←Lord Novgorod the Great

Lord Novgorod the Great

Photo of route “Lord Novgorod the Great”
12 points26 km4 hours

One of the oldest cities of Rus. The cradle of Russian democracy, a medieval center of trade and crafts, and a major partner of the Hanseatic League in the 12th–17th centuries. Veliky Novgorod was the link between medieval Europe and Rus. Today Veliky Novgorod is an open-air museum. This route was designed specially for the BelkaCar car-sharing service.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

  • 📜 Learn the city's history
  • 🏛️🕰️ Compare the eras

Route points (12)

  1. Vitoslavlitsy Museum of Wooden Architecture, Yuryevskoye Highway — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    Vitoslavlitsy Museum of Wooden Architecture, Yuryevskoye Highway

    🏛️ Museum

  2. St. George's Cathedral, Yuriev Monastery — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    St. George's Cathedral, Yuriev Monastery

    🕍 Place of worship

  3. Sofia Embankment — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    Sofia Embankment

    🚶‍♂️ Waterfront

  4. Kremlin Park — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    Kremlin Park

    🌿 Public garden or park

  5. Detinets (Novgorod Kremlin) — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    Detinets (Novgorod Kremlin)

    📜 Historic site · 🏯 Fortress remains

  6. Millennium of Russia Monument — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    Millennium of Russia Monument

    🗿 Monument

  7. St. Sophia Cathedral — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    St. Sophia Cathedral

    🕍 Place of worship

  8. Archbishop's Chamber (Chamber of Facets) — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    Archbishop's Chamber (Chamber of Facets)

    🏛️ Museum

  9. Yaroslav's Court — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    Yaroslav's Court

    📜 Historic site

  10. St. Anthony's Monastery — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    St. Anthony's Monastery

    🕍 Place of worship

  11. Cathedral of the Sign — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    Cathedral of the Sign

    🕍 Place of worship

  12. Church of the Savior on Nereditsa — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

    Church of the Savior on Nereditsa

    🕍 Place of worship

Sofia Embankment in Veliky Novgorod

Point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

Sofia Embankment — point on route “Lord Novgorod the Great”

Point 3

Sofia Embankment

🚶‍♂️ Waterfront

Historical Background

Since ancient times this embankment has played an important role in Novgorod's life as a hub of trade and transport. Merchant boats moored here on the bank of the Volkhov, bringing goods from distant lands and neighboring principalities. The embankment was part of the great waterway “from the Varangians to the Greeks”, which made Novgorod an economic and cultural center. Along the bank stood the houses of wealthy merchants, storehouses and wharves. The Sofia Side of the city was traditionally considered the more privileged one: it was home not only to administrative buildings but also to the residence of the Novgorod archbishops. According to tradition, it was right here that Prince Rurik first set foot on Novgorod soil to become the ruler of a new state.

Today

Today the Sofia Embankment is a pleasant place for a stroll and one of the most visited spots in Novgorod. It was rebuilt in the 2010s, keeping its historic look while creating a comfortable space for locals and visitors. The embankment is paved with granite, and wide footpaths lined with lamps and flower beds stretch along the Volkhov. In the warm season it hosts fairs, festivals and celebrations, including the famous City Day. The views of the river and of the Trade Side opposite, with Yaroslav's Court and its old churches, give the place a special atmosphere. The Sofia Embankment is a great place to get to know the architecture and history of Veliky Novgorod. The main sights are right here: the Novgorod Kremlin with the Archbishop's Chamber, the Millennium of Russia monument and St. Sophia Cathedral. All this makes the embankment not only a historical but also a cultural center of the city.