Historical landmarks in Podberezye
On September 10, 2026, the “Zashchitnikam Rossii” monument was ceremonially unveiled in Podberezye. Made of black granite, it is designed with flames of the Eternal Flame and stands beside a church. It is dedicated to participants in the Great Patriotic War, participants in the fighting in Afghanistan and Chechnya, and today’s defenders. The dedication therefore encompasses different conflict contexts and extends to the present day; the flames form a distinctive, recognizable motif of their own.
Another historical landmark is the Church of Saint George the Great Martyr and Victorious. It was consecrated in 2014; in January 2024, it marked the tenth anniversary of its consecration. The two dates place this religious landmark in time: the anniversary followed the consecration ten years later.
A T-34 tank on a pedestal also recalls the history of the region in Podberezye. It was erected in 1974 to mark the beginning of the Leningrad–Novgorod Offensive. The tank thus makes a different point from the “Zashchitnikam Rossii” monument: it refers to a specific historical occasion, while the monument’s dedication names several conflict contexts.
Nature in Novgorod Oblast
A broader look at the destination takes you to Novgorod Oblast. There, Valdai National Park covers 159,100 hectares and extends across the Valdaysky, Demyansky and Okulovsky districts. Mount Ryzhokha is the park’s highest point. A 25-meter-high observation tower stands on it, offering views of the taiga, Lake Velyo and other bodies of water.
The circular trail in the Bor area offers a different impression. It passes through typical taiga forests across hilly terrain and through diverse wetlands in the hollows between the hills. The nature experiences described therefore differ considerably: from the tower, the focus is on elevation and distant views of bodies of water, while the trail brings together forest, hilly terrain and wetlands.
Bells and regional history
The Bell Museum Center in Valday displays bells from around the world. The collection spans shapes dating from the 3rd century BC through the Middle Ages to modern souvenir bells. At the Bell Museum in Valday, staff also demonstrate bell-ringing techniques that visitors can try for themselves. This offers two ways to explore the subject: the bells’ chronological and international range, and hands-on experience with their ringing techniques.
An exhibition that opened in 1998 at the Museum of the County Town explores the everyday lives of townspeople, the development of local crafts and trades, and the lives of individual Valday families and well-known summer visitors. This broadens the perspective on history in Novgorod Oblast to include everyday and family history. Together with the bell-related topics, it offers a different focus from the historical landmarks in Podberezye: here, the emphasis is on the region’s collections, techniques and ways of life.
Discover more destinations: Kotovitsy, Vyazhishchi.
For the regional travel overview: Novgorodskiy rayon.
