Staraya Ladoga near the city of Volkhov, 120 km from St. Petersburg - the oldest village in Leningrad region, where in a small area there is a significant concentration of ancient monuments. Staraya Ladoga is famous not only for its fortress of pagan times, ancient churches, monasteries, burial mounds and caves, but also for the fact that, according to many sources, it is the original capital of Ancient Northern Rus'.

History of Staraya Ladoga

Slavs and Scandinavians

According to archaeological data, the first human sites on the land of Staraya Ladoga date back to the 3rd millennium BC.

The most ancient buildings - potteries and ship repair workshops in Zemlyanoy Gorodische - were built by immigrants from Scandinavia no later than 753. And although the first mention of Ladoga in chronicles dates back to 862, already at the end of the 8th century. the settlement on the banks of the Volkhov actively traded with local tribes of Slavs and Varangians, Finns, Balts and ancient Germans.

Here, low-temperature “cooking” of glass glazed beads was established - the so-called “eyes” - the first money of Rus', with which merchants bought Scandinavian furs and then resold them for silver to Arab merchants. These trade transactions are indicated by multiple finds of silver Arab dirham coins found in the settlement and treasures from the late 8th century.

In the Ipatiev list of the Tale of Bygone Years it is mentioned that it was here in 862 - 864, at the invitation of the Slovenes, that the Varangian Rurik restored order between the warring tribes, who “... felled the city of Ladoga...” and then became the ruler of Novgorod. This fact confirms the hypotheses of historians that the city of Ladoga was the first capital of Upper Rus'.

In 870, a wood-earth fortress was built here, and Ladoga, from a small trading settlement, became a typical ancient Russian city with developed crafts, as indicated by the remains of a bronze foundry found by archaeologists in the layers of the 9th century. In the era of rapid trade relations between the North and the South, Ladoga found itself at the crossroads of the routes “from the Varangians to the Greeks” and to the east - to the Arab Caliphate.

Judging by historical chronicles, Ladoga was considered as one of such famous trade and craft “nodes” of the Scandinavian Baltic in history as Hedeby, Gotland, Birka, Ribe.

Traditions and the Novgorod Chronicle claim that on the lands of Old Ladoga there is a mound with the grave of the Prophetic Oleg, who died in the period 912 - 922. from the bite of a snake lurking in the skull of his favorite war horse.

In 997, the settlement and fortress were destroyed by the future discoverer of Greenland, the Norwegian Jarl Eirik the Red (Thorvaldson). The Norman name of Ladoga - Aldeigya (or Aldeigyuborg) together with the name Eirika was first mentioned in the skaldic verses Bandadrapa, written at the beginning of the 11th century by Eyolf Dadaskald. In 1019, according to ancient sagas, the daughter of the Swedish king Ingigerd (in Rus' Irina) - the future Grand Duchess of Kiev - having married Yaroslav the Wise, received as a dowry the city of Aldeigya along with neighboring lands called Ingria.

The years 1114 - 1116 are marked by the birth of the Staraya Ladoga stone fortress, founded by mayor Pavel in the place where the Ladozhka (or Elena) river flows into the waters of the Volkhov. The fortress becomes a strategically important place for the defense of northern Novgorod and the only river harbor for merchant sailing ships - Norman Knorrs, Novgorod Shitiks and other ships unable to overcome the rapids of the Volkhov.

Gradually a full-fledged market town. In the XII – XIII centuries. on his land the main religious shrines are being built: Nikolsky and Assumption monasteries with temples, main cathedral city ​​of St. Clement (now lost). In 1164, after the rebuff given by the defenders of Ladoga to the Swedish troops, the Church of St. George the Victorious was erected inside the fortress walls.

In 1704, when Novaya Ladoga was founded at the mouth of the Volkhov by decree of Peter the Great, old City lost its status and coat of arms and began to be called Staraya Ladoga.

Russian artists of the 19th – 20th centuries. Old Ladoga attracted with its picturesque banks and slopes of the gray Volkhov, fabulous mounds, temples and monasteries. The Uspenskoye estate, a local center of culture, hosted brilliant masters of Russian painting - Ivan Aivazovsky, Alexey Gavrilovich Venetsianov, Oleg Kiprensky, Ivan Ivanov, Nikolai Roerich, Boris Kustodiev, Valentin Serov, Konstantin Korovin.

