Pearls of Seliger: Ostashkov

General information and history of Ostashkov

The city is located on the shore of the southern part of Lake Seliger, 190 km from Tver. The population of the city as of January 1, 2014 is 17,109.

Ostashkov from a bird's eye view

The first mention of the city dates back to 1371, then Ostashkov’s predecessor was the fortified town of Klichen, located on the island of the same name. At the end of the 14th century, Klichen was ravaged by the Novgorodians and, as legend says, the few surviving inhabitants, among whom were the fishermen Eustathius (in common parlance Evstashka, hence Ostashko) and Timofey, moved from the island to the mainland and founded a settlement.

On May 28, 1770, according to the decree of Empress Catherine II, Ostashkov officially received the status of a city (in memory of this, City Day has been celebrated in Ostashkov on the last Sunday of May since 1987).

In 1929-1935 Ostashkov was part of the Western Region, from 1935 to 1990 - the Kalinin Region.

Self-guided route for 1 day

In order to have an interesting and useful time in Ostashkovo, it is advisable to think in advance about the route for exploring the city on your own.

City tour in 1 day:

1. Excursion to the city's local history museum.
2. Inspection of the Valsky Pillar.
3. Visit to Ostashkov Town Hall.
4. Excursion to the Seliger Nature Museum.
5. A trip to the Pyramid of Hunger.
6. Visit to Trinity Cathedral.
7. Excursion to the Holguin Convent.

8. Visit to the fish museum.
9. Excursion to the Museum of Forgotten Things.

Climate and Ecology

The climate of the city and region is characterized as moderate continental. The average annual air temperature is 4.4 °C. Severe frosts and sweltering heat are quite rare. Winter in the city lasts for more than five months. A stable snow cover forms in late November - early December and reaches a maximum height of 40-60 cm in early March. The duration of the period with stable snow cover is 4-5 months. The average temperature in January is -9 degrees, but several days a year the temperature can drop to -25 degrees or lower. Winter ends in late March or early April.

Spring begins in early April and lasts about two months. The weather in the spring months is usually sunny and dry, but the temperature rises very slowly.

Source of the Volga

Summer lasts three months: from June to August. The weather in summer is usually warm, but humid and changeable. The average temperature in July usually ranges from +17 to +19 degrees.

Autumn begins in early September. The weather in autumn is usually rainy and cool, although the temperature drops slowly. The average temperature in October is +5 degrees. Winter comes in November.

The ecological situation of the city is considered quite acceptable and the city even has the status of a resort city. All the large-scale factories of the city, which at one time had a negative impact on the ecology of the city, have sunk into oblivion: a creamery, a brewery, a bakery, and a tannery on the verge of closure. Thanks to this, the ecological situation of the city is quite favorable for permanent residents to live in the city and for the relaxation of visiting guests.

Weather, best time to travel

Due to the distance from the equator, the climate in the city of Ostashkov is sharply continental.

Average temperature indicators calculated taking into account the last few years:

According to the comfort rating, the most successful months for traveling to Ostashkov are July and August.

Average climatic conditions in Ostashkovo:

Population of Ostashkov

As of 2014, the city of Ostashkov itself is home to 17,109 people. Back in 1989, this figure was 27,401 people. The population decline slightly smoothes out the influx of population from the area.

Celebrating Maslenitsa on the city embankment

Most often, young people who remain in the city are those who have graduated from local technical educational institutions such as vocational schools and colleges. Everyone who leaves to receive higher education does not return to their homeland for permanent residence, only to visit their parents and relax.

The city is suitable for people who like a quiet, measured lifestyle in an ecologically clean area.

Districts and real estate of Ostashkov

The city itself is small in area; you can walk the whole of Ostashkov from one end of the city to the other in 30-40 minutes. Residents unofficially divide the city into districts: Station, Kozhzavod, Boynya, microdistrict. There are a lot of poorly equipped houses with wood and stone stove heating.

