A stone railway station dating from the 19th century, exhibitions on military history and literature, and a glimpse into local glass production give Chudovo a diverse cultural profile. When planning your trip, you can distinguish between the town’s history and nearby destinations—and prepare your journey using the train connections.

Culture and history in Chudovo

The Chudovo-Moskovskoye railway station building was constructed of stone in 1877, based on a design by architect Boris Lorberg. Today, it is considered a monument to the history and culture of the 19th century. Its architectural history complements the exhibitions and collections exploring different aspects of the town and its past.

The exhibition marking the 80th anniversary of Chudovo’s liberation opened on 26 January 2024. It features military plans and maps, photographs, documents belonging to frontline soldiers, letters, and objects from military life. Before visiting, check the schedule published on the museum’s website.

The Nekrasov Agricultural School houses the literary exhibition “Nekrasov and the Novgorod Region,” a reconstructed 19th-century classroom, and an exhibition hall. Exhibition content may change; check the visitor information in advance.

The “Reka vremyon” museum room displays works by the poet Gavriil Derzhavin, along with materials about his life, activities, and work. The Chudovo Museum of Local History also has a collection of products from the “Vosstanie” glass factory. Another site is the “Eternal Flame” memorial, where a guided tour also explains its history.

The themes range from military remembrance and literature to regional industrial history. Those particularly interested in architecture can consider the railway station as a distinct historical highlight alongside the exhibitions.

Excursions to the surrounding area

The G. I. Uspensky House Museum is located in the village of Syabrenitsy, near the destination. It opened in 1935 in the writer’s former home, where he lived with his family from 1881 to 1882. Its connection to his former home makes the writer’s life the focus of the site.

In Gruzino, the ethnographic exhibition “Russkaya krestyanskaya izba” offers workshops on moulding and painting clay toys, wood painting, and making a traditional cloth doll. The “Arakcheevskaya tropa” trail also passes through the village. It presents the former estate with its architectural and park ensemble, as well as the life of its owner, Alexei Andreyevich Arakcheev.

The focus differs between the two places: Syabrenitsy is associated with a writer’s life in his former home, while Gruzino brings together ethnographic themes, workshops, and the history of the former estate. When choosing an excursion, you can weigh up literary history, crafts, and the history of architecture and parks.

Getting there by train

The Moscow Railway runs through Chudovo, served by the “Sapsan,” “Lastochka,” and other trains. Chudovo is also on the Nikolaev Railway. According to the regional tourism portal, the town can be reached by suburban train from St. Petersburg or Veliky Novgorod. Check the timetable and listed stops for your travel date.

More topics in Novgorod Oblast

The wider destination of Novgorod Oblast offers its own landscape and cultural themes. Valdai National Park covers 159,100 hectares and extends across the Valdaysky, Demyansky, and Okulovsky districts. Mount Ryzhokha is the highest point in the park; its 25-metre observation tower offers views of the taiga, Lake Velyo, and other bodies of water. In the Bor area, a circular trail passes through typical taiga forests, hilly terrain, and wetlands in the hollows between the hills.

Valday also has its own cultural attractions: the Bell Museum Centre displays bells from around the world, ranging from forms dating to the 3rd century BC through the Middle Ages to modern souvenir bells. Staff demonstrate bell-ringing techniques that visitors can try themselves. These destinations are part of Novgorod Oblast and should be distinguished from Chudovo’s town profile.

Discover more destinations: Volna, Tashino, Veryassko, Retle, Staraya Russa, Luka, Petrovshchina, Malaya Vishera

Go to the broader travel guide: Novgorod Oblast.