I invite you to take a colorful trip to the Vologda region, on the way we are waiting for fascinating landscapes of the east of the Leningrad region, architectural monuments, attracting attention, the edge of wonders and the Ferapontov Monastery, now - a museum, where frescoes from the 16th century of the great icon painter Dionysius are preserved. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that they have never been restored. All of the above is only a part of what we will see during our trip. The Vologda region is vast and contains a lot of interesting sights, and we will try to visit the most interesting ones!
So, are you ready for an unforgettable journey? Then we begin. From St. Petersburg we'll go to Pavlovsk, where we won't be long. After that, we'll be at the sites of bloody battles. We will visit one of the youngest museums in the Leningrad region. We'll even go to Old Ladoga. For the night we'll stay in Tikhvin to continue our way to Cherepovets!
The palace and park ensemble of Pavlovsk was created in the late XVIII - early XIX centuries... In 1990 it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The main construction of the complex is the Pavlovsky Palace, which was designed by architect C. Cameron, later on Andrey Voronikhin, Giacomo Quarenghi and Carlo Rossi added their corrections. The Pavlovsky Palace holds collections of works of ancient, Western European and Russian art. Especially noteworthy is the collection of works by artists from different schools: French, Italian, Dutch and Flemish. The palace is adjoined by Pavlovsky Park, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
The author of this masterpiece is Charles Cameron, who designed the Pavlovsky Palace. The Temple of Friendship is built in a pseudoantic style and is a rotunda decorated with sixteen columns. It should be noted that, in fact, the temple has nothing to do with either religion or friendship. It was created as a gift to Catherine 2 from her son Paul 1.
We are moving towards Shlisselburg and on the way we meet a very important monument, I suggest making a stop here. The "Nevsky Patch" is a conventional name for a key bridgehead on the left bank of the Neva River. Here, during World War II and the blockade of Leningrad, fierce battles took place for about 400 days.
It's time for lunch, I suggest stopping by a cozy cafe in Kirovsk. Here you can taste dishes of European and Japanese cuisine, for the convenience of visitors there is free Wi-Fi.
The museum is one of the youngest in the Leningrad region, but here you will be told about the history of formation of one of the oldest cities - Shlisselburg. Pay attention to the opening hours: Monday-Friday - from 10.00 to 17.00, Saturday is from 11:00 to 5:00, Sunday's the day off.
On the way we will meet another interesting attraction - the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Once a stone five-domed cathedral, built in 1695 and located on the territory of St. John the Baptist Monastery, and now the Orthodox Church with the aisle of St. Paraskeva Friday. Thanks to the right choice of the place for the construction of the temple, the illusion of it floating in the air is created from afar.
We'll stay overnight in Tikhvin, but before going to the hotel, we'll have dinner at one of the best restaurants in town.
We continue our way to the Vologda region, today we will reach the town of Cherepovets. On the way we'll meet a lot of interesting things, for example, we'll visit a village you haven't even heard about, and there is a wonderful museum.
We'll have breakfast at a cozy roadside cafe. Nothing cheers you up in the morning like delicious and strong coffee.
Despite its size and unpopularity among tourists, the museum is very interesting. It was opened in 1994 in the center of the working village of Chagoda. The museum has seven permanent exhibitions, telling about the history of the region: "Ancient and medieval history of the region", "Life objects", "Tools of the late XIX - early XX centuries", "Nature of our region", "Industry and agriculture", "Public education and culture" and "Defenders of the Fatherland".
After such an interesting excursion and a long journey it would be nice to stop for a snack.
At the entrance to Cherepovets we see an unusual structure - the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Nelazsky, which was built in 1694. The church is a unique monument of wooden architecture and is included in the list of cultural heritage of federal importance.
We finally got to the ancient town of Cherepovets. We'll start meeting it tomorrow, and today we'll just take a walk in the park. By the way, if you walk along the central alley you can come to the monument B. I. Lenin monument.
Decent restaurant with attentive staff and pleasant interior. This institution is very popular, so it is worth reserving a table in advance. The advantage of the restaurant is cooking many dishes on open fire. Be sure to try here beef steak and delightful desserts.
The long-awaited acquaintance with this beautiful city. Today we will visit the Art Museum, here you can find works by famous artists - I.I. Shishkin, I.E. Repin, F.S. Rokotov. We will visit the estate, where the famous artist Vasily Vereshchagin grew up. We will also visit the Gali estate museum, which was built in 1830s by landlord Kudryav as a country house.
We don't change traditions and start the day with an invigorating coffee. This lovely coffee shop is located near the Art Museum.