The cost of apartments in the city varies greatly depending on the location of the apartment and the condition of the house, in the area of ​​​​the microdistrict and the leather factory, where there are 5-story buildings, a 1-room apartment can be bought from 1 million rubles to 1.5 million rubles, depending on its condition.

Sales of houses in the city start from 100,000 rubles and up to several million; there are luxurious multi-storey cottages, built mainly by Muscovites, which cost several million rubles. There are parks in the city that add greenery to the city, which is already surrounded by it.

Where to eat

Numerous cafes with a variety of cuisines invite local residents and city visitors to have a bite to eat.

Cafe "Center"

The cafe is located at the address: Ostashkov city, Sovetsky lane, building No. 2/4. The cafe's opening hours are from 9.00 to 22.00, on Friday and Saturday until 02.00. The average check in the cafe is from 1,664 rubles. up to 3,328 rub.

Cafe "Poncho"

The address where the cafe is located: Ostashkov, Lenin Avenue, building No. 118. The cafe's opening hours are from 9.00 to 20.00, closed on Sundays.

The cafe is famous for its excellent pastries, pies and shawarma.

"Seligersky courtyard"

Cafe location: Ostashkovsky district, Zalesye, house No. 21. The cafe's opening hours are from 9.00 to 21.00, on Friday and Saturday until 00.00. The average bill in the cafe is from 3,328 rubles.

Cafe "Firebird"

Location of the cafe: Ostashkov city, Volodarskogo street, building No. 152. The cafe is open from 11.00 to 22.00. The average bill in the cafe is from 666 rubles. up to RUB 1,664

"Soviet cooking"

The culinary shop is located on Leninsky Prospekt, in building No. 35. Cooking hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., on Saturday and Sunday until 3:00 p.m.

Coffee house "Lazurnaya"

The coffee shop is located on Novy Proyezd, in building No. 1. The coffee shop is open from 11:00 am to 02:00 am. The coffee shop is famous for its delicious pies and rich pastries.

Grill-bar “Wood-fired”

The grill bar is located on Leninsky Prospekt, at building No. 69. The bar is open from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The average bill in the cafe is from 266 rubles. up to 1,531 rub.

The grill bar is famous for its delicious pizza and grilled chicken.

Restaurant "Ukha"

The fish restaurant is located at the address: Ostashkov city, Rudinskaya street, house No. 2. The restaurant is open from 12.00 to 00.00. The average check in the restaurant is from 666 rubles. up to RUB 1,664 The restaurant serves cuisines: European, Russian and vegetarian food.

Cafe "Juice"

The cafe is located at the address: Ostashkov city, Leninsky Prospekt, building No. 61. The cafe is open from 11.00 to 23.00. The average bill is from 133 rubles. up to 466 rub. Cuisines served here include European, Italian and vegetarian food.

The cafe has:

• free Internet;
• takeaway food;
• table reservations;
• food delivery to your address;
• Payment by card is possible.

City infrastructure

In general, the city does not create the impression of a well-kept resort town, but for people living in it and especially visiting it as tourists, the lack of developed infrastructure is, in a way, an addition to the silence and measured life inherent in the villages of Russia.

Train Station

There is an embankment in the city near Lake Seliger, where you can stroll along with ice cream in the summer or go skiing in the winter.

Prices for utilities are huge compared to the level of salaries of citizens.

There are only 2 buses running around the city on the same route No. 3 from Nizhniye Rudin to Kozhzavod. Roads in the city are a separate issue, but as was written above, this complements the feeling that you have arrived in a Soviet-era village and it carries a soul-stirring nostalgia.

River Station

Recently, the situation with the queue in kindergartens has improved; with the opening of the renovated Zolotoy Klyuchik kindergarten and at the station, the queue has practically disappeared. In the near future, a much-needed sports complex for young people should be built in the city.

