Staraya Ladoga and its surroundings attractions. Sights of Staraya Ladoga - the first capital of Rus'

I couldn’t even imagine how many attractions there are in the east of the Leningrad region, where we will live and travel during our trip to the North-West. The plans included: Volkhov, Staraya Ladoga, Novaya Ladoga and Lodeynoye Pole, or rather the village of Staraya Sloboda, Lodeynopolsky district, where A Lexandro-Svirsky Monastery. When, upon arrival, we “plunged into reality,” we realized that we would like to see a lot more. For example, the Tanechkina and Staroladozhskaya caves, the Gorchakovsky waterfall, the Lyubsha fortress, the village of Isaad, the canyon of the Lava River... As you can see, there are plenty of natural attractions here, and there are many of them not only in Karelia.

But our goals and objectives were initially different. But you won’t be able to see all the local attractions in just a day or two. So much the better, there will be a reason to return. The most important thing is that we visited everything planned. Today in my post I’ll briefly show you some of what I saw:

• Staroladoga Nikolsky monastery,
• Staraya Ladoga Holy Dormition Convent,
• Staraya Ladoga fortress,
• museum-reserve Staraya Ladoga,
• a bird on a stone - a sculpture of a falcon, the symbol of Ladoga,
• cafe "Prince Rurik" in Staraya Ladoga,
• Sopki tract - burial place of Prophetic Oleg,
• the city of Novaya Ladoga, its architecture,
• sights of Volkhov.

Why can you only show everything briefly? Yes, because each (each) of the cities and places visited is a whole Universe, worthy of a separate conversation.
However, even fluently I can’t get up to speed. The brief report about the trip stretches into a multi-volume book... Why? Yes, because this is not a trip or when every day can be described with three to five photos... I wanted to do the trip to Karelia like that, in one post. Nooo, that's impossible. :) So be patient, the conversation will be long, the report will be multi-article.

Day IV. Staraya Ladoga, New Ladoga, Volkhov

After having breakfast “on our own” in the hotel room, we moved towards Staraya Ladoga.

Staraya Ladoga

From the small, fairly young town of Volkhov to the small but very ancient village of Staraya Ladoga , just 10 minutes drive. And a whole chasm in time - the year of Volkhov’s foundation - 1918, the year of the foundation of Staraya Ladoga - no later753 According to most historians Staraya Ladoga is the most ancient city Russia.
So, just 17 kilometers and we are there. Yes, settling in was the right decision. This is an ideal option for those who come to get acquainted with these places.

We got acquainted with the sights of Staraya Ladoga as we progressed. What is surprising and pleasant - for everything iconic places there are signs in the city, and all these places, like pearls on a string, are “strung” on the main street - Volkhovsky Prospekt. You won't get lost.
The very first sign to the right (from Volkhov, of course) “sends” us to Staraya Ladoga Nikolsky Monastery. We drive up to the northeastern tower, leave the car there and go on foot to get acquainted with the monastery. First outside, and then inside.

The weather is a miracle, the surrounding nature is amazing, ancient place, which still remembers its founder - Alexander Nevsky... What else is needed for the happiness of a traveler?
Nikolsky Monastery stands on the left bank of the Volkhov River. The rivers in the Leningrad region are incredibly beautiful - blue water and fluffy, velvet-like greenery of their banks.

We enter the gates of the monastery.

We look around a small area, Church of John Chrysostom(1860–1873).

The interiors are awe-inspiring - very good.

Stands next to the church St. Nicholas Cathedral(Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker). It is he who is the main mystery of the St. Nicholas Monastery. Built in 1160, rebuilt in the 17th century (after partial destruction in the Time of Troubles, when Ladoga was under the Swedes for seven years), unsuccessfully restored in 1958, it is on this moment preserved and closed.

Hello travelers! ;)

After visiting the St. Nicholas Monastery, our acquaintance with Staraya Ladoga continued. Driving along Volkhovsky Prospekt, to the right of the road we noticed a bird on a stone, or rather a falcon, spreading its wings wide. Falcon - the symbol of Staraya Ladoga.

Well, we’re going to see perhaps the most famous landmark of the city - Staraya Ladoga fortress. The car was parked in a small parking lot near the road (just opposite the fortress). Before us, in full view, is a powerful historical artifact.

The Klimentovskaya watchtower immediately catches your eye with its impressive size.

The Staraya Ladoga fortress was built during the time of the Prophetic Oleg at the turn of the 9th-10th centuries. Rare historical, architectural and archaeological sites XIII - XIX centuries. It costs a lot beautiful place, the place where the Ladozhka River flows into the Volkhov.
Entrance to the fortress and two exhibitions is paid. We buy single tickets (80 rubles - adult) and through the Gate Tower we enter the territory of the museum-reserve.

The thickness of the tower walls is impressive.

The first exhibition of the museum is located in the Gate Tower, so we immediately go there.

On the first floor of the exhibition...

admire the territory of the fortress and stunning views of the surrounding area. Yes, the fortress itself is small, but very picturesque.

Only one moment really upset me - St. George's Church, where I so wanted to go, turned out to be closed due to restoration. Moreover, it is closed both from the inside and from the outside.

Near the Church of St. St. George's wooden stand Church of St. Dmitry Solunsky(early 17th century), which was also closed to the public.

In order to get to the second exhibition of the museum, we left the fortress, walked straight to the bridge, crossed the bridge (it is clearly visible in the photo below)... And there it’s a stone’s throw to

an old white mansion on Varyazhskaya Street, in which the exhibition “Archaeology of Ladoga” is located.

At the Museum of Archeology.

Next to the museum lies Varyazhskaya street- the first street in Rus'. Near the excavations on Varyazhskaya, enclosed by a wooden fence, there is now a memorial stone indicating that a monument to princes Rurik and Oleg, the creators of the Russian state (862 - 882).

We enter the monastery through the Holy Gate (XIX century).

I should note that both monasteries in Staraya Ladoga - both male and female - are very sincere and calm. They treat tourists and travelers normally, they don’t chase women in trousers, and neither do people with cameras. There is an adequate understanding of its own historical significance and attractiveness for people. In general, it would be like this everywhere. I walked here with a calm soul and heart. This is probably how visiting monasteries should be.
The Assumption Monastery is much larger than Nikolsky. Large green area. Flowers and animal figures are everywhere. Caring female hands are visible in everything.

The exact date of foundation of the Assumption Monastery is not known. The time period when this possibly happened is determined by historians as follows: 1040-1116. Someone says 1156
This monastery is the second one I know of (the first is) where famous Russian women and aristocrats lived. The first wife of Peter I, Evdokia Lopukhina, was forcibly exiled here (and, initially, she was in the Suzdal Intercession Monastery). She lived here for a short time and died at the age of 23, forced into marriage, but as a result disliked by her husband, Evdokia Hannibal. Relatives of the Decembrists were also exiled here during the time of Nicholas I.
The main temple of the monastery and its main attraction is Assumption Church. It was built simultaneously with the Staraya Ladoga fortress in 1114-1116. The round date of 1000 years is just around the corner!

The interior of the temple is quite modest.

In 2013, a cross was installed in the Assumption Monastery. On the cross it is written:

This holy life-giving Cross of the Lord was built in memory of the cross of 1688 on August 5, erected by the sovereign's people Zheltukhin Vasily Simonovich and his son Mikhail Vasilyevich...

Abbot's Corps (1880).

Chapel over the well of St. Barbara (2008-2011, pictured on the right), Hospital building with the house church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (1861-1862, pictured on the left). Between them is the cell building (1859).

After the Assumption Monastery, we went to see another attraction of Staraya Ladoga - Church of St. John the Baptist on Malysheva Mountain(1695). This is the only thing left of the Ivanovo Monastery, founded on this place in 1276. If you go down the path, you can get to the source and the font.

But we didn't have time for this. We looked at the temple and went further - to Novaya Ladoga.

Novaya Ladoga

From Staraya Ladoga to Novaya Ladoga it’s just a stone’s throw away. Only 12 kilometers drive. Before they had time to blink, they were already there.
Novaya Ladoga is an old city, but not ancient. Founded in 1704 by decree of Peter I. The main attractions of Novaya Ladoga are numerous monuments and architecture. Actually, we came here to see them. We didn’t see everything, of course, but we took in the city as a whole, walked around it, felt the atmosphere of this small provincial town in the Leningrad region.

The Nativity Cathedral is almost the same age as the city. It was built in 1702. The temple is operational, and therefore is in fairly good condition. Unlike their neighbors.

Church of St. Clement and Peter (1741 - 1743), or rather its bell tower, is already overgrown with trees.

Side by side with the Clement Church stands the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands. When I passed by it (1763 - 1767), looked at it and took photographs, a woman with a child came up to me and said: “This church is unusual. Do you know about this?”

And she told me that above the entrance to the temple, in the portal, there is a drawing depicting a dove. So - many times this dove was painted over, erased, but it always appeared again.

The church as a whole is in very poor condition. I found this photograph of the temple, taken in 1909 by S.M. Prokudin-Gorsky. There were times...

There are a lot of such wooden houses in Novaya Ladoga. However, what Russian provincial town does not have such houses?

It is these houses and the red “lump” next to it that create a special, very familiar atmosphere and warmth...

On the banks of the Volkhov River there is a large memorial complex in honor of the sailors of the Ladoga Military Flotilla and rivermen of the northwestern river shipping company, who guarded the water route of the “Road of Life” and provided transport links between besieged Leningrad and the country.

