Shcherbinino: History and the Church of the Nativity

• The Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God was built in 1740 on the site of a destroyed monastery.
• In the 15th century, the site was home to a Boris and Gleb Monastery with six residents and a wooden church.
• The parish museum “Kladovaya pamyati” began operating in 2021.

The history of this place began before the present-day church was built. In the 15th century, the site was home to a Boris and Gleb Monastery with six residents and a wooden church. At the beginning of the 17th century, during the Polish-Lithuanian intervention in the Time of Troubles, the monastery was plundered and destroyed. This sequence places the later construction of the church within the site’s longer history.

The Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God was built in 1740 on the site of the destroyed monastery. At first, it was a wooden structure on a stone foundation; later, a stone church with two heated side chapels was built. A major renovation followed in 1859–1862.

On June 29, 2025, Metropolitan Amvrossi of Tver and Kashin conducted the solemn consecration of the Church of the Nativity and its two altars. The main altar is dedicated to the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God, and the southern side altar to Saint Dimitri of Rostov.

The construction phases illustrate the church’s architectural development; the dedications identify the religious significance of the two altars.

The museum “Kladovaya pamyati” began operating in 2021. Its exhibition is devoted to two historical periods. In this way, it adds a dedicated exhibition space to the history of the church site, focusing on these two periods.

If you are planning a visit, check in advance whether a visit is possible and under what conditions.

The wider destination of Tver Oblast offers other experiences, too. In the Central Forest Nature Reserve, ecological trails lead through taiga and raised-bog landscapes. The “Boloto Staroselskiy mokh” trail crosses a raised bog with broad open areas completely covered in moss and unusual plants. Guided tours are also offered on the “Tainy Okovskogo lesa” and “Lesnaya azbuka” trails.

The hike to the “Barsuchikha” forest outpost is planned as either a one-day trip or an overnight stay in a forest cabin; along the way, visitors see southern taiga forest and a raised bog. Another excursion goes to the “Staroselskiy mokh” raised bog and requires visitors to use their own vehicle. These details help compare different types of outings: a hike with or without an overnight stay and an excursion for which visitors are expected to use their own vehicle.

Cultural sites outside Shcherbinino also shape Tver Oblast. In Torzhok, Verkhnee gorodishche is an archaeological monument of federal significance and a tourist attraction in the historic center. The “Blin s Pripyokom” and “Kuzminki v Torzhke” festivals are held annually at Novotorzhskiy Kremlin; check the specific event dates before planning a trip around them.

Discover more destinations: Zabolot'ye, Mishurka, Zelenyy Bor, Kimry, Peno, Yamok, Bologoje, Bely Gorodok.

What was on the site before the church was built?

In the 15th century, the site had a Boris and Gleb Monastery with six residents and a wooden church. The monastery was plundered and destroyed at the beginning of the 17th century.

Which altars were consecrated in 2025?

The main altar is dedicated to the Nativity of the Most Holy Mother of God, and the southern side altar to Saint Dimitri of Rostov. The solemn consecration took place on June 29, 2025.

What does the “Kladovaya pamyati” museum exhibit?

The parish museum’s exhibition is devoted to two historical periods. If you are planning a visit, check in advance what visiting options are currently available.

See the overview of the wider destination: Tver Oblast.