Village Bezhetsk

The first chronicle mention of Bezhetsk dates back to 1137. Early in its history, the Bezhetsk region was part of the lands of Novgorod the Great, and the fortress on the site of modern-day Bezhetsk was called Gorodetsk, first mentioned in birch bark letters of the 11th century.
According to local legend, Bezhetsk was founded by Ilmen Slavs fleeing Novgorod.
In 1397, Bezhetsky Verkh joined the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and in 1433 it acquired its own prince, Dmitry Yuryevich Krasny, grandson of Dmitry Donskoy.
In 1766, by decree of Catherine II, Gorodetsk was renamed Bezhetsk, and from 1796 it became the center of the Bezhetsk district of the Tver province.
In 1780, Catherine II approved the Bezhetsk coat of arms. It consisted of two parts: the upper part featured a golden crown on a green cushion against a red background, while the lower part depicted a raspberry bush, which the city was abundant with, against a gray background.
In 1876, the construction of a railway through the city boosted the economy. Bezhetsk flax became a key product for export, both to neighboring regions of the Volga region and abroad. Local flax was considered the finest in all world markets.
At the beginning of the 20th century, Bezhetsk County ranked first in the entire Tver Governorate in terms of population.
During Soviet rule, the city developed its industry and agriculture. A mechanical plant producing tractor parts was built, and Bezhetskselmash became the largest plant in Eastern Europe, producing flax processing equipment.
Today, Bezhetsk remains not only an agricultural but also a cultural center for the entire northeastern Tver Region. Bezhetsk – the birthplace of the balalaika
Bezhetsk – the literary city of Russia
Bezhetsk – the flax district
Bezhetsk – the raspberry land
Bezhetsk – the city of the "Silver Age"
Bezhetsk – a small town of great people
Bezhetsk – the spiritual and cultural center of the northeastern Tver region

Attractions
Bezhetsk is one of the oldest cities in the Tver region. The main part of the city is located on the elevated right bank of the Mologa River, where beautiful examples of urban development from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries have survived to this day. Most of the buildings are striking examples of residential architecture, combining eclecticism with elements of Art Nouveau. The main highlight of Bezhetsk architecture is a true gem of provincial architecture – the house of the Nevorotin merchants. The wooden buildings of Bezhetsk are also very expressive, especially with their richly carved facades. By the beginning of the 20th century, Bezhetsk's architectural appearance had changed significantly, acquiring features characteristic of the eclectic and stylized periods.
Bezhetsk's main street, Bolshaya Street (formerly Ushatova Street), began to be actively developed in the second half of the 19th century. Large buildings with shops appeared in the early 20th century, reflecting the commercial importance of the city's main street. But most valuable is that much of this development has survived to this day, making Bezhetsk's central streets a veritable open-air museum, home to dozens of historical and cultural heritage sites.
The beginning of Bolshaya Street, near the city garden, is a true place of power for Bezhetsk residents. This place is the cradle of the city's history, and it was here, for centuries, that the majestic Cathedral Square stood. Upon seeing it more than 100 years ago, John of Kronstadt called Bezhetsk "a second Suzdal." Bezhetsk boasts unique natural landmarks: "Linden Alley," "Century-Oaks," and much more.

Food, Gastronomy, and Terroirs.
Bezhetsk's climate was the most favorable for growing flax, and it was here that the world's most famous brand of flax (BKKU) was produced. The most fragrant and delicious raspberries grew in the Bezhetsk forests and monastery gardens, a fact appreciated by Catherine the Great herself, who decreed that a raspberry bush be placed on the Bezhetsk coat of arms.

