Novgorod Kremlin (Novgorod Detinets)

The Novgorod Kremlin, also known as the Detinets, is located in the historical center of Veliky Novgorod, on the left bank of the Volkhov River, about 3 km from its source from Lake Ilmen. This complex of buildings, founded in the XI century, is a world-famous object of international tourism, included in the UNESCO lists of protected heritage. Travelers come here to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of Ancient Russia, climb the mighty walls and towers, visit the beautiful temples, look at the amazing works of art and artifacts stored in the Novgorod Museum-Reserve.

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Video: Novgorod Kremlin

Contents

Highlights

The Novgorod Kremlin has an architectural ensemble of buildings that once housed the administrative services of the fortress, arsenals, warehouses, and barracks. Several ancient churches, a belfry and nine combat towers with 5-6 tiers have been preserved here. On the highest of them there is a viewing platform. The defensive walls of the fortress are made of brick and stone, they girdle the fortress with a 1487-meter ribbon. The fence has the outline of a slightly curved oval measuring 565 by 220 meters, stretching along the river from southeast to northwest. The total area of the complex is more than 12 hectares.

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The restored buildings house the expositions of the Novgorod Museum-Reserve. In addition, there are the regional philharmonic hall and the city music school, scientific historical library. The monument “Millennium of Russia” is erected in the Detinets, and at the walls of the Zlatoust Tower the Eternal Flame burns in memory of the city’s defenders who fell during the Great Patriotic War.

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You can tour the Kremlin accompanied by a guide or use an audio guide. Gadgets are given out in the Presence – the main building of the reserve, as well as in the tourist information center “Red Hut” and at the entrance to the Faceted Chamber.

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Along the river under the walls of the Kremlin there is an elegant Sofia embankment, there is also a city beach and a mooring for pleasure boats. The Novgorod Kremlin is especially impressive from the opposite bank of the Volkhov, from where you can take panoramic photos of the citadel.

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History of the Novgorod Kremlin

The oldest chronicle information about the Novgorod Kremlin dates back to 1044. The fortress was founded by Prince Vladimir, son of the Grand Prince of Kiev Yaroslav the Wise and Princess Ingigerda (Irene), daughter of Swedish King Olaf. Originally the buildings were wooden. Archaeological research has established that the fortress and residential buildings existed here as early as in the X century. The large wooden Christian church that stood here was destroyed by fire in 989. To the north of its ruins Vladimir Yaroslavich ordered to build a stone St. Sophia Cathedral, consecrated in 1052. It is known from written sources that in 1116, after a great fire, the territory of the Detinets was expanded to its present size and protected by stone walls, towers and moats. The residence of Novgorod bishops was located here.

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In the 30s of the 12th century, a series of events in Veliky Novgorod led to the limitation of princely power, and the Novgorod Republic was formed. The fate of the city and the vast lands under its control from that time was decided at the Veche – a meeting of representatives of the people. Veches were held in front of St. Sophia Cathedral in the Kremlin. From among the worthy citizens of Novgorod citizens elected governors, military and spiritual leaders, here they jointly solved issues of war and peace, approved laws, tried and executed state criminals. The Veche could be called by any citizen of the republic by striking a bell in the Novgorod Kremlin. In 1155 the patriarch of Constantinople gave Novgorod the right to decide church affairs independently, and to elect or remove bishops at the will of the people’s assembly.

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In the spring of 1238, the hordes of Mongols who enslaved Russia, for some reason did not reach Novgorod only 200 kilometers away and headed for other cities. Thus, the capital of the Novgorod land and its Kremlin avoided devastation, but the conquerors imposed a tribute on the city. In April 1242, the Novgorodians and their allies led by Prince Alexander Yaroslavich defeated the army of Teutonic knights on Lake Peipsi. This battle went down in history as the Battle of the Ice.

After a series of Moscow-Novgorod wars in the second half of the 15th century, the troops of Grand Duke Ivan III of Moscow captured the city. The Veche bell was taken from the Novgorod Kremlin to Moscow. In January 1478, the Novgorod Republic ceased to exist, its lands were taken over by the Principality of Moscow.

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By order of Ivan III, the Novgorod Kremlin was raised from the ruins and rebuilt, in fact – rebuilt anew. The work was completed by 1490. Now the towers and walls were adapted to accommodate artillery guns, the Kremlin became a powerful and well-equipped fortress on the north-western borders of Russia. It is not excluded that Italian masters invited for the construction of the Moscow Kremlin participated in the design and erection of this stronghold. Over time, the fortress lost its military significance, it began to be used as an administrative and social center of Novgorod.

