Valday or Valdai is a city (since 1770) in Russia, the administrative center of the Valday urban settlement and the Valday district of the Novgorod region. Population - 14,379 people. (2017). Valday is an old (first mentioned in 1495), although not very remarkable city, is the center of one of the main resort areas of North-West Russia. The location of Valday on the post road between Moscow and St. Petersburg contributed to the prosperity of the city and the development of bell-casting. Valday is the starting point for visiting the Valdaisky National Park.
Valdai Iversky Monastery of the Holy Monastery, Selvitsky Island.
Open from 7 to 21. Located on Selvitsky Island in the middle of
Valdai Lake, 10 km from the center of Valdai. The monastery was
founded in the middle of the 17th century by Patriarch Nikon,
several original buildings remained: the Assumption Cathedral
(1655–1656, one of the largest buildings of the 17th century in
Russia), the Church of James Borovichsky (1702), the later Epiphany
Cathedral and the Church of St. Michael the Archangel. The monastery
is perfectly visible from the city and due to the location features
it seems a bit submerged in water. The monastery can be reached by
car (on the M10 Valdai — Vyshniy Volochek, exit from the highway in
the direction of Borovichi).
Church of Catherine, st. Truda, 2A.
Open from 10 to 18, weekends - Tuesday and the last Monday of the
month. The magnificent rotunda, designed by N. A. Lvov at the end of
the XVIII century. Now in the church is a museum of bells.
Trinity Cathedral, pl. Freedom. Rough baroque building, built in
1744.
Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin in the
Church of the Lord, pl. Svobody. Another Baroque monument; in the
worst condition and without domes.
Roadside chapel of James
Borovichsky, Komsomolsky Avenue. Chapel in the name of James
Borovichsky. Built in 1826 in memory of Emperor Alexander I.
Peter and Paul Church, city cemetery, st. Lunacharsky. The red brick
church was built in 1858 through the efforts of the local merchant
Vasily Kolobov. During World War II, the church was closed, its
building was first used as a dyeing shop, and then the military
telegraph was located here. The iconostasis and church values were
lost during a fire in 1943. The church was revived by father Nikolay
Listov, now his grave is located near the church. The iconostasis
for the reviving temple was brought from the destroyed church of the
village of Lamerie, Krestetsky district.
Museum of
bells, st. Truda, 2A. Open: from 10 to 18, weekends - Tuesday and
last Monday of the month. The only museum of bells in Russia, one of
the main attractions of the city. You can ring some of the bells on
display.
County Museum, st. Lunacharsky, 7. Open 10-18, closed -
Monday.
1. Entry into Russia (Visa & Practicalities)
Russia’s entry rules
in 2026 depend on your nationality:
e-Visa (most convenient):
Citizens of ~64 countries (including most EU nations, China, India,
Japan, etc.) can apply online for a 30-day single-entry e-visa. Apply
4–40 days before travel at the official site (electronic-visa.kdmid.ru).
No invitation letter needed.
Visa-free (limited countries + RuID
app): Some nationalities (e.g., certain Latin American, Middle Eastern,
or former Soviet states) can enter visa-free for short stays but must
register via the RuID mobile app and show a QR code at the border.
Traditional tourist visa (e.g., US, UK, Canada, Australia): Requires a
visa support letter (invitation) from a licensed Russian tour operator
or hotel, plus application at a Russian consulate/visa center.
Processing can take weeks; multi-entry options exist for some
nationalities. Always check the latest on the Russian Ministry of
Foreign Affairs site or your local embassy, as rules can change.
You will need:
Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
Travel insurance covering medical evacuation (often required).
Proof
of accommodation or itinerary.
Download the Yandex Go app
(Russian Uber) and Sberbank/TPay or a Russian bank card for payments —
cash (RUB) is still widely accepted in smaller towns.
2. Fly into
Russia’s Main Gateways
Best airports:
St. Petersburg Pulkovo (LED)
— ~310 km / 4–5 hours from Valday (closest major airport).
Moscow
Sheremetyevo (SVO) — ~370 km / 4.5–6 hours.
Moscow Domodedovo (DME)
or Vnukovo (VKO) are slightly farther but workable.
From the
US/Europe/elsewhere:
Direct or one-stop flights to LED or any Moscow
airport on Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines, Emirates, Qatar, etc.
From LED
or SVO, head straight to the city’s main train station (no need to stay
overnight unless you want to).
