The border town of Narva and its sights. Open left menu narva
Narva is the third largest city in Estonia. Most of the inhabitants of Narva are Russians. And this is not surprising, because the city is located on the border with Russia.
Narva was the second city I visited while traveling in Estonia.
The most memorable, most important and beautiful symbol of the city is the Narva Castle, near which you can always meet many admiring tourists.
Narva Castle, founded by the Danes at the end of the 13th century as the residence of the King of Denmark, served as a defensive complex in the Middle Ages. The castle went through many reconstructions, and acquired its current appearance at the beginning of the 15th century. Now in the fortress you can visit the Narva Museum, which tells about the history of the city and the fortress itself. Exhibition halls located in the tower Long German.
And in the northern courtyard of the castle, anyone can try their hand at a craft workshop.
Narva Town Hall, built in the Baroque style, is an equally outstanding landmark of the city. Only the town hall has survived to this day. And residential buildings, a pharmacy, an exchange building were destroyed during the Second World War. The town hall is closed to tourists.
IN former building The armory houses the Art Gallery, founded in 1991. At the permanent exhibition you can get acquainted with the works of the merchant Lavretsov. In addition, temporary exhibitions of artists are organized here. On the last Sunday of May, the gallery hosts a traditional art festival.
The museum is open from Monday to Wednesday from 10:00 to 18:00.
House of Baron von Velio - majestic building, built in the early 18th century in the classical style, is an architectural monument. 
There used to be a boys' school here. And now - Vanalinna Public School.
The famous Krenholm Manufactory was founded in the 18th century, the largest in the Russian Empire. Since it is located in the area of the Narva waterfalls, water energy was used for the manufacture of products. Visiting the manufactory is possible only by prior arrangement.
The Resurrection Cathedral was built in the 1890s for the Orthodox workers of the Krenholm manufactory. The main value in the cathedral is a gilded three-tiered iconostasis and a wooden crucifixion of Christ of the 17th century. An interesting fact is that during the Second World War, when almost the entire city was destroyed, the Resurrection Cathedral remained untouched.
According to the project of the St. Petersburg architect Otto Pius von Gippius, the Alexander Church was erected in 1884 for the Lutheran workers of the Krenholm Manufactory. The church was badly damaged during the First and Second World Wars, the bell tower with the organ was destroyed. It was restored not too long ago.
In the church you can visit the bell tower with an observation deck, and a museum.
An unusual architectural monument is the City Hospital, which is part of the Krenholm ensemble.
The oldest park in Narva, the Dark Garden, is located on the Victoria Bastion. 
One of the favorite places for both tourists and local residents. In the garden you can find trees over 100 years old. There are two monuments on the territory. The cast-iron cross is dedicated to Russian soldiers who died during the Northern war.
The second monument is a symbol of the tomb of those who died during the 1918 War of Independence.
You should definitely look at the Swedish Lion. This monument was unveiled in 2000 to commemorate the Battle of Narva in 1700.
In addition to all of the above, I strongly advise you to visit the Memento Mori Monument, built in memory of the victims of political repression. And if you're lucky, you can get to festivals, performances, concerts under open sky passing up to the courtyard of the castle. Most popular: in May - International music Festival them. Mravinsky, in July - the Days of the City of Narva, and in August - the Historical Festival.
Of all the border towns I have visited, Narva stands out by its location alone. Being on the left bank of the Narova River, it is located in such a way that stunning views open up from the embankment not just on the opposite bank, but on another country - Russia.
For me, the trip to Narva was originally of a “transit” nature, but taking into account the peculiarities of the border checkpoint, which will be discussed below, I had to stay in this city a little longer than I originally expected.
Border Narva was most of its history. Today, this is reminiscent of the distinguished watchtower Herman's castle
History of Narva
The first fortifications on the site of the current Narva Castle (Narva Hermanni linnus) were laid in the 13th century by those who occupied the territory modern Estonia Danes.
In 1346, these lands were ceded to the Livonian Order. It was the knights who brought the construction of the castle begun by the Danes to its logical conclusion.
