Valday is world famous for its highlands lying between Moscow and St. Petersburg. Ages ago, a huge glacier drift came to a halt here, and thus, gave birth to numerous hills and small mountains which is so unusual of this part of Russia. The region located in the north of Central Russia seems to be a small mountain area, beautiful and homelike, a kind of Russian Switzerland.

The city of Valday is located in a picturesque place among lakes and hills covered with thin forests. The land of Valday is beautiful with its picturesque sceneries, clean air, and crystal lakes. It attracts people by its beauty and mysterious secrets of the old times.

Some of the greatest Russian lakes originate in the spurs of the Valday highlands – the Dnepr, the Volga and the West Dvina. In the very center of this magic land you may see "a blue pearl" of the region – Valday Lake.

Geological exploration works showed proved there is a huge lake, much bigger than the upper one, connected with it by underwater crevices.

Valday woods are still known as habitation of wolves, foxes, squirrels, brown bears, otters, martens, lynxes, etc. unique natural conditions of the area surrounding Valday Lake were noted by the government – the Valday territory received a status of a forest reserve.

You will never find a hotel meeting European standards here, noisy civilization or much traffic – this place is a piece of untouched nature, quiet and relaxing on one hand and challenging on the other one.

Historical Monuments

Church of St Catherine the Martyr

The church was built in 1793 and has preserved its original look up to nowadays. In XIX century, it was 2 or 3 times repaired, but the first significant restoration works were performed in 1956, when the church’s condition desperately needed to be worked on. In the course of the restoration process, completed by 1961, the interior decoration and the cross mounting the dome were lost.

The church of St Catherine, the Martyr, is a remarkable example of an Eastern Orthodox Church building constructed under traditions of classicism. The church is surely one of the best and the only of its kind in the Nizhny Novgorod Region.

Trinity Cathedral

The Trinity Cathedral of Valday was built in 1744. In the Soviet times most churches were demolished, but the building of the Trinity Cathedral became the local cultural centre, after the upper tier of the ball tower was dismantled.

Later the cathedral was recognized as a historical monument of XVIII-XIX cc. and a key element forming the ensemble of the Trinity Square. The cathedral is constructed in keeping with late Baroque.

Iversky Monastery

Visiting Iversky Monastery, located on Valdaisky isle not far from the town, is a must for many tourists. The Monastery was founded by the Novgorod metropolitan Nikon in 1653. First the Assumption Cathedral of 43 high was build in 1656, the one preserved up to nowadays. Iversky Monastery started functioning in 1991 after a long break.

Founded by Metropolitan Nikon in the image and likeness of Iversky cloister of Afon, the monastery symbolizes succession of Russia to Byzantine culture.

Being the centre of education, the monastery became the lullaby for various handicrafts and one of few book-typing centres. Today the monastery revives its traditions. Every day beautiful bell tolling resounds over the lakes, as if suggesting pilgrims offering up a prayer in a saint place.

One can get to the monastery by a regular motor-boat. You can also drive your way to Iversky Monastery; just ask the locals, they’d be glad to help you.

Not many know, but it is possible to ford a narrow strait to get to Muravyiny isle. There are skyscraping 100-year-old pines and a small inner lake called Glukhoye.