3. From Moscow to Valday (386 km)
Recommended: Train (fastest and most comfortable public option)
Direct train (e.g., train 010А or similar): Departs Moscow Leningradsky
Railway Terminal → arrives Valdai station in ~5 h 53 min. Cost: ~RUB
1,400–5,500 (~$15–60) depending on class.
Faster connection via
Bologoye: Some routes change trains at Bologoe-Moskovskoe for a total of
~4 h 6 min.
Buy tickets on RZD.ru (English available), Tutu.ru, or
the RZD app. Book in advance, especially in summer or holidays.
Bus: Limited or indirect (often via Ostashkov or Novgorod); not the best
choice.
Drive / Taxi:
M10 highway (good condition). Drive
time: ~5–6 hours.
Private taxi or transfer: ~RUB 8,000–12,000
($85–130) one-way; arrange via Yandex Go or a local operator.
Rental
car: Possible from Moscow airports (international permit recommended).
4. From St. Petersburg to Valday (≈310 km)
Train (best overall)
Direct Lastochka or similar (e.g., train 801Я): Moskovsky Railway
Terminal → Valdai in ~4 h 38 min.
Via Bologoye: ~4 h 3 min total.
Cost: ~RUB 1,300–5,000 (~$14–55). Multiple daily departures.
Bus
(cheapest)
SKSauto direct bus from St. Petersburg Bus Terminal
(Obvodny Canal) to Valday Bus Station.
Twice daily, ~4 h 55 min, RUB
900–1,300 (~$10–14).
Drive / Taxi
M10 highway: ~4 hours.
Taxi: ~RUB 10,000–15,000 ($110–160).
Alternative via Veliky
Novgorod (~140–200 km from Valday): Train or bus to Novgorod, then local
bus 285 or taxi (~2–3 hours more total).
5. Other Routes
From
Veliky Novgorod: Frequent buses (~2–3 h) or taxi. Good if you’re already
exploring the Golden Ring or northwest Russia.
Long-distance buses
from other Russian cities are rare; trains are more reliable.
Driving
the full M10: Scenic but can have trucks. Tolls are minimal or none on
this section.
6. Arriving in Valday & Getting Around
Valday
Train Station: Right in town (central location). Small but functional;
taxis wait outside.
Bus Station: Also central; easy walking distance
to hotels and the lake.
Local transport:
The town is walkable
(everything is within 15–30 minutes on foot).
Yandex Go taxis are
cheap and reliable.
For Valdaysky National Park or Iversky Monastery
(on the island in the lake): Local buses, taxis (~RUB 300–600), or
organized tours/boat in summer. The monastery is ~10–15 km from town
center.
Rent a bike or join an ecological trail if you’re staying in
the park.
7. Practical Tips
Best time: May–September
(warm, lake swimming, park trails open). Winter is beautiful but very
cold and snowy.
Booking: Trains fill up — book 2–4 weeks ahead via
RZD or Tutu.ru. Use Google Translate on Russian sites.
Currency &
cards: RUB only in smaller shops; bring cash. International cards work
at ATMs but may have fees.
Language: Very little English outside
hotels. Download offline Google Translate or Yandex Translate.
Safety: Valday is very safe and tourist-friendly. Standard precautions
apply.
Where to stay: Hotels near the lake or in the national park
(e.g., basic guesthouses or more upscale eco-lodges).
Schedules
change: Always double-check current times on RZD.ru or Rome2Rio before
travel.
Quick recommendation by style:
Fastest: Fly to LED →
Lastochka train from St. Petersburg (~4–5 hours total after landing).
Cheapest: Fly to LED → SKSauto bus.
Most scenic/flexible: Drive the
M10 or take a direct train from Moscow.
Intracity transportation is performed by a municipal road transport company and several taxi companies.
1 Cafe "Bavaria", pl. Svobody, 15. ☎ +7 921 705-85-12. 10.00–01.00.
2 Flagman cafe, 27 Sovetsky pr. (in the eastern part of the city).
Previously, the cafe was called the Jolly Roger. The new owners made a
big restructuring, on the first floor there is a cafe, on the second
floor there is now a mini-hotel. The past of this place is reminded by a
metal bench at the entrance, made in a pirate style with the letters
"BP".
3 Cafe "Urartu", Oktyabrskaya st. 6a. ☎ +7 81666 2-48-77.
09.00–02.00.
