The Novgorod Kremlin is a deity. Novgorod Kremlin Detinets in Veliky Novgorod and St. Sophia Cathedral full review and photos Opening hours of the Novgorod Kremlin
Novgorod Kremlin (Russia) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.
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Of course, the first thing that deserves attention is the Novgorod Kremlin (or, as it is also called, the Novgorod Detinets) - the oldest of the currently preserved kremlins in Russia. Its construction dates back to the mid-11th century. According to the chronicles that have survived to this day, the Novgorod Detinets, located on the left bank of the Volkhov River, was the site of the meeting (a unique form of government).
It is curious that the princes who ruled in Novgorod did not live in the Kremlin itself, but only came to the assembly. The Bishop-Vladyka ruled the show in Detinets. The reconstruction of the stone walls of the Kremlin continued until the 20s of the 15th century, which was associated with the need to improve and strengthen military defensive structures. A distinctive feature of the Novgorod Detinets towers is the gate churches, which were built near each of them.
Address: Kremlin.
Entrance to the Kremlin territory: 09:00 - 00:00; St. Sophia Cathedral: 10:00 - 18:00; Chamber of Facets: 10:00 - 18:00; Main building of the museum: 10:00 - 18:00.
The name of the Novgorod Kremlin denotes the place where the children of God could “get away” or hide from enemies.
The Novgorod Kremlin is the first red brick building in Rus'.
The tallest tower of the Novgorod Kremlin, the Kokuy Tower, was used as an observation deck from which one could easily view the territory of the Kremlin and its surroundings.
Detinets was first mentioned in the Chronicle of 1044; out of 12 towers, only 9 have survived today.
A modern observation deck from which the whole of Novgorod is visible at a glance, and today provides such an opportunity to the most fearless tourists.
Hagia Sophia
The central attraction of the Novgorod Kremlin is St. Sophia Cathedral. The temple is the oldest Christian cathedral that has survived to this day; it was founded by Prince Vladimir in 1045. The laconic but extremely expressive design of the temple bears the imprint of Constantinople architecture.
White walls and numerous domes pointing upward - the temple is simple and magnificent at the same time.
The cathedral, which has become the symbol of Veliky Novgorod, is crowned by an Angel with a cross and a petrified dove, saving the city from enemies.
The bell tower of St. Sophia Cathedral is the oldest in Russia. The bells miraculously survived the Great Patriotic War, the largest of which, the holiday bell, the monks decided to drown in the Volkhov River in order to save it from being transported to Germany.
Treasures of the Novgorod Kremlin
In the center of the Novgorod Kremlin there is a monument “Millennium of Russia”. This monument embodies in bronze outstanding people of Russia: great princes, tsars, emperors, as well as ordinary citizens of Novgorod who left their mark on the formation of Russian culture: famous artists, composers, writers.
There are many mysteries in the Novgorod Kremlin and one of them is the ruins of the Vladychny Palace, the building was erected at the beginning of the 15th century. The Archbishop of Novgorod was called Vladyka. It is not known for certain when and by whom this building was built.
The palace was the center of political life during the Novgorod Assembly, where in the old days people voted “by voice,” i.e., whoever shouted louder won. But the final decision was formed and made precisely in the Sovereign Palace.
There are many historical buildings on the territory of the Novgorod Kremlin. The walls of one of them are decorated with windows through which you can study the history of Russian architecture; the building was built on, and each subsequent floor is decorated with characteristic features of the architecture of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.
Miniature Temple of Andrew Stratelates It is interesting in that it was erected on the site of the previously lost church of Saints Boris and Gleb, built in 1167 at the expense of the famous resident of Novgorod, the guslar Sadko.
The original architectural object of the Kremlin - the Chasozvonya tower, which is located closely between the Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh and the buildings of the Spiritual and Judicial orders.
The tower has a slight slope, and on each of its four sides, directed towards different directions of the world, there is its own dial, while they are united by one clock mechanism.
Recently, restorers completed the restoration of the Chamber of Facets, a unique building of the 15th century, the image of which was embodied under the influence of the European Gothic style.
