You will be taken on a journey to get acquainted with the Russian church architecture. You will see wooden and stone churches, ancient monasteries and fortresses, visit the city where time seems to have stopped several centuries ago and visit the oldest church in Northwest Russia.
A day of discoveries awaits you. You will learn that near St. Petersburg there is a wooden church almost indistinguishable from the famous "Kizhi", admire the endless winter expanses of Ladoga, visit the most ancient temple of North-West Russia, see how Old Russian and Romanesque architecture can be combined in one cathedral and visit the place where the legendary Rurik came to reign.
We will start our journey from the Bogoslovka estate not far from St. Petersburg. There is a beautiful wooden church (a copy of the church that stood on this place in the XVIII century), a refectory, a Karelian peasant's house and a bell tower. The sense of peacefulness is enhanced by the surrounding picturesque forest. The complex is open to visitors every day from 10 a.m. You can order a tour by phone at [website](https://bogoslovka.ru/).
A beautiful Baroque cathedral built on the model of St. Peter and Paul Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Next to the cathedral there is a new operating church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.
On the lakeshore there are similar but differently coloured lighthouses - white on one shore and red on the opposite one, which stand out especially brightly against the background of the snow. Walk along the spit and admire the view of Lake Ladoga.
This temple, built in 1154 - 1159 years, is considered to be the most ancient temple in all the north-west of Russia, which survived after the Mongol invasion. The cathedral is part of the ensemble of the Old Ladoga Uspensky Nunnery.
The present cathedral was built in the XVIII century, and the first references to it date back to the XIII century. The cathedral has a complicated history - originally it was part of the monastery, which was abolished, and in the 20s of last century it turned out that the cathedral is in danger of collapse - the mountain under the monastery was dug underground passages, dug for quartz mining. Fortunately, the voids in the mountain were filled with concrete, and now the cathedral of Staraya Ladoga is in no danger.
A small cafe in the center of Old Ladoga is located in an old merchant's house of the XIX century, the interior is decorated in Russian style. The cafe serves hearty dishes of Russian cuisine. Don't be surprised by the plastic dishes - it's a temporary measure related to the covid-19 pandemic.
Ladoga is the place where the chronicles come true, this is the very city, where in 862 Prince Rurik came to reign. Here, on the shore of the Volkhov River was built the first wooden fortress, which in 1116 became stone (although from this fortress to our days did not survive), and what you can now see was built in the XV, XVI centuries. You can park at the entrance to the museum territory, near the barrier. The museum is open until 5 pm, you can learn about the museum's exhibits and order a tour by phone at [website](http://ladogamuseum.com/rezhim-rabotyi-ekspoziczij.html).
A small wooden church, built in the image of the 17th century church standing on this place, was originally used as a winter church of the Ladoga Kremlin.
St. George's Cathedral was built in the XII century and is an unusual combination of Byzantine and Novgorod architecture. The temple has preserved unique frescos of XII century. Unfortunately, because of the increased sensitivity of the frescoes to the temperature - the temple is open to visitors only in the warm season.
And now let's look at Nikolsky monastery, according to the legend it was built in honour of Alexander Nevsky's victory over Swedes in 1240. Whether it is true or not historians still argue, but it is interesting, that the monastery is located near a wide flat field, the only such field in the vicinity of Old Ladoga. Such a field is the most convenient place for a fight and military maneuvers, and the tract Pobedishche, where according to legend Ladoga inhabitants fought with enemies, is absolutely near a field. The main church of the cathedral, which resembles both an Old Russian church and a Romanesque basilica, is of interest.
While passing through, see the small Ilyinskaya church. The first wooden church at this place was built before 1500!
This small temple was built in the XV century and remained almost unchanged since that time. The temple stands on the high bank of the Volkhov River, which offers a wonderful view of the Volkhov hydroelectric power station. The temple is usually open until 3 p.m., but at Christmas time the schedule may change, check it at [website](http://volhov.prihod.ru/).
After a busy day it is so pleasant to relax and have a slow dinner. The cafe "Petrovskaya Trapeza" has very tasty kebab, which will please not only meat-eaters, but also lovers of fish.