The main place of interest of Novgorod the Great is Novgorod Kremlin. In the Middle Ages it was called
"Detinets", and it surrounded the house of the prince of Novgorod Veliki, who lived
inside of the Kremlin. Novgorod Kremlin has got the shape of an irregular oval.
The square of Novgorod Kremlin is 12,1 hectares, the length of the walls is 1385 meters,
their width is 3,3 meters and height is 11 meters. The first stone Novgorod Kremlin was built
in 1044 at the command of Prince Yaroslav the Wise. Later it was rebuilt by Ivan III in 1484.
Now there are 9 towers in Novgorod Kremlin. Inside its walls there are main exhibitions
of the museum, restoration workshops, public library, philharmonic concert hall,
college of music and art, art school, restaurant and souvenir shops.
St. Sophia Cathedral
St. Sophia Cathedral has always been considered to be the heart of the Kremlin.
First it was built out of wood, later in 1045 the son of Yaroslav the Wise Vladidmir
started to build the cathedral out of stone. The cathedral was consecrated in honour of
Saint Sophia the Wisdom of God in 1052 by the Archbishop Luka. The Cathedral had been
the symbol of the grand duke's power. Inside of the cathedral the prince greeted the
ambassadors, concluded treaties and kept his treasury. The height of the cathedral is
38 meters. Inside of the Cathedral one can see wonderful frescoes, which date back to
the Middle Ages.
The Monument "Millenium of Russia"
In the middle of Novgorod Kremlin there is a monument "Millenium of Russia".
It was erected in honour of the Russian state system foundation in 862,
when Ryurik came to rule in Novgorod. The monument was created in accordance of the
plan of M. Mickeshin. The monument was opened on September 8, 1862. The tzar family
took part in this event. The shape of the monument reminds the bell, which is the symbol
of the Novgorod region, and Monomakh's hat, the symbol of the sovereign power. There are
figures of famous Russian people on the monument. The height of the monument is
15,7 meters.
|
