view of history. Many believe in the special magical power of this mound, which is confirmed by some scientists. In addition, the mound is connected by an underground passage to the catacomb system. Where these passages lead has not yet been clarified.

These sights of Staraya Ladoga are located on the northern outskirts of the village, not far from the road to Novaya Ladoga.

Trains to Staraya Ladoga do not run, there is no railroad. The nearest station is located in the city of Volkhov, from where regular buses leave for Staraya Ladoga every 50 minutes. You can get to Volkhov by train or by train.

Old Ladoga and its attractions on the map.

1. Fortress Staraya Ladoga;
2. Nikolsky monastery;
3. Assumption Monastery;
4. Archaeological Museum;
5. Mounds;
6. Hotel "Staraya Ladoga".

9 kilometers from Staraya Ladoga, on the P-21 highway, there is a motel "Abyrvalg", which can be safely recommended to auto travelers.

If your trip is long and you want maximum comfort, then it is best to use the Kobona Hotel on the shores of Lake Ladoga. From Staraya Ladoga 40 kilometers, but they are worth it.

Do you want to see the most ancient settlement of the Leningrad region, walk along the oldest Russian street, visit monasteries and reserves? Plan your trip to Staraya Ladoga - a small village in the Volkhov region... Here, according to the chronicles, is the grave of Prince Oleg, the first place of the reign of Prince Rurik. Today, in Staraya Ladoga, you can find a lot of interesting things - both for history lovers and for those who are in love with religious buildings, architectural monuments, or prefer outdoor recreation.

What to see in Staraya Ladoga

Although today Staraya Ladoga- this is a small village, earlier it was a city called Ladoga. The centuries-old history has left a tangible mark here: literally at the entrance you seem to be transported into the past. Naturally, a significant part of Old Ladoga sights is connected precisely with history.

Architectural landmarks

• Acquaintance with Staraya Ladoga and its sights should start with a tour Old Ladoga fortress, fortunately, every resident of the village will tell you how to get to it. Initially, the fortress was erected here at the beginning of the 12th century, but today you can admire the monumental structure of the 15th century. Naturally, time left its mark on the fortress - it is being gradually reconstructed, but part of the structure still resembles either ruins after the massacre, or rocks (the thickness of the walls, by the way, in some places reached 5 m). Previously, the fortress had five towers, but only two were restored - Klimentovskaya and Vorotnaya. You can visit here for a nominal fee - tickets are more than affordable.

• On the territory of the fortress there is St. George Church, which is also worth a visit and admire the 12th century frescoes that are still preserved on the walls. Actually, it is worth telling about this temple separately, so I will pay more attention to it below.
• Estate "Uspenskoe"- another place that should definitely be included in the route. It was erected by Lieutenant General Roman Tomilov in the 1780s, but after three decades his son changed the look of the estate, adding the so-called "Schwarz House" (stone wing), where a luxurious collection of graphics and paintings was kept, including the brushes of Rembrandt ... Today the estate is part of the Staraya Ladoga Museum. Here are the funds of graphics, paintings, frescoes, archaeological and historical household.
• Deserves attention and the house of the merchant Kalyazin a majestic stone structure, which now houses an archaeological exhibition. There is something to see here, because excavations in the vicinity of Staraya Ladoga have been conducted since the middle of the nineteenth century. Of course, not all finds are presented in the exhibition, but in three rooms there are interesting things related to different eras- from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages.

Did you know? If you decide to visit the fortress, St. George's Church, expositions, remember that they all belong to the historical, architectural and archaeological museum-reserve, so you can buy a single ticket.

Religious buildings of Staraya Ladoga

Their list may take several sheets, but if you go to Staraya Ladoga for a day or two, it is worth visiting at least the main attractions, photos with descriptions of which are found on many tourist sites.

