Novgorod Kremlin, Medieval fortress on Volkhov River, Veliky Novgorod, Russia.

The Novgorod Kremlin is a medieval fortress sitting on the Volkhov River with thick stone walls and nine towers. Inside you find the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom, several other churches, and museum exhibits that show how people lived here over centuries.

The first chronicle mention dates to 1044, when Prince Vladimir Yaroslavich laid out a wooden fortress. Stone walls were begun by Archbishop Vasily Kalika in 1333 and completed by 1400. After Ivan III annexed Novgorod in 1478, Muscovite builders rebuilt the fortress between 1484 and 1490, with a third of the cost paid by Archbishop Gennady.

The name detinets comes from the old Russian word for a fortified inner enclosure. The cathedral, built in 1045–1052, holds the grave of its founder, Prince Vladimir Yaroslavich, who died less than a month after its consecration. A 14th-century jaw harp found in the archbishop's compound shows that music was played within the walls.

You can walk around the entire perimeter and enjoy views of the river from different angles. The paths inside are easy to follow, but dress warmly as it gets cold and windy near the water.

The Kokui Tower, the tallest of the nine surviving towers, is topped by a silver dome and has a name of Swedish origin. It was built in the 18th century, and visitors can enter it and climb to the top.