The belfry, with its enormous steel bells, has a small bell museum and an observation platform providing good photo opps of the Cathedral of St Sophia on one side and fine views across the beach and river on the other. You can combine a visit with the kremlin wall walk (combo ticket adult/child R300/150), though views are arguably good enough from the belfry.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Kremlin Wall Walk

0.01 MILES

Walk part of the kremlin walls for views over the fortress, out to the beach and across the sparkling river. Tickets are sold at the belfry; you can get a…

2. Cathedral of St Sophia

0.07 MILES

This is the oldest church in Russia (finished in 1050) and one of the country's oldest stone buildings. It's the kremlin's focal point and you couldn't…

3. Millennium of Russia Monument

0.08 MILES

This gargantuan 16m-high, 100-tonne sculpture was unveiled in 1862 on the 1000th anniversary of the Varangian Prince Rurik’s arrival, a moment heralded as…

4. Veliky Novgorod Kremlin

0.08 MILES

On the west bank of the Volkhov River, and surrounded by a pleasant wooded park, the kremlin is one of Russia’s oldest. Originally called the Detinets …

5. Chamber of Facets

0.11 MILES

Part of a palace built in 1433, this Gothic chamber once housed Novgorod's Supreme Court and was the scene of many ceremonies and soirées, not all of them…

6. Novgorod State United Museum

0.12 MILES

Within the kremlin walls is this must-see museum that houses three strikingly comprehensive exhibitions covering the history of Veliky Novgorod, Russian…

7. Kokui Tower

0.23 MILES

The 41m-tall Kokui Tower was built in the 18th century, and a climb up its narrow stairs provides panoramic views across the kremlin complex and the city…

8. Yaroslav's Court

0.26 MILES

Across a footbridge from the kremlin are the photogenic remnants of an 18th-century market arcade. Beyond that is the market gatehouse, an array of…