• Since we started our acquaintance with the city from the fortress, the first thing we did was visit St. George Church which has already been mentioned. In addition to frescoes, it is also notable for the wealth of decorations. According to legend, it was here that Alexander Nevsky consecrated his sword.
• Holy Dormition Monastery and Assumption Church... The monastery was originally male, but later it was given to the nuns (by the way, it was here that Evdokia Lopukhina, the wife of Peter the Great, Evdokia Hannibal, lived; relatives of the Decembrists were also exiled here). Majestic architecture, dramatic history - this is what attracts tourists to the monastery.
• Nikolsky Monastery- it is believed that it was founded at the time of the victory of Alexander Nevsky over the Swedes. Among the sights of the monastery, it is worth highlighting the bell tower and the Holy Gates made by Tikhvin masters. The monastery contains parts of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
• - today it is assigned to the Nikopol Monastery, but remains the main cathedral for the faithful of Staraya Ladoga. The temple is located on Malysheva Gora, so relatively recently it had to be rescued: there are many voids and underground passages in the mountain, so the church began to sink. It is believed that the temple was erected on the place where Andrew the First-Called once placed his cross. Initially, the temple was wooden, but in the 17th century a stone structure was erected on this place.

St. George Church

Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist

Museums of Staraya Ladoga

First of all, it is worth highlighting Historical and Architectural Museum Reserve, which was already mentioned above: this is a fortress, merchants' estates, St. George's Church.
There are in Staraya Ladoga and local history museum, which is located in the church of Dmitry Solunsky - a small wooden church, which was erected at the beginning of the 17th century. Of course, today's church was built later, but it is a complete copy of its predecessor.

Natural monuments of Staraya Ladoga

• Not far from the village is located natural monument "Staroladozhsky", the total area of ​​which exceeds 200 hectares. There are three artificial caves here: Tanechkina (bats winter here), Staroladozhskaya and Malyshka.
• The complex also has geological outcrops(near Volkhov), which are valuable, paleontological fossils. But most an interesting place is the Sopki tract where ancient burial mounds have been preserved. Under one of them, according to legend, Prophetic Oleg is buried.
• Naturally, burial mounds riddled with passages and catacombs, but tourists have no chance to get inside, since there are no entrances to them. Fans of the biofield theory have established that there are certain fields in the Sopki that have a healing effect. However, even if this is not so, it is worth visiting the mounds in order to admire the most beautiful landscapes of the Volkhov and Staraya Ladoga itself.
• Finally, the list of natural interesting places would be incomplete without Gorchakovshchinsky waterfall, which is located near the village. You can get here with a guide from among local residents or by yourself. Quiet jets of water and picturesque greenery around will allow you to relax and enjoy the closeness to nature.

Gorchakovshchinsky waterfall

Staraya Ladoga - what to see in winter

• If you decide to go here to new year holidays, visit Sopki it will hardly be possible - most likely, they will be covered with snow.
• But to get acquainted with the expositions of the museum in the house of the merchant Kalyazin, in the estate "Uspenskoe", it is quite possible to wander around the fortress and temples.
• Do not forget about Gorchakovsky waterfall: in winter, its frozen waters are a truly delightful sight.

A story about the history of Staraya Ladoga - in the past, a city in Novgorod Rus, now a village. About the Old Ladoga fortress, about the old monasteries and burial mounds located on this one.

Staraya Ladoga - what to see with children

• It is worth noting that, in principle, it is better not to drag babies under five years old here with you - they will be frankly bored. But older kids will surely like it in the fortress.
• With schoolchildren, it is quite possible to go to excursion around the Sopki, but it is better to do it with a guide - his stories will certainly come in handy in history lessons, and vivid impressions will stick in the memory for a long time.
• If you decide to go to Old Ladoga, the most convenient way to do this is by car, and to stop for the night is in.

Hills

Two days were enough for us to explore the main attractions of the village, but if you want to relax and rest longer (for example, in nature), allocate one more day.

Have you been to Staraya Ladoga? What sights of the village impressed you the most? Share your impressions in the comments.

Old Ladoga has existed since the 8th century, it is called "the first capital of Russia" - it was here in 862 that Rurik came to reign. The Varangians chose this place as their residence for a reason - many centuries ago, a small nowadays village was a prosperous and developed city: a crossroads of trade routes, a craft center and an international trade port providing connections between the Slavs and European countries. Today, Staraya Ladoga is unique complex historical monuments, united under the auspices of the Staraya Ladoga Historical, Architectural and Archaeological Reserve.

It is believed that initially the Scandinavians lived here, a little later - the ancient Germans and the Baltic-Finnish peoples. It was they who built the first houses and fortifications in the image and likeness of those that were characteristic of early medieval Europe. Such guesses are confirmed by artifacts from the Merovingian era, found on excavations in the 2000s. Slavic tribes came to this land after the 8th century, having conquered living space from earlier settlers.