Modern historians and restorers manage not only to preserve, but also to re-create the image of the Novgorod Detinets, its unique original flavor.
Detinets- this is the Novgorod Kremlin. In principle, earlier (XI-XIV centuries) all Russian Kremlins were called Detinets, but for some reason it was the Novgorod Kremlin that got this name to this day. There is still debate about the origin of the word “detinets”. There is a version that it originated from the word “children”! Because, during enemy attacks, children were hidden behind the walls of the fortress. According to another version, from the word “children’s” - this is what the prince’s warriors were called. Someone traces the etymology of the word from the verb “det” - to place; and "grandfathers" - elders.
AND AROUND THE CITY A VEGETABLE GARDEN = FORTRESS.
And all this during the time of WOODEN fortresses, centuries before the XIII - XIV? (up to firearms, for sure).
The main misconception about the Novgorod Detinets is the opinion that it was here that Rurik came to reign, and subsequently from here Oleg and the young Igor went to conquer Kyiv. In fact, the first chronicle mention of the Novgorod fortress dates back to 1044. That year, the first wooden fortress was founded under Prince Vladimir Yaroslavich. Who was the son of Yaroslav Mudrov, the grandson of the baptist of Rus' Vladimir, the great-grandson of Svyatoslav, and the great-great-grandson of the aforementioned young prince Igor.
In 1333, the gradual reconstruction of the detinets from wood to stone began. This construction was gradual and long. First, all the towers were erected in stone one by one, and then the walls were rebuilt. Stone construction ended only at the end of the 15th century, when Novgorod was conquered by Moscow Prince Ivan III.
1. The Novgorod Detinets stands on a hill located at an altitude of 10 m above the Volkhov level. The outer perimeter of its walls is 1487 m, the greatest length from north to south is 565 m, the width from west to east is 220 m. The total area inside the walls is 12.1 hectares. 
2. The walls consist of limestone and cobblestones with lime mortar, the outer layer is made of red brick 1-2.5 bricks thick. The thickness of the fortress walls varies in different parts - from 3.6 to 6.5 m. The height ranges from 8 to 15 m. Currently, most of the walls restored in 1950-1960. under the leadership of A.V. Vorobyov, it looks like the 15th century. 
3. A distinctive feature of Novgorod Detinets was the construction of gate churches. In the construction of the gate temples of Detinets, the main role belonged to the Novgorod archbishops, and the princes no longer participated in the construction. 
4. The main attraction inside Detinets is St. Sophia Cathedral - the oldest Orthodox church in Russia. 
5. St. Sophia Cathedral was built in 1045-1050. under Prince Vlidimir Yaroslavich. Consecrated by Bishop Luke. 
6. Several temples dedicated to Sophia the Wisdom of God were built in Rus'. In addition to Novgorod, also in Kyiv and Polotsk, and centuries later in other cities. And the prototype for them was the cathedral of the same name in Constantinople, the then center of Orthodoxy in the world. 
7. Magdeburg Gate - bronze doors from the 12th century. For several centuries, the gate served as the ceremonial entrance to the cathedral. Currently, they open only during holidays, when the service is led by the Metropolitan of Novgorod and Staraya Rus'. 
8. Muzzles holding door handles in their mouths remind me of something Buddhist-Asian. 
9. The gates were made by Western European craftsmen. Scenes from the Old and New Testaments with figures of people, animals, and architectural details are made with great artistic skill. 
10. Belfry of the St. Sophia Cathedral (Sofia Belfry) is an architectural monument of the 15th-18th centuries in Novgorod Detinets. It is a multi-span wall-shaped bell-shaped structure. It was first mentioned in the chronicle in 1437, when it provided information that during a flood the belfry fell into the Volkhov along with the fortress wall. 
11. In the belfry at the exhibition “Ancient Bells of Veliky Novgorod”, 14 bells are presented: weighing from 1.5 to 20 pounds. 