In June, the fortress gathers numerous fans and participants of military history clubs for the festival “Old Ladoga - the first capital of Rus'”. And on the banks of the Volkhov, covered in legends, military-historical reconstructions of the early Russian Middle Ages unfold, within the framework of which personal duels and group battles are held.

Notable places

Which includes:

  • Staraya Ladoga fortress and museum exhibition in the Gate Tower with big amount exhibits;
  • exhibition “Archaeology of Ladoga”;
  • The white-stone St. George Church is one of the most ancient Russian churches of the pre-Mongol period, in which fragments of unique fresco painting have been preserved.
  • Church of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica.

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (except Mondays) from May to October 1; St. George's Church is open in dry weather. Ticket price is 20 rubles for a walk around the territory, 150 rubles. for visiting the exhibitions. Toilets are free next to the ticket office.

(dedicated to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker), founded by the great Alexander Nevsky after the defeat of the Swedish troops in the Battle of the Neva. Near the monastery there are ancient burial mounds and military burials. The monastery is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.

(1159) and the Church of the Exaltation of the Cross, where Orthodox shrines are located - fragments of the relics of Seraphim of Sarov, St. Barbara, the holy women of Diveyevo and other great martyrs. This is a functioning convent - one of the most ancient in Russia. In the 14th century, the future saint Reverend Anna Kashinskaya, the wife of Tver Prince Mikhail, who was tortured by the Tatars, found refuge within its walls, and she hid here during the period of the devastation of Tver. The prisoner of the monastery was Evdokia Hannibal, the wife of Abram Hannibal, the famous great-grandfather of the future “sun of Russian poetry” - the great Alexander Pushkin. During the reign of Nicholas I, some relatives of the Decembrists languished behind the walls of the monastery.

Open to pilgrims daily.

A consecrated spring flows out of a rock at the foot of Malysheva Mountain, on which stands the Church of John the Baptist. The antiquity of the source is indicated by images of Varangian crosses from the 9th – 13th centuries, inscribed on the rock near the spring. Many people travel from afar to get spring water. The place is well equipped - next to the spring there is a font for those who want to completely immerse themselves in the consecrated waters. There are locker rooms nearby.

Ancient burial mounds of the 8th – 10th centuries, located in the Sopki tract, are popular among pilgrims and travelers. The mounds have given rise to many legends, the most famous of which says that it is here that the burial place of Prophetic Oleg is located - the great defender of Russian lands, the conqueror of the Khazars, known to everyone from childhood from the poems of A.S. Pushkin.

Excavations on the Oleg Kurgan began almost 200 years ago. In 1820, archaeologist Zorian Dolenga-Khodakovsky was able to find fragments of things here dating back to approximately the 8th - 9th centuries. But archaeologists have not yet discovered the prince’s graves.

Three hills rising on a steep slope are interesting not only from a historical point of view. This place is truly unusual, and according to many, it is filled with primordial power.

Experts in the field of weak and super-weak fields, including doctors, believe that the hills have a living and light-carrying biofield that has a healing effect on the body. Psychologist of the highest category, doctor and RAS grant laureate V.N. After conducting research, Bogdanovich stated that the energy state of these lands helps to free oneself from phobias and severe psychological addictions.

Two large quarries where quartz sand was mined in the 19th century.

The Staraya Ladoga cave is located very close to the Church of John the Baptist, and the large Tanechkina cave, which stretches for almost 7 km, is 900 - 1000 m from the mounds. People come here for views of underground lakes, growing stalactites, intricate patterns of multi-colored layers of different rocks, winding streams and observations of an active colony of bats.

It is not safe to go to the caves without experienced guides; you can easily get lost. The temperature inside does not rise above + 6C. You should know that in the “underworld” time stretches, and people are often overcome by a feeling of sleep and the complete unreality of what is happening.

Among the modern attractions of Staraya Ladoga - monument on Varyazhskaya Street dedicated to princes Oleg and Rurik (2015).

All interesting places in the village - both Orthodox and pagan - are concentrated in a small area, and therefore visiting them is very convenient for tourists. The town has comfortable hotels and cozy cafes “Old Ladoga”, “Prince Rurik”, “Lyubava”.