How to get to Staraya Ladoga

From major cities the closest thing to Staraya Ladoga is St. Petersburg. You can get from the Northern capital to the village by buses No. 847, 860, 863, 877, departing from Bus station No. 2 on the Obvodny Canal and metro stations "Volkovskaya", "Parnas" (with a change in the village of Yushkovo or the city of Volkhov on bus number 23). Travel time is from 2.5 to 4 hours. Transport runs from 7:00 to 22:00, the cost of the entire trip is 470-600 RUB. Prices on the page are for October 2018.

To get from Pulkovo to Bus Station No. 2, you first need to get to the station. metro "Moskovskaya" by buses No. 13, 13A, 39 or minibuses No. K39, K13, 113, 213, then follow to the station. metro station "Obvodny Canal".

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By train from St. Petersburg

Suburban trains leave from Moskovsky and Ladozhsky railway stations to the Volkhovstroy-I platform located in Volkhov (Russian Railways website). Next to it on the square is the city bus station, where you can change to a bus to the village. The total travel time is 2.5-3 hours, for just 2 two tickets you will have to pay 398-460 RUB.

Trains run from Moscow to Volkhov (station "Volkhovstroy-I") from the Leningradsky railway station. The journey will take 7-11 hours, minimum cost travel in reserved seat - from 1500 RUB.

By car

The distance from the capital to Staraya Ladoga along the shortest route M-10 is 720 km. If you manage to avoid traffic jams, you will be able to get to the village in 10 hours. From St. Petersburg you need to follow the P-21 motorway.

Transport

The village is small, so tourists move on foot. Public transport not in Staraya Ladoga. The only bus passing along Volkhovsky Prospekt is number 23. On it they get to Olegov Kurgan, located 8 km from the Staroladozhskaya fortress.

The car can be parked for free at the monasteries in large parking lots, as well as on the side of the road in front of the fortress.

A taxi ride around the city costs from 70-90 RUB plus you will have to pay for a car ride from Novaya Ladoga, where the nearest agency is located. Transport can be ordered by phone or caught on the street. There are no meters, the cost is negotiated with the dispatcher or the taxi driver himself.

Maps of Staraya Ladoga

Hotels in Staraya Ladoga

Due to the small size of the village, there are not so many accommodation options: only 4-5 are available in Staraya Ladoga and the surrounding area. The most famous place, presented in all booking systems, is the Staraya Ladoga hotel on the street. Soviet, offering prices from RUB 2000 per night for a double room. Alternatively, consider the Barskiy holiday home for 6 people for RUB 2500-3000 per night. True, it is located on the outskirts, 2 km from the Volkhov embankment and attractions.

What to bring: souvenirs

The best souvenirs from Staraya Ladoga will be products of local craftsmen: original pendants and brooches with ancient runic drawings, animals, fairytale and religious characters, chased jewelry with Celtic and Scandinavian ornaments, birch bark handbags and baskets with images of local beauties printed on them. All these things are present in the souvenir kiosk in the fortress. During ethnographic festivals, there are fairs where there is much more to choose from. The shops in churches and monasteries sell good pastries, tea, and lean products.

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Cafes and restaurants of Staraya Ladoga

There are no more restaurants and cafes in Staraya Ladoga than hotels. The main establishments: "Prince Rurik" with interiors in the style of a knight's castle, wooden tables and pottery, and the budget "Ancient Ladoga", decorated like a Russian hut, there is even a real stove inside. The price for a standard lunch is from RUB 500 per person.

In "Knyaz Rurik" they cook a branded beef chop with mushrooms "Varyag", baked whitefish "Gift of Ladoga", delicious sbiten and mead.

There is also a small cafe-dining room "Lyubava", which serves homemade dishes: pancakes, dumplings, fish and fried meat with vegetables, buckwheat and potatoes. A three-course set lunch plus a drink costs RUB 200-250.

