If you suddenly want to escape the bustle of the city for a while and spend time for the benefit of body and soul, by all means consider traveling to Seliger. So, the choice is made. Now we will try to answer frequently asked questions. Why Seliger? Where is? How to get there? How to diversify your leisure time?

Seliger is an amazing region

The unique and boundless beauty of Russian nature, amazing sunrises and fabulous sunsets over the mirror-like surface of the water, Fresh air, Russian bath, fishing, unhurried horseback riding, what else is needed for complete relaxation? Seliger - the most beautiful lake in central Russia, a fertile land for fishermen and hunters. Everyone who has been there at least once dreams of returning there.

beauty of nature

Along the perimeter of all the banks of the Seliger stretched endless forest land. In them you can find all kinds of trees and shrubs. In summer there is a wide variety of flowering plants and herbs. Coastal flora is represented by reeds, sedge, and also water lilies growing in backwaters. For a quiet and secluded holiday, you can put up a tent, enjoy the singing of birds, of which there are more than 250 species, and admire the surrounding nature. More than 30 species of different fish are found in the lakes. From waterfowl there are ducks, geese and even swans. Seagulls soar above the expanses of water, in the forests you can meet hazel grouse, magpie, woodpecker, thrush and even an eagle.

City where Seliger is located

Almost everyone knows that the lake is located between Moscow and the northern capital - St. Petersburg. But many tourists cannot unequivocally answer where, in what region Seliger is located. Most of the huge lake extends on the lands of the Tver region, and partly the water mirror captures the Novgorod region. The southern side of the lake is considered especially popular and equipped, because it is closer to the capital. The city of Ostashkov is the "capital" of Seliger.

Transport: how to get there

Major highways lead from Moscow to the destination: Novorizhskoye (M-9) and Leningradskoe (M-10) highways and a railway line that bypasses the lake on a tangent. The distance is about 500 kilometers.

The best option is to get to the lake personal transport, the average travel time will take about 5 hours.

All villages and towns around Seliger are connected by bus routes or waterways, only transport runs infrequently and on time, which makes it difficult to travel to attractions at a convenient time for tourists. In the absence of your own car, you can use tourist buses, sightseeing boats or private pleasure boats to move around Seliger. There is a river station in Ostashkov, and marinas for plying ferries were built on the islets.

Sights of Seliger and its environs

On the islands and in the coastal zones of lakes there are a fair number of man-made monuments of ancient architecture: ancient churches, monastic cloisters, landowners' estates and peasant houses.

One of the main historical attractions of Seliger is the current monastery, named the Nile Desert in honor of the hermit healer Nile who lived on the island. Tourists are given the opportunity to attend the service, venerate the sacred relics of the elder and admire the picturesque panorama from the monastery bell tower.

The monastery is located near Ostashkov on Stolbny Island, you can get here river transport or across the bridge from the village of Svetlitsa.

On the territory of the abolished Znamensky Monastery, the Ascension Church, the decoration of the city of Ostashkov, has been perfectly preserved. Church services are still held there today.

An hour's drive from Ostashkov, on the shores of one of the Seliger lakes, the Vselug reservoir, is the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist - a 45-meter church built in the 17th century from wood without a single nail.

Other noteworthy places visited by tourists are also in demand. For example, the village of Rogozha, one of the oldest settlements on the outskirts of Ostashkov, is known for its museum of nature, which exhibits numerous rare species of local flora and fauna. native land. Interestingly, the museum is located in the building of the Transfiguration Church.

The village of Volgoverkhovye is 90 km from Lake Seliger, where there is a pure spring that gives rise to the great full-flowing Volga River. An excellent background for memorable photos will be the chapel built over the spring and the first wooden bridge across the Volga.

Pyramid of Famine

Not far from Ostashkov, near the village of Khotino, stands the pyramid of Famine, 22 meters high. Named after the esoteric - the author of the construction project. Previously, it was believed that these pyramidal structures have a beneficial effect on ecological state areas, and the objects that have been in them are endowed with miraculous properties. And even today they offer "charged" water to all believers in the healing power of the pyramids. Entrance to the local attraction is free.

Interesting facts

The lake is located on the site of a huge glacier, which, after global warming, left behind a hilly hill called Valdai. Subsequently, all the depressions gradually filled with water, and a network of lakes connected by channels formed - today's Seliger.

Ostashkovo Lake received another name due to city ​​of the same name, picturesquely standing on the peninsula. This old City ok, founded in the 15th century, was originally a fishing village, and today is the main tourist center. It is also called the “Russian Venice”, because it is surrounded by water on three sides, and some buildings rise straight out of the water.

An interesting feature of the lake Seliger is such a phenomenon: more than 100 channels flow into it, and one river flows out - Selizharovka, which connects Seliger with the Volga.

The length of the indented coastline exceeds 500 km - this is explained by numerous capes, bays and estuaries.

The water in the lakes is transparent to a depth of 5-6 m, so you can even see the bottom.

The area of ​​the lake is 260 sq. km, of which 38 sq. km is occupied by 160 islands with different relief and vegetation, the largest of which are Khachin and Gorodomlya.

It has become a good tradition to hold various festivals and youth forums on Seliger.