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In May 1862, floods on the Volkhov River washed away the slopes of the hill, causing two towers and a significant part of the fortress wall to collapse into the water. The wall was restored rather carelessly, without observing historical outlines and forms. The Detinets lost much of its ancient charm.

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Large-scale reconstruction of fortress structures and other buildings of the Novgorod Kremlin was carried out in the 50-60s of the last century. The dilapidated towers and walls were returned to the original appearance of the XV century. In 1992, the architectural ensemble of the center of ancient Veliky Novgorod was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Among these objects are the buildings of the Novgorod Kremlin.

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A walk around the Novgorod Kremlin

The main entrance to the Novgorod Kremlin is the Resurrection Arch located in the northern fortress wall facing the Kremlin Park. A pedestrian bridge crossing the Volkhov River and connecting the historical districts of the city will lead you to the Kremlin from the right bank. The place for its construction was not chosen by chance. It is known from chronicles that already in 1133 there was a wooden bridge crossing on log supports. This bridge, repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt in stone, was blown up during the battles of the Great Patriotic War. In 1987 a gracefully curved 225-meter half-arch crossing of prefabricated reinforced concrete was erected here, spanning the river from Yaroslav’s Court to the arch of the southern entrance to the Kremlin.

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In the northwestern part of the Detinets is located Vladychny Court. Here are the foundations of the oldest buildings of the Kremlin. They were erected at the end of the X century for the court of the first Novgorod bishop Joakim. In the XV century, by order of Vladyka Euthymius II, the Faceted Chamber, several buildings and other structures were built here, which have survived to this day. Interesting museum collections are kept here, among them a collection of famous medieval birch-bark letters. The name of this complex was given to the ceremonial hall made by German masters in the Gothic style, its vaults are divided by characteristic facets. Since 1433 the hall was used for solemn receptions of ambassadors, court and boyar council sessions. Above the Vladychny Court rises the octagonal 40-meter tower of the Chasozvon, on the top of which four clock faces facing the sides of the world are installed. The hands are moved by a common mechanism. The tower is surrounded by annexes. The Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh (1459-1463) adjoins its walls from the east, from the west – a two-storey building of the Judicial Order, where restoration art workshops are located. The Chapel is noticeably deviated to the north-west. Novgorod specialists are developing plans for its alignment.

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Above the Novgorod Kremlin rise the six helmet-like domes of St. Sophia Cathedral – the spiritual center of ancient Novgorod. The snow-white structure, built in the classical Byzantine style, is surrounded by a two-story gallery. A metal dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, can be seen on the cross that crowns the gilded central dome. Local legend says that the city is under its protection and will prosper until the dove flies to heaven. Another legend says that the bird was petrified by the horrible sight of the massacre carried out in the detention center by the oprichniks of Tsar Ivan the Terrible.

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In the brickwork of the inner vaults are laid ceramic vessels – voices, providing amazing acoustics during sermons and chants. Only a few fragments of the XII century frescoes have survived. The wall paintings were executed in the XIX century. The relics of saints, princes and prominent churchmen are kept in the cathedral. On three iconostases you will see valuable icons of XV-XVI centuries, older works of icon painting are transferred to museum collections. One of the relics of the cathedral is the bronze Magdeburg Gate, covered with high reliefs with biblical subjects. They were made by Western European masters in 1153. According to one version, these gates are a military trophy of the Novgorodians, captured during a naval campaign to Sweden in 1187.

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Instead of the traditional bell tower at St. Sophia Cathedral in the XV century erected the original arched belfry, rebuilt in the XVII century. An exhibition of ancient bells is housed here.

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Near the cathedral, on the southeast side, in 1759 was built the Church of the Entrance of the Lord into Jerusalem, which served as a side church. In the 30s of the last century its dome was demolished. Today the lecture hall of the reserve is located here. In 2009 archaeologists discovered the foundation of the church of the XIV century near the southern wall. Excavations are still underway. In the center of the Detinets, on the square near the St. Sophia Cathedral, where the Novgorod Veches once gathered, stands a multi-figure composition of the monument “Millennium of Russia”, installed here in 1862. It was created by sculptors Ivan Shreder and Mikhail Mikeshin. Victor Hartman, one of the founders of the pseudo-Russian style in architecture of the XIX century, worked on the architectural appearance. The huge ball topped with a cross is decorated with bas-relief compositions reflecting key historical events and surrounded by numerous sculptures of prominent Russian figures. A total of 129 historical characters, grouped in three thematic tiers, are depicted here.

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The opening of the monument, attended by Emperor Alexander II and the entire august family, was accompanied by three days of celebrations with military parades, processions, salutes and balls. Especially for this event, the first illustrated guides to Novgorod’s sights in the city’s history were published.

