Tikhvin: Holy Places and Pristine Nature

The first mention of the village, which appeared near the monastery walls, refers to the end of the XIV century. During the Great Patriotic War the Road of Life was passing here — the only road through the Ladoga Lake, which connected the besieged Leningrad with the country. In winter it ran right on the ice, and during navigation — on the water. Today Tikhvin is a town with a population of about 60 thousand people. In the historic part of the town there are several ancient stone houses: in particular, the Gostiny Dvor and the house of the Volozhbenskys’ family. Interesting examples of wooden architecture can be seen on the Orlovskaya Street.

 The childhood of the famous Russian composer Rimsky-Korsakov passed in Tikhvin. The museum of the composer is located on the street named after him. And in the building of the former Regimental Church there is a concert hall of his name.

 Tikhvin is famous for its wonderful landscapes. One can appreciate this in the Zakharovsky Park, where several observation decks with beautiful views of the complex of the Tikhvin Assumption Monastery are located. Another park is «Hérouville-Saint-Clair» on the bank of the Vyazitsky Creek. It is named after the sister city of Tikhvin in France. There are also two dozen of bridges and small bridges among the sights of the town.

But the most important thing to see in Tikhvin is the Tikhvin Assumption Monastery. More than 30 thousand exhibits related to the history of the region are stored in the museum on its territory. In addition, there is a pilgrimage service. Lunches for pilgrims are organized in the refectory of the Intercession Church. The monastic meal is quite modest: meatless soup, fish with garnish, cabbage salad, compote with a bun and Cahors wine for dessert.

 As for traditional food in this district, it is important to know that Ladoga Lake and the surrounding forests have always generously endowed Tikhvin with fish, mushrooms and berries. Therefore, being in the town it is worth giving preference to such dishes as, for example, the royal fish and salted milk mushrooms in sour cream. Thanks to the influence of neighboring Karelia, here people like to cook Karelian folk ukha (fish soup). It is called «Kalaruokka» and is cooked from sauerkraut. Before putting ukha on the table, the broth should be «let through» the birch charcoal to give a unique flavor to the dish cooked at the fire. For dessert it is necessary to taste jam or any pastry with northern berries — cloudberries and blueberries.

 One should plan his visit to Tikhvin in such a way as to be able to capture a radiant sunset over the domes of churches and cathedrals of the Tikhvin Assumption Monastery. This magical picture will then float up in memory for a long time!

 Get directions

 The easiest way to get to Tikhvin is by bus from the bus stations of St. Petersburg — Severny, Ladozhsky and on Obvodny Kanal. There is also an electric train «St.Petersburg-Babaevo» from the Ladozhsky railway station.