There are two vessels at the memorial - the minesweeper "TShch-100"

and the motor ship "Kharkov". Both are actively climbed by children and even adults.

And there is grace all around!!!

Gostiny Dvor (Trading Rows). At the top is the inscription “Manufactured Goods” - a real artifact of almost half a century ago. A miracle preserved in the outback!

What do you think of the Manufactured Goods store, built in 1956? Also a miracle! This is what it is, Novaya Ladoga. Some kind of solid artifact.

Literally 3 kilometers from Novaya Ladoga (towards Staro Ladoga) there is the village of Yushkovo.

There is a fish shop right next to the road. I knew about this tent. That's why we came here deliberately. We bought cold smoked bream - 125 rubles. fish and dried roach for 30 rubles. The bream was good! In general, the selection of delicacies here is impressive - several types of fresh and smoked fish (hot and cold smoked), caviar, etc. Don't pass by!

Staraya Ladoga is a modest village in the Leningrad region. Several centuries ago it was a prosperous city where Russian statehood was born, but now it is a famous landmark of the Leningrad region.

What to see in one day

To get a complete impression of the sights, you should visit the Staraya Ladoga fortress and ancient Orthodox shrines. Walking along Varyazhskaya Street, you can see new sculptures and a monument, and also go on an excursion to Kalyazin’s house. A must-visit is the grave of Prophetic Oleg.

The main street of Ladoga, there is something to see here

If you are likely to stay a couple of days, you can include in your itinerary:

• Vasilyevsky Pogost with its churches;
• Caves;

What attractions can you visit in the area?

Traveling around the area, you have the opportunity to see: Lyubshanskoe Settlement; Gorchakovshchinsky waterfall; Volkhov hydroelectric power station is an old hydroelectric power station located 15 minutes drive in the city of Volkhov.

How to get to Staraya Ladoga

From St. Petersburg, the nearest large city realistically reachable in 2-4 hours:

1. By train from Ladozhsky or Moskovsky railway stations in St. Petersburg to the city of Volkhov, then by bus.
2. By bus from Bus Station No. 2 on the route St. Petersburg - Novaya Ladoga.
3. By car on the E105 road.

ladogamuseum.ru


On an area of ​​160 hectares there are monuments dating back to the 8th – 19th centuries. The oldest of them are more than 12 centuries old. The sights of the museum-reserve are represented by fortifications, hills, monasteries, and temples.
The museum-reserve has been operating since 1971, it is developing dynamically, and its collections are being replenished. “Ladoga” comes from the name of the Ladozhka River, which flows here into the Volkhov River. Over time, this name spread to the lake.




In Staraya Ladoga they cherish the memories of the heroes. In 1985, as part of the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the Victory over fascism, a Park with a memorial inscription was founded in the village.




The waterfall is notable for being considered the most high waterfall in the Leningrad region. Its height of 4.5 m is rare for a flat waterfall.
The landscape looks as if water is flowing into a large red bowl. This effect is created by red sandstone deposits.



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  The church is still active today

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  Previously, there was a famous theater cafe here

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  The Itinerant artist V.M. is buried in the graveyard. Maksimov

On the opposite bank of the river. Volkhov in the village of Chernavino (formerly Vasilyevskoye) there is an abandoned graveyard with cemetery churches. The Church of Basil of Caesarea was built in the 13th century in the traditions of Novgorod. Over time, it became dilapidated and collapsed. In its place, a small temple was erected with a gable roof ending in domes.
The second temple, made of red stone with a bell tower, is the Church of the Transfiguration of the Lord. It has an abandoned appearance, although it belongs to the architectural monuments of regional significance. At this place there was a wooden church of Valaam monks. In the middle of the 19th century, it was moved to Valaam in memory of their wanderings.




The single-domed church, in the style of late classicism, was erected in 1833 in the cemetery near the Assumption Monastery. It was neglected for a long time. Since 2000, the church has been restored and welcomes parishioners.

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  The height of the walls is approximately the same everywhere - 1.2 m

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  Now these places are available for intrepid travelers

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  There is an underground lake and a population of bats

Two caves, Staroladozhskaya and Tanechkina, in the 19th century. used to mine white quartz sandstone. The caves contain lakes, streams, incipient stalactites and stalagmites.
Tanechkina Cave stretches for more than 7 km. It begins under Malysheva Mountain. The hole into the Staraya Ladoga Cave can be found not far from the Church of John the Baptist.






On the northern edge of the village stands a white-stone, five-domed Orthodox shrine, erected at the end of the 17th century. Boris Godunov treated her favorably. Two bells were cast, the inscription on one of them read: “Ladoga is the stronghold of my state.” Below the temple there flows a holy spring known since the 9th century. It is the oldest in the Leningrad region.




One of the hills was explored by the famous Russian archaeologist and military historian N.E. Brandenburg (1839-1903). It was a structure poured into several layers, which accumulated as new burials took place.
Tract is a popular name for any place that differs from the surrounding area; it can be, for example, a field, forest, swamp or hill. A mound is an earthen mound over a burial pit among many ancient peoples.




The most famous burial mounds of Ladoga are located behind the Church of John the Baptist. The mound, 10 m high, is considered the grave where Prophetic Oleg is buried. There is no clear confirmation of this version. Scientists first became interested in researching Oleg’s grave in 1820.





2 km from Staraya Ladoga on the opposite bank of the river. Volkhov there are the ruins of the ancient Lyubsha fortress. This is a stone cape with a diameter of approximately 50 m, surrounded by a wide rampart. The fortress ruins were discovered in 1997.
It is assumed that a Finno-Ugric settlement arose here in the 3rd century. Then the Slavs ousted the local residents and built their own fortress, blocking the path deep into the Slavic lands. The fortress existed until the 9th-10th centuries. The events of those times are reflected in the Tale of Bygone Years.




The “Earth City” was built at the end of the 16th century. as a bastion system of fortifications of the Staraya Ladoga fortress. These were wooden and earthen ramparts built on the southern side of the fortress.
Using the method of dendrochronological analysis, it was established that one of the trees used in the construction of the city was cut down in 753. This is how the founding date of Staraya Ladoga was determined and its 1250th anniversary was celebrated in 2003.




This is the oldest and most famous street in Russia. It runs along the opposite bank of the Ladozhka (Elena) River from the fortress. Varyazhskaya Street was first mentioned in documents of the 15th century. But the discovered artifacts from the 9th – 10th centuries. allow us to conclude that it occurred earlier.






An inconspicuous chapel made of red stone on the most famous street of Staraya Ladoga was erected in 1913 with the support of the Russian Geographical Society. It was here until the 16th century. the main temple of the Spassky district of Ladoga. The chapel is not active, but well maintained.




The bronze sculpture realistically reflects a bird taking flight. It has symbolic meaning for this area. “Falcon” is an interpretation of the name of Rurik, who was called to reign here. During the excavations, a clay mold from the 9th century was found, which was used to cast seals with the image of a falcon.




The monument is located in a cozy park where people gather excursion groups and tourists take pictures. Built behind the park convenient descent to the Volkhov River and offers a beautiful view of the fortress towers and walls.
Rurik’s first princely residence was in Ladoga, and thanks to Oleg the Prophet, a stone fortress arose here. When Rurik died, Oleg, being the guardian of his son, began to rule in Novgorod. After the conquest of Kyiv, he moved the capital of the Old Russian state there.






Two estates on Varyazhskaya Street were owned by the Kalyazin brothers, Novoladozhsk merchants of the second guild. In a red wooden house that belonged to A.V. Kalyazin, there is an exhibition of household items of merchants and peasants of the 19th - early 20th centuries.
The Archaeological Museum is located in the white stone estate of Peter Kalyazin. It contains more than a thousand exhibits from various periods: from the Neolithic and Middle Ages to modern times.




According to legend, the shrine was founded in 1240 by order of Alexander Nevsky after the Battle of Neva. Architecturally, the monastery is represented by two churches.
The Church of St. John Chrysostom resembles a Romanesque basilica using elements of Russian architecture. During Soviet rule, the monastery existed until 1937 as a fishing cooperative, then it was used as a hangar, a school and a dormitory. Since 2002, monastic life has been revived here.

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  The monastery shop sells gingerbread and honey.

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  Restoration work is underway here, but the monastery is available for visiting

There are various buildings on the territory of the monastery. The Assumption Cathedral is of interest. This white-stone, single-domed temple with pre-Mongol architecture, built in the 12th century, is now completely preserved.
The place is famous for the fact that Evdokia Lopukhina, the disgraced wife of Peter I, was held captive here. In monasticism she was named Elena. In memory of her, the Ladozhka River began to be called Elena.

The Church of St. George is one of the oldest stone shrines in Russia. Its masonry alternates limestone slabs with thin rectangular bricks. The facades were covered with a solution that created the effect of shining marble on the white walls. Inside the walls are decorated with frescoes from the 12th century. The most famous fresco is “The Miracle of George on the Serpent.”
In this temple services were held in summer time. In winter, parishioners prayed in the nearby wooden church of Demetrius of Thessalonica.

The main place that attracts tourists in Staraya Ladoga is the fortress stronghold. Rurik reigned here, the fortress was called “Rurik Castle”. Under the Prophetic Oleg, it was strengthened; it guarded the waterway from the Baltic Sea to the Russian lands. The fortress lost its military purpose after the end of the Northern War (1770-1721). Over time it collapsed.
Now the fortress walls and towers have been partially reconstructed. This makes it possible to inspect them safely. The Gate Tower displays exhibits telling about the rituals of the population, major historical events, and the structure of the medieval city.

