(Source: http://valhalla.ulver.com/f66)

The Novgorod Kremlin or Detinets is the citadel of Veliky Novgorod. It stands above the Volkhov River, above the low Trade Side.

If you walk through the pedestrian bridge from the river, from the Trade Side, the Kremlin will slowly grow, becoming higher and more significant with every step. And if you approach the Kremlin park from the broad Sennaya Square, the fortress which is initially barely visible through the trees will suddenly appear as a whole, in all its glory and power. But the best look of the Novgorod Kremlin can be perceived from the water - if you sail along Volkhov from Ilmen Lake, the red brick walls and towers of the Kremlin can be seen already from the Gorodishche (ancient settlement, in comparison to which the fortress built in X century became known as Novgorod, which means “new city”).

Then you gradually begin to discern the details – loopholes of the towers, battlements of the walls, ancient and relatively new buildings. The chimes of the bells are carried by the water to tens of kilometers, strengthening the sense of timelessness.

In fact, Detinets is the Lord Novgorod the Great itself: the administrative, social and religious centre of the city. Mayor (Posadnik) was elected here; the squads of Aleksandr Nevsky went to fight the Swedes from here. The Kremlin walls protected the St. Sophia Cathedral and the main residence of the Archbishop of Novgorod in the Episcopal court. The eastern arch offers the view of the Yaroslav Court and the Antoniev Monastery, in clear weather you can also see the bell tower of the suburban Yuriev Monastery. You can enjoy the view of the entire city and its surroundings from the high watchtower that received its name “Kokui” at the beginning of XIX century.

The landscape of the southern suburbs has not changed over the past centuries: just like a thousand years ago, Volkhov begins from Ilmen, its channels wash the numerous islands covered with tall grass. The Vikings called this place Holmgard, “the country of islands”.

The walls of the mighty Detinets are so full of events that everyone’s historical imagination is woken up here. Even workers dealing with the drain in the ditch seem to be the residents of the ancient Novgorod always ready to let the water in, raise bridges and take a perimeter defense. However, today the Kremlin garrison is made up by people of peace: the staff of the Novgorod Museum Reserve.

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