Self-drive route “Road into History”

This self-drive route across the Novgorod Region was created by the Rus Novgorodskaya tourist office in partnership with Rosneft. Rosneft filling stations offer fuel, cafés with coffee and fresh pastries, travel essentials and service. The company promotes domestic road travel in Russia; travellers can join the Family Team loyalty programme and check personal offers in their account. 1. Novgorod Kremlin (Detinets) The fortress of Veliky Novgorod stands on the left bank of the Volkhov River. It was first mentioned in chronicles in 1044. The federally protected architectural monument is part of the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Veliky Novgorod. 2. Yaroslav’s Court A historic architectural complex on the Trade Side of Veliky Novgorod and, together with the Kremlin, one of the main landmarks of the historic centre. Today the Yaroslav’s Court and Market area extends between Bolshaya Moskovskaya Street and the Volkhov embankment, and between Ivanskaya and Nikolskaya streets. 3. Rurikovo Gorodishche Located 2.5 km upstream on the Volkhov from the Kremlin. According to ancient Russian chronicles, the Scandinavian prince Rurik arrived here in 862. From the late 11th century it served as a residence of Novgorod princes and an important political centre. It was first mentioned in a chronicle in 1103, when Prince Mstislav built the Church of the Annunciation. 4. Vitoslavlitsy An open-air museum of Novgorod wooden architecture near St. George’s Monastery, several kilometres from Veliky Novgorod on the southern shore of Lake Myachino. 5. Millennium of Russia Monument Erected in Veliky Novgorod in 1862 to mark 1,000 years since the legendary calling of the Varangians to Rus. The monument was designed by sculptors Mikhail Mikeshin and Ivan Schroeder and architect Viktor Hartmann. It stands inside the Detinets opposite St. Sophia Cathedral and the former Government Offices building. 6. Novgorod Museum-Reserve The museum-reserve unites architectural and historical monuments across the Novgorod Region and holds around one million museum and research objects. It also includes restoration workshops, a research library and souvenir shops. Its venues include the Children’s Museum Centre; the main museum building (former Government Offices); Museum of Fine Arts; the Archbishop’s (Faceted) Chamber; Museum of Toys; Museum of Writing; Falconry Yard; and Alekseevskaya (White) Tower. 7. Alexander Nevsky Embankment 8. Sofiyskaya Embankment