We'll tell you what interesting places see in the ancient capital of Rus'. Let's talk about the fortress, monasteries and local infrastructure. Read before your trip.

For many years, historians have not been able to come to a consensus on where the first capital was located. Ancient Rus'. However, most sources, including The Tale of Bygone Years, claim that the center of the ancient Russian state was Ladoga.

For more than a thousand years of history, the settlement has constantly attracted attention - first from researchers and scientists, and then from tourists. The village, which became a protected area at the end of the last century, preserves hundreds of archeological and architectural monuments and attracts both lovers of Russian history and travelers who are bored with the majestic palaces and aesthetics of the imperial estates.

Legends of Staraya Ladoga

Several legends are associated with the capital of Ancient Rus'. Here are the main ones:

• In these places there was a stone castle of Rurik. All that was left of it was a fragment of the protective wall, and scientists have not yet agreed on it. The dating coincides, but whether Rurik himself was involved in it is a big question.
• Under the ruins of the fortress there is a chain of secret tunnels in case of a siege. They are mentioned by various, including very serious, sources. Most of them date back to the century before last. Unfortunately, a large-scale expedition led by N.E. Brandenburg did not find any secret passages.
• Alexander Nevsky consecrated his sword in the fortress church before the Battle of Lake Peipsi. Like, this is what brought him victory.
• Guides and local residents We are sure that the same prophetic Oleg is buried in one of the mounds near the fortress. This is not known for certain.

The main attractions of Staraya Ladoga

Before heading to the village of Staraya Ladoga, you should take care of accommodation. The best option– stay at any hotel in St. Petersburg or its environs. The road from the northern capital is not the easiest.

In order to have time to “gallop across Europe” in a day and get acquainted with the main attractions, you need to go by train from the Ladozhsky station to the Volkhovstroy-1 station at half past six in the morning. In Volkhov we change to bus No. 23, which will take you to your destination in 15 minutes bus stop"Old Ladoga". The cost of the trip in this case will be about 700 rubles. You can go back by bus directly to St. Petersburg, it leaves at 19:00, the ticket costs 250 rubles.

Staraya Ladoga Fortress

Perhaps the main attraction of Ladoga. It is located in the center of the village, on the banks of the Volkhov River. The first buildings appeared here under the Prophetic Oleg and subsequently grew and were supplemented. The buildings of the 15th century are best preserved; the older ones are in a dilapidated state, but their appearance is maintained unchanged. In the seventies of the XX century, reconstruction was carried out, and on the territory architectural complex the museum opened.

In addition to defensive structures and fortress walls, the fortress complex includes several historical monuments. The Church of St. George the Victorious was built long before the beginning of the Mongol-Tatar yoke, in the 12th century. It is there that the first known image of St. George is located, making the architectural monument a museum of a single fresco. Nearby is another temple, the wooden church of Demetrius of Thessalonica. It was built in 1901 on the site of a 17th-century chapel. Also in one of the towers of the fortress there is a local history museum, and behind its wall lies the Zemlyanoye fortification.

Church of John the Baptist on Malysheva Hill. Photo: S.M. Prokudin-Gorsky. 1909

Varyazhskaya street

After a walk around the fortress, it is worth walking along Varyazhskaya Street, which is on the opposite bank of the Ladozhka River. At its very beginning, a modest monument was erected - a bronze falcon on a stone, a symbol of Staraya Ladoga. Ahead lies an inconspicuous rural landscape: a narrow country road, small houses. But after a few minutes the trail leads to a large square with a park and a monument to the founders of the Russian State, Rurik and Oleg. It is Varyazhskaya Street that is considered the first street in Russia. The point is in the archaeological finds, which scientists date back to the 9th century: they prove that already at that time the shores of Ladozhka were completely developed. From the monument you can go down to the river and admire the view of the fortress for a few minutes. The restored Switch Tower is especially clearly visible.

Museums

Let's return to the square. In its northeastern part, in the very corner, there are two houses, a stone one and a wooden one. In the 19th century they belonged to the merchants Kalyazin. The stone one now houses the Museum of Archeology of Ladoga; until recently, the wooden one housed a museum of merchant life. Over time, the building fell into disrepair and the second museum had to be closed. However, the house is not demolished: moreover, its “face” is regularly updated so that Ladoga does not lose an important cultural monument.

Monasteries

Varyazhskaya Street leads to the Assumption Convent. Despite the fact that the first mentions in chronicles date back to the 15th century, the date of its foundation is generally considered to be 1156. For a long time the monastery had a bad reputation: it was the place of imprisonment of many famous women. Among his “hostages” are Peter the Great’s first wife Evdokia Lopukhina, Evdokia Hannibal and the wives of the Decembrists.

On the territory of the monastery there is a cathedral of the same name, which deserves special attention from tourists. The Assumption Cathedral was built in the 12th century and became the standard of Novgorod architecture. Since its foundation, it has been preserved in its original form, and more than 13 thousand fragments of wall painting dating back to the same 12th century were found on its walls. The Assumption Church is one of the most important pilgrimage places in Staraya Ladoga, along with the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, where the relics of saints are kept. Both churches are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Another important shrine of Staraya Ladoga is the Nikolsky Monastery. This is one of the most significant monuments of Russian history. The monastery was founded in 1240, immediately after the victory in the Battle of Neva, personally by Alexander Nevsky. The prince dedicated it to Nicholas the Wonderworker, the patron saint of travelers, sailors and fishermen. In less than eight centuries, the monastery has experienced a lot: a devastating attack by the Swedes in 1611, re-construction, and several restorations. The monastery was closed in 1927, but in 2002 everything returned to normal. Today, the shrine contains the relics of the founders of the Valaam Monastery - Sergius and Herman. In addition, the churches of St. John Chrysostom and Nikolskaya with its majestic bell tower are interesting.

Kurgans

The attractions of Staraya Ladoga do not end with its topographic boundaries. On the northern outskirts of the village, on the high bank of the Volkhv, there is a group of mounds. The tallest of them is usually called Olegov. Despite the fact that Pushkin in the “Song of the Prophetic Oleg” and Nestor in the “Tale of Bygone Years” name the place of death of Prince Kyiv, the Novgorod chronicles indicate that Oleg was buried in Ladoga. Of course, today there is no evidence of this or that theory that can be believed unquestioningly. However, it is worth going to the mounds at least for the panoramic view of Staraya Ladoga and the measured flow of the Volkhv waters.

Tanechkina cave

A kilometer from the grave of Prophetic Oleg lies another place favored by extreme travelers - Tanechkina Cave. A man-made grotto with many labyrinths and passages appeared in the 19th century. Some of the passages are blocked, the walls are mesmerizing layers of rock. Here, in the cave, the largest colony of bats in the northwest hibernates. Of course, you shouldn’t go exploring the cave without an experienced guide.

View of the Church of St. George. Photo: S.M. Prokudin-Gorsky. 1909

What else to see

The festival “Staraya Ladoga – the first capital of Rus'” is rightfully considered the largest event in Staraya Ladoga. Traditionally it takes place in the summer, the program lasts two days. The main part of the holiday is reconstructed military competitions, but a lot of events pass by them. These include a theatrical performance about the first centuries of Ladoga’s existence, a historical costume competition, folk music concerts, demonstration performances by participants and interactive platforms for adults and children. The festival takes place in the Staraya Ladoga Fortress, a ticket for an adult will cost 300 rubles, a ticket for children will cost half as much.

Not far from St. Petersburg, on the banks of the Volkhov River there is the Staraya Ladoga fortress. This is one of the most ancient settlements in our country and, according to some historians, the first capital of Russia. Today Staraya Ladoga is formally considered only a small village. But for tourists who are interested in history, it certainly deserves a visit. In addition, almost the entire territory of Staraya Ladoga is a unique museum-reserve with preserved historical, cultural and architectural monuments of the 8th-19th centuries.

Even if you are not very interested in history and archeology, then you will like this corner of Russia with its beautiful picturesque places, where you will undoubtedly be able to feel the spirit of antiquity, relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Address of the Staraya Ladoga fortress

Staraya Ladoga, Volkhovsky Prospekt 19

How to get to Staraya Ladoga

• Staraya Ladoga is located in the lower reaches of the Volkhov River, 125 km from St. Petersburg.
• By car from St. Petersburg along the Kola highway, about 100 km. Turn to Staraya Ladoga and Myakinino.
• By train from Ladozhsky station to Volkhovstroy-1 station. Next take bus 23.
• By excursion bus from St. Petersburg
• In 2017, a pier was built in Staraya Ladoga near the Nikolsky Monastery, where ships on cruises along the rivers and lakes of Russia can stop. Most cruises depart from St. Petersburg. In addition to Staraya Ladoga, cruises include stops on the islands of Valaam and Konevets, the village of Mandrogi and others. The routes are very varied and last several days.

Opening hours of the Staraya Ladoga Museum-Reserve in 2020

• During the winter period (from September 1 to May 31)
  • Every day from 9:00 to 17:00
• During the summer (from June 1 to August 31)
  • From Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 18:00
  • Mondays from 9:00 to 17:00
• The Church of St. George is open to visitors in dry, warm weather and only from May 1 to October 1
• The ticket office closes half an hour earlier

Cost of tickets to the Staraya Ladoga Museum-Reserve in 2020.

