According to legend, Staritsa, at the mouth of the Starchonka River, was completely destroyed by the Mongol-Tatars at the end of the 13th century, leaving only an old woman from the entire settlement. She took refuge in one of the white stone caves. This is how the name of this town in the Tver region appeared. Here’s why you should visit: Learn where the White Stone Russia began Since the founding of the city in 1297, there have always been queues for the white stone from Staritsa – now it is used for the restoration of the Kremlin. Explore the underground galleries Now you can find a guide to take you to the preserved part of the underground. The “Seltsovskaya” quarry with bats is for novice adventurers, and “Dyhlo Barsuche” with its low arches is for advanced ones. Enjoy the view and local attractions One of the most picturesque ancient settlements in Russia is Staritsa’s Gorodishche, built on mounds. There is also an observation deck overlooking the Staritsa Gates, the most beautiful section of the river where the Volga winds through high banks. See the ancient monastery where the first saint Patriarch of all Russia lived Staritsa grew around the Staritsa Uspensky Monastery, founded in 1110. In the second half of the 16th century, it was managed by Archimandrite Job – one of the three patriarchs canonized as saints. His tomb remains in Staritsa – even in Soviet times, students secretly visited with textbooks before exams. They had to sprinkle sand from the tombstone on the page they had studied – so that this page would come up on the exam. Get closer to Pushkin The poet visited the Tver province more than twenty times to see his friends the Vulfs and wrote the seventh chapter of “Eugene Onegin” here. In honor of Alexander Sergeyevich’s 225th anniversary, a monument to the poet was unveiled near the Uspensky Monastery.