Rest on Seliger

The area where Seliger is located attracts vacationers with the beauty of the local landscape and provides a lot of ideas for both "wild" and elite relaxation.

Fishing and hunting are offered for pastime. excursion routes sightseeing, skydiving and, of course, various water activities: swimming, windsurfing, diving, jet ski.

Numerous hostels offer organized vacation. Almost all hotels are equipped with sports grounds, there are rental offices where you can take any sports equipment. Some guest houses even have stables. So horse rides on pine forest is also on the list of leisure activities.

Below is a picturesque photo from Seliger, where the church is located on one of its islands.

Peak beach holiday on Seliger, where there are many tourist centers and hotels, falls on the month of July and is characterized by warm and sunny weather, the water in the lakes warms up to 25 ° C. But short rains make it necessary to stock up on mosquitoes and other insects.

During the off-season, fishing comes to the fore. Also, many people prefer winter holidays with ice skating on the frozen surface of the lake or skiing on crystal white crisp snow, ice fishing and winter hunting.

The smallest guests of Seliger will not be bored either. Many camp sites for kids are equipped with children's towns with swings, trampolines and slides.

In the area where Seliger is located, you can go not only to relax, but also to improve your health. Humid lake air and coniferous aroma treat respiratory system disorders, hypertension and many other diseases.

To have a good rest, it is not at all necessary to go abroad. Vacation on Seliger is a pleasant pastime among the picturesque fairy-tale nature, which will bring benefits and give a lot of the most vivid impressions.

Seliger is the main lake of the Tver region. It is located in the north-west of the region, on the Valdai Upland, part of it lies in the Novgorod region. In fact, Seliger is not quite a lake. This is a whole network of lakes and reaches, connected into one by straits and inland rivers. Seliger's area is 260 square kilometers, 38 kilometers of which are occupied by islands. Average depth lakes - about 6 meters, although there are also depressions - up to 24 meters.

The main tourist center is the ancient city of Ostashkov, which has existed since the 14th century. Rest on the island of Gorodomlya, the second largest island of Seliger, is also popular - the village of Solnechny is located here. The island is connected with Ostashkov by water, boats leave about 10 times a day.

Attractions Seliger

On the Stolbny Island, 25 kilometers from Ostashkov, there is a famous monastery, this is the main attraction of Lake Seliger. In the 15th century, the revered hermit Nil settled on the island, who earned the nickname Stolbensky for this. He bequeathed to establish a monastery on the island after his death, which was done in 1594, 40 years after the death of the monk. You can get to the island both on a sightseeing boat and on a footbridge from the village of Svetlitsa.

In Ostashkov, several fine examples of Russian tent-roof architecture of the 17th century have been preserved, including Church of the Ascension with the famous bell tower. The bell tower offers the best view of the lake and its surroundings in the city.

On the shore Lake Vselug, about 40 kilometers from Ostashkov, there is a unique monument of wooden architecture - a 45-meter Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist, erected in 1694 without the use of nails. This place is also known as Shirokov Pogost or Tver Kizhi.

15 kilometers from Ostashkov, near the village of Khotino, there is a 22-meter white famine pyramid. Hunger is the ideologist and author of the project of energy pyramids, massively built in Russia and neighboring countries on the esoteric wave of the 90s. It was believed that a special form of the pyramid has a positive effect on the environment, structuring the space in a special way, and objects that have been in such a pyramid receive wonderful properties. This monument to faith in miracles is still preserved, they still sell "charged" water here.

Prices for holidays on Lake Seliger

Rest on Seliger can be very budgetary, it all depends on the choice of accommodation. You can rent a house on Lake Seliger, in which five or six people can live, for 30-36 thousand rubles for a week ("Cottage in Novye Yelets" or unusual hotel"Floating House" near the Ostashkov beach). We are talking about quite comfortable living conditions with all the benefits of civilization.

For those traveling as a couple or a family with a child, it is more profitable to rent a room. A cozy room without food for two will cost 18 thousand rubles for a week, and a triple room - 24 thousand rubles (in Timofeevskaya Usadba, for example). More modest rooms with amenities, even at the height of the summer season, can be rented for 12-15 thousand rubles (price for two per week in the hotels "Beregovaya" and "Katerina").

You can also rent rooms and cottages from private owners, such options can be found right on the spot. Of course, you can put up a tent for free - just go away from civilization.

Food prices in stores are no different from the average for the country, in addition, there is a chance to buy fresh eggs and delicious various milk from locals.

The road here is inexpensive, so rest on Seliger belongs to the budget category.

Fishing and recreation on Lake Seliger

Seliger is beautiful place for relax. It is located relatively close to both capitals - almost halfway between and. Tourism on Seliger is very different. If you want to relax in comfort, then at your service cottages and rooms in rest houses, such as "Ekaterininskaya Sloboda", the reception house "Higina", "Botovo", "Floating House" and many others. Those who prefer a budget option can stay at one of the many recreation centers ("Pachkovo", "Svetlitsa", "Chaika" and others). You can also put up a tent and enjoy the surrounding nature. In many guest houses and recreation centers, breakfast and even all-inclusive meals are included in the price.

