Seliger, a large glacial lake 380 kilometers from Moscow, is not for nothing considered one of the best places for a short vacation.
If you go there from the capital along the Leningradskoye Highway by car, add dreamy Zelenograd, musical Klin, ancient Tver and ethnographic Torzhok to your route. And then the path from point A to point B will turn into an eventful journey.
Zelenograd
The city of physicists and lyricists was founded in the mid-20th century and received the informal nickname “Soviet Silicon Valley.” Young scientists and engineers who dreamed of future scientific and technological breakthroughs flocked here. To this day, Zelenograd has retained the status of one of the largest research and production centers of electronics and microelectronics in Russia.
The experimental “Flute House” reminds us of Soviet romance. Thanks to the “legs” at the base and protruding canopies on the roof, the building looks like a musical instrument.
Contemporaries called it a skyscraper laid on its side, because the length of the building is as much as 516 meters. The concept of the house solved the problem of shortage of housing for young families; all apartments in it are two-room.
The Zelenograd department store on Yunost Square, distinguished by a monumental mosaic panel, was innovative for its time: all goods were sold in one room. In 2008, not far from it, a monument to the First Builders was erected 60~strong>.
As a result of recent reconstruction, modern walking areas have appeared in the 40th Anniversary of Victory Park. And in the Arboretum on the other side of the pond, dozens of tree species are planted and signs with their names are placed.
You can watch deer in the modern enclosure complex “Lani’s House”. Information about animals placed on interactive stands. Quests and educational environmental programs are held on the territory of the complex.
Another architectural experiment is the MZhK microdistrict. The Youth Residential Complex was built by Komsomol members in the 1980-1990s; new residents wanted to get their own apartments as soon as possible. Today this is one of the most comfortable and modern microdistricts of Zelenograd. Many landscape solutions have been implemented on its territory. For example, an alpine slide with waterfalls, ponds with fish, park sculptures and themed playgrounds. A few years ago, the Clock Square with round paving stones, a singing fountain and benches in the shape of planets was opened here.
At the exit from Zelenograd on the Leningradskoye Highway, the Bayonet Memorial Complex was built. It recalls the exploits of the defenders of Moscow in the Great Patriotic War. In the mound under the stele lie the remains of soldiers found at the site of the city.
Where to stay:
“Andreevka Hotel” – a hotel with a playroom for children, billiards and table tennis. A night in a double standard room will cost 3,000 rubles*.
Tropicana Park is a resort hotel with a lake and barbecue areas. For a night in a standard room, pay 4,800 rubles*.
Wedge
In the 18th and 19th centuries, Klin was one of the most important postal stations on the road from St. Petersburg to Moscow and back: almost all passing travelers changed horses here. The city had numerous inns, shopping arcades, warehouses, stables and carriage houses. However, the launch of the railway made the equestrian infrastructure unclaimed and turned Klin into a provincial town.
Perhaps it was this kind of provincialism that the Russian composer P.I. Tchaikovsky fell in love with, who rented a mansion here. Now on the territory of the estate there is a State Memorial Music Museum-Reserve. On the tour, visitors can immerse themselves in the leisurely life of the late 19th century and see the composer’s personal belongings and ancient musical instruments, as well as the first sound recording equipment. In 2019, the interactive sculpture “Melody of Light” appeared here – the art object plays music and changes colors depending on the actions of the audience at the installation.
Several notable historical buildings remain in the city. On Sovetskaya Square there is an ensemble of shopping arcades in pseudo-Russian style, and Nearby is a merchant’s house, popularly known as the clock shop. This is one of the symbols of Klin, distinguished by an elegant turret above the entrance.
Another calling card of the city is the Yolochka glass Christmas toys factory. The process of creating products and the best specimens can be seen in the Klin Compound Christmas tree toy museum. At the beginning of autumn, you can sign up for an excursion right on the spot. But the closer to the New Year, the more people come, so it’s better to book tickets in advance.
Where to stay:
Hotel & Spa Clever is a four-star hotel in the city center with its own garden. Accommodation for the night will cost 5,400 rubles*.
“Inspiration” is a three-star hotel near Klin. Daily accommodation costs from 2,300 rubles*.
Tver
The ancient city on the banks of the Volga has a rich history. In the 13th century, Tver steadfastly resisted the Tatar-Mongol yoke, and in the 14th century it acted as the main competitor of the Moscow principality in the struggle for the role of a political center.
From here the famous merchant and traveler Afanasy Nikitin set out on his journey across the three seas, a monument to whom was erected on the bank of the river.
