"Tver Kizhi", Lake Seliger and the town of Ostashkov

The first attraction today is the source of the Volga River.
It is amazing that one of the largest rivers in the world, 3.5 thousand kilometres long, starts from a small spring. A stream about 1 meter wide emerges from the swamp and sometimes dries up. The source is 228 metres above sea level.
Around it a chapel is built, which existed in the beginning of XIX century. In the distance you can see the bell tower of Olginsky nunnery from 1912.

The three-tier wooden church of the Nativity of John the Baptist is often called "Tver or Seliger Kizhi".
It was built in 1694. Not a single nail was used in the construction. Due to the peculiarities of local soils, the place of the usual foundation were boulders.
In 1913 a stone temple of John the Baptist was built next to the wooden one. The church was going to be demolished, but the locals managed to protect it. In the vicinity of the two churches there is a holy spring "Shirkov pogost".

One of the highlights of Ostashkov is the Ascension Cathedral. It was founded on the territory of the Znamensky monastery in 1748. In 1868, after a terrible fire the church burned down. By 1887 it was restored in pseudo-Russian style. The author of the project was the local technician Demidov.
Now the monastery is not active, but services are still conducted in the church.

Klichen Island is a natural monument. It is connected to the Ostashkov bridge.
In summer here you can enjoy lingonberries, raspberries, blueberries. There is a small lake in the middle of the island.
Once in the north of the island there was the town of Klichen. It was a part of Suzdal princedom. At the end of XIV century it was completely destroyed after the attack of Novgorod troops. According to the legend, only one inhabitant of the town, whose name was Ostashko, survived. The town was later named Ostashkov in his honor.

You can dine in a café with a stylish and cosy interior. The menu includes burgers, soups, rolls and hot dishes.
The cafe is open every day from 11:00 to 23:00.

The museum was founded in 1889 at the Ostashkov College. Now it occupies three buildings: the Trinity cathedral of 1697, the four-hall and the bell tower.
In the museum you can learn about the crafts, cultural and historical traditions and handicrafts of Seliger. The exhibition includes artefacts from the excavation of mounds of the Slavs and stone age sites.
There is an interesting collection of spinning wheels and samovars. In the bell tower of the cathedral you can admire the exhibition of bells. From the observation deck a beautiful view of the city and the lake opens up.

• Ticket price:

for adults - 100 rubles. for students and pensioners - 50 rubles. Children under 16 - free of charge.
Opening hours: Wednesday-Saturday from 11:00 to 18:00, Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00. The ticket office closes one hour early. Monday and Tuesday are days off.

The fire station with a fire observation tower is an architectural monument of the 19th century, one of the oldest buildings in the city.
It was in Ostashkov in 1843 appeared the first in Russia non-professional fire brigade. In 1869 for a fire brigade in the city center was built a red brick building. The second floor was crowned with a wooden fire tower. Beyond the gates there were first water barrels and later fire engines. The fire station only moved to a new building a few years ago.

In the XV century Ostashkov became part of the western border of the Moscow principality. It became necessary to defend against Lithuanians, Swedes and Poles.
The wooden fortress was built and destroyed several times. After it was burnt down again in 1711, they decided not to rebuild it. The North, South and East towers were replaced by Baroque chapel pillars. Only the Valský pillar, located at the South Gate, has survived to this day.

You can have dinner at a cozy cafe in Staritsa. There are quite tasty soups, salads and beautifully served dishes.
The cafe is open every day: Monday to Thursday from 10:00 to 21:00. Friday from 10:00 to 20:00. Weekends from 10:00 to 23:00.

Rest and gain strength, the most interesting things are ahead!