Cozy interior, delicious food, business lunch 160 rub
4 Restaurant “Dar Valdaya”, pl. Freedom. 10.00–22.00.
5 Restaurant
"Tropicana", st. Molotkovskaya, d.2. ☎ +7 81666 20146.
6 Pizzeria
"Chudu Pizza", Komsomolsky pr-t, 56 a. ☎ +7-905-239-33-43,.
7 Cafe
"Victoria", st. Oktyabrskaya, 37.
8 Cafe-bar "Lukomorye", st.
Lomonosov, 70. ☎ +7 921–207–23–53.
9 cafe "Delight", st. Lenina, d.
24/48. ☎ +7 816 662 6816.
10 Cafe "County", st. Truda, d. 5 a.
33.25442
1 Tourist complex "Valdai Dawns", st. Molotkovskaya, 2. ☎
+7-(81666)-22-140, 20-146. Double room: from 3500 rubles (2009). The
hotel complex is located in the city on the shores of Valdai Lake, next
to the Solovyovsky Park. Private beach 70 meters from the building
(chaise lounges, umbrellas in summer). The hotel has a residential
five-story building and an administrative complex.
2 Valdai Hotel,
st. Lunacharsky, 20. ☎ +7-(81666)-22-075. Double room: 1400 rubles
(2009). Tourist and hotel center "Valdai" is located in the heart of the
city of Valdai. To the railway station 600 meters, to the bus station
1.5 km. The lake is 400 meters away. Nearby there are several cafes at a
distance of 200-300 meters.
3 Valdaisky Dvor Hotel, Vyskodno-2, 7.a.
✉ ☎ +7 81666 24359. A small year-round hotel for 30 people. Located in a
picturesque area of the resort area of the Valdai National Park. It is
located 3 km. from the center of the city of Valdai, on the highway
between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
4 Hotel of the National Park
"Valdaisky", st. Victory d.3. ✉ ☎ +7 81666 21217. The hotel complex is
located in the city on the shore of the Valdai lake, next to the
Solovyevsky park. Private beach 70 meters from the building (chaise
lounges, umbrellas in summer). The hotel has a residential five-story
building and an administrative complex.
5 Mini-hotel "Marakanas", st.
Peschanaya d.
6 Flagman mini-hotel, 27 Sovetsky pr. Not far from the
mini-hotel is the Museum of Bells, Solovyovsky Park, the city beach, the
city stadium.
Early Mentions and Medieval Origins (12th–16th Centuries)
The
name "Valday" first appears in a Novgorod birch-bark letter (gramota
№740) dated 1140–1151, referring to a tax or debt of 15 kunas from
the area—likely the broader region rather than a specific
settlement. The earliest firm reference to a populated place comes
from 1495, when it is listed as the village of Valdayskoye Selishche
("Valday settlement") in the scribal books of Derevskaya Pyatina,
part of the Novgorod Republic.
Archaeological and documentary
evidence points to even earlier roots. In the 1460s–1470s, two
households (belonging to serfs Yakov Demekhov and his son Klim)
stood here in Korotsky Pogost. Residents farmed, raised livestock,
and paid tribute (one-fifth of the harvest plus one grivna annually)
to local boyars. By the late 15th–early 16th centuries, a winter
sled route across the frozen lake and a summer land road around it
spurred growth. Household numbers rose from about 40 in 1573 to 94
by 1584. A wooden Church of Paraskeva (with a six-post bell tower)
was built in the second half of the 16th century. Until 1654, Valday
remained a dvorcovoe selo (palace village) under direct tsarist
ownership.
The Valdai Hills themselves have deeper prehistoric
significance as a watershed and portage area between the Volga,
Western Dvina, and Ilmen basins, used since the Middle Ages for
trade.
17th Century: The Iversky Monastery and Cultural Rise
The turning point came in 1653 when Patriarch Nikon founded the
Valday Iversky Monastery (officially the Valday Iversky
Svyatoozersky Virgin Monastery) on an island in Lake Valdayskoye,
modeled after the Iviron Monastery on Mount Athos in Greece. Nikon,
elected Patriarch in 1652, received Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich’s
permission and chose the site after a vision. By autumn 1653, two
wooden churches stood; stone construction followed, with the
Assumption Cathedral (first stone church) completed and consecrated
in 1656.