Usually, recreation centers and hotels have their own sports ground and sports equipment rentals - from balls to fishing rods. Some houses have a stable, ATV and boat rental. On the banks of Seliger there are several stations for windsurfing, kitesurfing and water skiing.

People go to Seliger to swim, sunbathe and relax. In addition, this is a popular hunting ground: moose, wild boars, bears, wolves, foxes, hares and other animals are found here.

However, the most popular entertainment on Seliger is fishing. Pike, bream, pike perch live in the lake - more than 30 species of fish in total. You can rent a boat and fishing rods on the spot: either where you are staying, or at a nearby recreation center.

From river station Excursion boats regularly leave Ostashkov, the most popular route is to the Nilovaya Hermitage. Tours and boat trips are also offered by private traders.

Those who want a secluded holiday, away from camp sites and other tourists, can go to largest island Seligera - Khachin. It has its own lakes - as many as 13. There are several villages along the shores of the island, the largest is Volokhovshchina. But right behind the trees, forests and fascinating tourist routes begin, the most popular one runs along the lakes, they stretch out in a chain and are connected by streams.

To enjoy your holiday on Seliger, you need to stock up on mosquito and other insect repellents. And in order not to spoil the pleasure of others, you should follow the order - always take garbage with you and kindle fires only on old bonfires, in the most extreme case - on the shore of lakes.

More than a hundred rivers flow into Seliger, and only one flows out - Selizharovka.

The bizarre shape of the lake - its shores are formed by many capes and bays, while the length coastline exceeds 500 kilometers - due to glacial origin.

The transparency of the water on Seliger reaches 5 meters, so you can almost always see the bottom.

Seliger is a traditional venue for festivals and other major events, the most famous being the youth pro-government forum, which has been organized here for 10 years in a row. Another major educational project is the "Summer School" (www.letnyyashkola.org), which is held jointly with the Russian Reporter magazine and, unlike the youth forum, will be held here in 2015 as well.

Where is Lake Seliger and how to get there

Most of Lake Seliger is located on the territory, on the Valdai Upland, the most popular and inhabited southern part lakes, located closer to Moscow.

Ostashkov is called the "capital" of Seliger, so you need to go in this direction. A railway line leads to Ostashkovo and two car roads- A-111 from Torzhok and R-87 from Rzhev. From Ostashkov there is a road P-89, enveloping part of the lake.

From St. Petersburg, you need to go along the M-10 road past Veliky Novgorod, before Valdai it is more convenient to turn onto the R-48, turning into the R-50 and further to the R-89. The distance is about 470 kilometers.

From Moscow you can go through (it is worth taking a few hours to see local sights) along the M-10 and then A-111 or through Rzhev along the M-9 and then R-87, the distance is almost the same.

We have marked Lake Seliger on the map of Russia, see below. The distance is about 380 kilometers.

Usually, before going somewhere, I study the place for a long time, determining what must be seen, and choosing a hotel where we will stay. So it was this time, when we gathered on Seliger. The city of Ostashkov is located on the Valdai Upland in the land of forests and lakes, the largest of which, Lake Seliger, was formed during the last glaciation. The city is located on a peninsula and is washed by the lake from three sides; it is one of the few cities that retains the panorama that has developed by the middle of the 19th century, the center of tourism on the Seliger and Upper Volga lakes. In the city and its environs, there is a sufficient amount of everything that is needed for a traveler and vacationer.

A bit of history: in 1371, in the letter of the Lithuanian prince Olgerd to Patriarch Philotheus, Klichen is mentioned - the most outlying border town of the Moscow principality (in the northwestern part of the island of Klichen, 1 km from modern city). In 1393, the Novgorod "hunting army" ravaged and burned the city of Klichen. In 1528, the hermit monk Nil settled on Stolbny Island, 10 km from Ostashkov. In 1594, Nilova Hermitage was founded on Stolbnoy Island, which later became one of the most visited and richest. Around the settlements in 1587, due to the danger of the Lithuanian invasion, a fortress was built, called the Ostashkovsky town. In 1626 and 1651-53, new fortifications were erected. The fortress burned in 1676 and 1711 and has not been restored since. In the 1760s, Ostashevskaya Sloboda was part of the Tver province of the Novgorod province. Since May 28, 1770, Ostashkov has been a city in the Novgorod province, since 1775 - county town Tver viceroy (since 1796 - Tver province).

It must be said that Ostashkov favorably differed from other cities not only in the level of culture, but also in landscaping. The city is full of flowers. If you look at Ostashkov from a bird's eye view, you will definitely come to the conclusion how unique the location of this town is. Firstly, it is located on the peninsula and acts as a “boot” into Lake Seliger. Secondly, Ostashkov is surrounded by water on three sides, but if from the northwestern part this lake is like an endless sea, then in the northeast it is all dotted with small islands.
But when arriving at Seliger, there is no need to rush, quickly break out into the expanses of the lake. In Ostashkov one should live at least two or three days. Visit the streets, go to Zhitenny Ostrov and further to Klichen, again and again return to the city to the pier, to where the boats are turned upside down, be sure to sit on the benches on the shore, listen to the noise of ships, the monotonous grumbling of outboard motors, the cries of seagulls and the murmuring lake waves. Get up early in the morning when the sun is just rising. At this time, you can meet fishermen going to their fishery. Footsteps on asphalt in these morning hours are especially loud. At the crossroads, you must, by all means, stop and see how the streets scatter in four directions. The streets are drowning in a foggy haze, resting on the lake.
The city of Ostashkov is a real provincial town. There are dozens, thousands of them in Russia.

