Novgorod is a medieval city located about three hours south of St. Petersburg. It recently celebrated its 1150th birthday, having been founded in the year 859. It was a fortress and trading city, and is home to some of the oldest Russian Orthodox Churches still standing. We spent most of the day exploring the different churches and buildings of the area, and much to our delight, it began to snow just as soon as we arrive. The snow continued to fall throughout the day, so by the time we visited the Yuriev Monastery to visit a Russian Orthodox Monk named Father Dmitri, there were a few inches of snow on the ground. It was an amazingly old city, and I don’t think we could have chosen a better day to visit.
Walls of the Old City
The Cathedral of St. Sofia
A View of the City
A Small Church
A Russian Orthodox Monk
Yuriev Monastery
