Today, Valday is a favorite place for relaxing and tourism for tens of thousands of people.

People come here to see the revived Iverskiy Monastery, visit Russia 's first museum of the region and the museum of bells, to view exhibitions of the work of artists and other creative masters, and to visit the recently restored Troitsky Cathedral.

Where does the first impression of a city come from? Its hospitality. You will be amazed by the hospitality here. We recommend that you visit the Valday National Park , which organizes and guides visitors through numerous tour routes, nature trails, and excursions. In the summer, you will be able to ride on the ship “Zarya” in to the Iverskiy Bogoroditskiy Svyatoozerskiy Monastery mentioned above, and during the winter it is possible to walk out on the lake, as many ice fishermen create numerous paths through the snow. Visit the museum of bells, where you will hear magically unique music and can purchase a souvenir bell. Even when the day is stiflingly hot, the halls of the museum are surprisingly cool. In the winter, it is well heated and visitors are welcome. Postcards of Valday, both modern and past, are available along with maps of the city and region, and other souvenirs. Also in the museum building is the tourist information center, which will provide any information you need.

1. Museum of the Region
(Opened 1998)

City of Valday
7 Lunacharskiy St .

+7 (816 66) 2 61 71, 2 03 78

www.novgorod.net/~valdtur/

The museum is located in a two-story 19 th century house in the center of Valday.

Research on the town of Valday describes the special nature of this Russian province. Every person was considered important to the town. For this reason, the museum contains many portraits of single people, couples, and groups, which once filled the interiors of Valday houses. You can also see everyday things in the museum, such as trinkets, letters, postcards, …

Among the many exhibits of items from families of Valday, there are also items from icon painters, bell masters, doctors, teachers, and famous “Summer Residents”, such as V. Solovyev, N. Rerikh, M. Menshikov, and more. The museum represents time periods from the 18 th through 20 th centuries. The museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00 (10 am to 6 pm), and is closed on Mondays and the last Tuesday of each month.

2. Museum of Bells (Opened 1995)

City of Valday
2a Trooda St .

+7 (816 66) 2 04 97

valdmuz@novgorod.net

www.novgorod.net/~valdtur/museums1.html

The Museum of Bells was opened in June of 1995, and is located in an architectural monument of the 18 th century, a traveling palace church named Velikomuchenitsy of Holy Ekaterina, built by a project of N. A. L'vov for the empress Ekaterina II.

The documents left from construction tell about the history of the bells, their variety, functions, and manners of ringing. Among the exhibits is the first bell of Russian work, from 1536, some captured Swedish bells from 1680 and 1692, church bells of the 19 th century cast in Valday and Yaroslav, Vyatka, Petersburg , and Ustyuzhne. The exhibits give the possibility not only to see the bells, but also to hear their voices. The museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00 (10 am to 6 pm), and is closed on Tuesdays and the last Monday of each month.

3. Church of Ekaterina of the 18 th Century

The church of Ekaterina has not undergone significant reconstruction. In the 19 th century, two or three repairs were performed, but did not substantially distort the initial appearance of the temple. The monument has been restored to its original form from the 18 th century. This monument is an excellent example of a rotondal'nogo temple of classical form. It is characterized by harmonious decorations, ordered proportions, and elegant details. This is easily one of the most interesting temples of this type. It was not preserved like other monuments in the Novgorod region. It has a large artistic significance.

4. The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity of the 18 th Century

The Troitsky Cathedral was built in 1744. Between 1940 and 1950, much of the temple and the upper tier of the belfry were dismantled. In 1950, the building was re-planned by the Ministry of Culture. The cathedral has a large architectural value as one of the main monuments of this type in the area, all built in the 18 th to 19 th centuries of similar materials. Furthermore, the Troitsky Cathedral is an excellent example of 18 th to 19 th century architecture, including a noteworthy feature common to 18 th century cathedrals: the open gallery. It also has the arch of the southern podkleta (a number of cross arches resting in the center of posts). The architecture of the cathedral, its composition and decor, are all baroque.

5. Church of the Apostles of Peter and Paul of the 19 th Century

The stone church of Peter and Paul was built in 1853. It has been completely preserved, excluding the upper tier of the belfry. There has been no restoration work. This monument is interesting due to its proportions and the nature of the decorations, which indicate classical style.