Ostashkov will be stretched along the coastline of Lake Seliger. The city was built up according to a regular plan, approved in 1772 and drawn up taking into account the historical layout, its silhouette is largely determined by ordinary buildings of the 18th-19th centuries and churches. The main sights of the city are Znamensky (XVII century) and Zhitenny monasteries. Next to the Church of the Resurrection there is a free-standing hipped bell tower and the "Naryshkinsky" Trinity Cathedral (1697) - the largest and most beautiful temple of Ostashkov, which has completely preserved its original appearance. The cathedral houses a museum of local lore, where you can see colorful dioramas of natural landscapes, biogroups of animals, a fabulous undersea world Lake Seliger, rare, endangered species of animals listed in the Red Book: muskrat, osprey, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle. All this will leave good memories, cause a desire to help the fragile Seliger nature, and teach you how to treat it with care.

You can climb the bell tower of the Trinity Cathedral - from it you can see beautiful view on the city and Lake Seliger. In addition, there is an exposition of bells and concerts of bell music. Not far from the main square, you can see an old fire tower and a red brick house with towers - the former city theater. In Ostashkov, you can see a monument to the author of the first educational encyclopedia in Russia in mathematics, Russian mathematician and teacher Leonty Filippovich Magnitsky.

The Znamensky Monastery, which is located in Ostashkov, is also interesting for tourists. It originated in a wasteland, which the Ostashi called Stary Strugovishche, in 1673. On Znamenskaya Street is the Znamensky Convent, founded in 1673. First, all the buildings of the monastery, including main church, were wooden, and when a fire broke out in the 19th century, the monastery was almost completely burned out. After this, the monastery acquired a new huge red brick cathedral - Ascension Cathedral (1731-48, rebuilt in 1887-89). During the years of Soviet power, the cathedral was closed, and a working town was located on the territory of the monastery. At present, only the walls and the Church of the Ascension remain from the monastery. It has been reopened since 1991. Some buildings of the Ascension Cathedral of 1748, a refectory, and cells have been preserved in the monastery.

One of the northern streets of Ostashkov is Uritsky Street. There are mainly wooden houses with high mezzanines, usually with two or three windows. Many houses are decorated with wooden carvings. It was fashionable in the 19th century. Some houses are made of bricks.

In the Ostashkovsky district, there are no less places worth visiting than in the city itself, and even much more.

The Tolstoy Manor, located in the village of Novye Eltsy, undoubtedly deserves attention. The buildings of the estate belong to the 18-19th century, where Alexander Pushkin's friend, Decembrist Yakov Nikolaevich Tolstoy was born and lived in 1791-1812. At present, the estate building has been converted into a four-star Palace Hotel "Seliger". Another unusual building on the territory of the district is the pyramid of Alexander Golod. There are many legends about this attraction. The creator of the pyramid claims that his brainchild within a radius of fifty kilometers has a beneficial effect on everything: ecology, flora, fauna and people ....

Ostashkovsky district has a number of interesting churches and temples. Zhitenny Monastery was founded on Zhitenny Island back in 1716. The cathedral was consecrated in honor of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God. The Bogoroditsky Zhitenny Monastery was founded in 1716 on Zhitnoye Island in the name of the image of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Smolensk "Hodegetria". Icon of the Blessed Virgin of Smolensk "Hodegetria" is the patroness of the city of Ostashkov.

In 1711, a strong fire broke out in Ostashkov. Part of the city, the fortress and the main gate, over which the image of the Virgin was located, were damaged. When the ashes were dismantled, the icon was found unharmed. The townspeople realized that this is not a simple image, and decided to build a temple for him on the old church of Zhitnoe Island. Monks began to settle around the temple. And in 1716, the Bogoroditsky Zhitenny Monastery was founded here. Subsequently, the island was connected to the mainland by a causeway and is already considered a peninsula. At present, with the help of the inhabitants of Ostashkov, all the land of the monastery has been bought into his ownership and restoration of all buildings is underway.

In the village of Nikolo-Rozhok, a unique church ensemble has been preserved. Church of the Assumption with fragments of painting of the 18th century, a fence with towers, late 18th - early 19th centuries. From the hill on which the ensemble is located, a magnificent view of Lake Seliger opens. One of the oldest churches on Seliger is located in a surprisingly picturesque place. A small peninsula enters several tens of meters into the waters of the lake, and on the peninsula itself there is also a small hill, on which the Nikolo-Rozhok churchyard was built many years ago. From afar, it seems that Nikolo-Rozhok is standing right on the water, but when you get closer, the full picture opens up. It is because of the shape of the peninsula that the name contains the word Rozhok, and its first part is formed from the Nikolsky Monastery that once existed here. Nowadays, the monastery is a historical and cultural monument of the region and is open to local residents and tourists. The very same settlement Nikolo-Rozhok ceased to exist and the place was chosen by summer residents and tourists.