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After the revolution of 1917, the monument was covered with boards and was going to be demolished as a legacy of the hated autocracy. Fortunately, this fate passed the wonderful monument, it was reopened for viewing and stood until the beginning of the Great Patriotic War.

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During the years of German occupation, the Nazis dismantled the monument, intending to take it to Germany. Some parts of the composition disappeared without a trace. Soviet soldiers, who liberated Novgorod in January 1944, found only a pile of damaged sculptures and decorative elements in the city center. The iconic monument was restored in November of the same year.

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In 1995 the monument was thoroughly repaired and restored, its supporting structures were strengthened or completely replaced. At the same time, some elements of decoration that had fallen into disrepair had to be replaced with exact copies made by master foundry workers.

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Collections of icons, coins, weapons, birch bark letters are presented in the historical museum. Separate halls are devoted to Novgorod crafts, archaeological finds, and the history of the Novgorod Kremlin.

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Tourists climb the stairs of the Kokuy Tower to the viewpoint, from where the entire Novgorod Kremlin can be seen at a glance. Spyglasses are installed here. From one of the levels of this tower there is access to the fortress wall.

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For young travelers in the southern part of the complex there is a special museum center. Its exposition is adapted for the perception of schoolchildren of younger grades. Children can ride a pony, explore the territory of the village from the carriages of a steam train.

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Cost of visit

There is no charge for entrance to the Novgorod Kremlin, but entrance to the museums is paid – from 200 to 250 rubles. You can join a group excursion for 240 rubles. Students and pensioners pay 180 rubles.

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The cost of an individual excursion – from 3300 rubles, the duration of the inspection – up to two hours. Hire an audio guide with headphones will cost 400 rubles for 4 hours. The kit includes a detailed map of the Kremlin sights.

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The territory of the museum complex is open for visits from 06:00 to 00:00. The interiors of St. Sophia Cathedral, expositions of the Faceted Chamber and other museums are available from 09:00 to 18:00.

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Souvenirs

Souvenir kiosks operate in the Sofia Belfry, in the building of the Presence, in the Vladychnaya Chamber, in the Children’s Museum Center. Art salon operates at the Museum of Fine Arts. Tourists are offered guidebooks, illustrated catalogs of museum collections, pictures of Novgorod artists with views of the Novgorod Kremlin, birch bark products, decorative panels of carved wood, mugs and plates with symbols of the city and other souvenirs. The stores are open from 10:00 to 18:00.

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Where to eat

There are no catering establishments on the protected territory of the Detskiy Kremlin, but there are cafes and restaurants within walking distance from the Novgorod Kremlin, in the area of the Kremlin Park and in the nearby streets. You can have a snack in “Cafe on Sennaya” (Sennaya Street, 2). The average check for one person will be from 800 to 1000 rubles. The opening hours are 10:00-01:00. Approximately the same price level in the cafe “Telegraf” on Ludogosha Street, 2. The menu includes Russian and European dishes. There is a children’s room with toys. The place is open till midnight. If you want to have a hearty lunch, go to the restaurant “Skazka”, which is located at 1 Bolshaya Vlasaevskaya Street. Caucasian cuisine is represented here. The cost of main courses is 490-985 rubles. The doors are open from 10:00 to 00:00.

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On the opposite bank, to the left of the pedestrian bridge, a floating restaurant complex “Fregat Flagman”, made in the form of an ancient three-deck sailing ship, is moored to the Alexander Nevsky Embankment. It is one of the stylish centers of the city’s night life. In addition to three restaurant halls, there are three bars, a large dance floor and a summer restaurant on the deck, from where the Novgorod Kremlin is clearly visible. The price range is 495-2550 rubles. Visitors are welcome here every day from noon to midnight, and on Fridays and Saturdays guests party until six in the morning.

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It should be noted that in the historic center of Novgorod, spoiled by tourists, the cost of food and drinks in restaurants is clearly overpriced. But go a few blocks away and you’ll find a snack bar with quite democratic prices.

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How to get there

The Novgorod Kremlin is located in the historical center of the city, in the quarters called “Sofia side”. By public transport you need to get to the stop “Sennaya Square”. There is an information center, where visitors to the reserve is provided with the necessary information, next to the parking lot.

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From the railway station and the city bus station to the Kremlin you can walk along Voskresensky Boulevard, and then through the Kremlin Park along Ludogoscha Street or along the parallel Chudintseva Street. From the right bank, Ilyin Street leads to the Novgorod Kremlin, overlooking the pedestrian bridge over the Volkhov River.

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