Modern objects interesting to visit

Ostashkovo is home to many modern shopping malls.

Seliger shopping center

The shopping center is located at the address: Panfilov Lane, building No. 4 “a”.

The shopping center has various thematic departments and individual stores:

• photo production center;
• grocery supermarket "Magnit";
• Shop MTS;
• "Aden" car insurance services;
• Andersen clothing store;
• pharmacy "Rigla";
• phone repair services;
• ATM;
• jewelry repair and manufacturing;
• money transfer service "Unistream".

TC "House of Life"

The shopping complex is located at: Leninsky Prospekt, building No. 160.

There are shops on the territory of the shopping complex:

• Magnet cosmetics;
• wedding products;
• photo studio;
• shoe repair department;
• salon;
• Argus store;
• drapery.

Trading house "Golden Style"

The trading house is located: Leninsky Prospekt, building No. 71. The trading house presents a huge amount of jewelry made of gold and silver.

Enterprises and work in Ostashkov

On the island not far from the city there is a little-known but very important Zvezda plant, which produces parts for the ISS Mir. The tannery is operating, but not at full capacity.

The Luch plant is operating, but the number of jobs there is not the same as when entire dormitories were built for the workers of these plants.

One of the high-paying places remains the much-needed Bologoe-Velikie Luki railway.

Now the majority of city residents work in non-productive sectors, such as trade. It’s good that new production facilities are even opening, the Dorkhan door factory, for example.

It is a pity that many leave the city in search of well-paid work, some permanently, some on a rotational basis, but as they age, most of the young people who leave return back. This affects the love for that quiet small Motherland, which left its mark on the character and temperament of each of those who left the city and its environs.

Ostashkov

1. The top five most important attractions of Seligersky are opened by the active monastery of Nilova Pustyn . By the way, it is located on one of the islands.

This is an amazingly energetic place! People come here to venerate the relics of St. Neil. They say that it helps people with ailments of the musculoskeletal system recover. I myself feel every time how my strength increases after visiting this particular monastery.

Tourists are allowed to climb the bell tower of the Nile Desert. From there the view opens up to incredible beauty.

It is easy to get here either by car or with a boat excursion.

Do not forget that this is a monastery, so it is better to take a scarf and a long skirt with you. It is not advisable for men to come to the island in shorts. But even if you don’t have the necessary clothes, they always offer scarves and skirts at the entrance.

2. Not far from Ostashkov there is another place that guests of the city should definitely visit. This is the Holy Okovetsky Spring .

Many come here for healing of soul and body. Here you can always get water, which is not only healthy, but also extremely tasty.

For those who are not afraid of cold water, I recommend taking a dip in the spring bath. In winter and summer, the water temperature is + 4 °C.

3. Another natural attraction is the Volga River . Here it is only gaining its waters, its power. And you can even swim across it there and back. But I do not advise those who are not confident in their abilities to do this, because the current of the Volga is still very strong!

I advise fishermen to definitely go fishing on the river bank.

I have never eaten tastier fish soup anywhere than from Volga perch. By the way, 70 kilometers by car from Ostashkov - and you will see the source of this famous river. Below in the screenshot you can see the route map.

4. Of the many lakes, I want to highlight Silver (Tryaskoye) Lake . Rumor has it that a treasure of silver is buried there. But I think that this is only a legend, so you shouldn’t go there with scuba gear and a shovel. But you can easily find rare blue clay here. Maybe that’s why after swimming in the lake the skin becomes velvety.

It's quite difficult to get to. If by car, then only by SUV. But the path to Silver Lake will be easier and more pleasant by water. Boat excursions depart here from the Ostashkov pier.

5. But this region is interesting not only for its historical and natural attractions. At the exit from Ostashkov there is a pyramid . It is not unique, just one of those that were built in the 90s according to a design developed by Alexander Golod. For some reason I could never drive past her. After all, you can really feel a special energy inside.