Sonkovsky District: Railways and Historic Sites

• The district lies in the east of Tver Oblast, in the headwaters of the Korozhechna and the Sit.
• The Korozhechna is a left tributary of the Volga, and the Sit is a right tributary of the Mologa.
• Sonkovo is now a major railway junction; rail lines run to destinations including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Rybinsk and Uglich.
• Historic sites include churches in Koy and Sinevo-Dubrovo, as well as the 19th-century Shchegolev merchant’s house.

Its location in the headwaters of two rivers provides a clear geographical reference point: the Korozhechna is part of the Volga river system, while the Sit belongs to the Mologa river system. The Sit is also a setting for the area’s recorded history. On 4 March 1238, a battle took place on its right bank near the village of Bozhonka between the forces of Yuri Vsevolodovich, Prince of Vladimir, and the Tatars. The location and date give this historical episode a specific connection to the landscape; nothing can be added here about the outcome of the battle.

In Koy, the two-storey Trinity Church is central to the history of local architecture: construction took more than ten years, and the church was consecrated in 1731. The village’s history also includes subjects beyond religious architecture. For several centuries, five fairs were held there each year, associated with the Annunciation, Pentecost, the Feast of the Saviour, the Protection of the Mother of God and St Nicholas Day. This tradition describes historic fairs, not a current events calendar.

Koy is also the birthplace of Alexander Petrovich Kunitsyn (1783–1840), who was a professor of moral philosophy at the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum. In Sinevo-Dubrovo, the local history leads to other architectural and garden remains: the estate complex included cascade ponds and acacia avenues. The Tikhvin Church on the edge of the village was built between 1775 and 1784. The 19th-century Shchegolev merchant’s house, one of the district’s attractions, adds to this range of sites. Together, these places point to different periods, without suggesting a specific sightseeing route.

Sonkovo is a major railway junction. Rail lines run from there to Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Rybinsk and Uglich. These destinations give an overview of the rail connections; check specific services and details before departure.

The Sonkovo–Bezhetsk–Tver road connects the district with the administrative centre of Tver Oblast. A bus service also runs between the district and this administrative centre. If travelling by road, it is advisable to check current road conditions; for the bus service, check the schedules before departure.

At the wider Tver Oblast level, there are also natural and cultural attractions. Guided tours are offered along the “Tajny Okovskogo lesa” and “Lesnaya azbuka” ecological trails in the Central Forest Reserve. Visitors use their own vehicles for excursions to the “Staroselskiy mokh” raised bog. A hike to the “Barsuchikha” cordon can be done as a day trip or with an overnight stay in a forest hut; along the way, visitors see southern taiga forest and a raised bog. These are different options for travellers who want to explore nature in Tver Oblast as well as local history.

The oblast’s cultural offerings also include annual festivals at the Novotorzhskiy Kremlin: “Blin s Pripyokom” and “Kuzminki v Torzhke.” Torzhok is also home to Verkhnee gorodishche, an archaeological monument of federal significance and a tourist attraction in the historic centre. The Novotorzhskiy Borisoglebskiy Monastery in Torzhok was founded in 1038 and is one of Russia’s oldest Orthodox monasteries. These examples broaden the picture of the oblast without equating it with the places in Sonkovsky District.

Discover more destinations: Kuvshinovskiy rayon, Andreapolsky District, Konakovskiy rayon, Torzhok, Konakovo District, Rameshkovskiy rayon, Rzhevskiy rayon, Kalininskiy rayon.

Where is Sonkovsky District?

The district lies in the east of Tver Oblast, in the headwaters of the Korozhechna and the Sit. The Korozhechna is a left tributary of the Volga, and the Sit is a right tributary of the Mologa.

What is known about the Trinity Church in Koy?

The two-storey church was built over more than ten years and consecrated in 1731.

Which destinations are connected to Sonkovo by rail?

Rail lines run to Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Rybinsk and Uglich.

For the broader travel overview: Tver Oblast.