riva yacht 40m

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Riva launches first 40m 130 Bellissima

Related articles, superyacht directory.

The first 39.6 metre 130 Bellissima has hit the water at the Riva construction site in La Spezia, Italy. Following sea trials, the yacht will be delivered to an American owner.

The new superyacht marks the flagship of Riva’s flybridge range, and features a planing hull, tri-deck design and broad beam while remaining under 300 GT.

The 130 Bellissima has been conceived by Mauro Micheli, who co-founded Officina Italiana Design . The studio has designed all of Riva’s yachts for the last 27 years, and the team has drawn on substantial experience to pen the new 130 Bellissima. Mr Micheli and Officina Italiana Designs working in close partnership with the Strategic Product Committee led by Piero Ferrari and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department.

The new model has been described as a “superlative boat” by Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi. “As the new flagship in the flybridge range, she has all my admiration and enthusiasm,” he added.

“This is a magical year for Riva, our yards are all in a state of grace and the results are there for everyone to see: beautiful boats, ecstatic owners,” he continued. “When you see a Riva cruising on the water, a Riva Bellissima, everything stops and you can pause the world to enjoy a tailor-made miracle, an aesthetic experience that words can't describe.”

The yacht’s exterior bears Riva’s signature sporty look with an elevated elegance that is achieved through a counter-curved windshield, tall hull windows and materials including carbon fibre, steel and glass.

Key design elements of the new model include a reconfigured stern which sits close to the water, divided into a generous beach club and cockpit which together span over 60 square metres. Alfresco living opportunities continue on the sundeck and the foredeck, which both offer superb views while the Bellissima is underway or at anchor.

The yacht’s exterior windows create a light-drenched interior, with an unobstructed 270-degree view and ceilings of over 2 metres high in the main saloon. Here, polished rosewood adds a classic look that is balanced by delicate glass elements.

The design team has made full use of the yacht’s beam, which measures almost eight metres. The cabin layout puts the master suite on the main deck and four cabins on the lower deck, easily accessed by a large lobby.

The Riva 130 Bellissima is powered by twin MTU engines each, giving her an estimated top speed of 22.5 knots and cruising speed of 20 knots.

There are two other Bellissima 130 models currently under construction in La Spezia. 

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .

More about this yacht

Similar yachts for sale, more stories, most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings.

• Yachts for sale
• Yachts for charter
• Brokerage News

• 40m Riva 130’ Bellissima Launched in La Spezia
• Yacht Harbour

Latest News

By SuperyachtNews 28 Jul 2022

Riva launches new flagship 130 Bellissima

The 40m sub 300gt motor yacht has been delivered in la spezia, en route to an american owner….

Riva launches  130’ Bellissima in La Spezia for an American owner. In the brand’s 180th anniversary year, the largest flybridge in the range enters the water, a planing 40m.

Riva 130’ Bellissima is the first planning flybridge in the range to extend across three decks while remaining under 300GT. Designed by Mauro Micheli, founder, along with Sergio Beretta, of Officina Italiana Design, the firm that has designed all Riva’s yachts for the last 27 years. Officina Italiana Design worked in partnership with the Strategic Product Committee led by Mr Piero Ferrari and the Ferretti Group Engineering Department.

“Riva Bellissima is a superlative boat, in both name and fact. As the new flagship in the flybridge range, she has all my admiration and enthusiasm,” said Ferretti Group CEO Alberto Galassi. “This is a magical year for Riva, our yards are all in a state of grace and the results are there for everyone to see: beautiful boats, ecstatic owners. When you see a Riva cruising on the water, a Riva Bellissima, everything stops and you can pause the world to enjoy a tailor-made miracle, an aesthetic experience that words can't describe.”

The Riva 130' Bellissima uses a full beam, measuring almost 8m. The cabin layout puts the master suite on the main deck and four cabins on the lower deck, separated by a large lobby and all with en suite bathrooms. Riva 130’ Bellissima is powered by twin MTU engines rated 2,638 mph each, giving her a top speed of 22.5 knots and a cruising speed of 20  knots (preliminary data).

Profile links

RIVA (Ferretti Group)

Join the discussion

To post comments please Sign in or Register

When commenting please follow our house rules

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here .

