Selizharovskiy District: Holy Spring, Churches and Rivers

A sharp bend in the river, religious buildings with clearly dated histories, and a monastery at the confluence shape the settlements in Selizharovskiy District. The Okovets Holy Spring and the buildings in Selizharovo show different sides of the area: a religious site in a striking riverside landscape and churches whose histories can be traced to specific places and dates.

The Okovets Holy Spring on the Pyroshnya

The Okovets Holy Spring lies near the village of Okovtsy, in a sharp bend on the left bank of the Pyroshnya. The bend in the river and its riverside setting give the site a distinctive landscape. A church dedicated to and consecrated in honor of the Transfiguration of the Savior was built on the site of a former chapel; regular services have resumed there. The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Skete of the Nil-Stolobensk Hermitage is located beside the spring.

Every year on July 24 according to the new style, a liturgy with the blessing of water is held at the spring. If you would like to plan your trip around this date, check the details locally in advance. In addition to its permanent geographic reference point, the site offers a recurring religious occasion whose date can be factored into your plans.

Churches and a Monastery in Selizharovo

The Orthodox Trinity Monastery is located in Selizharovo, at the confluence of the Volga and Selizharovka rivers. The Church of the Resurrection in Selizharovo was built in 1763 on the low left bank of the Volga, on the site of an older wooden church. In both cases, waterways define the geographic setting: the confluence for the monastery and the Volga bank and its predecessor building for the church.

Another church with a well-documented construction history stands in Golenkovo-Pogost. The stone Church of St. Nicholas was built in 1882 by the Vetlits-Tolbukhin family in the Russian-Byzantine style characteristic of the time, and it remains standing today. In Selizharovo, the local history museum is in the center of town, in an old merchant’s house dating from the late 19th century. This historic residence and commercial building adds a different type of architecture to the churches and offers another way to explore local history.

Nature Experiences in the Wider Destination of Tver Oblast

The Central Forest State Nature Biosphere Reserve in the wider destination of Tver Oblast offers its own range of nature experiences. Guided tours are available on the “Tayny Okovskogo lesa” and “Lesnaya azbuka” ecological trails. The “Boloto Staroselskiy mokh” educational trail passes through a raised bog with broad, open expanses completely covered in moss, as well as unusual plants. The reserve also offers an excursion to the “Staroselskiy mokh” raised bog, for which visitors use their own vehicles.

A different landscape can be seen on the hike to the “Barsuchikha” ranger station: the route takes in southern taiga forest and a raised bog. The tour can be done as a day hike or with an overnight stay in a forest cabin. The nature experiences described therefore differ not only in their landscapes but also in the time they require. The reserve’s central estate also has a visitor center with information about the organization’s history and structure, a regular exhibition of children’s artwork, and a gift shop. The reserve’s nature museum focuses on the protected area’s main ecosystems and the species that live there; one room is dedicated to scientific research.

Cultural History in Tver Oblast

Torzhok is also part of the wider destination of Tver Oblast and offers further points of cultural and historical interest. Verkhnee gorodishche is an archaeological monument of federal significance and a tourist attraction in the city’s historic center. The Novotorzhskiy Borisoglebskiy Monastery in Torzhok was founded in 1038 and is one of Russia’s oldest Orthodox monasteries.

The “Blin s Pripyokom” and “Kuzminki v Torzhke” festivals are held annually in the Novotorzhsky Kremlin.

Discover more destinations: Bor Volgo, Larionovo, Konakowo Rajon, Konakovskiy rayon, Sandovsky District, Kalininskiy rayon, Torzhokskiy rayon, Torschok.

For the wider travel overview: Tver Oblast.