On the territory of Russia there are a lot of places unique in their beauty, the Valdai Territory is one of such beautiful places, famous for its beautiful nature and centuries-old history.
Geographical position
Where is Valdai located? This conservation area is located in the central part of the Valdai Upland, on the territory of two regions of the country: Tver and Novgorod. On the shores of Lake Valdai among green hills and endless forests is the small city of Valdai, where tourists who are tired of the hustle and bustle of large settlements like to relax.
History of the name of Valdai Lake
There are two theories of the origin of the name of the lake that gave the city its name.
The first is a legend. Once upon a time there lived a beautiful blacksmith by the name of Valdai on the lake, every morning he came to the lake to wash. When he leaned toward the water, she woke up from a dream and, worried, whispered the name of the young man three times. Since then, people began to call the lake Valdoy, and then they began to call the settlement where the city of Valdai is located.
The second theory is the opinion of scientists. They believe that the name of the lake comes from the Greek word "Valda", which translates as pure, bright, white.
City Valdai
This small city with a 500-year history, there is no harmful industry poisoning the air, there are no nightclubs, Valdai is not famous for this.
Russia is probably the only country in the world where there is a museum of bells and it is located in Valdai, which has long been famous for its factories and workshops for the manufacture of this musical instrument. The museum’s unique collection contains a large number of bells and bells of various sizes and purposes: from church to ship, from yamschitsky and shepherd’s to fire and table. Museum visitors can familiarize themselves with the history of bell casting, see an interesting collection, listen to different melodies of bell ringing and even try yourself as a bell ringer. The museum is located in the former building of the Catherine Church. Performed in an unusual "round" style, decorated with a colonnade and a domed roof, it is undoubtedly one of the architectural monuments of the city.
Another attraction lies in the city of Valdai - located on the central square of the
Holy Trinity Cathedral
. The temple was erected in the 18th century in the Baroque style, during its history it experienced a lot, including several large fires, however, it was reborn every time again. Now a beautiful building of the temple, executed in soft pink colors, is a real decoration of the city, whose doors since 1998 have been reopened for believers.
Iversky monastery
Opposite the shore of the lake, where Valdai is located, on the Selvitsky island rises the existing Iversky Monastery - the main attraction and Orthodox shrine of the city. On the territory of the monastery are several Gate Churches, the Assumption Cathedral, a chapel with a tomb, the Epiphany Church and the Pilgrimage Center, daily excursions are held. You can get to the island by boat, which departs from the city pier every two hours.
Monuments of Valdai Territory
In Valdai Krai in past centuries there were a large number of old estates and landlords' estates. Many of them did not spare time, but the interest of tourists in them does not wane. Three estates will be the most interesting for visiting: Alutin estate, Musin-Pushkin house and Novotroitsa estate.
Musinyh-Pushkin Manor is one of the surviving architectural monuments in the vicinity of the city of Valdai. Where is this estate? 38 kilometers from the city, on the lake in the area of the modern village of Peretno, a rich estate was still a century and a half ago. Now you can see only the remains of a once beautiful house, now gaping with empty eye sockets, and the current Church of the Life-Giving Trinity.
Manor of the Mountain, belonging to the Duke of Leuchtenberg in the 18th century, is located on the shore of Fr. Borovki. In those days, it was a rich and prosperous estate with numerous outbuildings, a church, a huge park and a three-story "master" house, similar to a real palace. Now, only a few buildings that are in disrepair have been preserved here, but people still live in some houses.
Novotroitsa Manor was built in the 18th century on the shores of Lake Supper (from the word “shrunken” describing the shape of the lake) and belonged to the noble family of the Samarins-Kvashnins. It was the estate of wealthy people: rich mansions, many auxiliary buildings, its own church. But time is merciless ... Now only a small part of the dilapidated buildings remains here, but the garden and park ensemble with a birch grove is well preserved.
Valdai River
The charming and clean edge of Valdai. Where is this wonderful place? Valdai is one of the most beautiful places in the East European Plain. A large web of rivers and rivulets, marvelous lakes surrounded by green forests, huge boulders scattered over picturesque hills and river valleys, covered with moss, all these are memories of a huge glacier that many centuries ago receded north, leaving all this splendor in its path. The water in the rivers and lakes of this charming region is cold, transparent and fresh.