At the end of the 15th century, the Russian prince Ivan III built the Ivangorod fortress on the opposite bank of the Narova, which has also survived to this day.
During the Livonian War, the city of Narva from 1558 to 1581 was for the first time part of the Russian kingdom, but was eventually recaptured by the Swedes. During this period, the first Orthodox churches appeared in the city, which have not survived to this day.
The Swedish period of the city's history was marked by the creation of a powerful system of earthen bastions around the castle, since medieval fortress could no longer provide a worthy rebuff to modern guns. At the same time, the town hall building was also built.
Part Russian Empire the city entered as a result of the Northern War of 1700-1721. Since then, Narva began to lose strategic importance as the empire's borders expanded far to the west.
In the 20th century, the city was seriously damaged during the Second World War, when in 1944 the Soviet troops drove the Germans out of there, so today the streets of Narva are built up mainly with modern houses. However, after the war, some of the buildings, including the castle and the town hall, were restored.
How to get there
Of the three border checkpoints between Russia and Estonia, Narva is the only one where the border can be crossed on foot or by bike. This option is usually used by both residents of Narva itself and Russian citizens living in Ivangorod.
I, too, was once forced to cross the border on foot in both directions, because when crossing a pedestrian checkpoint in any electronic queue no need to enroll. To pass, a passport with a valid Schengen visa is enough.
As a result, the car was waiting for a call in the hotel parking lot, and I safely went to see the Ivangorod fortress and have a bite to eat in a budget canteen for rubles.
In addition, despite the fact that there is no airport in Narva, there are at least three more ways to get to the city from Russia: by bus, train and car.
By plane
By bus
Buses to Narva regularly depart from St. Petersburg from the Moscow railway station. Ticket price starts from 850 RUR.
As for the approximate travel time, it should be calculated based on the fact that the distance between Narva and St. Petersburg along the highway is a little more than 150 km, but ultimately it all depends on the queues at the Russian-Estonian border.
The Narva bus station is also located in the city center, very close to railway station. It takes the same 10–15 minutes or about 1 km to go to Narva Castle.
By car
The international highway passes through Narva - Tallinn, on the Russian territory A-180.
Of the features of the road itself, I note that on the Estonian territory it passes through settlements relatively infrequently, forcing the driver to slow down, but on the Russian side, especially near the border, there are a lot of zebra crossings without traffic lights, so there should be Be careful, especially at night.
Clue:
Narva - the time is now
Hour difference:
Moscow 1
Kazan 1
Samara 2
Yekaterinburg 3
Novosibirsk 5
Vladivostok 8
Narva - monthly weather
Clue:
Narva - monthly weather
Districts. Where is the best place to live
The Vanalinn and Joaorg districts, which form the historical part of the city, are ideal both for those who want to get acquainted with the sights of Narva, because in this case they will all be within walking distance, and for those who plan to spend the night before crossing borders because Old city adjoins the Narova River, on the bridge across which there is a checkpoint. 
It makes sense to choose any other area of Narva for living if you are already very short of money.
What are the prices for holidays
Accommodation
Good hotels in Narva are located in the city center. The cost of a double room with all amenities is 50-70 EUR per night. It is most convenient to book accommodation on the site, and you can compare prices from different sites.
Personally, I recommend Hotel Central as it has its own fenced parking. Here I will explain that, in principle, I prefer to put the car in a closed guarded parking lot during road trips. In general, parking in the city is not a problem, although it is worth paying attention to the signs and road markings.
If you are not traveling by car, you have a richer choice, you can, for example, rent an apartment. You can see different options and ask the price.
Nutrition
As for food prices, the average check in a restaurant for two with alcohol is 30-40 EUR.
Alternatively, you can buy food in one of the grocery supermarkets, which you should look for in shopping centers, which will be discussed in the "Shopping and shops" section. You should also look for fast food outlets there, where you can have a bite to eat within 5-7 EUR per person.