If we talk about Seliger, it is impossible not to mention the Nile Desert. one of the first places that tourists tend to visit. Every year thousands of pilgrims from different regions of Russia come here. The Nilo-Stolobensky Monastery rises on the island of Stolobny (Stolbny). At this place, according to legend, the Monk Nilus first settled. And he lived there in a dugout until he built himself a cell and a chapel for prayers. After his death, the monastery was rebuilt on the place of the chapel. On July 9, 1995, the solemn transfer of the relics of the Monk Nil from Ostashkov to the Epiphany Cathedral of the Nilova Pustyn took place. Today Nilova Pustyn is a functioning male monastery. The monastery of St. Nile makes an indelible impression. The monastery is open to numerous tourists and pilgrims. You can visit the temple, venerate the relics, climb the bell tower, from where you can see a magnificent panorama of the lake, islands, villages and temples along the banks.

I will tell you more about the monastery in a separate article. He made an indelible impression on me.

interesting architectural ensembles Vvedensky Church in the village of Kravotyn and the Olginsky Monastery in the village of Volgoverkhovye at the source of the Volga.

Another one from interesting monuments- Ignac cross. Until now, disputes about its location have not subsided. This is the place reached by the Tatars in 1238. There are two monuments of the same name: in the Tver region and in the Novgorod region. According to the first version, one place is located near the village of Yazhelbitsy, Valdai district, Novgorod region. According to the second - this is the village of Zaluchye, Ostashkovsky district, Tver region.

At the bend of the river Pyroshnya, a spring springs from the ground, which is considered sacred by Christians. This source is called Okovetsky by the name of the nearby village. Healing properties are attributed to the water of the Okovetsky holy spring, in order to drink this water and bathe in the source, hundreds of pilgrims come here every year.

There is a legend associated with finding the source. In the sixteenth century, two icons were revealed to two robbers hiding from the law in the local forest in the branches of a huge tree - the Cross of the Lord and the Mother of God with the Child. According to legend, miraculous light emanated from the icons, and soon people noticed that the icons and the spring that was beating not far from this place had healing powers. Two churches were built on the site of the appearance of the icons. Unfortunately, during the years of Soviet power, the churches were destroyed and the icons were lost. Today, a chapel has been erected at the Okovetsky holy spring, and an open font has been built over the source itself, we plunged into the clear, icy water of the source.

For a long time they could not determine exactly where the source of the Volga River was, until they came to the conclusion that the source great river- This is a small swamp where springs beat. It is located on the Valdai Hills. Here above the purest and deep place a chapel was built with spring water. First and completely exact description the headwaters of the Volga River is available in the “General Consideration for the Tver Province”, compiled in 1783-1784: “The upper reaches of the Volga are 59 versts from the city of Ostashkov in the northwest, to the Starorusskaya border: 6 versts from it, in the dachas of the economic departments of the Selizharovsky volost, under the village called Volgino Verkhovye; in a small wood forest growing in a swamp, there is pure moss, no more than 100 sazhens in a circle at the end of which an oak stump and a well are visible, from which the Volga River proceeds, not wider than two arshins and, passing through a clean place on silty soil, through two versts it flows into two lakes, called Verkhovsky, from which it emerges, leans at noon and after three versts pours into Lake Sterzhen, then, passing Lakes Vselug and Peno, increases its waters with the river Zhukopoy and others flowing into it; finally, after a few versts, it enters Lake Volgo; flowing out of it, it takes in the Selizharovka River and then it already increases so much that it becomes navigable.

In 1649, at the source of the Volga, by decree of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich Romanov, the Volgoverkhovsky Preobrazhensky Monastery was built. The monastery turned out to be in an area difficult to access for pilgrims: the entire territory surrounding the upper reaches of the Volga River is covered with hilly elevations, swamps and wild forests. The monastery was little known and most of the time was in disrepair; a chapel was built over the source of the Volga.
The naturalist, academician of the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences Nikolai Yakovlevich Ozertsovsky described the source of the Volga in 1814: “Having crossed the small bridge lying on the Volga stream, it was necessary to turn right and go along the marked plates to the very well, which is one and a half fathoms in space. Water from a vast swamp, overgrown with spruce forest, enters here, and in this reservoir, which the inhabitants call Jordan, it seems to be stagnant; however, it quietly makes its way in a stream into a vast gully and continues its path at the bottom of it along the inclination of the gully. Over Jordan lie old logs up and down, which were left from the chapel that was once there, which none of the inhabitants remembers; but it is known according to legend that there was a chapel and the water in the well was kept clean and so transparent that a pin or a half-piece lowered into it was visible in a deliberate depth.
In the 19th century, the chapel was rebuilt, it was burned down by the Germans during the Great Patriotic War. Now, as well as "from time immemorial", a wooden chapel stands above the Russian shrine.

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At the beginning of the 20th century, on the initiative of the inhabitants of the Volga cities, who sought to celebrate the spiritual significance of the beginning of the great Russian river, a stone church began to be built using voluntary donations. Nicholas II made a great contribution, and the All-Russian Society of St. Olga provided active financial assistance. The Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior was erected.

