Sights

Novgorod's centerpiece is the kremlin, built during the 11th to 15th centuries. Amongst the towers, museums, and churches you should see St. Sophia's Cathedral, an 11th century structure that was the center of all the action during Novgorod's glory days. You won't be able to miss the huge 1862 bronze monument dedicated to the millenium of the founding of Russia, with 129 historical figures around its base and crown. Across the river from the kremlin is Yaroslav's Court and Market Place, where you can see churches (including the 16th century "Church of the Myrrh-Bearing Women") and the remains of a 13th century trading yard.

A couple kilometers to the south of the city along Yurievskoye Shosse is the Vitoslavlitsy Wooden Architecture Museum, an open-air collection of wooden structures (picturesque huts and churches) brought here from around the Novgorod region. And farther down the road is the Yuriev Monastery, founded in the 11th century. Its ancient St. George's Cathedral (built in 1119) is undergoing restoration, but some of the 12th century frescoes are visible, and if you ask nicely and make a donation to the church and/or the custodian you may get taken up to the top of the tower.