Main attractions. What to see
Estonian land has a rich history. Narva is no exception. The sights of the city are concentrated in its historical center. They mainly refer to the Swedish and Russian periods of the city's history, but there are also modern buildings. And the main tourist facility and was built in the Middle Ages.
Top 5
Herman's Castle (Narva Hermanni linnus)
The most famous landmark of Narva and also the only surviving monument of the knightly period. Founded by the Danes in the 13th century, it was completed only a century later, when the territory of present-day Estonia belonged to the Livonian Order. If you are interested in the answer to the question of what to see in Narva in the first place, I definitely recommend the castle.
The fortress was located at the very borders with the Russian kingdom and, as a result, more than once was forced to withstand the siege and change owners. However, the first serious destruction took place only during World War II, but it is worth noting that the restoration of the fortress was completed even during the existence of the USSR.
Outwardly, the castle is a squat powerful citadel, above which rises the Long Herman Tower (Pikk Hermann). In this case, Herman is not a name, but a derivative of the Old German herrmann - "warrior". It is worth noting that there were more than one towers with this name: in particular, the Toompea Castle in Tallinn also has its own Long Herman.
Today there is a museum inside the castle. The ticket price is only 3 EUR, and for 4 EUR you can buy a ticket that gives you the right to visit the castle and art gallery, which I will talk about below.
As for the exposition of the castle, it is located on eight floors. The first part is devoted to the Narva River, on which the city stands, and the industries that developed in Narva. The second part is historical and sequentially reveals the main stages of the city's history. The third part is dedicated directly to the castle, and within its framework you will see images of the fortress at different stages of its existence.
In addition, a ticket to the museum entitles you to visit the observation deck, which offers magnificent views of both Narva itself and Russian Ivangorod, located on the opposite bank of the Narova, where the fortress founded by Ivan III stands right in front of the castle.
More information about prices and opening hours can be found on the website in Russian.
If you are staying in the center, you can get to the castle on foot. In general, the nearest bus stops are Rugodiv and Peetri plast.
Narva promenade
Narva promenade is already a modern business card cities. At first glance, the embankment looks austere, but this is where I recommend you take a selfie between two fortresses: Ivangorodskaya and Narva Castle, because there is simply no such embankment on the Russian side.
The promenade is actively used for walking by both tourists and residents of the city. In the evening, you can often stumble upon a street concert or a fire show there. In addition, I note open in summer 2015 sculpture group depicting a pride of lions.
These sculptures are remarkable in that they are not separated from the walkers by high pedestals or something similar. As a result, adult tourists are happy to take pictures next to stone predators, and children just play.
Narva bastions
Narva fortifications are not limited to the castle. In the XVI-XVII centuries, with the development of firearms, the walls of the fortress could no longer be considered a reliable defense, and the city itself expanded significantly. Therefore, the Swedes who owned Narva at that time built a system of earthen bastions around the citadel. Their location is indicated on the diagram.
The bastions have survived to this day and, for the most part, are a picturesque green area.
Narva City Hall
The building of the town hall was built in the 17th century, that is, it belongs to the Swedish period of the city's history. During the events of World War II, the building was destroyed. Despite the fact that by now it has been well restored, it is impossible to get inside.
The spire of the town hall is decorated with a weather vane, made in the form of a crane, squeezing a stone in its raised paw. This is a symbol of vigilance.
The building is located on Town Hall Square.
The nearest bus stop is Polikliinik.
College building of the University of Tartu (Tartu Ülikooli Narva Kolledž)
On the Town Hall Square there is another remarkable building, already modern. The college building of the University of Tartu attracts attention with its facade, as if turned inside out.
The building is located very close to the Narva City Hall, which was discussed above.
Churches and temples. Which are worth a visit
In the southern part of the city there are two remarkable temples (marked with asterisks in the diagram).
Museums. Which are worth a visit
In addition to the castle, which was mentioned above, it is impossible not to mention the Narva Art Gallery (Narva Kunstigalerii). It occupies the building of a shop or barn, which is also located in the central part of the city. Although it was built in the 18th century, it does not stand out too much from the outside.