Related news

Wally introduces wallywind series

This new range, from 34 to 46m, are designed for long range cruising, with the wallywind 110 due for completion in 2024

Ferretti Group reveal all-aluminium Custom Line Navetta 50

It will become the brand's flagship yacht when it makes its debut in the aluminium yacht segment under 500 GT

Riva celebrates 180th anniversary in style

Riva have premiered a short film featuring Pierfrancesco Favino, David Beckham and Charles Leclerc

Resilient Italian yacht builders continue to flourish

The Superyacht Group were recently invited on a tour of some of the biggest shipyards in Italy, here is our take…

2 years ago

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

Receive unrivalled market intelligence, weekly headlines and the most relevant and insightful journalism directly to your inbox.

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

The superyachtnews app.

Follow us on

Media Pack Request

Please select exactly what you would like to receive from us by ticking the boxes below:

SuperyachtNews.com

Register to comment

• SUBSCRIBE •MAGZTER •NEWSLETTER

•CONTAC T US

Asia's leading yachting lifestyle media

More results...

Ferretti Group reveals new 35m Pershing, 40m Riva superyachts

• February 20, 2022

The Italian conglomerate has revealed updates about the first hulls of the Pershing GTX116 and Riva 130’ Bellissima tri-deck.

Pershing GTX116

Ferretti Group has revealed updates on the Pershing GTX116 and Riva 130’ Bellissima, confirming that the first hull of each model has been sold to American owners. The US market accounts for 35 per cent of sales by the Ferretti Group, whose seven brands currently produce 46 models, of which 60 per cent have been launched in the past three years.

Formerly known as Project TØ, the GTX116 is set to be the 35m flagship of a GTX range that follows Pershing’s X series (5X, 6X, 7X, 8X, 9X), which was completed with last year’s release of the 6X.

The new GTX series is designed to revolutionise the sports yacht concept and places huge emphasis on open space by the water, evident in the expansive, multi-tiered beach club and drop-down balcony by the saloon, while there’s also a spa pool on the foredeck.

The GTX116 offers almost 1,800sqft (165sqnm) of outdoor areas across its three decks, while propulsion is from three MAN engines, each 1,800mhp or 2,000mhp, and Kamewa waterjets.

Ferretti Group also revealed the name of Riva’s new 130ft yacht, Bellissima, which is under construction at the La Spezia shipyard. Production capacity was recently upgraded at the shipyard, which produces the brand’s models from 76-130ft.

The Group has also signed an agreement with Aqua Marina Tech, the Israeli company that develops innovative solutions for saving lives at sea based on cutting-edge technology. On an exclusive basis, Ferretti Group will introduce the patented Watchit system, which uses anti-collision technology to prevent accidents at sea. www.ferrettigroup.com www.ferrettigroupasiapacific.com

Pershing 140: Astonishing Pershing Flagship at Home in Hong Kong ershing’s flagship 140 is the Italian builder’s pinnacle of size and technology, yet features a layout tailored for its Hong Kong owner.

Editor's Picks

Yacht insurance is money well spent

Sunreef’s 60 Power Eco

Powercat players are multiplying

EDITOR'S PICKS

Nimbus debuts its largest flybridge at Cannes

Beneteau unveils exciting new planing cruiser First 30

Sanlorenzo Navigates Success: Financial Gains and Green Goals in H1 2024

Yacht Style issue 79 is out now

Greenline 40 embraces the future with 6G hybrid system

Taiwan International Boat Show is Back

Beneteau’s new Oceanis 37.1 is a voluminous, versatile sailing cruiser

Nautor Swan unveils new flagship for Cannes

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Copyright © 2024  Website by Malikhan Design & Digital

All Rights Reserved © 2023

Copyright © 2024 Yacht Style.All Rights Reserved .Website by Unstoppable.

Discover more from Yacht Style

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

• en it 中文 es ru fr pt ja de
• discover the legend history lifestyle riva destinations Riva - The movies
• yachts Projects Open Sportfly flybridge dealer network Preowned
• superyachts division 54 metri project a vision come true
• news and events
• store riva boutique scale models
• discover the legend
• riva destinations
• Riva - The movies
• dealer network
• superyachts division

• riva boutique
• scale models

Iseo Super Project

Aquariva Special Project

112' Dolcevita Super Project

102' Corsaro Super

130' Bellissima

76' Bahamas Super

66' Ribelle

76' Perseo Super

88' Folgore

Monaco Yacht Show 2024

Riva is pleased to welcome you to the Monaco Yacht Show 2024 from 25 to 28 September.