12. Likhudov building. 17th century 
13. The Faceted (Vladychnaya) Chamber is the only monument of civil architecture in Russia, made in the Gothic style. Ceremonial receptions took place in the chamber, and the Boyar Council of Gentlemen also met here. According to the chronicle, by order of the archbishop in 1436, a clock was installed on the front facade of the Faceted Chamber, which regularly struck the time. 
14. Fedorovskaya Tower - a cylindrical tower of the Novgorod Detinets, a monument of military-defensive architecture of the 15th century. The loopholes are large with an arched end, shaped like window openings closed with wooden shutters. 
15. Zlatoust Tower - a quadrangular blind tower of the Novgorod Detinets. The tower has four tiers and was erected at the end of the 15th century. The name of the tower comes from the nearby Church of St. John Chrysostom, built in the 14th century and existing until 1694. 
16. Pokrovskaya Tower - the quadrangular tower of the Novgorod Detinets. Built at the end of the 16th century. Rectangular in plan 16 × 10.5 m with six combat tiers. The height of the tower with battlements is 18 m, and the thickness of the walls at the level of the first tier is more than 3 m. The tower is crowned with a thirteen-meter tent, the tower protrudes beyond the fortress wall by more than 9 m. The walls of the monument are cut through with loopholes - 55 embrasures. Of all the ceilings, the box vaults of the two lower tiers have been preserved. 
17. Kokuy (Kukui, Kalancha, Kalanchovskaya) - a quadrangular tower in the southwestern part of the Novgorod Detinets. The tower is rectangular in plan, 8.5 × 10.4 m. The height of the tower with a dome is 38.5 m, and the thickness of the walls at the level of the first tier is 2 m. The tower is crowned with a ten-meter tent. 
18. The Prince's Tower is a quadrangular tower in the southwestern part of the Novgorod Detinets. The tower in plan is a “square” 9 × 9.8 m. The height of the tower with battlements is 18.5 m, and the thickness of the walls at the level of the first tier is 2 m. The tower is crowned with a ten-meter tent. 
19. Spasskaya Tower - passage tower of the Novgorod Detinets, built at the end of the 15th century. The tower is six-tiered, in plan it is an elongated rectangle 15 × 8.3 m. The width of the passage is 3 m. The height of the walls is 19 m, and the thickness of the walls at the level of the second tier is 2 m. The tower is crowned by a fifteen-meter tent with a watchtower, restored according to the descriptions XVII century. The southern façade is decorated with three round rosettes and an ornamental belt made of diamonds. The passage is closed with bars. A staircase built into the thickness of the wall led to the second tier. The upper towers served combat purposes. 
20. Palace Tower - a quadrangular blind (impassable) tower of the Novgorod Detinets. The tower in plan is a “square” 10.2 × 11.2 m. The height of the tower with battlements is 20 m, and the thickness of the walls at the level of the second tier is 2 m. The tower is crowned with a nine-meter tent. Initially, the tower had six tiers; the vault of the lower tier was dismantled, presumably at the end of the 16th century. The tower has 37 battle and trench openings. There are two openings in the lower part of the tower: a doorway on the Detinets side and a gateway on the Volkhov side. On the facade facing the source of the Volkhov, there are decorative elements: three round rosettes, a brick narrow strip of runner and a half-roller; Internal paintings have been preserved on several loopholes. 
21. This place used to be the Resurrection Tower. But after the destruction it was not restored, but a large arched passage was built in this place. 
Novgorod Kremlin Detinets in Veliky Novgorod is the most visited attraction and has excellent reviews. Mentions of the Novgorod Detinets or Novgorod Kremlin were in 1044. A visit to Detinets in Novgorod is an essential part of getting to know the history of the city. Getting to know Detinets in Velikiy can be done in at least two stages: the first time you can simply wander around the territory of the Kremlin and get acquainted with the main buildings and structures yourself or with a guide, and in the second stage you can visit museums and temples, each separately, but with a guided tour .