How to get there

Electric trains run from Ladozhsky and Moskovsky stations in St. Petersburg to Volkhovstroy-1 station. Buses 23, 23A go from the station to the village in 40–50 minutes. By car they get to the regional highway A115 and then drive about 7 km to the village of Staraya Ladoga.

Wander around the ancient settlement, see where the history of the state came from, see the fortress, churches and forget the bustle of the metropolis for a while - all these opportunities open up with a trip to Staraya Ladoga. Our article will tell you how to implement it most comfortably.


How to get there

  • by car

To get to old Ladoga, leave St. Petersburg on the Murmansk highway. It is also called M18, E-105 or "Cola Route". You have to drive about 120 km on the highway. At first the road is four-lane, then beyond the Ladoga Bridge near the village of Sinyavino the highway becomes two-lane, and so on until the 107th kilometer. We reach the village of Kiselni. Then, at the exit from it, turn right with the sign “Volkhov - 12 km”. 2 km after the turn there will be a fork without signs. Here to the left. In about 15 minutes there will be a large unregulated intersection right in front of the Volkhov River. Here again to the left. A few more kilometers, and ahead there is a sign “Old Ladoga”. The quality of the road surface along the entire route is good. The length of the route from St. Petersburg is 127 km. average speed driving - 90 km/h.

There is another way. From the Moscow highway M10 in the village of Zuevo (100 km from St. Petersburg) you can get off on the A-115 highway, which begins here and ends in the village of Novaya Ladoga, connecting two federal highways M10 and M18 and passing through Volkhov and Staraya Ladoga.

The track is in good condition; the road surface was repaired last year. Almost along the entire length, the asphalt is new, without potholes, and the rutting is low. The road at the very beginning is a little worse - from Zuevo to Kirishi, the asphalt is patched, but there are no unfixed potholes, the average speed here is 70 km/h. The highway is two-lane and runs through flat, wooded areas. There are no sharp turns or steep descents on this path. The Volkhov River stretches along the entire route. Sometimes beautiful views of the coastal strip open from the car windows. Driving through the city of Volkhov, you can admire the monumental architecture of the Volkhov hydroelectric power station.

To get to the village of Staraya Ladoga you need to go straight all the time for 109 km, the only turn to the left is made by the road before the village of Kirishi.

There are few gas stations on the A-115 highway, mostly unknown sellers, so it is better to stock up on fuel on the M10 highway or the M18 highway. The format of gas stations is a cash register and cabinets with gas nozzles, no cafes, no toilets. There are also no hotels, cafes, or places to rest along the highway until Volkhov.

This path is longer than along the Murmansk highway. The length of the route from St. Petersburg is 209 km. Average driving speed is 80-90 km/h.

  • by train

Trains do not go directly to Staraya Ladoga - only to Volkhov, and from there you will have to travel a couple of tens of kilometers by bus.

Electric trains to Volkhovstroy station depart from Moskovsky and Ladozhsky railway stations.

You can board those trains that depart from Moskovsky Station at Obukhovo and Rybatskoye stations. When checking the schedule (especially for the return trip), you need to keep in mind that the train may terminal station to have not the Moscow station, but Obukhovo or Rybatskoye (evening trains from Volkhovstroy to the city). The fare is approximately 270 rubles.

From the station in Volkhovstroy-1 you can get to Staraya Ladoga in about 20 minutes by bus No. 23 (fare is about 35 rubles). It departs from a stop at the station square. If you stand with your back to the station building, then boarding the bus is on the right side, behind the parking lot, opposite two gray residential buildings. Route No. 23 goes to Novaya Ladoga, passing the entire Staraya Ladoga on its way. The bus schedule is consistent with the railway one.


Volkhov river

  • by bus

From St. Petersburg the bus goes to Volkhov, from there buses No. 23, No. 64, No. 704, and transit No. 690 go to Staraya Ladoga.

Buses depart to St. Petersburg from the Northern Bus Station (Murino village) five times a day (10:00, 10:05, 13:30, 14:30, 16:50). Travel time to Volkhov (Volkhovstroy-1 station) is approximately two hours. The fare is 250 rubles. The flight at 14:30 (to Kirishi) will take 2 hours 40 minutes to reach Volkhovstroy, the fare is 200 rubles.

