History of Torzhok
On the Tvertsa River in the 10th century, the future regional center of the Tver region of Russia, the city of Torzhok, was founded. The exact date of formation of this settlement is unknown. Historians found the first mention of this ancient Russian city in the Novgorod Chronicle of 1139. It talks about the seizure of a trade and craft settlement by the Rostov-Suzdal prince Yuri Dolgoruky. At that time the city was called “New Torg”. After some time, “Novy Torg” was renamed “Torzhok”. The name of the city itself arose from the word “torg” (to trade). It was convenient for Novgorod merchants to conduct trade, since the trade route from Novgorod to neighboring principalities passed along the river. To get to Novgorod and other large cities at that time, trade caravans had to drive or sail through Torzhok. In those days, the city was a kind of border point. Torzhok was often ruined during the Russian internecine wars, but thanks to its extremely convenient commercial geographical location, the city quickly recovered. Torzhok suffered the most twice in its history: in 1238 during the invasion of the Tatar-Mongol yoke under the command of Batu, and in 1569, when the troops of the first Tsar of All Rus', Ivan the Terrible, barbarously passed through Torzhok during a punitive campaign against Novgorod and Pskov.
The city experienced its real dawn in the 18th and 19th centuries. For example, during the construction of St. Petersburg in 1709, the Tveretsky Canal was built, since Torzhok was on the way from Moscow to St. Petersburg. From 1775 and for 142 years, Torzhok was considered a provincial district town. 12 years after the 1917 revolution, the districts were abolished, and in 1930 Torzhok became the administrative center of the Torzhok region. Now Torzhok is considered one of the 116 historical cities of Russia, where cultural monuments included in the list of city attractions are located on an area of 59 km.
Sights of Torzhok
Torzhok has many interesting attractions, so it will be extremely comfortable to spend a weekend in this city. However, there is a small law - when going to Torzhok, take a camera with you. Or better yet, two at once! Torzhok is so beautiful that a memory card may not be enough for photos