Here, on the outskirts of the swamps, there is a small key that begins the long path of the mighty Volga River, here, from the small swamps, the Dnieper and Zapadnaya Dvina, Volkhov and Msta begin, most of the tributaries of the Neva, hundreds of small rivers, a huge number of small and large lakes, thousands of streams and springs, of which about several dozen with healing mineral water, and several hundred swamps. No wonder Valdai is considered the cradle of the rivers of Russia.
Lakes of the Valdai Territory
Lake Valdai is one of the most beautiful reservoirs in the region, one of the 10 cleanest lakes in the world. Despite its small size, it is striking in its depth, which in some places reaches 52 meters. In the southernmost part of the reservoir, where Lake Valdai is divided by three islands into two reaches, stands the city of the same name. To the north is another lake - Dinner.
Lakes are replenished mainly due to springs, so the bottom here is clean, and the water is cold and clear. Fine sand beaches, picturesque forests located around the lake, in which there are a lot of berries and mushrooms, good fishing attract tourists here at any time of the year. Lakes Dinner and Valdai are recognized as natural monuments, they have a unique health and scientific and educational value.
Far from large cities, in an ecologically clean area there are unique cascading lakes that form the Western Dvina River basin . Here, on the southwestern hillside, rich in forests, swamps and lakes, the river collects its main water. This is one of the cleanest areas in Europe.
Near the village of Molodilno there is another unique lake - Sinenkoe, only 300 meters long. 80% of its shores are a mossy swamp. The water in the lake is amazingly blue, always transparent and does not change the level. It is noteworthy that the waters of Sinenky will never bloom, insects will not jump on its surface, and the few perches that inhabit the lake have acquired an incomprehensible color. The lake is so transparent that through the glass of water you can see all the driftwood at the bottom, it feels like you can get it, you just have to lower your hand into the water.
National park
The real gem of the region where Valdai is located is the National Park. Slender ship pines with sharp peaks, dense green spruces, quivering aspen and graceful birch trees on picturesque hills create landscapes of extraordinary beauty, the picturesqueness of which is complemented by numerous rivers and lakes.
Nature has created a land where there is everything necessary for life - flood meadows, forests rich in animals, berries and mushrooms, crystal clear fish rivers and lakes, healing mineral springs. It would be a big mistake not to preserve this unique natural heritage, which has accumulated in itself the region where Valdai is located.
For the first time on these lands the reserve was created back in the 20s of the last century, 148 hectares in the region of Valdai Lake were declared inviolable and protected until the beginning of World War II. Nearly six decades after a thorough examination by several institutes, the National Park was organized here in 1990.
On its territory there are 70 lakes and 20 rivers, in which more than 20 species of fish swim (pike, pike perch, smelt, bream, catfish and others), the rarest of which are trout, eel, river lamprey and the ordinary sculpin listed in the Red Book of Russia .
More than 85% of the park is forest: spruce and pine forests, oak, birch and linden groves, cedar and fir plots, as well as mixed forests of elm, maple, larch and ash. In total, 60 species of trees grow here, more than 600 types of grass, of which 32 species are listed in the Red Book of the country, and 20 in the Red Book of the planet. There are 20 species of animals and about 140 species of birds, including 6 representatives of the Red Book.
Where to relax in Valdai?
We think that after reading the article everyone will find a place for themselves in this amazing land that he would like to visit. A trip to the estates, a visit to the National Park or the Iversky Monastery, a boat trip along the rivers and lakes of the region or fishing - there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Valdai Travel Accommodation
There are no housing problems here, every traveler will find where to stay in Valdai. Tourists can stay for the night in guest houses on the territory of the monastery, having previously agreed with the pilgrimage department, rent a room in one of the hotels in this region, go to a boarding house or rest house located directly on the territory of the park, or stay in a tent city in order to fully least to feel the unity with nature.
Valdai is a place of unique beauty, where among the lush and picturesque greenery of the southern taiga crystal clear lakes and rivers are spread. This region is rightfully considered one of the most remarkable corners of Russia, fabulous beauty and clean air annually attract many guests who want to enjoy magnificent landscapes, calm their nerves and strengthen immunity away from noisy cities.