• Entrance to the fortress territory
  • For adults - 50 rubles
• Single ticket to visit all exhibitions(in the Gate Tower, Church of Dmitry Solunsky and the exhibition “Archaeology of Ladoga”)
  • For adults - 200 rubles
  • For children under 16 years old - free
  • For children from 16 to 18 years old, students of Russian universities and pensioners - 100 rubles
• Showroom
  • For adults - 30 rubles
  • For children under 16 years old - free
  • For children from 16 to 18 years old, students of Russian universities and pensioners - 20 rubles
• Church of St. George
  • For adults - 80 rubles
  • For children under 16 years old - free
  • For children from 16 to 18 years old, students of Russian universities and pensioners - 50 rubles

According to the Tale of Bygone Years, from 862 to 864 Staraya Ladoga served as the residence of Rurik, the legendary Scandinavian prince who laid the foundation for the famous Rurik dynasty. Therefore, we can say that during these years Staraya Ladoga was the ancient capital of Northern Rus'. For the next 20 years, Rurik reigned in Veliky Novgorod.

It should be noted that monuments of an earlier age were also found in the village, so the exact date of cutting down the logs from which one of the buildings was built was established; this find dates back to 753. It is this year that is accepted as the date of the founding of Staraya Ladoga.

Two well-known trade routes passed through Staraya Ladoga - “from the Varangians to the Greeks” and “from the Varangians to the Arabs”. Here, in the second half of the 8th century, the first money appeared; its role was played by beads made using Arab technology, and the value of such a bead was very great - you could buy a slave with it.

On the banks of the Volkhov there was a brisk trade - local residents sold furs brought from Scandinavia to the Arabs for silver dirhams. This is confirmed by both individual finds and treasures discovered during excavations.

In the Middle Ages, Staraya Ladoga served as an outpost of Russian lands, repelling the ferocious attacks of its northern neighbors. The first fortress was wooden; at the end of the 9th - beginning of the 10th century, the Varangians laid out a fortress wall with towers made of local limestone. The constructed settlement became the first stone fortress on the territory of Ancient Rus'.

With the founding of St. Petersburg in 1703, Staraya Ladoga found itself far from the border and lost its defensive significance. Historically, no major construction took place in the village, and to this day a cultural surface layer 2-5 meters deep, filled with archaeological finds, has been preserved here.

It is interesting that before Peter the Great the settlement was called Ladoga. In 1702, on the instructions of the emperor, not far from Staraya Ladoga, at the mouth of the Volkhov River, a shipbuilding shipyard was created, for which shipbuilders were resettled from the Russian North. In 1704, Peter founded the city of Novaya Ladoga here, and the former settlement began to be called Staraya Ladoga.

In 2003, the 1250th anniversary of Staraya Ladoga, the ancient capital of the Russian state, was solemnly celebrated.

In Staraya Ladoga you will explore historical, cultural and architectural monuments. The territory of the village is unique - in its entire history, only two percent of it has been excavated. While in Staraya Ladoga, you will walk through a layer of earth in which finds of wood and glass, bronze and iron, leather and fabric have been preserved.

The main attraction of Ladoga is the fortress, built in the place where the Ladozhka River flows into the Volkhov River. The fortification was of great importance for protecting the waterway from the Baltic Sea deep into Novgorod Rus'.

Currently, we will see only the fortress built here in the 16th century, although fragments of an earlier structure have also been preserved. The thickness of the fortress walls reaches 7 meters, and the height of the towers is 12 meters.

On the territory of the fortress there is a 12th-century St. George’s Church. Often this snow-white temple, crowned with only one dome, is called the Ladoga Bride. The church preserves a very unusual fresco dedicated to St. George. Most often, the Saint is depicted with a spear killing a serpent, but here he holds the banner of victory in his hand, and the pacified dragon allows the princess to behave on a leash.

• Nikolsky Monastery was founded in honor of the victory of the Russian army over the Swedish in 1240. On the territory of the current monastery there is the Church of St. John Chrysostom II half of the 19th century century with picturesque frescoes, as well as St. Nicholas Church and bell tower
• Be sure to walk along Varyazhskaya Street, famous for the fact that it was in this place that objects from the 9th-10th centuries were found. On Varyazhskaya Street you will see the symbol of the village - a small sculpture of a falcon made of bronze. There is also a chapel of the early 20th century and two museums - the Museum of Merchant Life and the Museum of Archeology of Ladoga
• The Staraya Ladoga Assumption Monastery was founded in 1156, and was first mentioned in the 15th century. Initially it was a men's monastery, later converted into a women's monastery. The monastery became a place of imprisonment for many famous women. So, in 1718, Evdokia Lopukhina, the first wife of Peter the Great, was brought here, and in the 19th century, relatives of the Decembrists were kept here. The main attraction of the monastery is the Assumption Cathedral, built in the 12th century - in the pre-Mongol period.
• The Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist is located in the place where the St. John the Baptist Monastery was previously located. The temple stands out with its green domes; it seems to float between the earth and the sky. Ancient frescoes have been preserved in the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist
• One of the attractions of Staraya Ladoga is Oleg’s grave, which is a large mound. According to legend, it was in Staraya Ladoga that the ancient Russian prince Oleg was buried. According to the Kyiv version, Prophetic Oleg is buried in Kyiv on Mount Shchekovitsa. Both legends say that the cause of the prince’s death was a snake bite.

According to legend, the Magi predicted the prince's death from his horse. Then Oleg ordered the animal to be taken away. A few years later, when the horse had already died, the prince came to his grave and grinned, remembering the prediction of the Magi. At that moment, a snake crawled out of the horse’s skull and bit Oleg.

In addition, there are caves in Staraya Ladoga, the largest of which is Tanechkina. Its length is more than 7 km. In one of its branches there is a lake 0.5 meters deep. Tanechkina Cave is also known for the fact that it is home to a huge flock of bats numbering more than 400 individuals.

Staraya Ladoga is village in the Leningrad region, 120 km from St. Petersburg on the banks of the Volkhov River. But what other village can boast of such truly great history and so many attractions?! In Staraya Ladoga there is a stone fortress, two ancient monasteries, Nikolsky men's and Uspensky women's monasteries, several churches and ancient mounds.

According to many historians and archaeologists, it was Staraya Ladoga that became the first capital of the Old Russian state. In any case, it was one of the most ancient and significant cities of Ancient Rus', which played a vital role in the formation of the state, as evidenced by numerous archaeological finds.

This “village” with its architectural and fortification monuments is a real treasury of Russian and world cultural heritage.

Ancient history of Staraya Ladoga

The area around Staraya Ladoga was developed back in the 4th-2nd millennia BC, during the Neolithic and Early Metal Ages. The exact date of the founding of Ladoga is unknown, but research carried out by archaeologists allows us to say with certainty that this happened no later than 753 of the year.

A group of scientists and archaeologists led by A. N. Kirpichnikov determined that in the mid-8th century there was a settlement here. The year 753 was determined as the date of the city's foundation using dendrochronological analysis of one of the ancient buildings. However, the results of a study of some finds and soil suggest that a settlement in this place already existed in the second half of the 7th and early 8th centuries, and perhaps even earlier. Traces of arable land were discovered under the cultural layer, and radiocarbon analysis showed that its age dates back to the 6th century.

Where did the name come from - Ladoga?

According to one version, the name of the city comes from the Ladozhka River, which flows here into the Volkhov. And the name of this river comes from the Finnish hydronym "Alode-jogi (joki)", which means "lower river". The Scandinavians began to call the fortress on the cape at the confluence of two rivers and the settlement next to the fortress - Aldeigya, further - Aldeigjuborg, and the huge lake into which the Volkhov River flows was called Aldoga in those days. Over time, the name of the settlement was transformed into "Ladoga", the lake also began to be called.

The appearance of a fortress and a city in this place is not accidental. The Volkhov River, on the banks of which the settlement was founded, was part of the system of the most important trade routes. Along the Volkhov, through Ladoga, there were routes “from the Varangians to the Arabs” and “from the Varangians to the Greeks”, further along the Volga and Dnieper - to the Arab Caliphate and Byzantium. It is precisely to its key position on trade routes that Ladoga owes its rapid rise. The city played a major role in the commercial and political life of Northern Europe in the 8th-10th centuries.

According to archeology, from the very beginning of the emergence of Ladoga, people lived permanently or temporarily in the city different countries. During excavations, objects were found that belonged to the Slavs, Scandinavians, Finno-Ugric peoples, and Balts.

The main occupation of the population was trade. There was an intensive exchange of goods on the banks of the Volkhov.

Furs and weapons were supplied from Scandinavia, which local residents sold to the Arabs for silver dirhams. Arabic dirhams were in great circulation in Staraya Ladoga, as evidenced by numerous finds of Arab coins and even entire treasures during excavations; the earliest of the treasures dates back to 786.

Weapons, utensils, various decorations, fabrics, luxury goods, spices and incense were transported on ships through Ladoga.

Back in the 780s, the production of eye beads using Arabic low-temperature technology was established. Moreover, these beads served not only as decoration; beads were also a monetary unit.

Various crafts flourished in Ladoga. Numerous workshops of blacksmiths, jewelers, bone carvers, potters, and bronze foundries operated in the city. Of course, there were also shipyards here.

