The Tver region has an outstanding natural, historical and cultural potential. This is one of the most popular tourist regions in Russia. Its historical heritage is unique. The beauty of the nature of the region delights, and the abundance of historical and cultural monuments make it interesting and attractive. The sights of the Tver region are directly connected with the history of the region, with its outstanding and famous people who lived on this land at different times.
On the way "from the Varangians to the Greeks"
Tver region has always occupied a favorable geographical position. The most ancient trade routes passed through its territory: the Volga-B altic and “from the Varangians to the Greeks”, and its location between the two capitals contributed a lot to the possession of the richest cultural, historical, architectural components. The main tourist centers on its territory are Lake Seliger, TverskoePoozerye, system of lakes of the Upper Volga, Bezhetsky top, Toropetsky region. Of the cities, Tver, Vyshny Volochek, Staritsa, Torzhok, Toropets, Kalyazin, Rzhev and others are especially interesting. A number of ancient villages stand out: Ivanishchi, Gorodnya, Bernovo, Mednoye, Kushalino, Vydropuzhsk, Rogozha.
Historical past
The Tver Region is not without reason called the heart of Russia. One of the most ancient Russian cities - Tver - has been known since 1135. The emerging great principality of Tver, being the main center for the creation of the Russian state, existed as an independent state entity until the end of the 15th century. Quite a rich and glorious historical past, the modern life of the region, full of interesting events, is reflected in numerous historical and cultural monuments of history. Despite the significant variability of urban and rural landscapes, ancient sights of the Tver region remain among the new life as living islands of history, revealing the beauty of the architecture of Ancient Russia. These are windmills, wooden churches, Slavic mounds dating back to the 12th-14th centuries, and many others.
Historical monuments
Nilova Hermitage is considered the national shrine of the Tver land. This is the most famous male monastery in the region, founded in the 16th century. The region is also famous for the monuments of manor culture. So, having been in Torzhok, it is worth visiting the estates of Mitino, Nikolskoye, Rayek, recognized as masterpieces of Russian provincial classicism. Noble nests of various sizes and architecturepresented in other parts of the region. These are the estates of Podgorodnee, Kuropatkina and Mikhailovskoye in the Toropetsky district, the estate of the architect A. S. Khrenov in the Bologovsky district and others. An interesting place to visit is the Gornitsy estate, located in a small village in the Kuvshinovsky district. Here you can see a well-preserved unique stone Vladimir Church.
In Tver itself, among the architectural masterpieces, it is worth highlighting the Tver Imperial Travel Palace, built in the 18th century and designed in the style of classicism with the inclusion of baroque elements. Its main purpose was to provide rest for members of the emperor's family on their way from St. Petersburg to Moscow. Now the palace houses the Tver Regional Art Gallery, called the main treasury of the city.
The Travel Palace is located on the territory of the former historical center of the city - the Tver Kremlin. In the City Garden you can see the preserved ruins of the moat. The Kremlin itself was never restored after the last fire in 1763.
Among the majority of district centers in the Tver region, the pretty town of Kimry stands out for its architectural appearance. This is the most striking example of the “town of provincial Russian modernity.”
Temples of the Tver region
In any, even the smallest, town of the region, you can find genuine historical sights, among which the churches of the Tver region occupy a significant place. Thus, the Red Hill is interesting for its preserved shopping malls of the 19th century, temples of the 18th-19th centuries. Here is also the Anthony Monastery, built in the 15th century.century.
In Vyshny Volochyok, based on a system of canals and islets, such famous sights of the Tver region as the Church of the Transfiguration and the Kazan Convent are presented. In Torzhok, the most famous is the Cathedral of the Borisoglebsky Monastery.
From the point of view of tourism, the picturesque town on the Volga Staritsa is interesting. The Tver region of sights here presents in all its ancient beauty. Numerous church ensembles and individual temples are distinguished by some kind of unique architecture that clearly does not correspond to the established canons. Of the stone architectural monuments in Staritsa, the Assumption Monastery, founded in 1297, stands out. The shrine, surrounded by a solid stone wall, has been preserved with all the buildings. In the city, the architectural monuments of the 18th century also deserve attention: the Pyatnitskaya Church with elegant rotunda aisles, located at the foot of the old settlement, the Baroque Ilyinsky Church, the St. Nicholas Church, which fits perfectly into the coastal panorama of the Volga. A special attraction of the town is also Aptekarsky Lane, a unique street, which cannot be found anywhere else in Russia.
"The city of the Russian heart", the exact silhouette of which is formed by the local river winding around a small ancient town, is called Kashin. The Tver region of sights here demonstrates in a bright variety. The famous resort has preserved many architectural monuments. Among them are Ilinsko-Transfiguration (1778), Frolo-Lavrovskaya (1751), Peter and Paul (1782) churches and others. The “Cathedral House”, which served as the home of the priests of the Resurrection Cathedral in the 18th-19th centuries, the Gostiny Dvor and the former Offices dating back to the 19th century, also stands out.
The White Trinity Church, consecrated in 1564, is considered the oldest temple in Tver. The temple once belonged to the Trinity-Sergius Monastery and was exempted from paying taxes to the local bishop, for which it allegedly got its name.
The Assumption Cathedral, built in 1722, is interesting. This is the only building in Tver that has survived from the ancient Otroch-Assumption Monastery, founded in the 13th century. One of the unique masterpieces of the cult architecture of Tver is St. Catherine's Church (1774-1781), made in the Baroque style with original extensions in the classicism style.
Museums of the Tver Region
Many interesting museums can be visited while traveling around the region. In Tver itself, this is the museum of M. E. S altykov-Shchedrin, opened on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the satirist writer in the mansion where he lived while holding the post of vice-governor of the city. This is the Tver United State Museum, opened in 1866. Its unique expositions tell about the history, culture and nature of the region. As well as the museum of Tver life and the museum of military traditions, the expositions of which are collections of ancient Russian weapons of the 4th-16th centuries.
The only natural history museum in the region is the Museum of Nature of the Seliger Territory, opened in 1986.
In the village of Emmaus, not far from Tver, isMemorial and Art Museum of V. A. Serov, a representative of the art of socialist realism. The expositions are based on the authentic works of the master, telling about his life and creative path.
In Torzhok, the Open Air Architectural and Ethnographic Museum, the All-Russian Historical and Ethnographic Museum deserve special attention.
Natural Monuments
Thinking about what to see in the Tver region, what else can attract this region, do not forget that this is the land of numerous lakes, rivers and picturesque forests. It is here that the Volga originates. Its source is a unique natural monument of world significance. In the Volgoverkhovye you can visit the Spaso-Preobrazhenskaya Hermitage founded in 1849, a museum dedicated to the great Volga.
The natural attractions of the Tver region are unique and irreplaceable. There is much to admire here. The incredible beauty of the nature of the region inspired the artist I. I. Shishkin to write the famous paintings “Morning in a Pine Forest” and “Ship Forest”.
One of the most beautiful and famous natural sights of the region is Lake Seliger. This is a whole system of lakes, forming reaches and numerous bays. A beautiful view of the lake opens from the bell tower of the monastery of Nilova Hermitage.
The largest island of Seliger is Khachin. This protected area is covered by a network of inland lakes. In autumn, a real miracle of nature is called a rowan grove, located on another island. Seligera - Klichen.
Tver land will leave pleasant memories for a long time. No wonder she has always attracted the creative intelligentsia of Russia with her charm.