Within the walls of the gallery, the works of contemporary artists coexist with the works of painters of the 19th century, while the artists themselves represent both Estonia and Russia, and the most famous of them are Ivan Aivazovsky, Ivan Shishkin and Karl Wenig. In addition to paintings, sculptures are exhibited there, among which I especially remember the “Gallery Spirit” by the contemporary master Albert Belyakov. Outwardly, it resembles a pagan wooden idol with a brush and a palette in her hands.
The entrance ticket costs 2 EUR, but you can also purchase single ticket for 4 EUR, involving a visit to both the castle and the gallery. For schoolchildren and students, the discount is 50%, and the family ticket is double the price, but applies to all family members. Read more about opening hours.
The gallery is located near bus stop Vestervalli at the address: Vestervalli, 21.
parks
The city center is surprisingly green. The Dark Garden stretches along the promenade, covering the earthen bastions of the 17th century.
There is also a small picturesque green area with a fountain next to the castle.
What to see in 1 day
Since the city itself is small, all the sights described above can be seen within one day. For this reason, by the way, a 1-day tour to Narva is so popular among residents of St. Petersburg.
If you are traveling through Narva in transit, then first of all I recommend visiting the castle, not forgetting to climb observation deck towers, and then enjoy the views by walking along the Promenade.
What to see in the surroundings
Ivangorod
Of the interesting places, the Russian city of Ivangorod is closest to Narva. It is famous for its fortress, which was built in the XV-XVI centuries. The fortress is a unique example of Russian defensive architecture, as it does not look like either the red-brick kremlins, where Italian handwriting is visible to the naked eye, or the fortresses of the Pskov region, which are distinguished by irregular shapes and very “different” towers.
Ivangorod fortress occupies an impressive area, while the wall system is a combination of squares and rectangles, that is, you will not find any curved lines and obtuse or sharp corners.
From internal buildings Of interest are the Nikolsky and Assumption Cathedrals, made in a manner atypical for Moscow, Novgorod and Pskov architecture.
How to get there
To get from Narva to Ivangorod, you need to go through the border checkpoint. At the same time, if you plan to return back, make sure that your visa provides for multiple entries into the Schengen area.
Opening hours and cost
The fortress is open for visiting from 10:00 to 18:00, but just in case, I recommend checking the opening hours on the spot.
The entrance ticket costs 100 RUB. Another 100 RUB is a visit to a small museum located in the building of a powder magazine. It was built during the period when Ivangorod was part of the Swedish kingdom.
Near the fortress, by the way, there is a small dining room where you can eat cheaply (within 200 RUR for two) and have a very high quality meal. Personally, I especially remember the lean beef stew. The institution is called "Dining Room No. 2" and is located at: st. Gagarin, 1.
Rakvere
If you drive from Narva in the direction of Tallinn, the sixth largest town of Rakvere is located almost halfway to the capital.
This city attracts tourists thanks to picturesque ruins Wesenberg Castle, on the territory of which a whole entertainment center for children and adults. There are master classes in archery and gunpowder making, and a room of horrors, and much more - in a word, after visiting the castle, I was downright delighted with the pigs.
Parking is organized near the castle, there is a small cafe inside, where I recommend taking a lamb stew with barley for 8 EUR. And there is a very funny decorated toilet.
The cost of an adult ticket is 7 EUR. At the same time, excursions in Russian are often offered at the ticket office of the castle, and I recommend not to neglect them, since all master classes take place only as part of the excursion. The cost is 20 EUR per mini-group. It is better to check the opening hours on the spot, but as far as I know, the castle is open until 17:00–18:00.
Food. What to try
The cuisine in Narva, as well as in Estonia, is, in principle, predominantly pan-European. There are surprisingly few food outlets in the central part, and these are mostly restaurants, where the average bill for two is 20–50 EUR.
Outside the historical center, food outlets should be looked for mainly in shopping centers, some of which I have listed in the paragraph about shopping. In addition to restaurants, there is also fast food, the cost of a snack in which may well be 5-10 EUR per person.