In 1654, lands around the lake (including Valday
village) were granted to the monastery, making it one of Russia’s
largest landowners. Monks from Belarus’s Orsha Kutein Monastery
joined in 1655. The monastery became a major cultural and
educational center—the second in Russia (after Moscow’s Print Yard)
to operate a printing press and produce porcelain tiles. It housed a
revered copy of the Theotokos Iverskaya icon (a 1656 prohibition
banned further copies). The village was temporarily renamed
Bogoroditsyno while under monastic control until the 1764
secularization.
The monastery and the new Moscow–Novgorod road
drove Valday’s expansion as a trade and pilgrimage site.
18th
Century: City Status and Craft Boom
Peter the Great’s 1708
administrative reforms placed the area in Ingermanland Governorate
(later St. Petersburg Governorate); Novgorod Governorate split off
in 1727. In 1770, Empress Catherine II chartered Valday as a town by
decree on May 28, making it the seat of Valdaysky Uyezd in Novgorod
Viceroyalty (later Governorate in 1796). At the time, it had about
2,000 residents.
Its location on the improved Moscow–St.
Petersburg post road (especially after St. Petersburg became capital
in 1712) turned it into a bustling transit hub with inns, taverns,
and forges (about 50 concentrated on Molotkovskaya Street). Crafts
flourished: blacksmithing produced horseshoes, scythes, and tools;
bagels (baranki) became a specialty sold even at Volga piers.
19th Century: Golden Age of Bell-Making and Economic Peak
Valday earned fame as Russia’s leading center for bell casting, a
tradition likely emerging in the late 18th century from local
forges. A popular legend links it to 1478, when the great Novgorod
bell allegedly fell and shattered near Valday during transport to
Moscow, inspiring smaller “Valdai bells.” The first documented
signed bells date to 1802 (by master Filip Tersky); factories like
those of merchants Smirnov, Mitrofanov (1816), and later Usachev
operated by the 1840s. Three foundries employed 50 workers and
produced over 10,000 rubles’ worth annually.
“Valdai bells”
(valdayskie kolokoltsy) and larger church bells were prized for
their clear, “raspberry” tone. Yamshchiki (coachmen) used sets
called yamshchitskaya garmonya (a large bell plus smaller ones) to
announce themselves on the road. Bells were exported widely, ringing
in cathedrals from Venice and Florence to New York and across
Eastern Europe. Production peaked mid-century but waned after the
1851 Nikolaevskaya Railway opened, bypassing the old road and
diverting trade. A major 1854 fire destroyed about one-third of
homes; population halved by 1910. Bell-making persisted (shifting to
fire, theater, and signal bells) until 1927.
20th Century:
Soviet Era, World War II, and Decline
After the 1917 Revolution,
bell production paused then briefly resumed under the New Economic
Policy before ending in 1927. The Iversky Monastery was closed in
1927 (after a 1919 labor cooperative phase) and repurposed for
various uses; its icon disappeared. In 1927, Valdaysky District was
formed (initially in Leningrad Oblast, transferred to Novgorod
Oblast in 1944).
During World War II, Valday lay near the front
but was never occupied by German forces. Soviet troops halted the
advance nearby in September 1941; the town served as a headquarters
and partisan base.
Post-war, it remained a quiet district
center focused on local industry and agriculture.
Modern Era
(Late 20th–21st Centuries): Tourism and National Park
In 1990,
Valdaysky National Park was created, encompassing the town, lake,
and surrounding hills—protecting unique glacial landscapes and
boosting eco-tourism. The Iversky Monastery was reopened in 1991 and
restored as an active Orthodox site. The Valdaysky District Museum
(in historic buildings like the 1790s Church of St. Catherine,
attributed to architect Nikolay Lvov) showcases 19th-century uyezd
life and bell-making history. Other landmarks include the Trinity
Cathedral, Presentation Church, and monuments to bell-founders.
Today Valday attracts visitors for its serene lakeside setting,
hiking trails (e.g., the 59-km Great Valdai Trail), fishing, and
cultural sites. The Valdai Discussion Club (founded 2004) takes its
name from the area, where early meetings occurred. The broader
Valdai Hills region remains symbolically important in Russian
history and politics.
Regional Context: The Valdai Hills
The Valdai Hills (Valdayskaya
Vozvyshennost') form a broad, north-south trending upland in the
northwest of central European Russia, roughly midway between Moscow and
Saint Petersburg. They span parts of Leningrad, Novgorod, Tver, Pskov,
and Smolensk Oblasts and represent a northward extension of the Central
Russian Upland. Geologically, the hills consist of ancient hard rocks
that acted as an obstacle to the Scandinavian ice sheet during the last
Ice Age. As the glaciers retreated, they left behind thick deposits of
terminal moraines, drumlins, eskers, and other glacial detritus,
creating a classic hummocky, lake-dotted terrain.
