Village Kalyazin

Kalyazin is one of the oldest cities in the Tver Governorate. Situated in the southeast of the Tver Governorate on the banks of the Volga River, it enjoys a unique geographical location. It is the center of a unique triangle, being approximately equally distant—within two hundred kilometers—from Tver, Yaroslavl, and Moscow. Almost all modes of transport connect the Kalyazinsky District with Moscow. The city of Kalyazin is the district's capital. The district includes 300 settlements, covering an area of ​​1,671 square kilometers. The local population is approximately 20,000 people, but due to the dacha population, this figure could be increased four to fivefold.
The Kalyazinsky District is an absolutely amazing place in Russia, and the history of this land is extraordinary. Word of this region once reached the royal courts and even overseas. A monastery, St. Nicholas on the Zhabnya, existed on the site of today's Kalyazin before the 12th century. The Trinity Monastery, founded in the 15th century by the monk Macarius, holds a special place in the history of Kalyazin. The saint is now venerated here as St. Macarius of Kalyazin. Growing stronger over the years, the monastery attracted pilgrims from across the country. The monastery played an important role in Russia's cultural life and was a center of icon painting. Many Russian tsars and their wives, great military leaders, and high-ranking clergy visited this famous monastery.
The long history of this magnificent monastery, which endured the brutal devastation of the Polish-Lithuanian invaders during the Time of Troubles, was ruthlessly interrupted in the 1930s and 1940s. Due to the construction of the Uglich Hydroelectric Power Station, the monastery and all its churches were destroyed, and two-thirds of the city and 40 settlements were flooded. Kalyazin received city status by decree of Catherine II in 1775.

Sights
The city was renowned for its various trades and crafts: blacksmithing, shoemaking, pottery, tailoring, lacemaking, and, most notably, felting. Kalyazin was particularly proud of its bobbin lace. In the 19th century, Kalyazin lace was sold to Moscow, St. Petersburg, and even abroad. This region was renowned for its merchant families, many of whom were well-known for their philanthropy: for example, the Kozhins, the Okhlobystins, and the Polezhaevs.
The rich, glorious, and tragic history of this ancient land is vividly narrated by the exhibition at the I.F. Nikolsky Kalyazin Museum of Local History, which is over 100 years old. Ivan Fedorovich Nikolsky himself posthumously received the title of Honorary Citizen of the Kalyazin District and Honorary Citizen of the Tver Region (in 2021).
History has left the city with many architectural monuments, temples, churches, and historical sites. Residents of Kalyazin are proud of the history of their small homeland, its glorious heroes, and cherish local traditions. Today, the region is experiencing a spiritual revival. Chapels are being built, churches are being restored, and monuments to saints and heroes of the past are being unveiled.
Kalyazin's main shrine—the relics of St. Macarius—are housed in the Church of the Ascension of Our Lord in Kalyazin.
The main symbol and memory of the old town is the bell tower of St. Nicholas Cathedral, which survived the flooding of the Uglich Reservoir and stands amidst the Volga. In 2021, a long-awaited large-scale restoration of the bell tower was completed with funding from the regional budget, and architectural lighting was installed. Because of its tragic history of flooding, Kalyazin is known as Kitezh-grad or the Volga Atlantis. The city and the Kalyazinsky District are located in an ecologically clean zone, free of harmful industrial activity. Kalyazin's picturesque landscapes—the extraordinary Volga River flood with white steamships sailing past, and forests brimming with berries and mushrooms—attract not only curious tourists but also have been featured in the works of literary, artistic, and filmmakers. The Kalyazinsky District is a healthy place: it boasts clean air, a favorable environment, a vast expanse of water, 13 rivers, and 14 nature reserves.

Food, Gastronomy, and Terroirs
The springs of the famous Anna Kashinskaya mineral water, with its healing properties and unique taste, are located in Kalyazin.

There are several food service establishments in various price ranges in Kalyazin:
Café "Usadba," ul. Kommunisticheskaya St., Bldg. 1 usadba-kalyazin.ru
Cafe Kalyazin, Zavodskaya St., Bldg. 17/2A
Cafe Vizit, Zavodskaya St., Bldg. 13A/3
Cafe Victoria, Studencheskaya St., Bldg. 1/24
Lunch Snack Bar, Pukhalskogo St., Bldg. 2B
Cafe Malina, Pukhalskogo St., Bldg. 55A
Cafe Evgesha, Shorina St., Bldg. 12
Cafe Berezka, Bolshaya Tverskaya St., Bldg. 20
Cafe Volchye Lair, Privokzalnaya St., Bldg. 7
Porecheskie Bakery Coffee Shop, Tsentralnaya St., Bldg. 19/85
Bakery on Moskovskaya Coffee and Tea Shop, Moskovskaya St., 24
Sushi-Tun Pizzeria, Kominterna St., 56/14

Accommodation
Usadba Hotel,
Kalyazin Hotel,
Paluba Park Hotel,
Voda Hotel,
Novo-Okatovo Glamping Site,
Paulino Glamping Site

Getting there
Kalyazin is conveniently located between three regions of Central Russia: Moscow, Yaroslavl, and Tver. The city centers of these regions are approximately equal distances away, and can be covered by car (private or public, such as intercity buses) (160-170 km). Buses run directly from Moscow, Sergiev Posad, and Tver.
Kalyazin can be reached by train from Uglich (Yaroslavl Region), St. Petersburg, and Moscow (with a transfer in Savyolovo).
By water, cruise ships from renowned shipping companies depart from Tver, Moscow, and Rybinsk.
By helicopter, the city has a helipad. To arrange your flight, please contact the Kalyazin District Administration or the Emergency Dispatch Service in advance at 8 (48-249) 2-31-97.

Museums
Kalyazin Museum of Local History named after I.F. Nikolsky,
Museum at the Kalyazin "Volgari" pier,
Monastyrsky Island, museum at the "Ulitka" yacht club,
Mobile Devices Museum, "Svetopis" Museum of the History of Cinema and Photography,
Lace Museum at the House of Crafts.
Calendar of Events
Historical festival dedicated to the Time of Troubles, "Field Kitchen," and the patriotic song festival "Kalyazin. Homeland." Unity (September, annually)
Wrestling tournaments "Little Russia" and "Stars of the Upper Volga" (May, annually)
Sacred and Secular Music Festival in Honor of the Completion of the Volga Cross Procession, Orthodox Children's Festival "God's Spark" (June, annually)
Folk Art Festival of Youth Amateur Groups of the Central Federal District (every two years, summer)
Kalyazin Nikolsky Local History Readings (annually, December)
Kalyazin Makaryev Scientific Readings (every two years, June)
Kalyazin Readings of the "Russian Assembly" (annually, March-February)
Film and Art Marathon "From the Captivity of Illusions - with Faith in Revival" (annually, November)
Snowmobile competitions, motogymkhana, open-water swimming, and summer sport fishing are also held in Kalyazin at various times. and ice fishing, and others.

Useful links 
Official website of the Kalyazin Municipal District
https://welcometver.ru/?ysclid=lxlj298xo8878932186
https://tvermuzeum.ru/affiliates/KKM?ysclid=lxlj57ey90896058776
https://piligrimcompany.ru/?ysclid=lxlj6h38ux545408718
https://kalyazin-rdr.tver.muzkult.ru/