These products are the main ingredients in the "Bezhetsk vatrushka," which uses raspberries sprinkled with flaxseed instead of cottage cheese. Bezhetsk has always been famous throughout Russia for its pink seven-lobed onions, which Bezhetsk housewives still use to prepare a unique onion sauce for various dishes (onion broth).
The use of raspberries in various recipes, from raspberry pies and cheesecakes to raspberry wine and kvass, makes raspberries a true gastronomic brand of the Bezhetsk region.
Bezhetsk's connection with the "Silver Age" allows for the use of various dishes in local cuisine, which were loved not only by Anna Akhmatova and Nikolai Gumilyov, who lived here, but also by other famous poets of the early 20th century.
The largest restaurants and cafes serving tour groups and individual tourists in Bezhetsk are:
"Travel Pub" and "Veranda" Bar, Bezhetsk, Tverskaya Oblast, 1st Lane. Vozdvizhensky St., 6
Vozdvizhensky Restaurant and Club, Tver Region, Bezhetsk, Vozdvizhensky Lane, 6
GumiLev Art Cafe, Tver Region, Bezhetsk, Krasnoarmeyskaya St., 4/6
Restaurant "Vizavi", Tverskaya Oblast, Bezhetsk, ul. Nechaeva, Bldg. 35/34
Cafe "RAIPO", Tverskaya Oblast, Bezhetsk, ul. Krasnoarmeyskaya, Bldg. 25
Cafe "Paris", Tverskaya Oblast, Bezhetsk, ul. Kuznetsova, Bldg. 1
Cafe "Remi", Tverskaya Oblast, Bezhetsk, ul. Bolshaya Shtabskaya, Bldg. 12/8
Cafe "BURGER HOUSE", Tverskaya Oblast, Bezhetsk, ul. Bolshaya, Bldg. 14 and ul. Nechaeva, Bldg. 14a
Pizzeria "SICILIA", Tverskaya Oblast, Bezhetsk, ul. Bolshaya St., Building 4, TC "BOOM"
Accommodation
There are more than 10 shared accommodation facilities in the Bezhetsk Municipal District. The largest of these, located in close proximity to the city's historic center, are:
- Park Hotel "Vozdvizhensky" (www.hotel-bezhetsk.ru)
- Hotel "Central" (www.hotel-central69.ru)
- Mini-hotel "START" (website)
- Hotel "Prestige" (website)
- Hostel "Lenok" (portalnightclub@gmail.com)
- Guest House "Berloga" (https://vk.com/public184830907)

How to get there
Bezhetsk is surrounded by an extensive network of highways connecting it with the regional capital, Tver, and the northeastern part of the Tver region. Bezhetsk has direct transport links to the Yaroslavl, Moscow, Novgorod, and Vologda regions. Regular public transport services connect Tver and Moscow to Bezhetsk. Direct train connections are also available from St. Petersburg, Yaroslavl, Ivanovo, Nizhny Novgorod, and other cities.

Museums
City museums:
- Branch of the Bezhetsk State Historical and Cultural Museum "Bezhetsk Memorial, Literary, and Local History Museum" in Bezhetsk
- Museum and Exhibition Center "Gumilyov House" in Bezhetsk
- ANO MCEK "Linen District": "Merchant's Shop" in Bezhetsk
- Gallery of Antiquities and Applied Art "Raspberry Fairy Tale" in Bezhetsk
- Cultural and Business Center "Ivanov's House" in Bezhetsk
- Museum of the History of the Prison System and Local History "Prison Castle" in Bezhetsk
- Selmash Community Center. Exhibits: "Garden in Memory of N.F. Yatchenko" and "Visiting Amon," Bezhetsk
- Factory Museum "Auto-Special Equipment," Bezhetsk
Countryside museums:
- Branch of the TGOM "House of Poets," Bezhetsk Gradnitsy
- Museum Complex of the ANO MCEC "Lnyanoy Uyezd" in the village of Plotniki (Hut Museum; Linen Estate; Village Priest's House)
- KIR "Gorodetsk" ethno-village and fortress-fortress of Gorodetsk (Pirozhkovo village)
- Rural tourism attraction of the Gorislovy peasant farm (raspberry cultivation, cheese production, tourist attraction "Goat Farm in Yurkino")
- Rural tourism attraction: "Horse Yard in Gorlovo"

Calendar of Events
New Year in Bezhetsk (December 31 – January 1)
Bezhetsky Verkh Snow Festival (January 3-4)
Christmas Evenings (January 6-8)
St. Andrew's Day (January 14-15)
Maslenitsa (March 16)
Lesovichok's Birthday (April 22)
May Day in Bezhetsk (May 1)
Victory Day (May 9)
"Pearl Route," a historical reenactment festival (May 24-26)
"Living Thread of Tradition" Interdistrict Festival (June 15)
"Fairytale Fun of the Raspberry Outskirts" Russian Fairytale Animation Festival (June 20-21)
"Akhmatova Days" Literary and Poetry Art Festival (June 21-23)
"Bezhetskaya Linyanitsa" Ethnic Festival (July 6)
Gumilyov Festival (July 19-21)
City Day (August 3)
"Bezhetskaya Balalaika" Festival (August 2-4)
Bibikhinsky Readings (October)

Useful Links
https://vk.com/public221183167
http://adm-bezheck.ru/
https://vk.com/bezhetsk_tv