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    Things to do in Narva

    The most interesting things to do in Narva. Photos and a brief description.

    Narva
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    About Narva

    The easternmost city of Estonia, separated from Russia only by the river of the same name. For 7 centuries, several large empires fought for the right to possess Narva. Therefore, a powerful fortress with bastions was erected on the bank of the river, which to this day remains the main attraction and the indestructible stronghold of the city. Together with the town hall, they are a striking example of medieval architecture. These are the only surviving buildings of ancient times.

    The architecture of the XIX century is represented by the large Krenholm industrial complex, as well as the majestic cathedrals of Alexander and the Resurrection of Christ. Unfortunately, during the war, the historical part of Narva was almost completely destroyed, and it was not possible to restore it again. Therefore, most of the city buildings belong to the second half of the XX century.

    Top Tourist Attractions in Narva

    Narva Castle

    It rises above the Narva River, opposite the Russian Ivangorod fortress. It was built in the XIV-XVI centuries. The area is 3.2 hectares . A powerful bastion and the main symbol of Narva. It has survived many wars, but has survived to the present day. Today the city museum is open here. Concerts and conferences are held in the Knight's and Refectory Halls. In summer, the Northern Courtyard is open – reconstruction of a medieval town with craft workshops. A viewing platform is equipped on the 50-meter Long Herman tower.

    Narva Castle
    Narva Promenade

    Narva Promenade

    A section of the embankment along the river, in the historical center of the city is one of the favorite recreation areas for tourists and locals. The length is about 1 km . It is located near the border with Russia. It is lined with paving stones, reinforced with huge boulders. The most interesting objects are a sunny playground with a cafe, a fountain and a sundial, a Swedish terrace with attractions, the Dahlberg stage. Various festivals and concert programs are regularly held here.

    Narva Town Hall

    The three-storey structure with a hipped roof was erected in 1671 on the initiative of the King of Sweden. Made in the style of Dutch classicism. The building is complemented by an elegant openwork tower, on the spire of which a weather vane in the form of a crane is fixed. There is a clock above the main entrance. In 1944, the structure was half destroyed, two decades later it was restored to its original form. Today, the former administrative building is virtually empty.

    Narva Town Hall
    Narva Art Gallery

    Narva Art Gallery

    It is located on the territory of the ancient bastion "Gloria", in the building of powder warehouses. It was opened in 1991. The basis of the museum collection is a collection of valuable art canvases bequeathed to the city by the merchant family Lavretsov at the beginning of the last century. There are also paintings by contemporary Estonian and Western European painters. In addition to canvases, wooden statues from churches and a collection of magnificent porcelain products are exhibited in the halls of the gallery.

    Alexander Lutheran Church

    Alexander Lutheran Church

    It was built at the end of the XIX century. The main parishioners were the workers of the Krenholm manufactory. It is named after Alexander II, who died in 1881. It is made in neo-Romanesque style. The building was significantly damaged during the war by German shells, later used as storage facilities. In the 90s, divine services resumed. New stained glass windows were consecrated, the bell and the 60-meter tower were restored. A church museum is open in it today.

    Resurrection Cathedral

    The first stone in the future Orthodox church was laid in 1890 by Emperor Alexander III. The building was built in the Byzantine style of dark and light brick. Its height, together with the central semicircular dome, is 40 meters. The height of the belfry is 30 meters, 6 bells are installed on it. The facades of the cathedral are decorated with mosaic images of saints. The wooden gilded iconostasis, which has never been restored, is of great historical value.

    Resurrection Cathedral
    Monument to Paul Keres

    Monument to Paul Keres

    A bronze monument to the chess player who made Estonia famous all over the world was erected to mark the centenary of his birth, in 2016. Narva is the birthplace of Keres, so it was in this city that they decided to perpetuate his memory. The author of the project is the Estonian sculptor A. Simson. He depicted the grandmaster sitting at a chessboard during the last game he won in 1975. Anyone can sit down next to and take a picture with the legendary resident of Narva.

    Monument "Swedish Lion"

    It was installed in 2000 on a hill by the river, near the Narva Castle. The total height together with the pedestal is about 8 meters. It was built in honor of the battle of Narva, during which the Swedish army won and forced the troops of Peter I to retreat from the city. This is the second such sculpture in Narva. The first one was made in Sweden in 1936 and was a copy of the lions standing in front of the Royal Palace in Stockholm. During the war, it was destroyed, and it was not restored.

    Monument
    Casemates of the bastion

    Casemates of the bastion "Victoria"

    In 2015, the restoration of the casemates of the most powerful of the Narva defensive bastions of the XVII century was completed. A museum has opened here, you can visit it only as part of an excursion. The height of the casemates is 2-3 meters, the width is 2 meters, they are located on two levels. During the winter months, only the lower tier is open for inspection, and the upper one is occupied by bats – the "indigenous inhabitants" of this structure. Museum expositions introduce the stages of construction and the history of fortifications.

    Krenholm Manufactory

    Krenholm Manufactory

    The main industrial enterprise of Narva. His textile products were famous far beyond the borders of Estonia. It was built in 1857 on the island of Krenholm, between the ledges of a large Narva waterfall. Its waters were used for industrial purposes. Later, a hydroelectric power station was built, and waterfalls began to appear only in the spring, when water was discharged. Residential buildings, shops, a hospital, a school and other facilities were built on the territory of the factory. Today everything is abandoned, you can only get there with an excursion.