The appeal of the architects of the early 20th century to the traditions of ancient Russian architecture reflected the aspiration of the people characteristic of that era to national historical roots.
In Volgoverkhovye, a female monastic community gathered at the temple, which did not have a monastery, but lived in the world, observing all the rules of monastic life. The newly opened community, with the permission of the parishioners of the village of Svatov, acquired the old wooden church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which was transferred to the Volgoverkhovye. Thus began a new future monastery at the source of the Volga. In 1924, the monastery, the village and the whole district were empty. At the end of the 20th century, the monastery was revived with voluntary contributions from millions of people who were united by the St. Olga Society.

The source of the Volga, in the village of Volgoverkhovye, is a nature reserve and natural monument. In the reserve, which stretches within a radius of 3-4 km around the source of the Volga, felling of trees and shrubs, the construction of permanent and temporary structures, grazing, pitching tents, and making fires are prohibited. The reserve includes the source itself, forests and swamps at the source, the first few kilometers along the Volga, Lakes Maly and Bolshaya Verkhita.

It is not for nothing that the Ostashkovsky district is called the pearl of the Upper Volga region. The Lake District is a real monument of nature. Lake Seliger with an area of ​​260 square kilometers is a single system of 24 reaches and lakes connected by straits. Of these, almost 70 sq. km under the islands. Most big Island Seliger - Khachin - a natural monument. On the island itself, there are beautiful coniferous forests and a whole system of deep lakes. Another natural monument of the lake region is the Okovets forest. Okovskoy forest - "forest of rivers". Three great rivers originate here: the Volga, the Western Dvina and the Dnieper.

The main attraction, which you, of course, will not pass by, is the unique nature of Lake Seliger. An excellent opportunity to explore the lake and its most picturesque surroundings are numerous excursions, including those on a passenger ship cruising along Seliger.

Today it is known that Seliger was formed about 20 thousand years ago, when the ancient pre-glacial river valleys were dammed by the waters of a melting glacier. The shape of the lake is very unusual and bizarre. Seliger consists of 24 reaches and lakes, interconnected by short straits - channels and even small rivers. The largest reaches of Seliger are Ostashkovsky, Slobodskoy, Polnovsky, Volokhovshchinsky, Kravotynsky. Berezovsky, Sosnitsky, Krestetsky, Selizharovsky. Feature lakes - large and small islands green everywhere above the blue expanse. There are 169 of them in total. In the center is the huge island of Khachin with an area of ​​more than 30 square kilometers, the name of which comes from the word "khach" - a cross, which this island remotely resembles. There are more than a dozen lakes inside the island, some of them are connected by channels between themselves and Seliger. The water in Seliger is very soft and pleasant to the taste, has a slightly noticeable sweetish aftertaste and a slightly alkaline reaction. The transparency of water in large stretches reaches 5 m. Seliger water has still retained its natural purity, it can be drunk raw without harm to health. In the eastern part of the lake (the Knyazha River and its environs), the Seliger water contains a lot of peat, it has a reddish-brown color and is very beneficial for the skin.

The Seliger region is striking in its diversity. More than half of the land of the Seliger Territory is covered with forests, among which conifers predominate. On Seliger there are more than 60 species of trees and shrubs, more than 900 species of herbs and flowers. Heather and juniper grow on the hills and uplands in the forest, on the dry plains - thickets of rosemary, cuckoo flax, blueberries.

Rest on Seliger is great opportunity for family vacation. From the cottage you rented, you can go hiking on the lake in boats. On the shores of lakes with crystal clear water, you can camp with tents to diversify your vacation. Lake Seliger is a place where you can have a wonderful rest at any time of the year and enjoy plenty of warm evenings in a friendly company, spent by the fire or by the fireplace. After the first trip to these places, we returned here twice more and each time took with us the amazing and indescribable atmosphere of a provincial town of the 19th century, the memory of unique architectural monuments, fabulous shores of Seliger and the center of the spirit of Orthodoxy in

Lake Seliger is located in the picturesque hills of the Valdai Upland.

On the map of Russia, this place is located between Moscow and St. Petersburg, and the beauty this place every year attracts a large number of tourists.

The city, which stands on Seliger - Ostashkov, has a population of 22 thousand people, is considered the largest.

The lake is located at an altitude of 205 meters above sea level and beckons with its sights, endless views.

This lake appeared 20 thousand years ago when glaciers reigned on the floodplains of the rivers.

Over time, they began to melt, resulting in continuous streams of water that filled the river valleys. Because of this, the shape of the lake turned out so unusual, bizarre.

The location of this reservoir is located between Veliky Novgorod and the Tver region.

According to the history of the chronicles, the notes of which date back to the 12th-13th centuries, one can draw the following conclusions about the origin of Seliger:

• The lake was widely used during the war years of the 12th century, when the princes went on campaigns with their troops: their path ran through the floodplains, it was here that the squads passed towards the Volga.
• If the name is translated from Finnish, it will sound like "indented lake".
• The Finns were the first to inhabit these places.
• Thanks to the close confluence of several rivers: the Volga, the Western Dvina and the Dnieper, even the Slavic tribes transported their ships and bulk carriers along the reservoir.
• For some time, this territory was under the influence of the Principality of Lithuania, but from the 15th century it completely became part of the Moscow Principality, periodically undergoing raids from the Poles, Swedes, and Lithuanians.
• Already in the 17th century, this area was a major industrial center for catching fish and supplying the product to large cities.

