Day trip to Novgorod - the ancient capital of Russia

This trip starts in St. Petersburg.

At 8.00 AM, our driver will pick you up at your hotel in St. Petersburg to depart for Novgorod. Veliky Novgorod is one of Russia's most ancient cities and was Russia's first capital. It is located in the North-West part of the country, about 2-3 hours drive from St.Petersburg. Arrival in Novgorod. We will stop by the Beresta Palace hotel, to visit the bathroom and lobby bar, if necessary. You will meet your Novgorod guide at this time. Visit to Novgorod's Kremlin. Your first impression of the city will be the Kremlin of Novgorod - the oldest in Russia. It was first built as early as in 864. You will have the chance to walk along its ancient walls during your visit. The cathedral of St. Sophia dominates the structure of the Kremlin. It was made to represent a simpler version of the famous St. Sophia cathedral in Kiev, and is adorned with beautiful frescoes and icons. The dome of the cathedral is made in the form of a huge helmet, to show the defendant power of the city. The tour will also take you to the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Yaroslav's Court. This cathedral was built to store an icon, believed to have magic powers. Lunch at a local restaurant (optional) In the afternoon, you will head to the Yuriev Monastery. The Cathedral of St. George will impress you by its size and beauty, as it was initially intended to surpass even St. Sophia's cathedral in grandeur. You will then visit the open-air museum of wooden art Vitoslavisty which is located close to the monastery. The museum consists of old wooden houses, huts, churches brought from all over the Novgorod region. The museum will give you an idea of how Novgorod's inhabitants lived in the past. At around 16:00, you will head back to St. Petersburg.

Day trip