The second option is a bus from Bus Station No. 2 (Obvodny Canal embankment, 36). One flight per day to Volkhovstroy-1 station, departure at 17:50. Travel time 2 hours 50 minutes. The fare is 250 rubles.

What to see

Staraya Ladoga is one of the most ancient settlements in the Leningrad region. It is believed that the first capital of Ancient Rus' was here. The village is stretched along the coastline, so it’s easy to look for attractions - you just need to move along the river bank.

  • Staraya Ladoga Fortress and Church of St. George- the fortress is being restored, being restored, not much remains from the “old times,” but today, without speculating on anything, we can get an idea of ​​how it was “then.” In the church we definitely recommend seeing the ancient fresco - “The Miracle of George on the Serpent”. When the humidity is high, the church is closed to protect the paintings. But if you’re lucky, you’ll see that the local George has a banner instead of a spear, and the defeated serpent is led on a leash by the king’s daughter.


  • Staraya Ladoga Nikolsky Monastery— in 2002, a piece of the relics of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker was brought from the Italian city of Bari. This shrine is kept in the monastery chapel and all year round attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over Russia. The relics of the founding fathers of the Valaam Monastery - Sergius and Herman - are also kept here.


Staroladoga Nikolsky monastery
  • Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist— the font of the church deserves special mention. The water temperature in the font does not rise above 10 degrees. You can get water from an equipped spring. There is a place to change clothes.

  • — the history of the monastery is connected with the stay of famous women in Russia in exile. First it was the former Tsarina Evdokia Lopukhina, followed by Evdokia Hannibal, and only then, during the reign of Nicholas I, relatives of the Decembrists. On the territory of the monastery there is a holy spring, the water of which, according to legend, heals many ailments.




Staroladoga Assumption Convent
  • Varyazhskaya street- the oldest street in Russia.
  • Kurgans — archaeological complex located at the entrance to Staraya Ladoga from the north. These are artificial hills in which the dead were buried in ancient times. One of the mounds is considered to be the grave of Prophetic Oleg.


Grave of Prophetic Oleg
  • Quartz caves— artificial cave-mines for the extraction of quartz sand are located near the mounds, downstream of the Volkhov. This is a long, intricate labyrinth with many corridors and forks. Finding caves without a guide on your own is quite difficult. There is no lighting, the road is not marked on any maps, and in some places the vaults are so low that you have to crawl on your knees. The place is not prepared for tourists, and therefore it is dangerous to visit without experienced guides.
  • At the entrance to the village from the M18 highway near the village of Yushkovo there is a work known throughout the Leningrad region fish market . In the difficult 1990s, residents of surrounding villages, having lost their jobs at closing enterprises and collective farms, ensured their existence through fishing. For the convenience of customers, they combined small retail outlets in settlements and moved them onto the highway. The market is located on the M-18 "Kola" highway in the village of Yushkovo, immediately before the bridge over the Volkhov, to the left of the road in the direction of travel from St. Petersburg. There are no large signs, only small signs promising fresh, smoked and other fish are visible nearby. The market opens from 11 a.m. daily. All goods are produced nearby and caught, mostly nearby, in Ladoga and Volkhov, although the assortment also includes Far Eastern fish. Here they sell ready-made fish delicacies for every taste: dried, smoked, salted, caviar. Each kiosk has a washbasin, perishable cold-smoked fish and caviar are stored in refrigerators, and goods are delivered daily. Retail outlets are regularly checked by the sanitary and epidemiological station.

Cost of visits and excursions

The village is interesting to visit all year round. Cultural sites and museums are open seven days a week, thematic exhibitions and an annual historical and cultural festival are held. Visiting the sights of Staraya Ladoga is free, except ancient fortress.


Staraya Ladoga Historical, Architectural and Archaeological Museum-Reserve

A full entrance ticket to the territory of the fortress without visiting the internal exhibition is 20 rubles, to the Church of St. George located on the territory of the fortress - 80 rubles, to the historical and archaeological exhibition in the fortress - 150 rubles. Prices do not include guide services. Discounts for students and pensioners. Children under 16 years old are free. The cost of excursions and organizing events on the territory of the museum complex can be found out at website.

What to visit with children?

