Tver: A One-day Trip to the City of Three Rivers
Tver has a palace-estate where Russian emperors rested, a botanical garden, and architectural monuments of the Soviet era. The city is only a couple of hours away from Moscow (and even less by high-speed train).
Why Should You Visit Tver?
Tver is an ancient Russian city located on the banks of the Volga River. It was founded in 1135, and centuries ago the city competed with Moscow for the role of the political centre of North-Eastern Russia. Tver is located between Moscow and St Petersburg.
Even though the city is small and all the main landmarks can be seen in 1–2 days, visitors to Tver can find a combination of ancient history and contemporary trends. The city is also famous for its street art: graffiti decorates the end walls of numerous buildings and is organically woven into the fabric of the city. You can also try the delicious local marmalade sweets.
How to Get There
The easiest and fastest way to get to Tver is by train from Moscow's Leningradsky Railway Station. The journey takes from one to three hours, depending on the type of train. It is advisable to purchase tickets in advance, especially on weekends (a daily Lastochka train journey costs around 750 roubles).
It is possible to get to Tver by Sapsan high-speed train. The price is about 1200 roubles, and it will take a little more than an hour.
Interesting Facts about Tver
- Tver was founded back in 1135 and is located on the banks of the Volga, Tvertsy, and Tmaki rivers
- During Soviet times, Tver was named Kalinin
- The famous writer and traveller Afanasy Nikitin lived in Tver
- The area of the Tver region is 84,200 km2, which is slightly more than the area of the entire United Arab Emirates
- There are about 600 rivers and about 800 lakes in the Tver region
Key Landmarks
Imperial Travel Palace
Tver Imperial Travel Palace is an architectural monument and the main attraction in the city. It was constructed in the very heart of the city in 1764–66 by architect Matvey Kazakov for Russian Empress Catherine the Great. This palace combines the architectural features of the Classical and Baroque styles.
Tver Regional Art Gallery is also located here. The gallery’s collection consists of about 32,000 exhibits, including a collection of old Russian paintings, drawings, and sculptures, Western European art, and decorative and applied arts from all over the world. In addition to the paintings by Russian and European artists, the palace interiors are also of great interest. There is also a palace garden and a greenhouse that you can visit.
Address: Tver, 3 Sovetskaya Ulitsa.
Opening hours:
Wed, Thu, Sat, Sun: 11am–6pm; Fri: 11am–8pm; Mon, Tue: closed
Tickets:
Admission to the art gallery – 300 roubles.
Admission to the palace garden– 50 roubles.
Admission to the greenhouse – 150 roubles. (Tickets can be purchased from the museum’s box office on the day of your visit or in advance on the website)
The Goat Museum
For lovers of the unusual, there is a museum dedicated entirely to goats—the unofficial symbol of Tver region. This private museum was founded back in 2008 by historian Vladimir Lavrenov based on his personal collection. The Goat Museum’s collection currently consists of more than 6,000 exhibits related to the animal, including coins, toys, figurines, jewellery, and more.
Address: Tver, 5 Zhigareva Ulitsa.
Opening hours: Tue – Sat: 10am–6pm; Sun: 12am–8pm; Mon: closed
Tickets:
Standard ticket – 200 roubles
Student ticket – 100 roubles (Tickets can be purchased from the museum’s box office on the day of your visit)
Rails Centre for Contemporary Culture
Opened in 2018, the centre organises lectures and master classes for guests and residents of the city. The centre also has a free library, lecture hall and workshop space, and three cafes—Locals, BON and Miuccia.
Botanical Garden of Tver State University
This garden is not only the northernmost botanical garden in the country that has steppe plants, but also an archaeological monument and a site of historical, cultural, and natural heritage.
Address: 16 Shevchenko Pereulok
Opening hours: Weekdays: 9am–5pm; Weekend: 11am–4pm
Tickets:
Standard ticket – 250 roubles
Student ticket – 150 roubles (Cash only)
City Streets
Trekhsvyatskaya Ulitsa is one of the most picturesque pedestrian streets in the city. Almost all the houses here were built in the 19th and 20th centuries in the Classical style. Here, you can buy souvenirs, stumble upon festive events and street musicians, or just take a break in a café or restaurant.
There is one more symbol of Tver on the banks of the Volga: the old building of the River Station, which showcases the beauty of Soviet architecture. The building is located by the Afanasy Nikitin Embankment, which stretches for 2.4 km along the left bank of the Volga. Other attractions on the embankment include ancient churches and the building of a former theological school.
Where to Eat
We highly recommend visiting Ap.Cake or BunaBuna. These are small local cafes where you can have a cup of coffee and a snack or even enjoy lunch in a cosy environment. You can also try delicious desserts at an affordable price.
Tver is also known for its delicious and natural local marmalade sweets. You can buy them in Marmalade Skazka stores located in the city centre.
Useful Tips
- Students can get a discount on the price of museum tickets by presenting their student card, so don’t forget to bring it with you!
- Make sure you buy a window seat. On the train to Tver, you can enjoy the landscapes of small villages and beautiful nature.
Text by Polina Safronova and Olga Timofeeva, bachelor’s students of Foreign Languages and Intercultural Communication, interns at the HSE University English website team