1. The Picture Gallery of the Artist-Compatriots

This picture gallery opened in 1974. It contains a large collection of work by the artist V. S. Svaroga, the sculptor N. V. Tomskiy, and works by other artists from Staraya Russia , the like of which will not be found in other museums. The gallery is open from 10 am to 6 pm (daily), from 10 am to 5 pm (on weekend) and is closed on Tuesdays and last Thursday of each month.

tel: (816 52) 3-59-89, 3-58-66

Old Russian Museum of Local Lore
Exhibition “Findings of Archeologists in Staraya Russia”

Numerous exhibits prove that by the 11 th century, Novgorod was a developed city with wooden bridges and dense urban buildings. However, the basis for economic development in the city, and the reason for its appearance, was salt making. In the windows of the museum shop, ancient tools of laborers and craftsmen are displayed, along with birth bark certificates and tools for writing on birch bark. These findings indicate that the literacy rate here was very high. The exhibition opened in 1976.

2. The Museum of the North-Western Front

In the city of Staraya Russia , in the Novgorod region, the Russian Federation has opened the first front museum. There is nothing comparable anywhere else in Russia . Until now, there have only been museums of single battles of World War II, and also of military districts, divisions, and subdivisions. The museum in Staraya Russia has become the first of its kind, thoroughly describing the actions of the Red Army along the entire front during the war. According to the workers in the museum, they have set themselves to the task of showing, for the first time, the war on both sides of the line. Approximately half of the one thousand five hundred advanced exhibits have never been seen before. In particular, photographs from the Fascist occupation of the Novgorod region, taken by German physicians treating Novgorodian children. Also shown are documents from the occupation force, who loved to receive letters and messages from their native Germany . The servicemen of Whermacht were tired of the long-standing combat on the eastern front, and were sick, hungry, and freezing, and doomed to death or captivity. Veterans of the war assisted with the creation of many of the unique exhibits.

Along with the exhibits, which tell about the exploits of soldiers and officers of the Red Army, the museum also describes the other side of the war. Documents tell about the work of tribunals, errors committed in the course of military operations, and about cowards and traitors. The museum also has exhibits of weapons, including pistols, automatic weapons, light machine guns, anti-tank guns, and even antiaircraft weapons that belonged to the Red Army and to Germany , Spain , and Finland . Besides for the weapons, the museum also uniquely displays a rich collection of Russian and German medals.

The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm (daily), from 10 am to 5 pm (on Sunday), and is closed on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

25 Volodarskogo St.
tel: (816 52) 3 52 85

3. F. M. Dostoyevsky's House Museum

175200, Novgorod Region,
Staraya Russia, Dostoyevsky 42/2
(816 52) 5 14 77

E-mail: dostoevsky@russa.novsu.ac.ru

Dostoyevsky first arrived here in 1872, and from 1873 he lived in the house which eventually became the memorial museum to the writer. The Dostoyevsky family lived in the house for eight years. Part of the novel “Besy”, most of the novel “Podrostok” (“Adolescent”), and much of the novel “Brothers Karamazov” were created here. Additionally, several releases of “Diary of a Writer”, and a famous speech on the occasion of the monument to A. S. Pushkin, in Moscow were created here. The house has been completely restored to the form it was in during Dostoyevsky’s life. Rooms are furnished with typical items from the 19th century. There are many everyday items in the house which belonged to F. M. Dostoyevsky, his family, and his close relatives. For the 160th anniversary of Dostoyevsky, the memorial complex was formed, which includes an estate and a number of streets connected with his life. Since 1981, readings are conducted each May on “Dostoyevsky and the Present”.

The museum is open from 10 am to 6 pm (daily), from 10 am to 5.30 pm (on weekend), and is closed on Monday and the last Tuesdays of each month.

The Academic-Cultural of Dostoyevsky’s House Museum

Dostoyevsky, 8

4. Health Resort of Staraya Russia

At the location of a large deposit of salt, the Staraya Russia Health Resort was established in 1828. It is famous for its mud and therapeutic waters. Many famous people of Russia have been treated here. Now it is a large health resort with a splendid park and salt lakes.

In Staraya Russia and the surrounding region, monuments of Old Russian architecture have been preserved. The Cathedral of the Savior of Transformation is the most ancient in the city. It was erected in 1198. Of the initial building, the lower parts of the walls with fragments of fresco paintings from the 12 th century are preserved. At present, the cathedral is restored to its form from the 17 th century. An Old Russian museum of local lore resides in the buildings of the Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy Monastery. This is a branch of the Novgorod State United Museum Preserve.

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Excursions in Staraya Russia

• - Visit the places in the novel "Brothers Karamazov"
• - Memorial House Museum of F. M. Dostoyevsky
• - Archeological findings in Staraya Russia
• - History of Spaso-Preobrazhenskiy Monastery
• - Special architectural features of the monastery
• - Picture Gallery of the Artist-Compatriots
• - Museum of the North-Western Front
• - Places of battles
• - "City above Polist'yu"
• - Look around the city with a visit to the Piously-Nicol Nikolayevskeyeo Monastery
• - History of the Health Resort of Staraya Russia
• - Visit the temple of St. Anastasiys
• - Visit the temple of Spaso-Transformation
• - Visit the temple of Holiest Mother of God