6. Church of the Introduction of Holiest Mother of God into the Temple of Gospoden, 1762

This monument is on the list of protected sites. Routine repairs are not conducted. The degree of destruction of basic structural elements of roofing, load-bearing walls, window and door fillings, decor, etc is extensive. Inspection of the precise state of the structural integrity of the monument is being conducted.

7. Commemorative Sign in Honor of the 500th Anniversary of the Founding of the City

Inscription on the sign:

This stone is placed on the 15 June, 1995, in honor of the 500 th anniversary of the founding of Valday.

The commemorative sign is located on the intersection of Narodnoy Street and Soviet Avenue .

A commemorative stone for the victims of political repression.

8. Valdai Iverskiy Svyatoozerskiy Bogoroditskiy Monastery

City of Valday

+7 (816 66) 2 22 11

+7 (816 66) 2 22 11

valdmuz@novgorod.net

www.iveron.ru/

The monastery is located on the picturesque Selevetskeye Island of Valday Lake . It was built in honor of the Iverskoy Icon of the Mother of God, by patriarch Nikon at the beginning of his rule in 1653. The Iverskiy Monastery holds a special position in the history of Russian Orthodoxy. The monument has unique architecture, and was the center of tile production, weaving, and stonework. During Soviet rule, the monastery was closed and the monks driven away. The cloister ensemble as a whole was restored in recent years. Today it is an active monastery.

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9. Chapel of the Iverskiy Monastery, 1 st Floor (19 th Century)

The stone church of Peter and Paul was built in 1853. It has been completely preserved, excluding the upper tier of the belfry. This monument is interesting due to its proportions and the nature of the decorations, which indicate classical style.

10. Valday National Park

Established in 1990 by a decision by the Council of Ministers of the Russian Federal Forest Service (17 May 1990).

175400, Novgorod Region, City of Valday, 2 Victory Street

+7 (816 66) 2 18 09

Valday National Park - The Valday National Park is a separately guarded natural territory. It is under the jurisdiction of the ministry of natural resources RF. It was established May 17, 1990. It is located on the territory of the Okulovskaya, Valday and Demyansk regions of Novgorod. Its total area is 158.4 thousand hectares. The park was established for the purpose of the preservation of the unique lake- forest landscape of the center section of the Valday Hills. In 2004 the park obtained the status of a biospheric reservation of UNESCO.

Every year the park receives over 120 thousand tourists. The basic attractions that draw tourists to Valday are the objects of national heritage, especially the lakes, the largest of which is Lake Valday itself. There are also a lot of other lakes drawing vacationers. Also to be noted is the Iverskiy monastery (17th century), the museum of bells, the remainders of the Ol’gineyeo monastery in Lavrovo, the rural GES in Borovno (one of the first rural hydroelectric power plants in Soviet Russia), and the commemorative sign of Ignach Cross.

The national park proposes the following services:

• - organization of excursion programs;
• - preparation of areas for positioning the tent camps;

• - arrangement of vacationers in guest houses;
• - camping in the park;
• - cognitive and ecological paths;

main excursion programs:

• - excursion on a boat on the Valday lake with supper;
• - The Iverskiy monastery (aqueous and bus);
• - Ignach Cross;
• - Valdai dendropark;
• - Valday - Nicol fish-separating plant;
• - Valday - source of the Volga River;

In the park are 14 bases and the recreation centers of different comfort levels; 7 of which work year-round. Detailed information is obtainable on the website www.valdai.org. It is also possible to make arrangement in the guest houses. National park has about 100 areas for the tourists to camp in.

Basic holidays and operations

• - the opening day of the park, May 17
• - Ignach cross (during the day of all saints)
• - Marsh parks (during April)

11. Valday Lake

Valday Lake ( 1992 hectares , about 5000 acres or 20 ? million square meters) is the deepest lake in the park. The depth reaches 62 meters (about 203 feet ). A group of islands divides the lake into two areas: Valday and Dolgborod-skiy. 65 creeks and brooks drain into the lake, and Valdayka exits from the lake. It has about 20 islands. On the shores of the lake are located the city of Valday , several villages, and a leisure area.