- history of Novgorod Detinets or Novgorod Kremlin
- where is the Novgorod Detinets or the Novgorod Kremlin
- main attractions of Detinets in Veliky Novgorod
- Opening hours and prices Detinets Kremlin Veliky Novgorod
History of Novgorod Detinets or Novgorod Kremlin
The history of the Novgorod Detinets or Novgorod Kremlin in Veliky Novgorod goes back to the distant past of Russia. The Novgorod Kremlin, and in the old days it was called Detinets, is the oldest of all those preserved in Russia. The origin of the name Detinets is not exactly known, so why they call it Novgorod Detinets and not the Novgorod Kremlin, there are three main theories.
One and the bottom says that Detinets came from Deti, since in the event of an enemy attack it was necessary to save the children and they were collected in a fortified place in the Kremlin in the fortress. Another says that from the word of the Grandfathers, that is, elders who gathered to resolve various issues in this place, and the third from the fact that princely warriors, called youths, lived in it. There are many more very strange assumptions, but I don’t want to voice them. However, the first mention of Detinets dates back to 1044. The Novgorod Kremlin was founded by Prince Vladimir Yaroslavich, on the left bank of the Volkhov.
The Kremlin was located on a hill and there is nothing surprising, because it served as a fortress in the event of an attack on the inhabitants of the area. Princes, boyars, and clergy lived inside it. The territory of Detinets was also used for trade.
Where is the Novgorod Detinets or the Novgorod Kremlin
Where is the Novgorod Detinets or the Novgorod Kremlin in Veliky Novgorod? In the center of the city of Veliky Novgorod, since Detinets became the city-forming dominant. If you travel from St. Petersburg by car, then after turning off the M10 highway, Bolshaya St. Petersburg Street will lead you to the Kremlin Park. Novgorod Detinets is marked on the map with a blue sign. The red sign marks the beginning of our journey through the Kremlin. Another landmark of Veliky Novgorod is marked with a yellow icon - Yaroslavovo fortification.
The main attractions of the Detinets Kremlin in Veliky Novgorod
The main attractions of the Detinets Kremlin in Veliky Novgorod are located inside the Kremlin walls. However, we do not forget that the Kremlin itself, with its fortress wall and towers and a moat all around, is of historical value. Since we were staying at the hotel, we began our acquaintance with the Kremlin from the Volkhov River. Crossing from one bank to the other along the Kremlin Bridge, you can see the Kremlin walls, watchtowers and domes of the cathedral.
View of the Kremlin from the Kremlin Bridge
On the bridge, as in many places in the world, newlyweds and others broadcast their castles on the bridges. The Kremlin Bridge in Veliky Novgorod is no exception to this list.
Locks on the Kremlin Bridge Having crossed the bridge we move to the gate in the Kremlin wall.
Gate in the Kremlin wall At the gate we are met by the next guide in the form of mayor Sbyslav. Looking ahead, I would like to note the very good work of the guide. Now, if anyone doesn’t remember from history who the mayor is. Let's give a definition from Wikipedia: Posadnik is the head of the city, “planted” (appointed) by the prince (initially, then by the veche), in the lands that were part of the Old Russian state. The mayor was subordinate to the people's veche and controlled the power of the prince, was in charge of the mayor's army, law enforcement, and the court.
Our guide in the guise of mayor Sbyslav Having passed through the gate, you find yourself on the central alley, which, as it were, divides the Kremlin territory into two halves, and along it you can go to the other gate of Detinets. In the photo they are visible in the distance from red brick, there we will end our journey, and who will begin their acquaintance with Novgorod Detinets from there.
To better navigate the places where we will pass, the following photo shows a map of the Novgorod Kremlin with a diagram of our movement.
Map of the Novgorod Kremlin and our route Now we are on the route at the turn from point 1 to point 2. Sbyslav (our guide) begins the tour of the Kremlin from the belfry of the St. Sophia Cathedral.
On the right side is the belfry of St. Sophia Cathedral At point two of our route, he spoke about the history of the belfry and the large bell.
A story about the history of the belfry and the big bell At the foot of the belfry there are five ancient monumental bells, while modern cast bells hang at the top.
