Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Prince of Suzdal and his large army were preparing to attack Novgorod.
Things looked pretty bleak for the Novgorodians, and the bishop desperately
prayed for the city's salvation. The night before the attack, he had a vision that
an icon of the Virgin could save Novgorod, so he had the icon moved from the
church to a pillar of the fortress. Not surprisingly, the icon was hit with an arrow
shortly after the siege began. It then turned back to face Novgorod; tears were in
the Virgin's eyes. Darkness fell upon the land, and the army from Suzdal began
attacking one another in confusion. The Novgorodians then rode out from the
city and attacked, quickly dispatching their enemies.
There may be a grain of truth in all this: a close look at the icon reveals a
notch over the saint's left eye, said to be where the original arrow hit. And, if you
visit the Novgorod State United Museum, check out the 15th-century painting
depicting three scenes from the battle. It's one of the first icons ever painted of a
Russian historical event.
MMUSSEUUM
NOVGOROD STATE UNITED MUSEUM
OFFLINE MAP
(
Новгородский государственный объеди нённый музей-заповедник
;
highlight of this museum is its galleries of icons, one of the largest collections any-
where. Around 260 pieces have been placed in chronological order, allowing you to
see the progression of skills and techniques through the centuries.
Downstairs in the history exhibition (with little signage in English) birch bark
manuscripts are displayed, some of them 800 years old. Letters, documents and draw-
ings on birch bark by people of all ages and social classes indicate that literacy was
widespread in medieval Novgorod.
In the Russian woodcarving exhibits you can see everything from the mundane
(kitchen utensils and furniture) to more detailed religious objects. In a separate exhibi-
tion are glittering pieces from Novgorod's
gold treasury
(adult/student R100/60)
,
some dating back to the 6th century AD.