September 19 - 24 2024

Salone Nautico di Genova 2024

September 10 2024

Ferretti Group at the Cannes Yachting Festival with record profitability and 6 premieres.

September 10 - 15 2024

Cannes Yachting Festival 2024

July 15 2024

"RIVA PER SEMPRE. A history of achievements and innovation”: on air from July 16 on Sky Arte.

• Press Center
• Riva anniversary
• Whistleblowing Reports

Ferretti S.p.A.

Tax code and VAT no. 04485970968 Registered Office Via Irma Bandiera, 62 – 47841 Cattolica (RN) Italy REA no. RN 296608 - Companies Register no. 04485970968 Share capital € 338.482.654,00 fully paid-up PEC: [email protected]

Cookies on our site

For more information

Cookie Center

This website uses technical cookies, which are necessary for you to browse it and which help us to provide the service. With your consent, we use profiling cookies to offer you an increasingly agreeable browsing experience, to facilitate interaction with our social-media features, and to enable you to receive marketing messages tailored to your browsing habits and interests. To accept all profiling cookies, click ACCEPT ; to decline, click REFUSE . For more information about the cookies we use, please see our Cookie Policy.

always active

• Inspiration

EURO has 18 Photos

Officina Italiana Design News

Riva presents their new 82 Diva model ...

Similar yachts.

LONE STAR | From US$ 99,000/wk

• Yachts >
• All Yachts >
• All Motor Yachts Over 100ft/30m >

If you have any questions about the EURO information page below please contact us .

Launched in 2024 from Riva, motor yacht EURO has an overall length of 40m (131'2") and is from the shipyards Bellissima 130 ranges. Her exterior and interiors are both the work of the team from Officina Italian Design (Mauro Micheli) and she boasts an interior volume of 299 GT. She can accommodate up to ten guests in five staterooms with additional cabins for the seven crew members.

NOTABLE FEATURES OF EURO: ~Tri-deck design ~Foredeck jacuzzi ~Sky lounge and main salon ~Main deck master suite ~Top speed of 33 knots ~At anchor and underway stabilisers ~Air conditioning ~WiFi

EXTERIOR The tri-deck design offers plenty of al fresco entertainment space for guests to enjoy, with views from every deck and comfortable furnishings throughout. The sun deck benefits from being partially shaded by the hard roof and includes a sit up bar, lounge / dining and sunbathing aft. The upper deck is dedicated to outdoor dining with a superb setting offering views on three sides and also the opportunity to relax on the lounge furniture both outside on deck and inside the sky lounge.

The main deck aft cockpit is great are to spend time before dinner or for grabbing a cool drink after an afternoon on the water toys. The sheltered bar and seating are both convivial and somewhere to sit quietly with a book. Down steps on either side is the swim platform which is split level and large enough to host a beach club.

The sensational foredeck is open and perfect for sun worshippers with its expanse of cushioned sun pads, huge lounge area and forward jacuzzi with views over the bow. Where better to spend an afternoon relaxing with family and friends.

EURO Specifications

INTERIOR With both a sky lounge and main salon the yacht offers both sociable spaces and quiet escapes. The upper deck sky lounge leads through to a lobby off which there is a convenient day head, the wheelhouse and captain’s accommodation. The main deck aft is a perfect formal reception and dining space with both a lounge and table setting. Amidship is the well-equipped galley, another convenient day head and the full beam master suite.

The additional guest suites are on the lower deck.

Yacht Accommodation

The yacht offer accommodation for up to ten guests across a five-cabin layout and includes a main deck master and four further lower deck staterooms. The master is full beam and boasts a private office space, seating area, walk in wardrobe and deluxe his and hers ensuite bathrooms with a central walk-through shower. Four generous and similar sized suites are on the lower deck, all with the luxury and privacy of ensuite bathroom facilities.

Amenities and Extras

We do have available further amenity, owner and price information for the 40m (131'2") yacht EURO, so please enquire for more information.

EURO Disclaimer:

The luxury yacht EURO displayed on this page is merely informational and she is not necessarily available for yacht charter or for sale, nor is she represented or marketed in anyway by CharterWorld. This web page and the superyacht information contained herein is not contractual. All yacht specifications and informations are displayed in good faith but CharterWorld does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the current accuracy, completeness, validity, or usefulness of any superyacht information and/or images displayed. All boat information is subject to change without prior notice and may not be current.