In the central part, however, there are not so many food outlets either, although all the main restaurants of Narva are concentrated there. Two or three of them are next to the Central Hotel where I stayed.
Personally, I recommend the one that is located at the King Hotel at the address: st. Lavretsova, 9. The cuisine there, as in most Estonian restaurants, is pan-European, the average bill for two with alcohol is 30-40 EUR, but the quality of the dishes and the size of the portions seemed worthy to me.
Safety. What to watch out for
In general, although Narva is part of a country that is part of the European Union, in fact it is the most Russian city in Estonia. At the same time, since the bulk of tourists prefer, it is quite difficult to meet scammers and pickpockets in Narva.
The only thing that I strongly recommend to do if you arrived in the city by car and are going to return through the Narva-Ivangorod checkpoint is to book the time of arrival at the checkpoint in advance (at least 15 hours in advance). (You can find how to do this on the Internet.) The fact is that of the three Russian-Estonian checkpoints, this one is the busiest, and I once left Estonia 12 hours later than I planned, because I neglected the possibility of advance booking.
Things to do
Despite the abundance of attractions, compared to the same Tallinn, Narva seemed to me very calm and some kind of non-tourist.
However, as for me, the opportunity to walk across the Russian-Estonian border on foot is in itself a curious attraction, especially considering that there are objects worthy of attention on both sides. And, of course, it’s worth taking a walk through the Narva parks, visiting museums and be sure to climb to the observation deck of Herman’s castle, from where you can see picturesque view to the Russian coast.
Shopping and shops
There are several large shopping centers in Narva located along the Tallinn Highway, through which the entrance to the city is carried out. The largest shopping centers and shops are,, and. To know the exact address, the range of products and the names of the brands presented, you can follow the links above.
Shopping in Narva is especially relevant for residents of border towns, since during the sales period there is an opportunity to save significantly thanks to Tax Free. Traditionally, sales periods are in summer (late June-August) and winter (late December-February).
How to move around the city
Narva is a small city. If you are staying in the central part, it is best to explore it on foot. However, buses run around the city, the schedule and routes of which can be found. The cost of the trip is about 1 EUR, the ticket is purchased from the driver.
Although Narva seems to be a Russian city, the driving culture there is European, and pedestrians are used to being let through. For me personally, their “impudent” behavior by Russian standards came as an unpleasant surprise a couple of times.
In addition, in Narva, as in all settlements Estonia, the speed limit is not 60, as in Russia, but 50 km / h, while exceeding 10 km / h is not fined. Otherwise, there are no surprises like the need to buy vignettes for motorists.
The price of 95 gasoline is about 1.1 EUR per liter, but if you fill up full tank before crossing the border, there is a high probability that you will not need to refuel: on my Koidula - - Narva route, only about 37–38 liters of fuel were consumed.
Narva - holidays with children
Although Narva is more attractive for tourists interested in history, children will certainly be interested in quests that take place within the walls of the medieval castle of Herman. Details can be found.
In addition, since the city itself is not too bustling and crowded, it is perfect for relaxing walks on fresh air.
The quiet, calm and cozy Estonian town of Narva is located on the river of the same name. On the other side is the Russian city of Ivangorod. The long and rich historical past of the city is inextricably linked with its border location. Narva repeatedly passed from Russians to Swedes and vice versa, Germans, Danes, Estonians were its owners. Being at the junction of the Orthodox Slavic East and the European Catholic North, the city adopted the architectural features of both cultures, so many buildings are unique. This is the only place in Europe where two fortresses on different banks of a small river are located so close to each other. You can visit if you wish.
How to get to Narva
Basic prices for travelers in Narva
Rubles can be easily exchanged for crowns in Narva. Prices for goods are basically the same as in St. Petersburg and Moscow, but you can buy natural coffee for almost a third cheaper. Estonian-made cheese and chocolate are very tasty, Georgian wine costs about 20 euros. In a small cafe you can have a great meal for 5-10 euros, a regular lunch in a restaurant will cost 50-70 euros.