Around Ladoga, points arose for inspecting cargo and collecting tribute, as well as fortified settlements, one of which was, and the other was fortifications in the area of ​​​​the village of Duboviki (now this is the New Duboviki microdistrict in Volkhov).

In the first third of the 9th century, Ladoga became the center of a large early state formation (Russian Kaganate, Ladoga Rus), which was an important Eurasian economic partner and traded along the Great Volga and Dnieper routes. Ladoga became a prosperous city, one of the key international ports on transcontinental trade routes, and provided the Slavs with free connections with the countries of Western Europe, West Slavic Pomerania and others. It was also a major craft and spiritual center.

The historical significance of Ladoga was enormous: the founding and development of this city provided Rus' with free access to the Baltic and the assignment of the Neva-Ladoga lands to the country.

Many historians believe that Ladoga is first capital of Rus': the Ipatiev list of the Tale of Bygone Years says: “And the first one came to the Slovenes and cut down the city of Ladoga and the oldest in Ladoz, Rurik.”. IN 862 Ladoga became the first residence of Rurik, the founder of the Rurik dynasty, who was called to the principality. Rurik ruled here in 862-865. Later, the prince moved his throne to Novgorod, and later Kyiv became the main city of Rus', but Ladoga was still the first capital.

V. M. Vasnetsov. Calling of the Varangians. 1909

Under Rurik, to protect against raids by Varangian tribes and control trade routes, a wooden fortress was built on the cape formed by the confluence of Ladozhka and Volkhov. And the settlement was located on both banks of Ladozhka and on the banks of the Volkhov. In 882, Prince Oleg, Rurik's successor, “starting to build cities”, that is, to build a stone fortress. Under Rurik and Oleg, Ladoga's trade relations expanded significantly.

In the 11th century, in 1019, Ladoga was given as a wedding gift to the wife of Yaroslav the wise, the Swedish princess Ingigerd. Then Ladoga became the center of the Ladoga Earldom, a special territory within Ancient Rus'. Ladoga was ruled by Swedish military rulers. Interestingly, Aldeigjuborg is mentioned in the ancient Scandinavian sagas of the 10th-13th centuries.

At the beginning of the 12th century, Ladoga was subjugated by the Novgorod prince Mstislav the Great, and intensive stone construction began. In 1114-1116, Prince Mstislav erected a new stone fortress in Ladoga, which became a reliable defense for the city. During the 12th century, six stone temples were built one after another in the city. At the same time, the main planning structure of the settlement was formed. Temples became the centers of the “ends” of the city. The main part of the development consisted of courtyards with extensive garden plots.

Until 1703, Ladoga retained the status of a city, and then at the mouth of the Volkhov, on the shore Lake Ladoga, Novaya Ladoga arose, and then the ancient city became a village and was renamed Staraya Ladoga.

Staraya Ladoga Fortress

The main attraction of Staraya Ladoga, its heart, is the ancient fortress, located in the very center of the village on the cape at the confluence of the Ladozhka River and the Volkhov.

She witnessed many historical and military-political events. For more than eight centuries, the fortress defended the northwestern borders of Rus' and during its history it was repeatedly attacked by the Swedes and other Scandinavian tribes, destroyed, and also subjected to numerous reconstructions.

The very first wooden fortification was built on this site back in the 9th century. As reported in The Tale of Bygone Years, in 862 year in Ladoga was called to reign Rurik with their brothers Sineus and Truvor, and on a cape formed by two rivers, they began construction wooden fortress to protect against attacks by overseas Varangians from Lake Ladoga and strengthen control over the waterway along Ladoga. This fortress became the administrative center of Ladoga, as well as the urban core around which the ancient settlement was formed.

IN 1114-1116 years during the reign of Novgorod Prince Mstislav Vladimirovich, a new stone fortress was built in Ladoga.

IN 1164 year, the Ladoga fortress was attacked by the Swedes, who sailed here on 55 ships. After a long siege, the enemy troops retreated, and were then finally defeated by an army from Novgorod that came to the rescue. In honor of this victory, most likely, it was erected on the territory of the fortress. temple, dedicated St. George- patron saint of the army.

Due to the proliferation of firearms in 15-16 centuries, a complete reconstruction and modernization of the Ladoga fortress was carried out according to all the rules of fire fortification. IN 1584-1585 years, to the south of the stone fortress, an additional wood-earth fortification with three bastions was erected from wood and earth - Zemlyanoy city, was an innovative structure for those times.

During the Time of Troubles at the beginning of the 17th century, the Ladoga Fortress was at the center of military operations. The fortress was the object of constant struggle between the warring parties, changed hands many times, was significantly damaged, but then restored.

The last, unsuccessful, assault on the stronghold by the Swedes took place at the beginning of the Northern War; Soon the border of the state moved to the west by almost 100 km, the fortress lost its military-strategic significance and was no longer used for military purposes. The garrison of the fortress was transferred to a new city built on the shores of Lake Ladoga, Novaya Ladoga.

All this determined the future fate of the fortress: it began to collapse and gradually turned into ruins.

The current appearance of the towers and walls of the legendary Staraya Ladoga fortress, dating back to the 16th century, is mainly the work of modern restorers.

Switch and Gate towers of the fortress

The archaeological complex, consisting of the stone Ladoga fortress and the Zemlyanoy settlement, is a unique example of fortification structures, demonstrating all stages of the development of ancient Russian defense construction. Elements of fortifications from the 11th, 12th, and 16th centuries and the remains of earthen fortifications from the 16th and 17th centuries have been preserved here.

Now the fortress is part Staraya Ladoga Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve of federal significance, which includes historical and architectural monuments of the 8th-19th centuries, monuments of archeology and monumental painting.

On the territory of the fortress there are two churches: the stone church of St. George the Victorious from the 12th century and the wooden church of St. Dmitry of Solunsky at the beginning of the 20th century.

Church of St. St. George the Victorious, built in 12 century in honor of the victory of Russian weapons, is one of the most ancient in Staraya Ladoga and in the north of Rus'. And in terms of the expressiveness of its architectural forms, it is considered one of the best examples of ancient Russian architecture.

This is a typical Old Russian temple of the 12th century with architectural forms characteristic of Novgorod churches of that time: single-domed, with a helmet-shaped dome and a roof covering, four pillars and three apses.

The cathedral is famous unique fresco paintings 12th century, miraculously preserved to this day and being an outstanding monument of ancient Russian and world culture. These frescoes are an amazing example of religious painting from the 12th century, one of the few surviving in Rus' from this period. They were found under a layer of later applied plaster and were partially restored.

Church of St. George Fresco "The Miracle of George about the Serpent"

To this day, about 150 square meters of the original interior painting have survived on the walls of the temple. m. fresco painting from the 12th century (this is about a fifth) and minor areas of painting from the mid-15th century.

The most interesting of the surviving frescoes is considered "The Miracle of George about the Serpent", which depicts a popular plot: a holy warrior, with the word of God, pacifies the serpent - the personification of evil.

In terms of expressiveness of composition, thoroughness of design and color, this is one of the best creations of medieval Byzantine-Russian art and the oldest image of St. George in ancient Russian monumental painting, which is known today.

Next to St. George's Cathedral there is a small wooden church of St. Dmitry Solunsky, erected in 1901 more than a year in place ancient temple “according to its previous forms and details, preserved to the smallest detail”.

St. Demetrius of Thessalonica, like St. George is considered the patron saint of warriors. Church of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica was built as a winter, warm church, next to the cold stone church of St. George. St. George's Cathedral was summer, unheated, and in the church of St. Dmitry Solunsky held services during the cold season.

Now in the church building there is an interesting exhibition dedicated to the study and reconstruction of the fresco paintings of the Church of St. George.

More information about the Staraya Ladoga Fortress -.

The fortress is located in the very center of the village of Staraya Ladoga.
Address: Staraya Ladoga, Volkhovsky pr., 19
Coordinates: 59.997239 , 32.29671

"Historical, architectural and archaeological museum-reserve "Staraya Ladoga" includes itself Staraya Ladoga Fortress, on the territory of which there are several exhibitions: in the Gate, Klimentovskaya and Raskatnaya towers, in the Church of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica and St. George, as well as the exhibition "Archaeology of Ladoga", which is located in the old stone house of the merchant P.V. Kalyazin on Varyazhskaya Street, 8 (not far from the fortress, across the Ladozhka River).

Opening hours of the exhibitions of the Staraya Ladoga Museum-Reserve: from June 1 to August 31 - Monday - from 9.00 before 17.00 , Tuesday - Sunday from 9.00 before 18.00 , from September 1 to May 31 - 9.00 before 17.00 , day off - January 1.
Ticket sales stop 30 minutes before the end of the exhibition.
Tickets for all exhibitions are sold only at the ticket office in front of the entrance to the fortress (tickets are not sold at the Archeology Museum).

Church of St. Georgia is open only from May 1 to October 1 and only if the weather is warm and dry. This is due to the need to comply with conditions for the preservation of unique frescoes.

Varyazhskaya street

Varyazhskaya Street starts from Volkhovsky Prospekt near the Ladozhka River and goes to the fence of the Assumption Monastery. An ordinary village street - gravel, fences, one- and two-story houses with flower beds and vegetable gardens behind the fences; but this particular street certainly deserves special attention, as the oldest street in Staraya Ladoga and one of the oldest streets in Russia. Its name - Varangian - has been known since the 12th-13th centuries.

