Leningrad region > Staraya Ladoga

Staraya Ladoga

Mighty Volkhov River has been flowing through Russian land for thousand years. Severe landscape is supplemented with majestic fortress walls «growing» out of the water. Stonefaced steep banks of the river make the fortress walls really unapproachable.

Staraya (Old) Ladoga could be discussed much. It is the oldest sacred place of the northern Russia. It is mentioned in legend as the first capital of young Russian state, the city where the first tsar Rurick started to govern Russia in the 9th century. Ancient churches of the 12th13th centuries, mysterious caves and underground tunnels... In accordance to the legend «Rurick's Golden Coffin», one of the mystery of this place, is hidden somewhere in the underground tunnels. All these mysterious stories as well as 5meter thick walls of Staroladozhskaya fort

St. Nickolas' Church designates the southern border of Old Ladoga, and the northern one is designated with Assumption Cathedral of the 12 th century the main temple of the Assumption Monastery. But the most valuable «pearl» of Old Ladoga is St. George Cathedral also erected in the 12 th century. It is decorated with the famous ancient fresco «Saint George, killing the snake».

There is one more interesting fact about this place. Long times before there were Catholic temples. Old Ladoga used to be the biggest international commercial centre. Hundreds of foreign merchants stayed there.

Certainly, the history of ancient Russia can be studied by reading books and visiting museums. More than 4000 exhibits from Old Ladoga are collected in Hermitage only. But the spirit of the history could be sensed only having touched the ancient stones of Old Ladoga.

Annual summer festival «Old Ladoga» is held here, it helps to remind the history of the ancient times. During the festival you can see and visit Vikings' army camp. Exciting battles of warriors armed with reconstructed weapon of the ancient epoch are shown there.