The dimensions of this reservoir are impressive: it stretches for 80 kilometers from north to south and 50 kilometers from east to west.

Multiple shady rivers, reaches, channels allow you to see the beauty of Seliger from different angles.

Sights of Lake Seliger

Around the reservoir there are a large number of attractions and famous places.

If you go here as a savage, you can explore them yourself. Rest on Seliger in the summer in camping camps is also in demand.

Note! Fishing is widespread on the lake, however, without knowing the proven places, you can leave with nothing.

Due to the huge area of ​​​​Seliger's location, here you can find not only forests, plains, river valleys, but civilized sights.

This lake is famous for the following places:

Flora and fauna

According to geographic location, and also, if you look at the map, you can see that Seliger represents a whole system of reservoirs and indented rivers.

According to this, the flora and fauna are represented by great diversity.

Seliger is considered a natural monument, the following types of living beings and plants are common there:

• Animal world. Wolves, elks, brown bears, wild boars, lynxes, beavers, martens, squirrels, roe deer, as well as raccoon dogs live here.
• Vegetable world. The variety of tree flora is amazing: here you can find birch, aspen, pine, willow, spruce, maple, elm, hazel, linden and oak.
• Birds. More than 250 species of various birds and mammals live in the open spaces.
• Water world. In Seliger itself, the depth of which is 5.8 meters for the most part, there are pike perch, bream, roach, pike, perch, and ruff.

  The weather in winter is mild, so ice fishing is widespread here.

The climate here is mild and humid, the average annual temperature is 4 degrees Celsius. Summer and autumn on Seliger come 2 weeks later than in the Moscow region.

Important! The water temperature in summer reaches 20-25 degrees, so locals like to spend on the lake free time and weekends.

The lake consists of several reaches, which are separated by islands. In summer, with strong winds, there is a major storm here.

The natural resources of Seliger are used to provide nearby towns and villages with water. The conducted studies have shown that there are environmental problems in the lake.

They are associated with an increase in the amount of heavy metals in the form of suspensions, solutions. This is due to the use of the Seliger basin for household needs.

Let's single out a few interesting facts about the pond:

• There is a legend among the people about the two brothers Seliger, Ilmen and the girl Volga, with whom they were in love.
• The largest island of Khachin also received the name according to the folk legend about a girl and a water one.
• There is a note that the Swedish king demanded the Seliger fishermen to teach the Swedes this art.
• One legend tells that Hitler visited Seliger, where he was rescued from a sinking boat by local residents: as a result, he did not bomb the area.

The basin of Lake Seliger is of glacial origin, which is why its shores are so indented.

The beauty of these places is striking in its mystery: you want to stay here for a long time, forgetting about the hustle and bustle of worldly life.

Useful video

Between Moscow and St. Petersburg in the region of the Valdai Upland is one of the most beautiful lakes in Russia - Lake Seliger. Seliger is not only a lake, it is a lake region, where shady rivers flow, where there are many wide reaches, bays, channels. We can say that this is a picturesque land of water and forests. For many centuries this territory belonged to the ancient Finns. Therefore, many of the names of the local lakes and rivers originated from them. And in the Russian chronicles, Seliger was first mentioned in the twelfth century.

The Seliger Territory has a fairly vast territory, combining part of the Tver region and the outskirts of Novgorod. If we talk about the lake itself, its area is 260 square meters. This also includes 38 square meters of islands, of which there are about one hundred and sixty on Seliger. The total area of ​​the entire Seliger region is 2275 square meters.

About one hundred and ten tributaries flow into Seliger, and only one Selizharovka river flows out of it, which flows into the Volga. The lake is located above sea level at an altitude of about two hundred meters and is of glacial origin, so its shape is very peculiar, it is rather not a lake in the usual sense, but a chain of lakes a hundred kilometers long, between which there are narrow channels. The shores of the lake are distinguished by their picturesqueness: in some places they are covered with forest, and in some places they are bays that amaze with their beauty. The channels that separate the lakes are always followed by a stretch. There are twenty-four such reaches on Seliger.

The largest island of Seliger Khachin, with an area of ​​thirty-one square meters, is located in the central part of the lake. Nine inland lakes can be seen in its rich vegetation.

Nature and climate of Seliger.

The relief of Seliger is mostly hilly, but there are also plains. The hills rise above sea level up to three hundred meters, and above the plains - up to sixty meters. In places there are large boulders, as well as the remains of the Dnieper glaciation - sands. On the shores of the lakes you can see many beaches of natural origin. There are also steep banks, overgrown with coniferous trees: spruce and pine.

The climate of Seliger can be described as mild and humid. The average annual air temperature is four degrees above zero. It is warmest on Seliger in July. And in general, the whole summer is warm and sunny, if it rains, then they are most often short-lived. Seasonal changes occur two weeks later than in the central part of Russia. The winds on the island are usually from the west and southwest. The ice cover on the lake lasts for almost five months. By the beginning of May, it is already melting. And the water in Seliger is quickly gaining temperature and in June it reaches twenty degrees Celsius, and in July it warms up to twenty-five degrees.