The beginning of Varyazhskaya Street is decorated with symbolic sculpture - bronze falcon, wings spread wide.

The sculpture was installed in 2013 The sign reads: “FALCON is a symbol of the ancient Russian princely family.”

The falcon is a symbol of the entire Staraya Ladoga. The image of this bird is present on the coat of arms and on the flag of the Staraya Ladoga rural settlement and personifies its glorious history. "In a purple field, a golden falcon flying down into a pillar", says the heraldic description.

Coat of arms of Staraya Ladoga Flag of Staraya Ladoga

The falcon in heraldry is a symbol of nobility, courage, intelligence, strength and beauty.

The falcon on the coat of arms resembles a bronze form with the image of a bird found during excavations in Staraya Ladoga, and, in addition, it looks like a trident - the sign of the Rurikovichs.

Falcon is generally one of the most popular symbols in Ancient Rus'. The ancient Slavic god of fire and light Rarog was considered similar to a falcon. In Rus', the hunting falcon was called a rerik and was a revered symbol of courage and invincibility. On the basis of this, some researchers derive the name of the founder of the ancient Russian princely dynasty, Rurik.

On a small square crossed by Varyazhskaya Street stands a majestic monument to Rurik and Prophetic Oleg- to the legendary Russian princes, founders of the Staraya Ladoga fortress and the Old Russian state.

Rurik, according to ancient Russian chronicles, is the founder of the Novgorod principality in Rus' and the prince of Novgorod since 862, as well as the ancestor of the princely and subsequently royal Rurik dynasty.

Oleg- Prince of Novgorod since 879. In the chronicle "The Tale of Bygone Years" he is mentioned as Prophetic Oleg. After Rurik's death in 879, Oleg received power as regent for his son Igor. Oleg captured Kyiv and moved the capital of Ancient Rus' there, uniting the lands of the Eastern Slavs, and since 882 he has been referred to as the Grand Duke of Kiev.

The majestic figures of two Russian princes, Rurik and Oleg, embody the power and strength of the Russian people. The shield they lean on symbolizes the defense of the state.

The monument was unveiled in 2015 year and became a real decoration of Staraya Ladoga. It is made of bronze and is 5 meters high. The author of the monument is a sculptor Oleg Shorov.

38 architects took part in the competition for the best design of the monument, which was held in 2013. The winner was Oleg Shorov. Work on the project was carried out in 2014-2015. The sculptor traveled to Staraya Ladoga several times, studied the results of archaeological excavations and historical literature to give authenticity to the monument, he altered details during the work - clothes, weapons. As a result, the shield was installed exactly the same as the warriors used. In Rurik’s hands, instead of the originally conceived staff, a scroll appeared, which shows that the founder of statehood is not only a warrior, but first of all, a diplomat.

A 40-ton stone pedestal was brought from Kamennogorsk especially for the installation of the monument. It was decided to erect the monument on Varyazhskaya Street, in a place that offers a wonderful view of the Ladoga Fortress. At the same time, the square was reconstructed and the entire surrounding area was landscaped.

An observation deck behind the monument, with a view of the Staraya Ladoga Fortress.

Previously, here, at the intersection of Kultury Street and Varyazhskaya Street, there was a square called Torgovaya. A characteristic feature of merchant houses located near Trade area, there were trading shops in them.

Residential development of Varyazhskaya street of the 19th and early 20th centuries. located on the territory of the cultural layer of Ladoga Posad of the 8th-15th centuries, an important archaeological monument. During archaeological excavations in this area, various household items dating back to the 8th-10th centuries were found, which allowed researchers to conclude that at that time the left bank of the Ladozhka River was already completely developed. Data from archaeological excavations show that in the second half of the 10th century on the left bank of the Ladozhka there were courtyards and estates at some distance from each other. It was around then that Varyazhskaya Street began to take shape. According to some sources, this street once ran in a slightly different direction, to the northwest.

On Varyazhskaya street

From the end of the 18th century, Varyazhskaya Street began to be built up with merchant houses. Then the current direction of the street developed, parallel to the river and the highway. Some of the houses that now stand on Varangskaya Street date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries (although most of the old houses have not survived).

In general, almost all the central streets in Staraya Ladoga - this is Varyazhskaya Street, Volkhovsky Prospekt (known since the 16th century), Kultury Street, the former Progonnaya, this is the historical direction of the road to Oreshek - have retained the main historical planning directions.

At house No. 2 on Naberezhnaya Street, which departs from Varyazhskaya and runs along the very bank of the Volkhov, transportation across the river on private boats has been operating since the beginning of the 19th century. In this place, it is as if there is a descent into the water. In summer there is a small beach here. And in cold winters, when there is strong ice on the river, there is a path from here to the other bank.

On Varyazhskaya Street there are two houses, wooden and stone, built in the 19th century and belonging to the wealthy merchant family of the Kalyazins. In the 80s of the 19th century, four Kalyazin brothers were listed as New Ladoga merchants of the 2nd guild.

IN stone house of P. V. Kalyazin, which is an architectural monument of the 19th century, is located Museum of Archeology of Staraya Ladoga.

The house of the merchant P.V. Kalyazin, now the Museum of Archeology of Staraya Ladoga

The owner of the stone house was one of the four Kalyazin brothers - Pyotr Vasilyevich. After the fire of 1884, the merchant built a new house, in which the main walls were lined with the strongest Eliseev brick. The first floor of the house was occupied by a store that sold mainly dry food products. On the second floor there were living rooms where the owner of the house lived with his wife and three children. During Soviet times, the building housed a rural club, then a kindergarten.

In 2003, on the second floor in the house of the merchant P.V. Kalyazin, it was located exhibition “Archaeology of Ladoga”, which is constantly updated and supplemented.

The archaeological heritage of Staraya Ladoga provides a wealth of material for study. The museum halls display more than a thousand exhibits dating back to the Neolithic and early Middle Ages.

These are archaeological artifacts that were found at the Zemlyanoy settlement and settlement in Staraya Ladoga from 1972 to the present day, telling about the heyday of the early medieval city of Ladoga during the Viking Age from the second half of the 8th century to the 10th century, including very rare finds - found in Ladoga objects with Scandinavian runic inscriptions.

These are objects of material culture and everyday life of the inhabitants of Ladoga from the late Middle Ages to the 17th century: weapons and horse harness, home furnishings, kitchen utensils, costume details and jewelry, numerous glass and stone beads, handicrafts and tools telling about the occupations of the townspeople, liturgical books, silver Eastern and Western European coins. All these exhibits allow you to vividly imagine the appearance and activities of the city’s inhabitants.

On the ground floor there is an exhibition hall of the Staraya Ladoga Museum-Reserve, where exhibitions of contemporary artists are held.

Address of the Museum of Archeology: Varyazhskaya st., 8, village of Staraya Ladoga
Coordinates: 59.999184 , 32.296190

Opening hours: from June 1 to August 31 – daily from 9.00 before 18.00 , from September 1 to May 31 – daily from 9.00 before 17.00 , day off – January 1
Sale entrance tickets stops 30 minutes before the end of the exhibition.
Tickets to the Archeology Museum are sold only at the ticket office near the fortress.

Wooden house by A. V. Kalyazin, which is closer to the banks of the Volkhov, is also part of the museum-reserve and is protected as an architectural monument. Previously, there was an exhibition “Merchant Life of the 19th – Early 20th Century”. The house is now closed.

House of merchant A.V. Kalyazin

On Varyazhskaya Street behind the museum building there is a small stone chapel. The brick chapel was built in 1913 with funds from the Imperial Geographical Society on the initiative of archaeologist N. E. Brandenburg, who discovered the foundation of an older temple that was previously located here. At this place there once stood a 12th century church, consecrated in honor of the Resurrection of Christ, which was the main temple of the Spassky (Resurrection) end of Ladoga.

Chapel on Varyazhskaya Street

Nearby on Volkhovskoye Highway (house 27) there is House-museum of old life of Ladoga, this is a small museum-shop, located in a private house, where you can see various ancient objects used in village houses, and also sell all sorts of crafts, amulets, amulets and other gizmos. The museum is like a junk shop; however, there is an inscription on the house: “Babaeshka’s House” - what else could this very Babayeshka’s house be?

Staraya Ladoga Nikolsky Monastery

One of the main attractions of Staraya Ladoga is the Staraya Ladoga Nikolsky Monastery, located on the southern outskirts of Staraya Ladoga on the picturesque left bank of the Volkhov River at the foot of a high hill called “Victory”.

The founding of the Nikolsky Monastery is associated with the name of Alexander Nevsky. According to ancient monastic legend, the monastery of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was founded in 1240 or 1241 year Prince Alexander Nevsky after his victory over the Swedes in the Battle of Neva in 1240, in which a detachment of Ladoga residents took part. The monastery chronicle says that the monastery was built “in memory of the lost Ladoga relatives”, - comrades-in-arms of Alexander Nevsky, who returned from the battlefield.

There are two churches on the territory of the monastery.

The oldest building and main temple Nikolsky Monastery - Cathedral of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, patron saint of sailors and travelers, originally built back in 12 century; The current appearance of the temple dates back to 17 century. The temple is now not operational, restoration is underway.

The decoration of the monastery was Church of St. John Chrysostom built in 1860-1873 gg. designed by academician of architecture A. M. Gornostaeva in the form of a Romanesque basilica with elements of Old Russian style. The temple has preserved amazingly beautiful paintings. This is the main operating temple of the St. Nicholas Monastery.