Elevations are
modest by mountain standards but significant for the Russian Plain: the
highest point reaches 346.9 m (1,138 ft) near Vyshny Volochyok. The
western slope drops more steeply toward the Lake Ilmen lowland, while
the eastern side merges gradually with the surrounding plain. This
upland acts as a major continental watershed divide:
Caspian Sea
basin via the Volga River (which has its ultimate headwaters here).
Black Sea basin via the Dnieper.
Baltic Sea basin via the Western
Dvina (Daugava), Lovat, Msta, Syas, and others (through Lake Ladoga/Neva
or Volkhov systems).
The landscape features numerous lakes
(including Volgo, Peno, Seliger, Brosno, and Valdayskoye), swamps, and
forests—hallmarks of post-glacial relief.
Local Topography Around
Valday
Valday town itself sits at approximately 57°58′N 33°15′E and
an elevation of about 210–216 m (690–709 ft) above sea level. It
occupies gentle hills that slope down to the southwestern shore of Lake
Valdayskoye, the largest lake in the highest section of the Valdai
Hills. The surrounding topography within Valdaysky District and the
national park consists of undulating moraine ridges, kettle-hole
depressions (many now filled by lakes), and flat lowlands. In the
national park, the maximum local elevation is around 288 m at Orekhovna
Hill. Glacial landforms dominate: ridges, hummocks, and scattered
boulders create a varied micro-relief that is neither flat nor
mountainous but gently rolling and highly scenic.
Hydrology:
Lakes and Rivers
Valday lies in a true lakeland. Valdaysky National
Park alone contains 76 lakes of glacial origin. Lake Valdayskoye is the
centerpiece:
Surface area: ~19.7–20 km².
Maximum depth: up to 60
m.
Average depth: ~12 m.
Elevation: 191 m above sea level.
It
has several islands (including the one with the historic Iversky
Monastery) and sandy beaches.
Other major lakes in or near the
park include portions of Lake Seliger, Lake Velyo, Lake Uzhin, Lake
Borovno, and Lake Shlino. The area is dotted with smaller lakes, ponds,
and extensive swamps.
River-wise, Valdaysky District belongs
primarily to the Volkhov River basin (ultimately draining to the Baltic
via Lake Ladoga). Key local rivers include:
The Valdayka River
(flows from Lake Uzhin into the Berezayka, a tributary of the Msta).
The Polomet River (tributary of the Pola, with its source in the park).
Western and northwestern parts feed the Pola system.
This
hydrological richness makes the region a critical water source for much
of European Russia.
Climate
Valday has a humid continental
climate (Köppen Dfb), typical of the Russian interior but moderated
slightly by its upland position. Key statistics (based on long-term
averages):
Annual mean temperature: ~5.2°C.
January (coldest
month): –7.3°C to –10°C average, with frequent drops below –20°C and
heavy snow.
July (warmest month): +18.6°C average, with mild,
occasionally warm days.
Annual precipitation: ~700–838 mm,
distributed fairly evenly but with a summer maximum (e.g., July ~97 mm).
Snow cover lasts 140–160 days.
Summers are mild and humid; winters
are cold and snowy. Fog and overcast skies are common due to the many
water bodies.
Vegetation, Soils, and Ecosystems: Valdaysky
National Park
The park (established 1990, 1,585 km² or ~158,500 ha, a
UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2004) protects the core of this
landscape. It covers parts of Valdaysky (62%), Demyansky (26%), and
Okulovsky (12%) districts and includes the town of Valday.
Land
cover: ~86% forest (southern taiga transitioning to mixed forest), 9.2%
water (lakes), 2.9% swamps.
Dominant trees: Norway spruce (Picea
abies), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), birch (Betula spp.), and alder.
Oak forests appear at their northern limit (~0.1% of forested area).
Soils: Mostly podzols and podzolic soils developed on glacial sands,
loams, and moraines—acidic and relatively infertile, supporting
coniferous and mixed stands.
Fauna: 50 mammal species (moose, brown
bear, wolf, lynx, wild boar, red fox, marten, mink), 180 bird species,
and ~40 fish species (pike, perch, bream, etc.).
The park's
glacial lake-forest complex is exceptionally well-preserved, with
recreational trails, canoe routes, and viewpoints over the hills.