A ticket to visit museums, an art gallery costs from 5 to 15 euros, and hotel accommodation costs an average of 10-30 euros. Accommodation in one of the hotels European level will cost 40-60 euros per day, but you can find a mini-hotel or guest house for more low price where "clean, modest, but tasteful."
What to see in Narva
As soon as you cross the border point, you will find yourself on Petrovsky Square, the Triumph bastion will be on the right, and the Narva fortress on the left. The castle of the Narva Fortress is the main attraction of the city, it was built by the Danes in the 8th century, but to this day, the castle is a well-preserved defensive structure on the territory of Estonia. In the fortress, you can visit craft workshops and a museum - here tourists, who have expressed a desire, make souvenirs with their own hands, using technologies and tools of the 17th century.
Go to the herbalist, try his amazing tinctures, you will be lucky if you find yourself next to a very beautiful "silver" tree in the evening - its illumination, like the whole castle, looks very impressive. Do not ignore the town hall building, the Alexander Cathedral and the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ - the only building that was not destroyed by bombing during the Second World War.
The Krenholm Manufactory is located on a separate island. The largest factory of the 19th century was built on the banks of the waterfall, and until the October events of 1917, about 10 thousand people worked here. Around the manufactory there is a Kreenholm park, a hospital, barracks for workers and houses for the directorate. The old hospital was built in the Art Nouveau style, its creation is dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the royal Romanov dynasty. The 18th century armory building today houses an art gallery. Nowadays, exhibitions of works by contemporary Estonian and European artists are held here, and at the end of May, an art festival is held.
In May-July, you can get to one of the events held in the open air on the territory of the inner courtyard of the Narva Castle and the ice stadium. Musical, historical festivals, city day are held here.
Walk along Pushkin Street to the banks of the Narva River and admire great view to the fortress of Ivangorod, you will have a rare opportunity to admire Russia from the outside! Be sure to take a photo unique bridge connecting the two fortresses.
In the vicinity of Narva is gorgeous beach on the coast Gulf of Finland And resort area with sanatoriums, dispensaries and clinics, here you can not only have a great rest, but if necessary, then improve your health, since the special microclimate of the resort, amazingly beautiful landscapes mitigate the effects of stress, relieve depression.
Shops and catering establishments in Narva
There are two shopping complex where they sell clothes, shoes, accessories, electronics and household appliances, products, in general, all sorts of things. There are also smaller shops in Narva, within the so-called walking distance.
A whole network of restaurants and cafes is at the service of residents and tourists of Narva. There is a vegetarian cafe, in restaurants - banquet halls. Several restaurants with Italian, Russian, Chinese, Ukrainian cuisine.
Most tourists describe restaurants as quiet, cozy establishments where you can eat inexpensively, listen to pleasant music and relax in a comfortable environment.
In the cafe you will be served unsurpassed Viennese coffee, local cheese, excellent pastries. Everything is tasty and inexpensive. If you are a fan of a foamy drink, there are several bars in the city with a wonderful interior, several types of beer.
The majority of the population in the city is Russian-speaking, but street signs are in Estonian, price tags in shops are also written in Estonian. However, the residents of Narva are very polite, calmly explain everything, show, if necessary, take you to the place. Please note that on the territory of Narva mobile connection will be in international roaming.
And most importantly: to cross the Russian-Estonian border, you need a Schengen visa, which must be opened at the Estonian embassy in Moscow.
Narva (Estonia) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Narva with descriptions, guides and maps.
City of Narva (Estonia)
Narva is a city in the east of Estonia with a "Russian soul". Located on the border of Estonia and Russia, cultures of East and West. Interestingly, due to its favorable location, Narva has always been an important trading center. For possession over it there was a constant struggle among the mighty powers of the past. All this has left us unique historical heritage in the form of two fortresses (a Russian fortress of the 15th century and a castle of German knights of the 14th century), which, located on both sides of the river, as witnesses of the past struggle for more than five centuries, "look" at each other. In the recent past, Narva had a beautiful old look, wonderful baroque buildings. Unfortunately, World War II almost destroyed historical Center. The new building and layout of the city was made in a typical Soviet style, in which there are practically no old buildings left.
