The name of the great commander and the Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky, who at the dawn of the formation of the state determined the path of Russia for many centuries, is recognized as a symbol of the country and is considered the name of Russia. A large number of temples, historical sites, and modern locations around the world are named after him. The project "Travels with the RGS" and the tour operator "Slavyanskiy Tur" invite you to follow in the footsteps of Alexander Nevsky and learn more about this key figure for our country.
Every year on April 18, Russia celebrates the Victory Day of the Russian soldiers of Prince Alexander Nevsky over the German knights on Lake Chudskoe. Although the event itself took place on April 12 according to the new style (or April 5 according to the old one), officially the Day of Military Glory in our country is celebrated on April 18. The collection includes five museums dedicated to the great Russian Prince.
Alexander Nevsky Museum in Pereslavl
Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Muzeyny Lane, 9
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In a small wooden house near the walls of the Goritsky Monastery there is a chamber museum telling about the life and military exploits of the great commander. A diorama of the Neva Battle as well as a collection of swords, chain mail, arrowheads, and spears of the 18th century are spread out under the scarlet banners with the face of the saint. In the corners, there are full-length images of the prince, a Teutonic knight, a Russian armor-clad warrior with a shield, and a Mongol with a bow.
The museum, located in the heart of the old town of Pereslavl, where Alexander Nevsky was born, will appeal to guests with its historical presentation. The city has also preserved several memorable places associated with the person of the prince: Alexandrov Mountain, where, according to legend, stood the Alexander Monastery, built by the commander himself; the Transfiguration Cathedral, where he was baptized; as well as the temple of his name.
Alexander Nevsky Memorial Museum in Gorodets
Address: Gorodets, Alexander Nevsky Street, 1
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The new interactive exhibition space, opened in the tourist center of Gorodets in 2021, covers all the milestones of the prince's life. The museum is interesting primarily because it gives a three-dimensional representation of the historical context of pre-Mongol medieval Russia – the era of chroniclers, heroic battles, and bloody civil strife. It was during this difficult time for our country that the great commander and diplomat, who determined the historical path of Russia for centuries, was born.
The exhibition is divided into seven thematic halls, arranged in chronological order, from the origin of writing and the formation of the ancient Russian state to the image of Alexander Nevsky in modern culture. Animated multimedia technologies of augmented reality turn the excursion into an exciting journey into the past, and the museum's archaeological collection will be interesting for both adults and children.
Museum of the Ice Battle on Lake Chudskoe
Address: Pskov Region, Gdovsky District, village of Samolva
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The exhibition at the small museum in the village of Samolva, located on the shore of Lake Chudskoe, is dedicated to the most famous achievement of Alexander Nevsky – the battle with the Crusaders. The exhibition in a two-story wooden log cabin will tell in all details about the legendary Ice Battle and about the expedition of General Georgy Karaev, who in the 1950s explored the alleged place of the battle. By the way, the Underwater Research Center of the Russian Geographical Society continues to search for traces of one of the most famous events of the Russian Middle Ages. You can read more in our article.
You can follow the course of the battle on a panoramic layout: guides will tell you in detail how everything really happened, as well as debunk popular myths that have developed around this epoch-making event. There is a cinema hall and a library of historical literature, as well as a hall where thematic lectures by historians are held. The interactive exhibition of the museum will appeal to young guests: after being immersed in the era of the Russian-Livonian war, children will be able to recreate a battle with figures of wooden horsemen. A visit to the museum is available for people with disabilities and is included in the program of the “Alexander Nevsky: The Name of Russia” tour.
Museum-diorama "The Battle of the Neva – 1240" in Ust-Izhora
Address: St. Petersburg, Kolpinsky District, Ust-Izhora Village, Shlisselburgskoe Highway, 48
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In the middle of the summer of 1240, at the place where the Izhora flows into the Neva, a battle took place between the Novgorod and Swedish troops, which later would go down in history as the Battle of the Neva. As a result of the collision, the squad of the young prince stopped the advance of the conquerors to Ladoga and Novgorod lands. The exhibition of the museum-diorama, opened at the supposed site of the legendary battle, is dedicated to this event.
The wide canvas, which reflects the theater of military operations in real size, is an artistic view of the historical landscape based on a few documentary data. A hand-drawn picture will give an idea of the equipment, armament of the army, and tactical features of medieval combat. Also here you can learn about the history of the Izhora tribe, after which the whole local land is named, as well as about the knightly orders of Europe, and military life of the 18th century.
Church History Museum in honor of Prince Alexander Nevsky in Vladimir
Address: Vladimir, Bolshaya Moskovskaya Street, 68
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The exhibition, telling about the life of the great commander in the Vladimir land, opened in 2021 on the territory of the Convent of Nativity of Theotokos. It was here that Alexander Nevsky was originally buried. The relics were kept in the cathedral for four centuries, until by order of Peter I they were transferred to the Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg. Also at the end of his life, after he had accepted the schema, Alexander Nevsky (Monk Alexy) was a resident (novice) of the Convent of Nativity of Theotokos.
In the museum on the territory of the cathedral, at the site of the old church archive, you can see models of ancient Vladimir and memorial historical sites associated with the activities of Nevsky. A separate exhibition, which opened in 2022, is dedicated to the 780th anniversary of the Ice Battle. In addition, visitors will be able to see the crypt where the Grand Prince of Vladimir was buried in 1263.
"Travels with the RGS" is a collection of fascinating author's tours of Russia from Russian tour operators who have passed the voluntary certification system – an expert assessment by the Society’s specialists – and received the distinguishing quality stamp "Recommended by the RGS".
The system of voluntary certification of tours means that the route meets all the requirements for quality and safety, and is also an authentic, unique, and informative product.
Julia Gopius