The museum has two permanent exhibitions: "The World of Russian Icon" and "Russian Art of XVIII - early XX century". Fans of painting will be pleasantly surprised to learn that the exposition "Russian Art of the XVIII - early XX centuries" presents works by many famous artists - Bryullov, Rokotov, Shishkin, Petrovsky, Kandinsky, Repin. The exposition is harmoniously complemented by glassware and porcelain products of the second half of the 18th century. Pay attention to the operating mode: Tuesday - Sunday: 10.00 -18.00, Wednesday: 11.00 -20.00 Weekend is Monday.
Now I suggest visiting the artist-batalyst V.V. Vereshchagin. The estate was built in 1830s, and in 1842 Vasily Vereshchagin was born here. The atmosphere of the artist's childhood has been preserved here. The atmosphere of the rooms is recreated by the artist's memories from his autobiographical book "Childhood and adolescence". The museum will tell you about the life of Nikolai Vereshchagin, show his original works, and also offer to try real Vologda oil. Please note the opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 10.00 - 18.00 hours Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 8 p.m. Weekend - Monday [Ticket can be ordered in advance on the official website](https://чермо.рф/museums/memorialnyy-dom-muzey-vereshchaginykh/).
Before going to the Gali Manor, we'll have lunch. I invite you to Cafe "Marusya", where you can have a snack in a calm atmosphere.
The Gali Manor Museum opened its doors in 2009 after many 20 years of restoration work. Now it is a unique manor complex, which has preserved both the Bar house and outbuildings: stables, people's huts, barn, oil mill, round garden, a forge. On an interactive tour "Mysteries of blacksmithing skills" you can learn how the bugle is arranged and where to find iron ore, whether something has changed in the blacksmithing craft over the past centuries and even try yourself as an apprentice blacksmith. Please note! Mode of operation: Mode of operation: Tuesday - Sunday: 10.00 - 18.00, Wednesday: 11.00 - 20.00 Weekend is Monday. [You can order the tour on the official website](https://чермо.рф/museums/usadba-galskikh/).
In the evening I suggest walking in the most popular place among tourists. The cathedral hill is also called the heart of Cherepovets, because this is where the city appeared.
I invite you to dinner in an Italian restaurant, which is located in the historical center of Cherepovets. Here you will be offered dishes of Italian and European cuisine, the best wines and delicious desserts.
If there is little fuel, there will soon be an automatic station - refuel quickly and contactlessly with the application of the Gazprom Neft filling station network. [App Store](https://itunes.apple.com/ru/app/set-azs-gazpromneft/id502808508) [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gpn.azs)
Today we leave for a city whose historical and cultural heritage is extremely great. There are about 224 historical monuments in Vologda, it is impossible to see everything in one day, so we will visit the most interesting places. Today we will visit the Lace Museum, the Bryanchaninovs' Estate, the World of Forgotten Things museum, and the Vologda Exhibition Complex at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.
Another day that we start with coffee and pancakes. What a nice cafe, and the interior, and the staff, and pictures on the coffee foam, we do not want to leave, but we have to, so, grab a coffee skillfully and forward to new discoveries.
The main exposition is devoted to the development of traditional art crafts of Vologodchina and the world trends of lace weaving from the end of XIX to the beginning of XXI century. The collection is divided into several parts in chronological order. Especially interesting is the first hall, where you will learn the most interesting things about European lace centers - Germany, France, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, as well as the era of the art of lace weaving. Pay attention to the working schedule: Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00 - 17:00. Monday is a day off.
The museum is located on the territory of the exhibition complex "Vologda at the turn of XIX-XX centuries". The house of the merchant Samarin is the only urban manor of the early XX century, preserved to this day. The estate consists of three buildings: a merchant's mansion, a shop and a profitable house. Here you can learn how Vologda's merchants lived at the turn of the XIX-XX centuries. Pay attention to the operating mode: Wednesday-Sunday: 10:00 - 17:30 Weekend: Monday, Tuesday
I invite you to dinner in this cozy cafe! Business lunches on weekdays from 12:00 to 15:00 at very nice prices.
The museum was opened in 1991 and occupies a mansion of the middle of XIX century. On the first floor of the museum you can learn all about the culture and life of the citizens of pre-revolutionary Vologda. The whole second floor is the exhibition "The History of Vologda Portrait of XVIII-XIX centuries" from the noble estates of Vologda province. Please note the opening hours: Wednesday-Sunday: 10.00-17.00.