Geography and climate
Narva is the most eastern city Estonia. The city is located on the left bank of the river of the same name, 150 km from St. Petersburg and 210 km from the capital - Tallinn. The climate is temperate with warm summers and relatively cold winters. During the year, 650 mm of precipitation falls.
Best time to visit
Best time visiting Narva - May-September.
Practical Information
- The population of the city is about 60,000 inhabitants. Narva is the third largest city in Estonia.
- More than 80% of the population are Russians. All residents mostly speak Russian.
- To visit Narva you need a Schengen visa.
- The official currency is the euro.
Story
The foundation of Narva dates back to 1223. Already at the time Ancient Rus' the path "From the Varangians to the Greeks" passed here. In the 13th century, the Danes captured Narva. In the first half of the 14th century, it received city rights.
From the middle of the 14th century until 1558, Narva belonged to the Livonian Order. In the 14th century, German knights began to build a powerful castle. In the 15th century, Grand Duke Ivan III began the construction of a Russian fortress.
During the Livonian War, Narva was captured by Russian troops. Tsar Ivan the Terrible planned to make a city major port and shopping center. In 1581, after several sieges, the Swedes took Narva, while destroying almost the entire Russian population. After several skirmishes near the city, in 1595 Russia and Sweden made peace, according to which Russia abandoned its claims to Narva and Revel, but received land to the east.
Narva was recaptured from the Swedes as a result of the Northern War by Peter the Great. At the beginning of the 18th century, the city became part of the Russian Empire. After the construction of the St. Petersburg fortresses, the strategic importance of Narva fell. In the 19th century, the city turned into a major industrial center.
In 1920 Narva became part of independent Estonia. The city became part of the USSR in 1940. In 1941, German troops entered Narva. The city was liberated in 1944. As a result of the battles for Narva, the old city was almost completely destroyed by the bombing and explosions of the German sapper brigades. After the war, the historical center was not restored.
How to get there
The nearest airports are located in Tallinn and St. Petersburg. Buses and trains run to Narva from Tallinn, Tartu, St. Petersburg, Moscow.
Shopping and shopping
Shopping malls and many stores can be found on the Tallinn Highway.
Attractions
Despite the fact that during the Second World War the old town of Narva was almost completely destroyed, the city has retained several interesting sights.
The main attraction of Narva is the medieval Livonian castle built in the 14th century. In the past, the fortress was called Herman Castle. Now the city museum is located here. On Russian coast River Narva stands Ivangorod fortress of the 15th century.
Of particular interest are the Swedish bastions - fortifications 17-18 centuries.
A popular place is the embankment of Narva - one of the favorite places for walks of residents and guests of the city.
Of the historical buildings, the city hall, built in the 17th century, has been preserved.
From sacred architecture, it is worth seeing the Lutheran church of the 19th century, named after Emperor Alexander II and the Resurrection Cathedral - Orthodox church late 19th century.
The Narva Art Gallery was established in the early 1980s to store a unique art collection from two city museums destroyed by the war - the Museum of Glafira and Sergey Lavretsov and the Museum of Peter the Great. The gallery is located in historical building XVII century in the Old Town, the former building of a gunpowder warehouse.
Thanks to the collection of the Lavretsovs, the gallery presents paintings by such famous artists as Aivazovsky and Shishkin, as well as a valuable collection of works by Estonian painters of the 19th and 20th centuries. Already after the opening, the gallery was replenished with works by contemporary artists, including those from Narva.
In addition, the Art Gallery houses works of art cult purpose: crosses, folds and icons dating from the 18th-19th centuries, as well as unique wooden statues, which, according to researchers, were created in the middle of the 17th century to decorate the altar, pulpit and interior of the Swedish Dome Cathedral in Narva.