According to historians, the dimensions of the belfry in plan have not changed since 1439. However, the exact date of its construction is not known, but there is information in the chronicles that in 1437 the belfry was destroyed along with the Kremlin wall as a result of the erosion of the Volkhov River. And in 1439 it was rebuilt.
In the summer, you can go up to the observation deck and visit the bell museum.
Further our path lay to the St. Sophia Cathedral. St. Sophia Cathedral is the oldest temple in Russia, built in 1045–1050. by order of the Novgorod prince Vladimir, son of Yaroslav the Wise. The main Orthodox shrine of St. Sophia Cathedral is the icon of the Sign of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Our Lady of the Sign) - one of the most revered Orthodox icons. The cathedral contains the remains of such saints as: Princes Fyodor and Mstislav, Princess Irina and her son Vladimir, Archbishops John and Nikita. Photo of St. Sophia Cathedral from point 3 of our journey.
If you go around the temple in a circle and reach point four, you can see an unpainted piece of ancient paintings and a gate under them.
St. Sophia Cathedral west side To better examine a fragment of frescoes and the very ancient and no less famous Magdeburg Gate, let’s move to point five.
Fragment of frescoes This is the western gate and is considered the main gate, and it is opened during solemn services.
Magdeburg Gate Cathedral These gates are also unusual. They came to Novgorod as a war trophy from Sweden in the 12th century. The gates were made in Germany, in the city of Magdeburg. At the Magdeburg Gate Cathedral
The bronze depicts biblical and gospel scenes. Sbyslav (our guide) told us about many things, it was interesting to listen.
Opposite the Magdeburg Gate of the St. Sophia Cathedral there is a panorama of the northern part of the fortress territory known as the Vladychny Court, since it was there that the residence of the Novgorod archbishop was located. When visiting the sights of Detinets in Veliky Novgorod on your own, information boards are installed on the territory of the Kremlin, which will allow you to find your way around the place.
But since you are on our website, in order to quickly understand what kind of buildings are shown in the photo, the following photo was slightly spoiled by explanatory inscriptions.
Historical buildings of the Vladychny Court There is now a museum in the Vladychna or Faceted Chamber; we recommend visiting it. Open from 10-00 to 18-00, closed Monday. The cost of tickets to visit the Faceted Chamber in Veliky Novgorod is 150 rubles. for adults. In the foreground you can see the roof in the snow - this is the excavation of the chambers of Archbishop Vasily in 1350. From a different angle you can see it a little better.
Excavation of the chambers of Archbishop Vasily 1350 And now we are moving towards the monument to the Millennium of Russian Statehood, this is point 6.
The silhouette of the monument was associated with two important symbols of Russian and Novgorod history - the Monomakh cap, an attribute of royal power, and the veche bell. There are more than 100 characters from Russian history on the monument.
The guide spoke very interestingly about many of them and reminded us about the history of our country. Next to the monument to the Millennium of Russian Statehood is the Office Building.
Currently, the Public Offices Building houses the regional library and museum departments. In the Public Places Building you can visit the following exhibitions:
- Exposition “Russian icon of the 11th – 19th centuries.”
- Exhibition “History of Novgorod and Novgorod land from ancient times to the end of the 17th century”
- Exhibition “Novgorod in the history of the Russian state”
- Exhibition “Old Russian carved wood of the XIV – XVIII centuries.”
Exhibitions in the Public Places Building are open from 10-00 to 18-00, closed on Tuesdays.
In front of the Public Places Building, our guide, in the guise of mayor Sbyslav, handed us over to his “wife”, who played with us the games of those times, it was fun and a little warmer, since before that we stood and sometimes moved, but now it was necessary to dance in circles and run around each other.
Our guide in the guise of mayor Sbyslav and his “wife” After the round dances we moved towards the exit from the Kremlin. Along the way, we once again looked at the St. Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod Detinets, now from its southern side, from the side of the central alley and the monument to the Millennium of Russian Statehood, point number eight on the map.
St. Sophia Cathedral from the side of the monument to the Millennium of Russian Statehood Coming out through the gates of the Novgorod Kremlin Detinets, you find yourself on a bridge spanning a protective ditch.