Children of all ages will be interested in visiting the ancient fortress, where they can climb the fortress wall, climb into the loopholes and visit the exhibition of ancient knightly weapons. Little tourists will be interested in visiting the museum of merchant life and seeing the interior of the Ancient Ladoga cafe, located in one of the surviving merchant houses.

Children will also like the local landmark - the “wedding” bridge over the Elena River, which flows right at the foot of the wall of the ancient fortress. The railings of this bridge are hung with locks, symbolizing the strength of marriage bonds. Newlyweds from the immediate vicinity definitely visit this place to pay tribute to the tradition of attaching their wedding lock.


On the "wedding" bridge

In the summer, children under 5 years old will enjoy visiting the territory of the Assumption Convent, where the hands of hardworking novices have laid out lawns and flower beds, built gazebos and fountains, decorated with clay and plastic figurines of birds and animals.

Also on the territory of the monastery there is a poultry house, which is home to a dozen red-grouse hens and a dozen white doves, and the church shop sells delicious gingerbread cookies, made here according to an old recipe.


On the territory of the Assumption Convent

Active kids can enjoy conquering the tops of ancient mounds. From the top of the mounds there is a magnificent view of the Volkhov River!

Toilets and changing areas

There are few normal toilet rooms, where you can even change clothes if necessary, in Staraya Ladoga. These are exclusively cafe toilets. In the monasteries and fortresses, “medieval village” toilets or bio-cabins are provided for visitors. You need to have toilet paper with you. So are wet wipes for hand hygiene.

Where to eat?

Directly in the village of Staraya Ladoga, on the square in front of the archaeological museum, there is the “Ancient Ladoga” cafe, the “Lyubava” shop-cafe, and the “Prince Rurik” restaurant. You can use a WC type toilet with running water only in these cafes, but subject to ordering food in the establishment. The toilet doors are locked with a key, which is given after ordering at the bar counter. However, the toilets of all three establishments are very dirty, no toilet paper, the rooms are extremely cramped and are of little use for changing children's clothes or changing diapers for babies.

  • Cafe "Ancient Ladoga" located on the first floor of an old wooden merchant house. The interior of the cafe is made in the Old Russian style: wooden furniture, a Russian stove, a samovar, rugs on the walls, photos and paintings in the spirit of the presented era. The menu is modest. Meat and fish dishes are not tasty, but pancakes, dumplings, pastries, and sbiten are good. Very slow service. The average bill for two adults is 500 rubles. There is no separate children's menu, but pancakes with fillings and fruit drinks are quite suitable for children.
  • Cafe at the Lyubava store can be classified as a roadside eatery. The interior and smell are appropriate. The menu consists of semi-finished products heated in the microwave and standard table salads. The store's assortment includes chocolate bars, chips, crackers, alcoholic and carbonated drinks. It is not surprising that there was not a single visitor in this establishment, while in “Rurik”, opposite, all the tables were occupied.

  • Restaurant "Prince Rurik"In terms of the level of service and quality of food, it is an average cafe. A cozy interior in a knightly style, acceptable quality of food, there is even a semblance of a children's menu, represented by Olivier salad with chicken, macaroni and cheese, chicken skewers and packaged juices. The average bill for two adults is 1000 rubles. There is a business lunch for 350 rubles. per person. Right at the entrance to the establishment there is a machine with a large metal steering wheel, in which for 50 rubles from an ordinary 1 ruble coin you can make yourself a souvenir with the coat of arms of Staraya Ladoga and various knightly subjects.


An alternative place for lunch could be the city of Novaya Ladoga, to which you need to drive another 5 km along the A-115 highway in the opposite direction from the city of Volkhov. In Novaya Ladoga, the Vstrecha cafe is worthy of attention. The restaurant at the Raduga Hotel also received good reviews.

Where to stay

You can explore Old Ladoga for more than a day or two; it captivates with both the beauty of its nature and its historical background. If you are planning to stay here, then in the settlement itself experts recommend the Staraya Ladoga Hotel (Sovetskaya St., 6), where for 2000 rubles. can be removed Double Room with free wi-fi in public areas and a shared kitchen, and the mini-hotel “Ladya” (Sovetskaya str., 3).

Text: Anna Mikhnina
Photo: Dmitry Evtifeev

By plane. From Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo airports on flights Moscow - St. Petersburg. Next, take the bus “St. Petersburg - Staraya Ladoga”. Travel time - 4.2 0 hours.

