Old Ladoga: sights and excursions. Monasteries, a fortress and a museum. What to see in Staraya Ladoga?

Old Ladoga, whose attractions invariably attract thousands of tourists annually, is a large village. It is located in the Volkhov Municipal District. This territory refers to the Leningrad region. Ladoga was considered a city until 1703. Recently, the village celebrated its anniversary - "the ancient capital of Northern Russia" was 1250 years old. Currently, the Old Ladoga is a local administrative center. Further we will get acquainted with the history of the settlement, learn what to see in Staraya Ladoga.

General information

This city was previously of great importance for the development of Ancient Rus. Everyone who has visited this place knows that already in the middle of the VIII century a settlement was formed here. Ladoga was considered a fortified junction on major trade routes. Also this place is the first capital of Russia. It was here that Rurik came to reign before he went to Novgorod. Currently, the Old Ladoga, is a village that is located one hundred and forty kilometers from St. Petersburg. Modern life in the village is different from the one that was in the old days. Now it is associated with dimensionality and tranquility. What attracts tourists Staraya Ladoga? The sights here are presented in quite a lot. Basically, these are monuments of ancient architecture. Among them, the Staraya Ladoga fortress on the Volkhov River stands out . Its architecture, dating from the 16th century, was preserved in this form to this day. The Nikolsky men's and Uspensky women's monasteries of Staraya Ladoga enjoy great popularity among tourists. It is believed that Evdokia Lopukhina was imprisoned in the latter, which was the first wife of Peter I. It is also possible to visit the church of Ion the Baptist and the burial mound of the Prophetic Oleg. In Staraya Ladoga there are two popular museums: local life and archaeological. It is unlikely that an inquisitive traveler will be able to leave these attractions without attention.

A Brief Historical Reference

The ship repair and production workshops of Zemlennoye Gorodische are the oldest known buildings. They were erected from logs. According to dendrochronological data, the wood that was used for construction was cut down in the middle of the VIII century. It is assumed that people from Northern Europe worked on their construction. In this area, many archaeological excavations have been made. According to the received data, the first Ladoga settlement was founded and settled by the Scandinavians. At the same time EA Ryabinin believes that these were the Gotlanders. Last year, archaeological excavations were carried out in the territory of Staraya Ladoga . In the course of them, a crest was discovered, which dates back to the Merovingian age. This is supposedly the 7th century AD.

Further development

The first settlement included several buildings. The pillar structures had analogues in Northern Europe. They were about two kilometers south of the Lubshansk fortress. At that time, the region became a kind of center for crossing the interests of the ancient Germans and Slavs, as well as local Finno-Balts. Later Ilmen Slovenes destroyed the Ladoga settlement. Later, this area was built up with structures that had a log structure. People who became the first inhabitants of Ladoga, and those who settled here later, had completely different cultural traditions. There was no continuity between them.

Construction of the first fortress

Ladoga developed as a trade and craft settlement. In the IX century during the internecine wars, it was again destroyed. Only after a decade here was erected the first fortress. Its construction was similar to the neighboring Lubshanskaya. Ladoga from a small commercial and artisan settlement turned into a typical city of Ancient Rus. Its total area was about twelve hectares.

Value

For a major trade route, the city was one of the important points. At the next excavation, held in the Old Ladoga, a birch bark scroll was found. It depicted the image of the boat. The Novgorod chronicle mentions that here is the grave of the Prophetic Oleg. At the same time, the Kiev version is strikingly different from this one. She assumes that the burial is located on Mount Schevkovice. At the very end of the 10th century, Ladoga was attacked by Varik Eirik. Later he became a Norwegian ruler. The very first fortress stood in Ladoga for more than a century. It was destroyed.

The Staraya Ladoga Fortress

It was laid in 1116 year. The order for the creation of the stone fortress was given by the posadnik Pavel. Now this place has become the "heart" of Staraya Ladoga. An ancient building is located on the site where the river Elena flows into the Volkhov. The Old Ladoga fortification was of strategic importance in the period of Novgorod Rus. This place was considered the only possible harbor for the haven of sea vessels, which were not able to cross the thresholds of Volkhov. The first local fortification was built at the time of the Prophetic Oleg. At present, the Staraya Ladoga fortress is open to visitors.

Rename

At the beginning of the 18th century, Peter I founded the New Ladoga, which was located at the mouth of the Volkhov. The former settlement lost its urban status and the right to use its own coat of arms. The place was given a new name - "Staraya Ladoga". Excursions to the settlement, which are held today, will not leave indifferent any lover of ancient Russian history. The local cultural center was the Uspenskoye estate. She was not far from the settlement. Many famous people spent their time here.

Modern realities

In 2003, the Old Ladoga, whose attractions do not lose relevance to this day, celebrated its anniversary. At that time, the settlement existed for 1250 years. This event attracted the attention of the press and authorities. The President gave special instructions on preparations for the celebration of the jubilee. Vladimir Putin visited the village twice. One day excursion routes are organized in Staraya Ladoga today. In the course of them you can get acquainted with the history of the village, the main events that took place here. The cost of the trip is 1090 rubles.

Museum "Old Ladoga"

In the 70's. Here there were works on restoration. They were led by AE Eck. Soon new expositions were opened. Also, the first visitors could see the exhibits of the museum of local lore. Later on the territory of the ancient building excavations began. They were conducted by an archaeological expedition, for the leadership of which AN Kirpichnikov answered. In the 84th year the museum received the status of a historical and architectural reserve of Federal significance.

Reconstruction

The Voro and Klimentovskaya towers were restored in the Soviet period. It remains to reconstruct three more. Several years ago, the Restoration of the Arrow Tower began. The concept of its reconstruction is as follows: it is required to make the superstructure protect the masonry from further destruction. It is assumed that the new tower will turn into a kind of conservation hood for the surviving historical structure. Currently, work on the reconstruction of the buildings is continuing.

Assumption Monastery

What else is the Old Ladoga famous for? The sights, photos of which are presented in the article, are not only examples of ancient Russian architecture. Many of them are closely connected with the religious life of the population. So is the Assumption convent. The first mention of it in written sources is dated to the 16th century. The Assumption Church is the main attraction of this place. It is an architectural monument of the XII century, along with the church of St. George. The latter is located directly in the fortress. The rest of the parish buildings were built in later periods. In the XIII century, this temple served as a dungeon. The monastery became a place of exile for the wife of AP Hannibal. At the end of the XX century the building was empty. The monastery in a short time came to a bad state. At present, it is functioning again.

Festival

What else attracts tourists to the Old Ladoga? Sights, of course, are not the only thing that attracts many guests annually. A special festival is held in the village. This event is organized in Staraya Ladoga every year. Its participants are members of craft workshops clubs from many regions of the country. The festival will never leave indifferent lovers of culture in Europe and the north of Russia. The event lasts for several days. At this time there is a field camp. Participants play the seizure of the fortress, stage demonstration battles, compete in archery and show their skills in clay modeling. Not only guests of the festival dress appropriately, but the residents of Staraya Ladoga themselves. Thus, the event becomes more realistic. Now the festival is actively developing. His program is being improved and every year more and more participants come here.