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History of Staraya Ladoga

Old Ladoga has seen many bright events in its lifetime: the arrival of Rurik with his retinue, an unprecedented rise and prosperity, periods of bloody wars and, finally, decline. In 753, the first wooden fortress was already in the settlement, reliably protecting the homes of artisans and merchants. Under the Prophetic Oleg at the end of the 9th century, a powerful stone stronghold was erected, later destroyed by the Norse Vikings. The second time the bastion was built only 3 centuries later, after which churches and monasteries "grew" one after another in the city.

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Until 1702, Staraya Ladoga played a key strategic role and was an important military outpost. That is why the rulers of the Russian state paid so much attention to it. After the end of the Northern War under Peter I, a long period of decline began, as a result of which the city turned into a village, and the number of its inhabitants decreased significantly. Today Staraya Ladoga is a large tourist centre Northwest region.

Entertainment and attractions

The architecture of Staraya Ladoga is a living embodiment of the ancient history of Russia. Fortress walls and cathedrals are examples of Russian northern architecture of the Middle Ages, merchant houses and estates with museum expositions tell about the development of the settlement in the 18-19 centuries. But the village is famous not only for man-made sights. It is worth coming here in order to visit the burial mounds in the Sopki tract, explore artificial caves on the territory of the Staroladozhsky natural monument, or walk to the Gorchakovshchinsky waterfall.

Museum-reserve "Staraya Ladoga"

The guests of the museum-reserve are offered two tourist routes: "Old Russian town of Ladoga" and "Monasteries of Old Ladoga". Tourists get acquainted with Russian history and culture in the interiors of fortress towers of the 15-16th centuries and residential buildings of the 19th century, in the monastic complexes of the former Assumption Convent and the current Nikolsky Monastery. Masterpieces of world art can be seen in the Church of St. George of the 12th century, and a panorama of Ladoga that is unique in its beauty opens from Malyshevaya Gora.

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Fortress

The central tourist attraction is the Old Ladoga Fortress, founded by Rurik in the 9th century and rebuilt from stone under Oleg the Prophet. Researchers cannot say for sure how many sieges the fortification survived - more than once it was stormed by Norwegian Earls and Swedish kings. Since the 18th century, after the bastion lost its military significance, the buildings began to decline, at the end of the 19th century, the first archaeological excavations were carried out on the territory.

The reconstruction of the fortress began in Soviet times and continues to this day. Today the ensemble is part of the structure of the Staraya Ladoga Historical, Architectural and Archaeological Reserve.

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Nikolsky Monastery is one of the oldest in the Leningrad Region, founded by St. Alexander Nevsky after the victorious battle with the Swedes in the Battle of the Neva at the mouth of the Izhora River. Dedicated to the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Lycia.

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Estate "Uspenskoe" and Staraya Ladoga Museum

The Uspenskoye estate, whose name is associated with the nearby Uspensky Monastery, was built in the 80s. Lieutenant-General Roman Nikiforovich Tomilov. His son Alexei in 1816-1817. remade it according to his own project, adding a stone wing (Schwartz House) to the wooden house. In the outhouse Tomilov kept the richest collection of paintings and graphics, including the largest collection of drawings and etchings by Rembrandt in Russia. In 1918, after the confiscation of the estate from its last owners, the Shvarts, more than 6,000 drawings and canvases were transferred to the Russian Museum, and the house became the property of the Staraya Ladoga Museum. It contains historical and household, archaeological funds, as well as a fund of frescoes and a fund of paintings and graphics.

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A women's monastery of the mid-12th century, adorning the left bank of the Volkhov River. After the Russian-Swedish war of 1610-1617. almost the entire complex was rebuilt. The main temple of the monastery - the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - rare architectural monument pre-Mongol period, created by Novgorod architects.

On one of the arches, the heraldic sign of Rurik has been preserved, inside there are fragments of frescoes from the 12th century.

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The Church of Basil of Caesarea is located opposite the fortress, on the right bank of the Volkhov (earlier there was the Vasilievsky Monastery, most of which were wooden). In 1666, the temple fell apart to the ground, and 20 years later a new one was erected in its place at the expense of the voivode TI Bestuzhev.

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Caves

There are several caves in the village and its surroundings. The most explored and visited are Staroladozhskaya and Tanechkina, which were formed in the 19th century as a result of sandstone mining. After the closure of the deposits, the grottoes were "overgrown" with stalactites and stalagmites (albeit still very small), streams and small lakes appeared here - in a word, nature on its own turns artificial into natural.

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