There are a lot of uniquely beautiful places on the territory of Russia, the Valdai Territory is one of such beautiful places, famous for its beautiful nature and centuries-old history.
Geographic location
Where is Valdai? This protected area is located in the central part of the Valdai Upland, on the territory of two regions of the country at once: Tver and Novgorod. On the shores of Valdai Lake among green hills and endless forests is the small town 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 about the origin of the name of the lake that gave the city its name.
The first is the legend. Once upon a time, a handsome blacksmith named Valdai lived on the shore of the lake; every morning he came to the shore of the lake to wash himself. When he leaned towards the water, she woke up from her sleep and, agitated, whispered the name of the young man three times. Since then, people began to call the lake Valda, 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, light, white.
City of Valdai
This small city with a 500-year history, there is no harmful industry that poisons the air, there are no nightclubs, this is not what Valdai is famous for.
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 unique collection of the museum contains a large number of bells and bells of various sizes and purposes: from church to ship, from coachmen and shepherds to fire and table. Museum visitors can get acquainted with the history of bell casting, see an interesting collection, listen to various bell ringing melodies and even try themselves as a bell ringer. The museum is located in the former building of the Catherine's Church. Made 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 is the city of Valdai - located on the central square of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. The temple was erected in the 18th century in the Baroque style, has experienced a lot in its history, including several major fires, however, each time it was reborn. Now the beautiful building of the temple, made in soft pink tones, is a real decoration of the city, the doors of which have been reopened for believers since 1998.
Iberianmonastery
Opposite the shore of the lake, where Valdai is located, on the Selvitz Island, the functioning Iversky Monastery rises - the main attraction and Orthodox shrine of the city. On the territory of the monastery there are several Gate Churches, the Assumption Cathedral, a chapel with a tomb, the Church of the Epiphany and the Pilgrimage Center, excursions are conducted daily. You can get to the island by boat, which departs from the city pier every two hours.
Architectural monuments of the Valdai region
In the past centuries, there were a large number of old estates and landowners' estates in the Valdai region. Time has not spared many of them, but the interest of tourists in them is not weakening. Three estates will be the most interesting to visit: the Alyutin estate, the Musin-Pushkin house and the Novotroitsa estate.
The Musin-Pushkin estate is one of the preserved architectural monuments in the vicinity of the city of Valdai. Where is this estate? A century and a half ago there was a rich estate 38 kilometers from the city, on the shore of a lake in the area of the modern village of Peretno. Now here you can see only the remains of a once beautiful house, now gaping with empty eye sockets of windows, and the current Church of the Life-Giving Trinity.
The Gory Manor, which belonged 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's" house that looked like a real palace. Now it is only preserved hereseveral buildings that are in disrepair, but people still live in some houses.
The Novotroitsa estate was built in the 18th century on the shores of Lake Uzhin (from the word “shrink”, describing the shape of the lake) and belonged to the noble family of the Samarin-Kvashnins. It was the estate of we althy people: rich mansions, many auxiliary buildings, their own church. But time is merciless… Now only a small part of dilapidated buildings remains here, but the garden and park ensemble with a birch grove is well preserved.
Rivers of Valdai
Charming and clean region 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 streams, marvelous lakes surrounded by green forests, huge moss-covered boulders scattered over picturesque hills and river valleys, all these are memories of a huge glacier that receded north many centuries ago, leaving all this splendor on its way. The water in the rivers and lakes of this charming region is cold, clear and fresh.
Here, on the outskirts of the swamp, a small spring beats, starting the long path of the mighty Volga River, here, from small swamps, the Dnieper and Western Dvina, Volkhov and Msta, most of the tributaries of the Neva, hundreds of small rivers, a huge number of small and large ones begin their journey lakes, thousands of streams and springs, of which about a few dozen with healing mineral water, and several hundred swamps. No wonder Valdai is considered the cradle of Russian rivers.
Lakes of the Valdai region
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 impresses with 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, there is a city of the same name. To the north is another lake - Dinner.
The lakes are replenished mainly by springs, so the bottom is clean and the water is cold and clear. Beaches with fine sand, picturesque forests located around the lake, in which there are many berries and mushrooms, good fishing attract vacationers here at any time of the year. Lakes Uzhin and Valdai are recognized as natural monuments, they have a unique he alth and scientific value.
Away from major cities, in an ecologically clean area, there are unique cascading lakes that form the basin of the Western Dvina River. Here, on the southwestern slope of the hill, rich in forests, swamps and lakes, the river collects its main waters. This is one of the cleanest areas in Europe.
Near the village of Molodilno there is another unique lake - Blue, only 300 meters long. 80% of its shores are moss quicksand. The water in the lake is of an amazing blue color, always transparent and does not change the level. It is noteworthy that the waters of Sinenkiy never bloom, insects do not jump on its surface, and the few perches that inhabit the lake have acquired an incomprehensible color. The lake is so transparentthrough the glass of water, all the snags at its bottom are visible, it seems that you can get them, you just have to put 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 firs, quivering aspens and graceful birches on the 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 - water meadows rich in animals, berries and mushrooms forests, crystal-clear fish rivers and lakes, healing mineral springs. It would be a big mistake not to preserve this unique natural heritage that the region where Valdai is located has accumulated.
For the first time on these lands, the reserve was created back in the 20s of the last century, 148 hectares in the Valdai Lake area were recognized as inviolable and protected until the start of World War II. Nearly six decades after a thorough examination by several institutions, the National Park was established 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 them are trout, eel, river lamprey and brought into red book of Russia common sculpin.
More than 85% of the park is forest: spruce and pine forests, oak, birch and linden groves, cedar and fir areas, as well as mixed forests of elm, maple,larch and ash. In total, 60 species of trees grow here, more than 600 species of grass, of which 32 species are listed in the country's red book, and 20 in the planet's red book. The territory is home to 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 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.
Housing for travelers in Valdai
There are no problems with housing, every traveler will find where to stay in Valdai. Tourists can stay overnight in guest houses on the territory of the monastery, after agreeing this in advance with the pilgrimage department, rent a room in one of the hotels in this region, go to a boarding house or rest house located right on the territory of the park, or stay in a tent city in order to fully least feel the unity with nature.
Valdai is a place of unique beauty, where among the lush and picturesque greenery of the southern taiga are crystal clear lakes and rivers. This region is rightfully considered one of the most remarkable corners of Russia. The fabulous beauty and clean air annually attract numerous guests here who want to enjoy the magnificent landscapes, calm their nerves and strengthen their immunity away from noisy cities.