Between the St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Church of St. John Chrysostom rises a slender octagonal three-tier Bell tower, with a wooden tent top, built by Tikhvin craftsmen in 1691-1692 years.

Today, the monastery is a functioning monastic monastery and an architectural monument of federal significance.

St. Nicholas Monastery is located in the southern part of the village of Staraya Ladoga.
Parking coordinates at the monastery: 59.990927 , 32.301729

The monastery is open to visitors every day from 9:00 before 19:00 .

Read more about the Staraya Ladoga St. Nicholas Monastery -.

At the pier of the Nikolsky Monastery there is a nice sculpture - Ladoga fisherman wearing earflaps and a waterproof raincoat, with a fishing rod and a box of tackle at his feet. A little to the side is a cat, waiting in case he gets something from the catch.

On the pier at the Nikolsky Monastery

Holy Dormition Monastery

To the north of the Staraya Ladoga fortress is the Staroladoga Holy Dormition Monastery, one of the oldest in northwestern Russia.

The exact time of the foundation of the Assumption Monastery is unknown. According to one version, the monastery was founded at the beginning 12 century, when the oldest stone temple of Ladoga that has survived to this day was built - Church of the Assumption Holy Mother of God (1114-1116 gg.) - as a temple-tomb of a princely convent.

But perhaps the monastery was founded much later than the Church of the Assumption itself. The Assumption Cathedral was originally a parish cathedral, and the monastery around it was built later; in any case, the first mention of the monastery in chronicles dates back to 1500.

Holy Dormition convent, view from the opposite bank of the Volkhov

The monastery for a long time remained one of the largest religious centers in the Russian north.

In the center of the monastery rises Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the main temple of the monastery and unique monument Novgorod architecture of the 12th century. The construction of the Assumption Church refers to period from 1114 to 1150 year. This is one of the oldest fully preserved church buildings in northwestern Russia and the most northern temple pre-Mongol Rus'.

The four-pillar, three-nave, three-apse temple is crowned with a dome with a helmet-shaped dome on a high drum. In architecture, the Assumption Cathedral is similar to the Church of St. George, but has a O greater volume. During worship, it could accommodate several dozen believers.

The Assumption Church and the monastery around it could have arisen simultaneously with the construction of the Ladoga fortress in 1114-1116. or immediately after that. The customer of the temple could have been the Novgorod prince Mstislav the Great (1076-1132).

However, not so long ago, during restoration work under the arches of the Assumption Church, on one of the girth arches, a cut through the mortar was discovered. heraldic sign of Rurikovich, which, as we found out, belonged to Prince Rostislav Mstislavovich, one of the sons of Mstislav and Christina, who reigned in Novgorod in 1154 and 1157. At that time, that is, at 1157-1158 gg., obviously, built the church, but the customers could have been the mayor and the townspeople. However, this date is not considered accurate, but is only an assumption.

In the 12th century, several stone temples were erected in the city. The Assumption Cathedral, according to a number of scientists, is the first church building in Ladoga that embodies the architectural features of a new type of parish church. All other temples were built in his likeness.

Despite all the numerous reconstructions, the Assumption Church of the 12th century has been completely preserved in all its main parts. In 1958-1960 During the restoration of the temple, later additions were removed and the temple appeared in its original form. At the same time, a total of about 50 square meters was revealed on the walls of the temple. meters of preserved fragments of frescoes from the 12th century.

The Assumption Monastery is surrounded by a white fence with turrets. Main entrance- Western Holy Gate.

Western Holy Gate of the Assumption Monastery

Most of the buildings on the territory of the monastery date back to the 19th century. Until the beginning of the 19th century, all the buildings of the monastery, with the exception of the Assumption Cathedral, were wooden. In the 19th century, intensive construction began at the monastery: the Western Holy Gates, the Hospital building with the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross and other buildings were built.

After the revolution, the monastery was closed and reopened in 2005. In August 2005, the first Divine Liturgy took place in the Assumption Church.

Now all the buildings of the monastery complex are architectural monuments of federal significance.

The Assumption Church is open to the public only on weekends in the summer, and services are held only in the summer.

Therefore, the main operating temple of the monastery is Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, which is located in the south-eastern part of the monastery, almost at the very wall facing Volkhov, in the Hospital building, is a monumental brick building, built, like many other buildings on the territory of the monastery, in the neo-Russian style. There is a monastery shop at the church.

Hospital building with the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, 1860-1862, project by architect A. M. Gornostaev

At various times, the monastery became a refuge or place of imprisonment for many famous women. Perhaps the most famous prisoner of the monastery was the first wife of Peter I and the last Russian queen Evdokia Lopukhina, in monasticism Elena. She was here from 1718 to 1725; A military guard was then on duty around the monastery, entry of parishioners into the territory of the monastery was prohibited and the tonsure of new novices was suspended. The stay of Evdokia Lopukhina - nun Elena - in the monastery is reminiscent of the second name of the Ladozhka river - Elena.

Read more about the Assumption Monastery -.

The Assumption Monastery is located in the middle of the village, north of the fortress; Along the Volkhovskoe highway there is a white fence that is impossible not to notice.
The main entrance to the monastery is the Western Holy Gate, but there is another entrance on the south side, where it is convenient to park your car and there is a small parking lot.
Parking coordinates: 60.001039 , 32.293330

The Assumption Monastery is open to the public every day from 9:00 before 19:00 hours.
The Assumption Church is open to visitors on weekends in the summer.

Across the road from the monastery is the Alekseevskoe cemetery with Church of Alexy, man of God; Previously, both the church and the cemetery belonged to the Assumption Monastery.

In 1831, parishioners of the Assumption Monastery, using their own funds, built a chapel, consecrated in the name of Alexy, the man of God. And two years later, in 1833 year, on the site of the chapel, with donations from the St. Petersburg merchant Semyon Kalinin and other parishioners, a single-domed stone church in the style of late classicism was erected. At the beginning of the 20th century, a porch-porch was added to the church according to the design of the architect A.P. Melnikov.

In 1939, the Alexievskaya Church was closed and fell into disrepair. In 2000, the temple was returned to the church and restored (1999-2001) at the expense of the Volkhov Aluminum enterprise, in memory of its director B. A. Alekseev.

Not far away, in a park next to the regional cultural and sports center "Ladoga", there is memorial sign in honor of the 1250th anniversary of Staraya Ladoga. It was installed in 2003 during the anniversary celebrations.

Uspenskoe

Next to the Assumption Monastery, on the north side, there is a small park facing Volkhov. There are benches in the park, and here you can relax in the shade of the trees, and then continue your walk and sightseeing with renewed vigor.

This was the territory of the Uspenskoye estate, which is famous primarily for its cultural traditions, established by the owner of the estate A.R. Tomilov, and the memory of the wonderful people who visited here.

In the 18th century, the estate on the banks of the Volkhov belonged to the Melgunovs, one of the richest families of Staraya Ladoga. In 1807, the owners of the estate became Varvara Andreevna, the daughter of the provincial leader of the nobility in the Olonets governorship A.P. Melgunov, and her husband Alexey Romanovich Tomilov(1779-1848) - philanthropist, great lover and connoisseur of art, collector. During the war with the French in 1812, Tomilov joined the militia and led a detachment of soldiers from his serfs, and from 1815, after being wounded in the battle of Polotsk, he settled permanently in Uspenskoye and began improving the estate.

Most of the territory of the estate was occupied by a picturesque park with deciduous trees, in the center of which there was a one-story wooden manor house. On the south side of the house there was a parterre park with a regular layout, and on the opposite side the park was a dense green area. A staircase made of limestone slabs descended from the manor house towards the river. Two ponds were dug near the bank of the Volkhov, in which silver carp were bred. It led towards the monastery fence linden alley, the alleys also stretched to Malysheva Mountain and to the road towards Novaya Ladoga. To the west of the house there were greenhouses, vegetable gardens and an orchard.

In 1816, a two-story brick building was added to the wooden manor house on the north side; both buildings were connected by a covered gallery. Later the brick building became the main one. Perhaps at first it was one-story in the middle and two-story at the edges, but then it was rebuilt several times.

O. A. Kiprensky. Portrait
Alexey Romanovich Tomilov. 1808
(State Russian Museum)

The owner of Uspensky, Alexey Romanovich Tomilov, was a very respected person in the district, he was elected several times as leader of the nobles of the Novoladozhsky district. Under Tomilov, the estate became a center of art and cultural life. A subtle connoisseur and connoisseur of art, the owner of Uspensky collected a large and very valuable collection of paintings and drawings by Russian and foreign masters, as well as sculptures, prints, and antiquities.

At the invitation of Tomilov, artists often visited Uspensky, and sometimes lived and worked for a long time - I.K. Aivazovsky, O.A. Kiprensky, A.O. Orlovsky, A.G. Venetsianov, P.E. Zabolotsky and many others, here there were architects, poets, writers. Creative evenings were held at the estate, creative ideas were discussed. Here the artistic taste of aspiring artists was formed, who were patronized and helped by the Tomilov family. The artists who visited Uspensky captured the surroundings of the estate on their canvases.

The artist Orest Kiprensky was a great friend of the owner of the estate; he is in different years painted several portraits of A. R. Tomilov.