By bus. From Kazansky railway station by bus “Kazan - St. Petersburg”. Next, take the bus “St. Petersburg - Staraya Ladoga”. Travel time - 12.30 hours.

From the Krasnogvardeyskaya bus station by bus “Moscow - St. Petersburg”. Next, take the bus “St. Petersburg - Staraya Ladoga”. Travel time - 13.10 hours.

From the Novoyasenevskaya bus station by bus “Moscow - St. Petersburg”. Next, take the bus “St. Petersburg - Staraya Ladoga”. Travel time - 13.50 hours.

From the Planernaya metro station by bus “Moscow - St. Petersburg”. Next, take the bus “St. Petersburg - Staraya Ladoga”. Travel time - 12.40 hours.

By train long distance. From Leningradsky station on the trains "Moscow - St. Petersburg", "Moscow - Murmansk" and "Moscow - Helsinki". Next, take the bus “St. Petersburg - Staraya Ladoga”. Travel time - 12.10 hours.

By car. Along the M-10 "Russia" and A-121 highways. Travel time - 13.40 hours.

Walk along Staraya Ladoga

You should start your walk around Staraya Ladoga by visiting Staraya Ladoga fortress. Currently, the fortress is being actively restored, and some of its fragments are being rebuilt almost from scratch. Two beautiful cathedrals have been preserved on its territory, and in the fortress tower there is a museum of the Ladoga land.

Staraya Ladoga Fortress

Then you need to get to St. George's Cathedral, which is located on the territory of the fortress. It was built in the 13th century in memory of the victory over the Swedes.

Of interest to architecture lovers Nikolsky Monastery. According to legend, it was founded by Prince Alexander Nevsky back in 1240 in memory of the victory over the Swedes on the Neva.

Nikolsky Monastery

Can't help but visit museum of historical life, where things are presented from the beginning of the 12th century until the present day.

Popular with tourists Church of Alexius the man of God. This is one of the most striking attractions of Staraya Ladoga, built in the ancient Russian style.

Church of Alexius the Man of God

Rich collection archaeological museum, where more than one and a half thousand exhibits are collected. Well, you need to finish your walk around Staraya Ladoga with an inspection Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was built in the first half of the 14th century and has been rebuilt several times since then. Now the temple is under restoration.

Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Attractions near Staraya Ladoga

Those who come on an excursion to Staraya Ladoga always visit mounds. These are the hills near the Church of John the Baptist. The mounds, in one of which, according to legend, the Prophetic Oleg was buried, attract increased attention from tourists and just passing by.

As a rule, all routes will be built through the Volkhovstroy station (Volkhov city). First they get there, and then take a bus to Staraya Ladoga.

By rail

From Moscow to Volkhov (Volkhovstroy station) you can take passing trains to Murmansk "Arktika" at 01:00 or Petrozavodsk 19:55 "Karelia". Trains depart from Leningradsky station. Travel time is 9-10 hours.

From St. Petersburg, from the Moskovsky train station, you can take the train to the Volkhovstroy station (Volkhov city). Trains depart at 0:15 (to Mga), 5:35, 7:24 (to Pupyshevo), 8:05, 10:15 (to Pupyshevo), 13:19 (to Voybokalo), 13:31, 15:10 (to Pupyshevo), 16:45, 18:09, 20:25. Travel time is 2 hours 30 minutes. Ticket price is 300 rubles.

Train schedule from Volkhovstroy to St. Petersburg 6:16 (from Mga), 7:27, 8:17, 12:55 (from Pupyshevo), 13:48, 17:41 (from Voybokalo), 18:17 (from Pupyshevo ), 20:07, 20:39 (from Pupyshevo), 22:57, 23:49.

From St. Petersburg you can also take long-distance trains to Murmansk, Vorkuta, Arkhangelsk, Tyumen, Irkutsk. There are many trains, but most of them arrive after lunch. Travel time is 2 hours.

By bus

From Volkhovstroy station take buses No. 23, 23a to Staraya Ladoga. Travel time is 15 - 20 minutes.

Bus schedule No. 23 (Volkhov - Staraya Ladoga - Novaya Ladoga) 4:50, 5:50, 6:40, 8:10*, 8:50, 10:05, 11:00, 14:40, 12:40, 13:45, 15:15, 16:10, 17:00, 17:45*, 18:45, 19:35*, 21.15*, 23.15*.