By the 18th century, Tver had become one of the largest settlements on the road between the two capitals. For traveling royalty, the Imperial Travel Palace was built on Cathedral Square. Today the Baroque building is occupied by an art gallery.
Alexander Pushkin often came to Tver to visit his close friends. The monument to the young poet stands on the embankment of the city garden. Next to him you can see a bronze figure of a fisherman – the sculpture is known for regular fishing rod thefts. From this place there is a landscape view of the Assumption Cathedral on the other side.
The bust of Karl Marx reminds us of the era of the 20th century. It is curious that the politician has no neck at all, which is why he looks like an ancient god. Another iconic place on the map of Tver is the monument to Mikhail Krug, a popular singer in the 1990s, who lived in the city.
Where to stay:
“Cherry Orchard” is a hotel with family rooms near the city center. The cost of living in a standard room for two adults is 2,800 rubles per night*.
Grand Hotel Zvezda is a four-star hotel that has a bar, a SPA with Turkish and steam baths and a fitness center. A junior suite with a queen-size bed costs 9,300 rubles*.
Torzhok
In pre-revolutionary times, merchants from all over Russia came to rich Torzhok. They brought their best goods in the hope of profitable deals. Today, tourists can also take part in shopping – for example, buy elegantly embroidered linen clothes in the store at the gold embroidery factory museum.
In one of the buildings of the All-Russian Historical and Ethnographic Museum, created to preserve the folklore, life and traditions of the city, birch bark letters are exhibited – everyday correspondence of townspeople of the 12th century.
The best view of the city and pastoral surrounding landscapes opens from the bell tower of the Boris and Gleb Monastery. You can immerse yourself in the Middle Ages on an interactive tour led by reenactors in the restored Novotorzhsky Kremlin.
Where to stay:
“Hotel and SPA Staroyamskaya” is a three-star hotel with a library and a beauty salon. For a night in a standard room with breakfast included, pay 4,400 rubles*.
Torzhok Hotel is a hotel next to the Alexander Pushkin Museum and the railway station. The cost of daily accommodation is at least 3,500 rubles*.
Seliger
A winding route 28K-1785 leads from Torzhok to Seliger. The main point on this route is the small town of Ostashkov. From the pier, excursion boats depart to the Nilo-Stolbenskaya Hermitage, also known as the Nilova Hermitage. In the first third of the 16th century, the hermit Nile lived here. He healed people, helped residents survive the consequences of storms, and for 27 years performed the spiritual feat of sleeping while standing. The monastery has become a major pilgrimage center, where the incorruptible relics of the elder are kept. The monastery can also be reached by car, if you turn off the main route and drive about 30 kilometers along the opposite bank.
A stunning view of Lake Seliger opens in the village of New Yelets from the hills on which the Tolstoy estate is located. On the territory of the estate there is a picturesque park with benches on the alleys, flower beds, meadows for picnics and beaches. Today the building is occupied by the Seliger Palace sanatorium, which offers vacationers boat trips, mushroom picking and fishing.
On the way from Ostashkov to New Yeltsy during daylight hours, you can visit the mysterious 22-meter Pyramid of Hunger. This energy structure, designed by engineer Alexander Golod, was built in 1997. According to the author’s plan, the design of such a pyramid complies with the standards of the “golden ratio” and, thanks to this, acts as a store of special bioenergy. And although academicians of the Russian Academy of Sciences recognized these properties as pseudoscientific, inside the structure you can see charging cans of water and souvenirs. Admission is free, but for a small fee the local caretaker will tell you about the places of power and wonders of the pyramid.
The final route along Seliger is the source of the Volga. From the Seliger Palace sanatorium it takes about three hours by car along a bumpy road, especially in bad weather. The Volga River is of particular importance for Russians, so many vacationers on Seliger strive to visit this symbolic place. A long path leads to a small complex of a chapel and a gate on which is written “The Source of the Volga.” It is important to keep in mind that there is no tourist infrastructure here. To prevent the journey from being tiring, you can stay at one of the many recreation centers, for example, “Seliger for you.” And take a boat trip to Khachin Island, which is famous for its landscapes and thirteen inland lakes. They will be of particular interest to fishing enthusiasts, as they differ in the species of fish that live in them.
Where to stay:
WISH HOTEL Seliger is a mini-hotel where you can rent individual cottages. You can rent a house for 8,500 rubles per day*.
Hotel Seliger Palace is a four-star hotel with a private beach where you can go fishing or horse riding. The cost of living in a deluxe room is 7,300 rubles*.
*Prices valid at time of publication.
Convenient hotel website – OneTwoTrip.
