Valday: Bell Culture and City History

You can explore Valday’s streets with a tour guide. The Bell Museum is housed in the historic Catherine Palace Church; the district museum is located in a two-storey mansion dating from the 19th century in the city centre.

The historic Catherine Palace Church, which houses the Bell Museum, was built on the orders of Empress Catherine II to a design by N. A. Lvov. Bells ring live during every visit—from 19th-century coachman’s bells to ensembles of modern church bells. Multi-tiered bell towers and interactive exhibits illustrate the structure and mechanics of bells; the exhibition also covers bell traditions from different countries.

The Bell Centre Museum displays bells from around the world. The bells on display date from the 3rd century BC to the Middle Ages; modern souvenir bells round out the collection. Children and teenagers can harness a virtual troika or cast a bell at a touchscreen gaming table. A virtual bell can be sent by email to yourself or someone else. There is also an interactive scale model of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg.

The District Town Museum displays individual, paired and group portraits from former Valday homes, along with household items, personal effects, letters and postcards. Mementos from local families include objects belonging to the Rots, Bogdanova, Nikolsky, Rohrbeck and Bystrova families. Other collections of materials are devoted to Valday’s well-known summer visitors, including V. Solovyov, M. Menshikov, S. Nilus, N. Roerich and V. Kosagovsky, as well as the Panaev, Diaghilev and Frolovsky families.

The Holy Trinity Cathedral is an architectural landmark of Valday and a centre of spiritual and cultural life in Valdaysky District. It is a cultural heritage site of regional significance. A summer garden enclosed by a fence was laid out in Palace Square in the second half of the 19th century, where townspeople would stroll during the warmer months. An image of the blacksmith Valda can also be seen on a façade in Valday.

Kruzhal pottery studio offers masterclasses, courses and creative programmes where you can make household items and souvenirs from clay. Activities include working on a potter’s wheel, hand-building and painting clay pieces. If you plan to take part in any of these activities, check in advance whether it is currently available.

The Bell Museum can only be visited in groups at scheduled times, which take place hourly. Check the current schedule before your visit, as visitor arrangements may change. The Valdarai Tourist Information Centre is open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. These opening hours may also change, so check them before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Berezovik, Anukhino, Fedorkovo, Bolshoye Voronovo, Tashino, Toroshino, Myasnoy Bor and Vzvad.

Can I visit the Bell Museum without a group?

No. Visits are only possible in groups at scheduled times, which take place hourly. Check the current schedule before your visit.

What interactive activities are available at the Bell Centre Museum?

Children and teenagers can harness a virtual troika or cast a bell at the touchscreen gaming table. The virtual bell can be sent by email to yourself or someone else. There is also an interactive scale model of the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg.

What pottery activities are offered at Kruzhal studio?

Activities include working on a potter’s wheel, hand-building and painting clay pieces. Before making plans, check whether the activity is currently available.

Can I explore Valday’s streets with a tour guide?

Yes. Visitors can explore Valday’s streets with a tour guide.

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