The vegetation of the region pleases with its diversity, here you can find plants that seem to be collected from different territories of Russia. More than others, coniferous trees are represented on the lake: spruce and pine, as well as birch and aspen. An abundance of mountain ash, bird cherry and willow. Oaks, maples, ash trees and even maple and fir trees also grow. Of the shrubs, alder, hazel, juniper, and buckthorn can be noted. Seliger is distinguished not only by the variety of trees, here in the summer you can see a huge number of flowers and herbs.

Separately, we can say that the forests of Seliger are very rich in mushrooms. Boroviks, however, can be found a little, but aspen mushrooms, boletus, chanterelles and honey mushrooms are in abundance. There are also many berry places on Seliger. Cloudberries, blueberries, blueberries, lingonberries, cranberries, as well as raspberries and even currants grow here.

Representatives of the animal world living on Seliger do not differ from the inhabitants of the forests of the central part of Russia, these are: elk, wild boar, bear, fox, wolf, hare, marten, squirrel, etc. If you decide to travel around this fertile land, then you will definitely meet gulls, herons, cranes, hazel grouse, woodpeckers and many other birds that inhabit the forests of Seliger. Perhaps you will be lucky to see swans. Quite often, snakes come across on the territory of the region. The lake is rich in fish, which attracts anglers to it. Bream, pike, perch, burbot and even eel are found here, about thirty species of fish in total.

Sights of Lake Seliger.

Seliger is interesting for its historical heritage. There are many monasteries and ancient churches on the islands of the region. As a rule, visitors start their route from the city of Ostashkov, which used to be a fishing village. The inhabitants of the city were engaged in fishing, made boats and fishing tackle, and later leather craft began to develop there. The city got its name from the name of the fisherman Eustathius.

On the island of Stolbny there is, to this day, a functioning monastery (Nilovo-Stolbenskaya Hermitage). The name of the monastery is associated with the healer and miracle worker Nile, who lived on this island. The monastery was founded in the sixteenth century. On the territory of the monastery there is a five-domed Epiphany Cathedral with a bell tower, in which the relics of St. Nile are located.

Another attraction of Seliger is the Ignach cross. As the legend says, the Tatar-Mongols began to retreat from him. However, the cross itself has not been preserved and its exact location is unknown.

> "Little Switzerland" Seliger - the city of Valdai. It is located on the shore of Valdai Lake.

In the village of Rogozha, the Seliger Museum of Nature was opened. As exhibits, it presents rare species of flora and fauna of the region.

Another interesting point worth noting. In these parts, near the village of Volgino Verkhovye, a pure spring flows, which is the source of the great river - the Volga.

Rest and treatment on Seliger.

To spend interesting and memorable vacation days, it is not necessary to go abroad or to warmer climes. In our strip there are many beautiful and unique places which are worth visiting. Lake Seliger is rightfully considered such a place.

Water tourism.

Rafting on the Seliger rivers can be for any level of training. For experienced tourists, rafting is carried out along the rivers: Upper Volga, Berezaika, Zhizhitsa and Western Dvina. On some rivers, you must have rescue equipment with you: on Valdayka and Granichnaya. But the Osuga, Lagovezh and Tvertsa rivers are suitable for those who do not yet have rafting skills.

Mixed routes are considered the most fascinating on Seliger, they will have to go from one lake to another along channels and rivers, and in some places with portages. On Seliger, you can use various floating facilities for tourist routes: kayaks, catamarans and sailboats. In addition to rafting, there are other activities on the water: swimming, diving, windsurfing and jet skis.

Pilgrimage to Seliger.

Most often, pilgrims tend to visit the Nilova Hermitage, a sixteenth-century monastery located on Stolbny Island. At present, in the center of the monastery is the Epiphany Cathedral with a bell tower, a majestic five-domed structure. Next to it is the oldest building of the monastery, built in 1699 - the Church of All Saints, which housed the hospital wards.

Hunting and fishing on Seliger.

As mentioned above, more than thirty species of different fish live in the rivers and lakes of Seliger. Many of them are popular with fishing enthusiasts, these are: bream, pike perch, pike, perch. Also in in large numbers there are smelt and ruff. Less common are ide, crucian carp, burbot, gudgeon and others. The most valuable and amazing catch can be: whitefish, grayling, asp, chub, lamprey, loach. And if you are very lucky, you can catch an eel or a peled. It is possible that in some lakes you can catch catfish.

Hunting on Seliger is mainly for bear, wild boar, elk, lynx. Or birds: pheasant, black grouse, capercaillie, duck. However, fishermen and hunters should remember that they have a license.

Treatment on Seliger.

People come to Seliger not only for tourism, recreation, fishing or hunting. Here you can improve your health. Climatic conditions this region contribute to this. Rest on Seliger is measured, far from the hustle and bustle, you can fully enjoy the beauty of the local nature, its age-old peace.

Doctors recommend rest on Seliger to people who need sedative therapy. It will also be useful to visit these parts for people suffering from hypertension, anemia, and those who have respiratory problems. For those who have a metabolic disorder or those who suffer from gout, Seliger is also perfect place recreation.

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