About 180 km. from St. Petersburg, near the site where the Volkhov river takes its waters from Lake Ilmen, there is a city whose history is the history of Russia itself. A comfortable minivan leaves Saint - Petersburg and it won't take you more than 3 hours before you find yourself submerged in the atmosphere of Russian history of the epoch before Peter the Great preserved until present times. You can hardly tell where the city itself ends and the museum begins in Novgorod - the ancient extraordinary republic and the cradle of Russian democracy. Here we'll try to highlight some landmarks which has converted Novgorod into one of the main tourist attractions of Northern Russia:

Kremlin is undoubtedly the star attraction of the city. Novgorod's Kremlin (or Detinets as it used to be called in the ancient times) is the oldest in Russia and has always been the authentic center of the city. Its high red - brick walls and impressive towers are the silent witnesses of the intriguing events in the history of Russia...

Cathedral of St. Sophia is one of the most ancient cathedrals in Russia. Perfect from the architectural point of view it represents the peak of princely power in Novgorod and is a symbol of great civic pride. As a popular saying went "Where there is St. Sophia, there is Novgorod." The architects from Byzantium and Kiev managed to convey the essence of the Novgorodian character through this only stone building of that time. Restraint bordering on severity, the powerful scope of thought and great strength are all elements of Novgorod culture.

Millennium of Russia Monument commemorated 1000 years of Russia when it was built in 1862 immortalizing the outstanding politicians and all thoses who greatly contributed to the development of the country.

Vladychnaya(Granovitaya) Palata - the former archbishops' residence and the center of the most dramatic events in the history of Novgorod - nowadays contains the Exposition of the Old Russian Decorative, Applied and Jeweller's Arts. The religious objects of great value, precious gold and silver items of medieval times has come to us throughout many centuries...

Yaroslav's Court. Now we're going to the bridge which connects the Kremlin and the Yaroslav's Court - commercial center of medieval Novgorod. Standing on the bridge you'll have a magnificent panorama of the Volkhov river which played the great role in the development of novgorodian lands. The ancient trade route "from the Varigians to the Greeks" passing through Novgorod transformed the city into the center of the international trade. Once in the Yaroslav's Court you'll slowly stroll along shady avenues between lilac bushes, lawns full of flowers admiring beautiful churches of the 12th - 17th centuries. Don't miss a chance to see the ancient market Gostiny Dvor - one of the most picturesque elements of the Novgorod landscape.

A little overwhelmed by all these impressions? Well, now we're making our way to the cosy restaurant Detinets located in one of the towers of Kremlin. Just make yourself comfortable and try the best of the traditional Russian cuisine Novgorod is proud of. The old city knows how to satisfy its guests: architecture, history, exquisite cuisine, nice people around and a paradise of artisans: everything is here for you to enjoy and carry along with you a part of Russian culture and a long memory of this day!