* departure upon arrival of the train. Run from the train to the station square, there is a stop on the left edge.

Bus number 23a (Volkhov - Staraya Ladoga) 7:00 (To Staraya Ladoga on weekdays).

By car

Murmansk highway, 120 kilometer, locality Yushkovo, turn right towards Staraya Ladoga.

(Russian: Staraya Ladoga Fortress; English: The fortress of Ladoga)

Opening hours: daily, in the summer (from June 1 to August 31) from 9.00 to 18.00, at other times (from September 1 to May 31) from 9.00 to 17.00.

How to get there: The Staraya Ladoga Fortress is located in the village of Staraya Ladoga, in the Leningrad region, 120 km from St. Petersburg and 12 km from the city of Volkhov. By train from St. Petersburg (from Moskovsky or Ladozhsky railway stations) you can get to Volkhovstroy station (Volkhov city), and then by bus to Staraya Ladoga (buses No. 23 and No. 23A, departure every 50 minutes). The Staraya Ladoga fortress is located on the banks of the Volkhov River, at the confluence of the Ladozhka River. The fortress is clearly visible from the road; it will be located on the right side as the bus moves.

By car from St. Petersburg you can get to the Staraya Ladoga Fortress as follows. You need to leave St. Petersburg on the Murmansk highway (M18, E-105), and drive along it for about 100 km. At first there will be a good four-lane highway, you pass the Ladoga Bridge, Sinyavino, and then the road becomes two-lane. After the village of Kiselni, you need to turn right under the sign “Volkhov”. After 2 km there will be a fork without signs; here you will need to turn left. Drive for about 15 minutes, then turn left at the uncontrolled intersection. In a few kilometers there will be Staraya Ladoga. The Staraya Ladoga fortress is located on the banks of the Volkhov River, at the confluence of the Ladozhka River. The fortress is clearly visible from the road; it will be located on the right side in the direction of travel.

By car from Moscow and Veliky Novgorod you can get to the Staraya Ladoga Fortress as follows. Along the Moscow – St. Petersburg highway (M10, E-18), get to Zuevo, then turn onto Kirishi (A115). You need to move along the A115 highway (before reaching Kirishi, turn left along the A115 highway), pass the city of Volkhov and after a few kilometers enter Staraya Ladoga. The Staraya Ladoga fortress is located on the banks of the Volkhov River, at the confluence of the Ladozhka River. The fortress is clearly visible from the road; it will be located on the right side as the bus moves.

Staraya Ladoga Fortress is a fortress located in the village of Staraya Ladoga on Cape Ladoga, at the confluence of the Ladozhka River into the Volkhov. The first fortress was built back in the time of the Prophetic Oleg, at the turn of the 9th-10th centuries, when Ladoga was already under the rule of Novgorod. Around the same time, a church appeared inside the fortress. However, the current appearance of the fortress dates back to the 15th century.

These powerful stone walls breathe the hoary antiquity of the first fortress city of Staraya Ladoga, where, according to ancient chronicles, the Russian land came from.

Map of the Staraya Ladoga Fortress

In the 9th century, Ladoga was an important trade, craft and port fortress city; representatives of the Scandinavians, Slavs, and Finns met here. At the bazaar, merchants traded furs, fabrics, weapons, spices, and jewelry. Due to frequent clashes with the Baltic tribes, in 862 the legendary Varangian Rurik settled in Ladoga and built the first wooden fortification here for himself and his squad.


After the construction of the fortress walls, Ladoga was divided into a settlement, where traders and artisans lived, and a detinets (fortress), where the prince and his retinue lived.

Scheme of the Staraya Ladoga Fortress

For several years, the Ladoga fortress served as a reliable barrier to the enemy, closing the waterway from Baltic Sea deep into ancient Russian lands. But, in 997, the Norwegian ruler Eirik, during one of the predatory raids, after a long siege, nevertheless captured the fortress and completely destroyed it.


The fortress was rebuilt again, only from wood, at the very beginning of the 11th century. A deep ditch was dug on the southern side and a high earthen rampart was poured, which became additional protection from attacks.