A. R. Tomilov died in 1848 and was buried in. After his death, the estate was inherited by his son, Roman Alekseevich, who supported the traditions established by his father, and artists continued to come to Uspenskoye. R. A. Tomilov died in 1864, his widow owned the estate; in those years, part of the collection of drawings was sold to P. M. Tretyakov.

Subsequently, in 1895, the estate was inherited by E. G. Schwartz (brother of the famous historical painter V. G. Schwartz). The new owner revived Uspensky’s artistic traditions, and the collection collected by the Tomilovs was replenished with new works.

In 1908, the outstanding artist B. M. Kustodiev visited Uspensky. Here he created a wonderful painting “The Nun” - a portrait of Abbess Olympias. In addition, Kustodiev painted a portrait of the Schwartz family, a view of the estate, and interiors in Uspensky.

B. M. Kustodiev. On the estate of collector E. G. Schwartz Uspenskoye in Staraya Ladoga. 1908 (Tyumen Regional Museum of Fine Arts)

In 1916, E. G. Schwartz sold part of the collection to the Russian Museum, and in 1917 he transported the rest of the collection, as well as furniture and other things for storage to the Russian Museum. This saved the collection from plunder and destruction.

But the Schwartz family, soon after the revolution, was evicted from their home and expelled outside the Novoladozhsky district. And when the owner tried to return, if not collectibles, then at least his own things, furniture, he was refused.

The wooden manor house did not survive; it burned down in the 1920s, only the brick outbuilding and another one-story building (riga), where there was a cattle yard, survived. The basic layout of the park has been preserved: a central alley crossing the park from north to south, and an access road that led to the house; You can also find traces of two ponds near the river.

The territory of the Uspenskoye estate and the brick outbuilding. This building is sometimes called the “Schwartz House”, after the last owners of the estate.

An interesting attraction of the park is the hill, one of the many ancient burial mounds preserved on the northern outskirts of Staraya Ladoga. The hill is located near the intersection of two alleys, closer to the river bank. A. R. Tomilov explored the hill together with the Polish archaeologist Zorian Dolenga-Khodakovsky, who was excavating mounds in Staraya Ladoga. Later, a gazebo was placed on the hill, and the hill was an element of the park's layout.

Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist

On the northern outskirts of Staraya Ladoga rises the five-domed Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist with a slender bell tower with a spire. The place for the temple was chosen surprisingly. The high hill above the river on which the church is built has been known since ancient times as Malysheva Mountain and is one of the best viewing platforms in Staraya Ladoga. The snow-white temple is located on the very high point Staraya Ladoga at the bend of the river and beautifully completes its perspective from the northern side.

Once upon a time there was a monastery of St. John the Baptist in this place. And in ancient times, before the founding of the monastery, there was a pagan temple on Malysheva Mountain, where they prayed to Perun and Makrusha. It is believed that the first mention of the monastery on a hill called Malysheva Mountain is found in the chronicle 1276 of the year. The Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist was the main church of the monastery.

It is known that the family of Tsar Boris Godunov showed affection for this monastery. In the chronicles (1604) there is information about the king donating two bells to the monastery. On one of them there was an inscription: “Ladoga is the stronghold of my state.” On another bell it read: “Summer 7112 (1604) for the Ascension of the Lord and the Nativity of John the Baptist, two bells were poured on Malysheva Mountain in Ladoga under the rightful Tsar and Grand Duke Boris Fedorovich of All Rus' and his rightful Queen Grand Duchess Maria and under their noble children , Tsarevich Fedora, Princess Xenia and His Eminence Metropolitan Isidore of Veliky Novgorod and under the present abbot Dionysius.”

Until the end of the 17th century, all the buildings of the monastery were wooden. IN 1695 year, on the site of the former wooden church, the current stone five-domed Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist was erected with the side chapel of Paraskeva Pyatnitsa and with a high octagonal bell tower (the head and spire of the bell tower date back to the 19th century).

The monastery existed until the end of the 18th century. Then for many years (until its closure in the 1920s), the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist was the main parish cathedral of Staraya Ladoga.

Not long ago, the temple building was threatened with complete destruction. Suddenly the bell tower began to lean and the arch of the apse collapsed. As it turned out, the entire Malysheva Mountain was dug up from the inside underground passages. In the 19th century, village peasants mined quartz sand here and sold it in St. Petersburg to make light bulbs. The resulting voids threatened the safety architectural monument. During the restoration of the temple, the underground passages were filled with concrete, this strengthened the soil and stopped the destruction.

Now it is a functioning Orthodox Church. After restoration was completed in 1991, the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist was the first in Staraya Ladoga to be returned to believers and again became the main parish church of the city. The church is assigned to. Services are held here on Saturdays and temple holidays.

During the restoration, a new multi-tiered iconostasis was installed in the temple. Chapel in the name of St. Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa was also decorated with a new iconostasis and elegant forged candlesticks. And the brick walls of the chapel remained unplastered, as a reminder of the times when the churches in the village were closed and looted. The walls of the adjacent refectory were painted by St. Petersburg artists.

Painted ceiling in the refectory

Not far from the temple there is a spring - healing source. It is located at the foot of Malysheva Mountain on the banks of the Volkhov River. It is believed that this is one of the most ancient holy springs not only in the Leningrad region, but also in Russia, and its water helps with many different diseases.

Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist and chapel-font at the source of Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa

A staircase leads from the Church of John the Baptist to the source. From here you can see the bend of the river and the shore where the mound of Prophetic Oleg is located.

Chapel-font and source of Paraskeva-Pyatnitsa

Nicholas Roerich. Overseas guests. From the series “The Beginning of Rus'. Slavs". 1901 (State Tretyakov Gallery)

View from the mound to the side

Many legends and traditions are associated with these mounds. They say that Oleg Kurgan is connected by underground passages to the Old Ladoga caves and a system of catacombs; secret passages even supposedly lead to the fortress and monasteries. There is a legend that the grave of Rurik himself is located in Staraya Ladoga. Rurik is supposedly buried in a golden coffin in one of the many caves and underground galleries; Of course, countless treasures are also stored there. It is not surprising that at all times there were many adventurers who tried to find Rurik’s golden coffin in the dungeons, but to no avail.

Coordinates of the Sopki tract: 60.012296 , 32.301235

Caves

There really are underground passages, caves and catacombs here, both natural and artificial.

The caves are also a landmark of Staraya Ladoga. The most famous are Tanechkina and Staroladozhskaya.

Tanechkina cave, - it is located about a kilometer from the Old Ladoga mounds, - the largest, most beautiful and interesting. According to official data, the passages of the Tanechkina Cave stretch along the Volkhov for almost eight kilometers, but local legends say that it is almost forty.

This cave is mainly of artificial origin. At the end of the 19th century, quarries were established in this place, in which white quartz sandstone was mined, used for glass production, and after the depletion of reserves, the quarries were abandoned. Mining was carried out using the room-and-pillar method, in which numerous columns were formed. Therefore, the cave looks very beautiful: the arched vaults are supported by columns, between which a winding labyrinth of halls and passages has formed. Many parts of the cave are flooded, and the vaults are beautifully reflected in the water. In addition, several species of bats live in the cave.

Staraya Ladoga Cave is located in the lower part of Malysheva Mountain, under the Church of John the Baptist.

It was also created as a result of the extraction of quartz sandstone, but much smaller in size. Due to the cavities formed under the mountain, the Church of John the Baptist was in danger of collapsing, and some of the passages were filled with concrete.

There are other caves in the area, some of which remain virtually unexplored.

How to get to Staraya Ladoga

By car you need to go along the highway from St. Petersburg to Petrozavodsk and Murmansk to the village of Kiselnya (from the Ring Road to Kiselnya 95 km), there follow the sign to the right, after 2.5 km at the fork take a left and go to the bridge over the Volkhov (from Kiselnya to bridge 12 km) and before the bridge at the traffic light turn left - to Staraya Ladoga (another 5 km).

You can follow the highway to the Volkhov River and turn right in Yushkovo before the bridge; then you will enter Staraya Ladoga from the north. 6.5 kilometers after the turn, on the left side there will be the Sopki tract and the mound of Prophetic Oleg, and here at the entrance a very beautiful panoramic view Staraya Ladoga, the bend of the Volkhov River, the towers of the fortress and the domes of churches.

On public transport from Saint-Petersburg:

Electric trains to Volkhovstroy-1 station depart from Moskovsky and Ladozhsky railway stations. Travel time is approximately 2.5 hours. You can board those trains that depart from Moskovsky Station at the Obukhovo and Rybatskoye stations, and at the Obukhovo and Rybatskoye metro stations. Some evening trains from Volkhovstroy to the city may not go to the Moskovsky station, but only to Obukhovo.

Shuttle Buses go from the bus station on the Obvodny Canal in the direction of Boksitogorsk or Volkhov, from Northern bus station in Murino in the direction of Kirishi.

From Volkhovstroy-1 station you can get to Staraya Ladoga by bus number 23, going along the route Volkhov-Staraya Ladoga-New Ladoga. It departs from a stop at the station square. Buses run approximately every hour. It takes 15-20 minutes to get to Staraya Ladoga. The bus passes the entire Staraya Ladoga on its way and makes three stops in the village. The first stop is at the turn to the St. Nicholas Monastery, the second is closer to the fortress, at the Museum of Archeology and the monument to Rurik and Oleg, the third is at the Church of John the Baptist. You can get back to the Volkhovstroy station square by the same bus No. 23. There is a schedule at the stops.