Ostashkovskiy Rayon: Local History Museum and Lake Seliger

Ostashkovskiy Rayon can be explored through a striking contrast: at the Ostashkov Local History Museum, you encounter history, crafts and art; from the bell tower of Trinity Cathedral, the view stretches across the town, Lake Seliger and its islands. The museum is housed in this cathedral, in Ostashkov, the centre of the rayon. Culture and landscape are closely connected here.

Local History Museum in Trinity Cathedral

The Ostashkov Local History Museum was founded in 1889 at the Ostashkov town school. Since 1977, it has been housed in Trinity Cathedral, built in 1697. This sequence of dates leads from the museum's founding, through the historic building, to its location in Ostashkov. The permanent exhibition covers the trades and crafts of the Lake Seliger region, as well as the cultural and historical traditions of the Ostashkov area.

The exhibition materials include finds from archaeological excavations at Stone Age settlements and Slavic burial mounds. The collections also include 64 samovars and 34 spinning wheels. These specific groups of objects offer a way to explore the broader themes of crafts and tradition. The art collection is another focus: the museum owns 573 paintings from the 18th and 19th centuries, including works by the well-known Ostashkov School of Painting. Alongside the historical and cultural themes, there are clearly defined collections that you can explore individually.

The cathedral also has a bell tower with an observation platform. From there, the panorama stretches across Ostashkov, Lake Seliger and its islands. The museum's location thus combines a cultural perspective on the Ostashkov area with wide-ranging views of the town and lake. If you choose the local history museum as the main landmark for your trip, you can also consider Ostashkov as a place to search for a holiday rental.

More to explore in Tver Oblast

Beyond Ostashkovskiy Rayon, Tver Oblast offers more cultural and nature-focused attractions. Nilova Pustyn, a monastery and centre of religious and pilgrimage tourism, is located on Stolobny Island. In Torzhok, Verkhneye Gorodishche is an archaeological monument of federal significance and a tourist attraction in the historic centre. Also in Torzhok is Novotorzhsky Borisoglebsky Monastery: founded in 1038, it is one of Russia's oldest Orthodox monasteries. These examples offer different ways to explore the history and religious traditions of the oblast.

The natural attractions of Tver Oblast also offer different experiences. Guided tours are available on the Central Forest Reserve's ecological trails, “Tayny Okovskogo lesa” and “Lesnaya azbuka.” The “Boloto Staroselsky mokh” educational trail crosses a picturesque raised bog, with wide, open areas completely covered in moss and unusual plants. Visitors travel in their own vehicles for an excursion to the “Staroselsky mokh” raised bog. The excursion and the educational trail offer different ways to explore the bog landscape.

Another option in the Central Forest Reserve is a hike to Kordon “Barsuchikha”: it can be taken as a day trip or with an overnight stay in a forest cabin. Along the way, you can see southern taiga forest and a raised bog. When planning, compare the options available: a day trip or a tour with an overnight cabin stay, each featuring the landscapes described. The “Blin s Pripyokom” and “Kuzminki v Torzhke” festivals are also held annually in Tver Oblast at the “Novotorzhsky Kremlin.”

Discover more destinations: Konets, Novye Eltsy, Glubochitsa, Nepriye, Tverdyakino, Penovskiy Rayon, Zapadnodvinskiy Rayon, Bologoye.

See the regional travel overview: Tver Oblast.