The emblem used by the Valdai urban settlement as an official symbol is a shield divided in two by a perpendicular line. In the geometric center of the left half of the shield there is an image of the Imperial golden crown against the background of ermine fur. On the right silver field in the lower half of the shield there is an image of a green mountain, symbolizing the mountainous location of the city of Valdai.
The flag of the Valdai urban settlement has the shape of a rectangular panel with a length-to-width ratio of 3:2. The top half of the cloth is white and the bottom half is blue. In the upper left corner of the cloth there is an image of the approved coat of arms of the Valdai urban settlement, which occupies 1/8 of the area of the flag field.
The municipal education system of the city is represented by
kindergartens, schools and a gymnasium:
Secondary school No. 1 named
after. M. Averina
Secondary school No. 2
Gymnasium
Institutions of secondary vocational education:
OAPOU "Valdai
Agricultural College"
Regional State Educational Institution "College
of Service and Management"
Valdai branch of the State Hydrological Institute.
The project for
the creation of an innovative scientific and technological center "Smart
Electronics - Valdai" Archived copy of April 28, 2021 on the Wayback
Machine
The healthcare system is represented by:
regional health care
institution GBUZ "Valdai Central District Hospital", which provides a
full range of medical services to residents of the city and surrounding
areas.
branch of the FGBUZ "Clinical Hospital No. 122 named. L. G.
Sokolova” to provide emergency specialized assistance to victims of
accidents on the Novgorod section of the federal highway M-10.
branch
of LLC "Medical Center "XXI century"
Providing cultural and leisure services to the population is
implemented by the following municipal cultural institutions:
"Valdai
centralized club system"
"Intersettlement Library named after. B. S.
Romanov of the Valdai Municipal District "
"Valdai House of Folk Art"
"Valdai Children's Art School"
Autoclub "Zabava"
Cinema and
Concert Hall "Dream"
Creative groups: Vocal group "Minstrel Song
Theatre", choreographic group "Tomorrow" and a number of others.
Youth center “Mesto. Valdai"
List of objects
The Kristall sports and recreation complex was
built under the Gazprom for Children program in 2011. Opened February
21, 2012. The structure includes: an ice arena of the "Canadian" type -
56 x 26 meters, stands for fans for 326 seats, an individual training
hall, a gym for exercise therapy.
Children and Youth Sports School
Karate club "Ronin"
Youth Center "Youth"
Sports club "Athlete"
Chess Club
Football teams
FOK "Youth"
The following operators provide communication services in the city:
Fixed-line services are provided by: Rostelecom branch in the Novgorod
and Pskov regions (FNPO), Eurasia Telecom Ru, Integral, NovLine.
Mobile telephony services are provided by cellular operators: MTS,
Beeline, MegaFon and Tele2.
Valdai is a popular tourist destination. The Museum of Bells is
located in the building of the palace church "In the Name of the Great
Martyr Catherine" (XVIII century). The museum presents various bells and
bells, as well as various information about the bell-making industry and
craftsmen of pre-revolutionary Russia. The museum has bells brought from
various places in Russia, as well as from Sweden, Germany and other
countries. The monument to the "Blacksmiths and Bell Craftsmen of
Valdai" is included in the Russian Book of Records. Valdai personifies
the Cathedral of the Life-Giving Trinity, located on Freedom Square.
Near the square is the Museum of the county town. On the island of
Valdai Lake - Iversky Monastery. Valdai is located within the borders of
the Valdai National Park, where the Great Valdai Trail is located, 59 km
long.
The sights of Valdai are also the Vvedensky Church, which
requires restoration, the Church of Peter and Paul, the chapel of Jacob
Borovichsky, the park of the estates of Vakhrushev and Menshikov,
Solovyovsky Park and others.
In the city there is a men's correctional colony of general regime
No. 4 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia in the Novgorod
region.
In 1957, to increase the production of furniture, the
construction of a new colony began, as the convicts produced plywood. In
the 60s, the institution actively cooperated with the Krasnogorsk
Mechanical Plant and the Balashikha Mechanical Plant. Here they began to
produce components for the Zenit camera, blocks for brake drums for both
civil and military aircraft. The main areas of production today are
metalworking, sewing products, woodworking, production of blank
products, production of food products and paving slabs. The basis of
woodworking is the production of joinery products: furniture made of
solid wood and laminated chipboard, wooden window and door blocks.
Sewing products are represented by bedding and work clothes.