In the 12th century, Ladoga became one of the suburbs of the growing Novgorod and the importance of the Ladoga fortress as a defensive and protective structure, has increased noticeably. For more reliable protection, in 1116, instead of the wooden walls of the fortress, powerful stone walls were erected, the height of which exceeded 8 meters and the thickness - 2 meters; a military passage was built along the top of the walls.
Subsequently, these strong fortress walls withstood the onslaught of the Swedes several times.


Repeated attempts by the enemy to take Ladoga ended in failure. And in 1164, the defenders of the Ladoga fortress, having withstood another siege, were able to drive the enemy to the Voronega River and completely defeat him. In memory of this event, Ladoga residents erected a temple in the name of St. George the Victorious. But the Swedes took revenge in 1313, capturing and completely destroying the Ladoga fortress. The fortress was completely restored, with the help of the Novgorodians, only in 1338, and the impregnable walls of the fortress again reliably protected the northern borders from attacks by Swedish troops.


In the 16th century, relations with Sweden became even more complicated, and in connection with this, the Ladoga fortress was rebuilt and strengthened even more. The powerful walls were connected by five high multi-tiered stone towers with loopholes - Vorotnaya, Tainichnaya, Klimentovskaya, Raskatnaya and Strelochnaya. The thickness of the tower walls at the base exceeded 7 meters, the height - 18 meters. The southern and western sides of the bastion were reinforced with a deep four-meter ditch, 12 meters wide. The fortress could only be entered through one entrance, which was guarded by the Gate Tower with lattice gates. To get into the fortress, the enemy had to pass along a clearly visible and shootable wall.


The 17th century brought many disasters to Ladoga and all of Russia. In 1610, Pierre Delaville, who commanded a detachment of French mercenaries, took possession of the Ladoga fortress and held it for 6 months. Attempts by Russian troops to dislodge the French detachment from the fortress were unsuccessful until the exhausted invaders themselves capitulated. As a result of the shelling, part of the fortress walls was destroyed, and the breaches were hastily sewn up with wood.


At the beginning of the 18th century, the Ladoga fortress withstood the siege of the Swedes for the last time. After the end of the Northern War, the fortress lost its defensive significance, and after Peter I’s decree on the founding of Novaya Ladoga in 1704 and the transfer of administrative institutions there, it completely lost its city status, turning into a small village with the prefix “Old”.


Time has done its work - the ancient walls and towers of the powerful fortress that protected the northern borders of Russia gradually collapsed. And only in the 20th century did they begin here archaeological excavations and large-scale work to restore this amazing historical monument. The Gate and Klimentovskaya towers and the wall connecting them were rebuilt. In July 1971, the fortress opened local history museum, which received the status of an archaeological and historical-architectural open-air museum in 1984.


The largest and most powerful tower of the Staraya Ladoga Fortress is the round Klimentovskaya Tower, with a base 24.5 meters wide, the walls at the base 9 meters thick and 16 meters high. The tower had the largest number of loopholes - 14.


On the western side there is a square Gate Tower with an entrance equipped with a wooden lattice, which, in case of alarm, was immediately lowered. The gate tower had 11 loopholes. The entrance to the fortress was clearly visible from the Klimentovskaya Tower, which made it possible, if necessary, to conduct stronger fire at the enemy who came close.


On the north side there is a round Arrow Tower. Its 13 loopholes made it possible to shoot the surrounding area well, and in its size it was second only to the Klimentovskaya Tower, having a width at the base of 22.5 meters and an eight-meter thickness of the wall in the first tier.


The fortress also had a Secret Tower, the first tier of which hid from the enemy a well connected by pipes to the Volkhov, and a Rolling Tower with 11 loopholes, where the largest number of all cannons located in the fortress were located. Soon, these towers, along with part of the wall, are planned to be restored.


There are two churches inside the fortress. Church of St. George the Victorious of the 12th century – unique monument architecture, where there is a fresco of the very first known image of St. George, dating from the 12th century.


Next to the Church of St. George the Victorious is located wooden church Dmitry Solunsky, 1731. Inside the church there is an exposition of the local history museum.


Every year in the Staraya Ladoga Fortress International festival historical reconstruction of the early Middle Ages "Ladoga". Knightly tournaments and battle reenactments are played out here, showing the legendary past of this great historical fortress.