Discover Glinniki

• Location: on the left bank of the Volga.
• Settlement history: moved in 1936, during the creation of the Ivankovo Reservoir, to a new site near its original location.
• Archaeology in the surrounding area: 10th-century metal objects for everyday use, as well as burial mounds dated to the 11th–12th centuries.

The 1936 relocation was a significant turning point in Glinniki’s more recent history: the new settlement was near the original location and came about in connection with the Ivankovo Reservoir. Its position on the left bank of the Volga and this relocation provide two distinct reference points for understanding Glinniki geographically and historically.

The archaeological evidence from the surrounding area also points to different periods. Near Glinniki, N. A. Chagin, owner of the Grigorovo estate, excavated six burial mounds in 1884. The metal objects for everyday use found there date from the 10th century and were transferred to the Tver Museum. In addition, numerous burial mounds near Glinniki have been dated to the 11th–12th centuries based on finds. Thus, 10th-century finds and burial mounds dated to a different period are found alongside one another, without needing to be grouped as the same find assemblage.

In the broader destination of Tver Oblast, the Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve offers a range of nature experiences. One excursion visits the Staroselskiy Mokh raised bog; visitors use their own vehicle. The Boloto Staroselskiy Mokh ecological trail passes through a raised bog with extensive open areas completely covered in moss and unusual plants.

The reserve also offers guided tours along the Tainy Okovskogo lesa and Lesnaya azbuka ecological trails. Another option is a hike to the Barsuchikha cordon: it can be taken as a day trip or with an overnight stay in a forest hut. On this hike, you will see southern taiga forest and a raised bog. The excursion to the bog involves using your own vehicle; for the Barsuchikha cordon, a day hike and a tour with an overnight stay in a hut are offered as different duration options.

A visit to the reserve also offers a different way to explore nature. The Nature Museum at the reserve’s central estate showcases the protected area’s main ecosystems and interesting species that live there; one room is dedicated to scientific research. The central estate grounds also have a visitor center with information about the organization’s history and structure, a regular exhibition of children’s artwork, and a gift shop.

Other historical destinations in Tver Oblast offer different perspectives from Glinniki’s own history. The Verkhneye gorodishche archaeological site is in the historic center of Torzhok, is a monument of federal significance, and is a tourist attraction. The Novotorzhskiy Borisoglebskiy Monastery in Torzhok was founded in 1038 and is one of Russia’s oldest Orthodox monasteries.

The Blin s Pripyokom and Kuzminki v Torzhke festivals are held annually at the Novotorzhskiy Kremlin. If you want to plan your trip around one of these festivals, check the exact event dates in advance. Another destination in Tver Oblast is Nilova Pustyn: the monastery is on Stolobny Island and is a center for religious tourism and pilgrimages. These examples illustrate different historical and religious themes within Tver Oblast without attributing them to Glinniki itself.

Discover more destinations: Pleshkovo, Protivye, Pechki, Svapushche, Shornovo, Malinovka, Selizharovo, Nizhniye Kotitsy.

Where is Glinniki?

Glinniki lies on the left bank of the Volga.

When was Glinniki relocated?

The relocation took place in 1936 during the creation of the Ivankovo Reservoir; the new settlement was near its original location.

What archaeological evidence is there in the surrounding area?

Near Glinniki, N. A. Chagin excavated six burial mounds in 1884. The 10th-century metal objects for everyday use found there were transferred to the Tver Museum; numerous burial mounds in the surrounding area are dated to the 11th–12th centuries.

For the broader travel overview: Tver Oblast.