Narva Castle
Narva Castle is old castle, erected in the 13th century. It was built on the banks of the River Narva, first of wood, but after it was burned down by the Russians, the Danes erected a new stone fortress.
The architecture of the castle corresponds to its direct purpose - protection from the enemy. This is a voluminous quadrangular tower, for military purposes. The thickness of the walls varied from 2.5 to 3.5 meters, which allowed the fighters to feel safe. The walls surrounded the courtyard from all sides, thus forming a closed space. inside, to north side an outbuilding was built, where the living quarters were located, and East End located premises for household needs.
The castle changed owners several times, the Danes managed there, then the Russians, and even the Swedes. Since 1342, the fortress was strengthened by the Great Fortress, in front of which a one and a half meter ditch was dug. The Livonian period of ownership of the castle contributed to its even greater strengthening.
The main tower has become higher - nine-tiered. The tower is crowned with two weather vanes: a dragon and a lion, symbolizing glory and valor. In this regard, the fortress was given the nickname "Long German". In its composition, the castle had a chapel, in the basement a prison for prisoners.
During the Second World War, like many other buildings, the castle was badly damaged. After restoration, the Narva Museum was placed in its building.
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Narva Castle
Narva Castle (Herman's Castle) was founded at the end of the 13th century by the Danes who conquered Northern Estonia. They used the fortress as a refuge in the event of an uprising of the natives, with the help of which they controlled the pier and the crossing on the trade route. Over time, the castle acquired the status of a city.
Now in the castle is historical Museum with preserved interiors and works of masters (flags, weapons, goods, architectural details, etc.), in the Long German Tower (the most high tower 50 m high) exhibitions of the history of Narva from the 13th to the beginning of the 20th century are held. There are regular concerts and festivals in the knight's hall and on the territory of the fortress (for example, Estonian and Russian calendar games, an exhibition of blacksmiths' works).
Around the castle is city wall and earth fortifications. Fortifier E. Dahlberg in 1682 invested a considerable part of his work in drafting fortifications.
Throughout its existence, the castle belonged to the authorities of Denmark, Russia, Sweden, Estonia and the Livonian Order.
Tavern " White horse"- a famous Estonian tavern, in which scenes from the movie "Three Musketeers" were once filmed.
The tavern is located on the 160th kilometer of the road towards Narva, near the town of Jõhvi. Previously, the institution was used as a barn, and after 1980, one of the businessmen built a restaurant here. "White Horse" is considered one of the best taverns in Tallinn, where you can not only taste dishes traditional cuisine but also have a good time.
Waterfall Vaalaste
Vaalaste - the most high waterfall Estonia and the Baltic countries. His average height- 30.5 meters, and the most high point- 56 meters. The waterfall is especially impressive for tourists with its beauty. in early spring, during the melting of snow, and in winter, when it freezes completely, forming fabulous ice figures. In 1996, by the commission of the Academy of Sciences, the waterfall was declared natural heritage and the national symbol of Estonia.
Opposite the waterfall, a special observation platform was built for numerous tourists. Nearby there is also a parking lot and information signs. Double spiral staircase will help you descend to the bottom of the glint, where you can see natural formations that are 80 million years old.
Aquacenter Meresuu SPA
The Meresuu SPA water center is located in a picturesque place, one of the oldest resort towns in Estonia, Narva. This cozy resort town located at the mouth of the Gulf of Finland and the Narva River, it is distinguished by its magnificent location and nature. Pine forest, together with the sea air create a unique microclimate that relieves stress.
The water center includes a 13-meter swimming pool, a large massage pool with various attractions, a children's pool with a fountain, a large massage bath, a jacuzzi, a contrast foot pool, an outdoor jacuzzi pool. In addition, the complex has 5 different types of saunas: salt sauna, aromatic sauna, steam sauna, semi-dry sauna, hot stove sauna.
You can relax in Meresuu SPA at any time of the year. The aquacenter is fully adapted to work both in summer and in winter.
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