Staraya Russa

Staraya Russa is the third town as of its size in Novgorod Region.

The town came into being owing to the salt-making industry, which is proved by the remains of the kilns and the drying pans for the salt production found in the earliest archaeological strata.

In the XIX century, the «towm of salters» was replaced by the «town-resort». Established in 1828, the Staraya Russa resort became widely known for its healing waters and muds.

F. Dostoevsky visited the town for the first time in 1872, and since 1873, he lived in the house that afterwards became the memorial house-museum of the writer.

In May, the International readings «Dostoevskiy and the Contemporaneity» are annually held, while in November, the International Festival of Chamber Performances on F. Dostoevskiy’s works is waged.

The basic architectural dominant of the nowaday town still is Voskresenskiy (Resurrection) Cathedral with a belfry (1692–1696, reconstructed in the XIX century, now an operating temple).

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