An early 17th century noble manor house built in the style of early classicism. The main house of the estate was designed by local architect Alexander Sapozhnikov. Please note! [Before visiting, please leave your application on the official website](https://usadbabryanchaninovyh.ru/). Working hours of the manor complex: from 10:00 to 18:00. Weekend - Monday, Tuesday.
It's a tradition to end the day with a walk. Cathedral Hill - a historical place, an elevation on the right bank of the river Vologda near St. Sophia Cathedral. From this place you can enjoy a wonderful view of the river.
I invite you to dinner in a restaurant of Italian and European cuisine with my cheese dairy. Here you can appreciate the delicious pizza right from the wood-fired oven. By the way, desserts here are also great.
Today we will visit the Architectural and Ethnographic Museum, where the atmosphere of a Russian village of the late XIX - early XX century is recreated. We will visit the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and admire the frescoes of the 16th century, which belong to the great icon painter Dionisy.
And once again, we start the day with a cup of coffee and delicious pastries.
This architectural and ethnographic museum recreates the atmosphere of a Russian village in the late XIX - early XX century. The territory of the Museum of Wooden Architecture is huge, here are built: an estate, 12 houses, 17 farm buildings. Anyway, when you come here you are transported to the past, where you can learn all about the traditions of ancestors' life. In addition to excursions, various master classes are held here: baking gingerbread, birch bark weaving, making mineral paints and lube pictures. [You can order a tour or entrance ticket on the museum's official website](https://www.semenkovo.ru/). Mode of operation: Summer mode (from May 01 to September 30): from 10:00 to 18:00. Winter mode (October 1 to April 30): from 10:00 to 17:00.
On the way we will meet a very beautiful estate complex of the beginning of XIX century. Once the complex included a semi stone lord's house, a stone outbuilding, a wooden music pavilion, a huge park with arbours, a greenhouse and numerous outbuildings. The Spassko-Kurkino estate is considered to be the most artistically decorated manor house of the Vologda region and is a valuable monument of provincial noble culture.
I recommend stopping for a snack before visiting the St. Cyril Belozero Monastery. Provincially, without frills, but quickly and cheaply.
St. Cyril Belozero Monastery was founded in 1397 by St. Cyril. In 1917 the monastery was closed, and already in 1924 on the basis of the monastery a museum-reserve was created. On the territory of the monastery there is one of the first stone churches of the Russian North - Assumption Cathedral. The museum-reserve expositions include icon collections, graphics, paintings. Mode of operation: Tuesday-Sunday: from 9:00 to 18:00
The year of foundation of the monastery is considered to be 1398, when the Monk Ferapont left the Kirillo-Belozero monastery and settled on the hill between Borodaevsky and Passky lakes. In 1924 the monastery was closed. And only in 1975 the Dionisius Fresco Museum was opened. And in 2000 Ferapontov Monastery was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The famous frescoes of the great icon painter appeared here in 1502, they have been preserved in their original form and have never been restored. Please note! It is best to visit the museum with an excursion, you can sign up by phone. [All contacts can be found on the official website.](http://www.dionisy.com/rus/info/) Mode of operation: From May 1 to September 31 from 9:00 to 18:00 on weekends. From September 8 to April 30 from 9:00 to 17:00, from October 1 - Monday off
Dinner I invite to the best restaurant in the city Vytegra. Here you will be offered dishes of author's cuisine, especially you should try fried cigar fillet in citrus breaded with vegetables.
Don't forget to have breakfast at the hotel, today we are moving towards St. Petersburg, but there are some more interesting sights on the way. One of them is the Church of St. George the Victorious, which was erected in the XV century and is considered one of the oldest in Russia.
It is impossible to leave this small town without visiting its main attraction - the submarine B-440, which was in use for about 30 years. Now it has been made into a great museum, which is best visited as part of the excursion. Please note! Summer mode (June, July, August) from 9:00 to 19:00, no weekends, Autumn, winter, spring from 9:00 to 17:00, weekends: Sunday, Monday.
We will make a small stop at one of the three oldest wooden churches in Russia. The Church of St. George the Victorious was built in the XV century, although it has been repeatedly rebuilt, it is the only one of the three surviving old wooden churches, which stands on the historical site of the construction of more than 500 years.
Now you can have lunch, I invite you to Farmer's. Here you will be served dishes from fresh farm products. There is a shop on the territory of the restaurant, where you can buy fresh pastries.
Everyone knows that the main attraction in Shlisselburg is the Nut Fortress. Today we'll only look at it from a distance. The fortress was founded in the 14th century by the Novgorodians.
Well? We'll have dinner, share our trip experiences with each other and go home.