180 kilometers northwest of Moscow is the city of Tver, the capital of one of the oldest and most well-developed regions of Russia. The Tver region is classified as a donor of the domestic economy. The chemical and food industries, mechanical engineering and woodworking are well developed here. What natural and historical attractions attract tourists to the region?
Content:
sights
Natural attractions
Tver lands are rich in picturesque views. On the territory of the region there are Lake Seliger and the spacious Moscow Sea. The Valdai Upland is marked with a special place. Here is the source of one of the largest rivers in Europe - the Volga. To see it, you need to come to the Volgoverkhovye village of the Ostashkovsky district.
Nilo-Stolobenskaya desert
Several springs form a small reservoir, from where the great river begins. It flows in a small stream about 1 m wide and up to 30 cm deep. The source is marked by a chapel, an entrance arch, a wooden deck bridge and has the status of a natural monument.
Lake Seliger was formed during the Ice Age. Now it is a system of interconnected reservoirs with rivers and channels with an area of 260 sq. km. There are about 160 large and small islands on Seliger. The rugged coastline is surrounded by mighty pine forests. Travelers love Seliger for its crystal clear waters, good sandy beaches, abundance of mushrooms, berries and excellent fishing opportunities.
Archaeologists have found that the lake has attracted people since ancient times. On the banks of the Seliger, the sites of people of the III-II centuries BC were discovered. BC, and near the Polnovsky reach mounds were found, poured in the 9th-15th centuries.
Novotorzhsky Borisoglebsky Monastery in Torzhok
In the Tver region there is an unusual lake Chistik. It is famous for its emerald color and special transparency of water. Objects that lie on the sandy bottom can be seen at a depth of 3-4 m. Chistik's food is spring-fed, so even in summer the water temperature does not rise above + 8 ... + 10 ° С.
In the west of the Valdai Upland, there is another unique natural reservoir - the deep glacial lake Brosno. Among tourists, it is known as the habitat of the "Brosno dragon". This is the name of a mythical monster similar to the one that lives in the Scottish Loch Ness. The shores of Brosno are overgrown with pine forests, spruce and birch forests. These are great hunting and fishing spots.
A real natural monument can be seen in Tver itself. On the outskirts of the regional center, there is a large Birch Grove. The forest area of 12 hectares consists of natural and artificial plantations. Lawns, glades and winding dirt paths are lovingly drawn by Tver artists and described by poets.
Estate Znamenskoye-Rajok
Those who dream of visiting the caves come to Staritsy. In the area of the city, on both banks of the Volga, there are underground karst grottoes and man-made quarries, where limestone was once mined. Staritsa limestone caves are notable for beautiful calcite incrustations and stalactites. Before excursion here it is worth keeping in mind that it is always cool underground + 6 ... + 8 ° С.
Mineral springs
In the Tver region there is a resort town of Kashin. The local sanatorium was opened over 130 years ago. Healing water of high mineralization is extracted from a depth of 110 to 960 m. Currently, there are 7 springs in the balneological health resort.
Once upon a time, mineral waters in the Adreapol district of the region were actively used for the treatment of patients. The old resort is long gone, but the local authorities from time to time raise the question of its restoration. Today, Vysokovsky mineral waters on the border of the Kashinsky region and wells in the sanatoriums "Igumenka" and "Karacharovo" are used for the treatment of residents of the region and tourists.
Estate Stepanovskoe-Volosovo
Homesteads
Travelers who study Pushkin's places do not ignore the village of Bernovo - the former estate of the boyar Bernov on the River of Darkness. In the 17th century, ownership passed to Peter Gavrilovich Wulf. Anna Kern was brought up by his descendant Ivan Ivanovich Wulf, and Alexander Pushkin was a guest. Today the Pushkin Museum works in Bernovo.
The Malinniki estate, where the poet has been three times, is located 8 km away. The old manor house was destroyed in 1923. A chapel and an abandoned park, where there is a stele with the profile of Pushkin, has survived to this day in Malinniki.
There is an interesting open-air ethnographic museum in Vasilevo, Torzhok district. From different parts of the region, wooden buildings of the 18th-19th centuries were brought here - churches, chapels, a two-storey barn, a house-inn, a barn, a water mill and a fire station. A green linden alley, a neat park parterre, a manor house and the original Devil's bridge made of boulders remained from the old manor of N. A. Lvov.
Museum of A. Pushkin "Bernovo"
Leisure
Water tourism is popular in the Tver region. Fans of kayaking enjoy the picturesque Tvertsa River. Rafting on it usually starts near the Osechenka railway platform, through which trains from Tver to Bologoye run.
The river stretches for 188 km. It is full-flowing, flows between the high forested banks and freezes at the end of November. In the channel there are several rifts from large boulders brought to the Tver lands by the glacier. The camps of primitive man, barrows and settlements were discovered in the valley. There are many good fishing spots on Tvertsa. In the middle reaches there is a beaver reserve, and in the lower reaches, before the confluence with the Volga, there are islands.
Many water routes are laid along Seliger. Some like to paddle around the lake, others prefer more open stretches and sail catamarans. There are windsurfers at the Volga base. Experienced hikers know that high waves can rise on the lake when the wind blows, so for safety, everyone should wear a life jacket before boarding the boat.
Staritsky Assumption Monastery in Staritsa
Horse lovers come to the Maherovo horse yard. The farm provides horse riding lessons and organizes pleasant walks in uncrowded scenic spots. Travelers cross small rivers on horseback, drive through hayfields and along forest paths.
Eco-farm "Lyubyatino" is perfect for families with children. The farm occupies 1.5 hectares and has 35 hectares of fields. Pigs, cows, rabbits and poultry are raised here. The village is surrounded by mixed forests, which are rich in strawberries, blueberries and mushrooms in summer. In the warm season, people can walk and canoe around Lyubyatino. Skiing is popular in winter.
Souvenirs
What can you bring from a trip to the Tver region? What souvenirs are in special demand among tourists?
Kalyazin bell tower
Travelers highly value Tver flax. Products made from durable fabric are practical, beautiful and durable. A large selection of linen souvenirs - sheets, towels, tablecloths, aprons, potholders, curtains, pillowcases and summer clothes - can be easily found in the Tverskoy Len store, which is located at 21 Ordzhonikidze Street in Tver.
Tourists like gold embroidery from Torzhok. The shops and souvenir shops sell dresses, scarves, gloves, ties, handbags, paintings and curtains, royally decorated with gold embroidery. Previously, real gold thread was used to decorate the fabric, and now - thin gilded wire. Beautiful handmade items are expensive, so many people limit themselves to small items with embroidered flower miniatures. The most common souvenirs are phone cases, brooches, document covers, key holders and cosmetic bags.
The source of the Volga
Connoisseurs of beautiful and high-quality tableware bring the famous Konakovsky porcelain from a trip to the Tver lands. Brightly painted items decorate any home and become a wonderful gift for friends.
More than half of the region's territory is covered with forests, so there are many experienced woodcarvers and craftsmen who work with birch bark and vines in the Tver lands. Nice souvenirs are sold everywhere. Tourists willingly take small crafts, wooden dishes, kitchen utensils, boxes and baskets made of birch bark.
If you want to take home delicious souvenirs, pay attention to the Afanasy beer, which is sold in supermarkets and specialized beer shops. The region produces different sorts of beer - from light to dark.
Tver Imperial Traveling Palace
In the small town of Kashin, a good balm "Old Kashin" is produced. It is made from 24 berries and herbs, so the drink is aromatic, tasty and has healing properties. Lovers of strong alcohol are popular with the Old Herbal balm and the Heather Honey liqueur.