Quick Enquiry

"Craftsmanship, unmatchable quality, innovative but always functional design, has always been Riva's hallmark. With a painstaking care to structural details, every boat. Riva is, more than ever, a refined, elegant and timeless beauty on water, featuring state of the art design and performance. All of Riva's unique characteristics are due to a strong bond between design and tradition." - Riva Yachts

AVA | From EUR€ 77,650/wk

GLAROS | From EUR€ 95,000/wk

MRS GREY | From EUR€ 92,000/wk Special

Please use a modern browser to view this website. Some elements might not work as expected when using Internet Explorer.

• Landing Page
• Luxury Yacht Vacation Types
• Corporate Yacht Charter
• Tailor Made Vacations
• Luxury Exploration Vacations
• View All 3701
• Motor Yachts
• Sailing Yachts
• Classic Yachts
• Catamaran Yachts
• Filter By Destination
• More Filters
• Latest Reviews
• Charter Special Offers
• Destination Guides
• Inspiration & Features
• Mediterranean Charter Yachts
• France Charter Yachts
• Italy Charter Yachts
• Croatia Charter Yachts
• Greece Charter Yachts
• Turkey Charter Yachts
• Bahamas Charter Yachts
• Caribbean Charter Yachts
• Australia Charter Yachts
• Thailand Charter Yachts
• Dubai Charter Yachts
• Destination News
• New To Fleet
• Charter Fleet Updates
• Special Offers
• Industry News
• Yacht Shows
• Corporate Charter
• Finding a Yacht Broker
• Charter Preferences
• Questions & Answers
• Add my yacht

View More Photos

• Luxury Charter Yachts
• Motor Yachts for Charter
• Amenities & Toys
• Rates & Regions
• + Shortlist

LADY FIRST YACHT CHARTER

40m  /  131'3   riva   2023.

• Previous Yacht

Special Features:

• Built in 2023
• Interior design from Officina Italiana Design
• Intimate beach club
• Sleeps 11 guests
• Williams Jet Tenders Tender

Superyacht Lady First promises to deliver an outstanding charter vacation

The 39.63m/130' motor yacht 'Lady First' is an excellent new superyacht for the luxury charter market. Delivered by the Italian shipyard Riva and featuring interior styling by Italian designer Officina Italiana Design she can comfortably accommodate up to 11 guests in 5 cabins.

Motor yacht Lady First boasts a wealth of convivial spaces, perfect for luxury yacht charters with families of friends, offering ample opportunities to kick back and relax, or enjoy the water on the yacht's array of water toys, the choice is yours. She is equipped with underwater lights and beach club.

Guest Accommodation

Built in 2023, Lady First offers guest accommodation for up to 11 guests in 5 suites. She is also capable of carrying up to 7 crew onboard to ensure a relaxed luxury yacht charter experience.

Onboard Comfort & Entertainment

A charter on Lady First is comfortable and convenient thanks to the provided amenities including a beach club for you to relax on the edge of the water. Retreat to the deck jacuzzi and soak up the scenery.

Whatever your activities on your charter, you'll find some impressive features are seamlessly integrated to help you including the underwater lights, adding spectacle and style after dark. Whether you want to work, use social media or stream movies on board this yacht, you can with Wi-Fi connectivity plus guests will experience complete comfort while chartering thanks to air conditioning.

Performance & Range

Built with a carbon fibre hull and carbon fibre superstructure, she benefits from a semi-displacement hull to provide exceptional seakeeping and impressive speeds. Powered by twin MTU engines, she comfortably cruises at 17 knots, reaches a maximum speed of 22 knots.

Equipped with a selection of water-toys Lady First lets you and your guests turn the Mediterranean into your own private playground. Take to the sea on the Jet Skis offering you power and control on the water. Another excellent feature are two SEABOBs providing agile cruising and diving. If that isn't enough Lady First also features paddleboards and snorkelling equipment. Lady First also sports a Williams Jet Tenders Tender to transport you with ease.

Based in the magical waters of the Mediterranean all year round Lady First is ready for your next luxury yacht charter. Let Lady First Discover the magical places, food and experiences of the the Mediterranean.

Experience the magical places, food and experiences of the Mediterranean this summer from the luxury of your own motor yacht. Lady First, her captain and talented crew are ready to make sure that your yachting experience is like nothing else.

TESTIMONIALS

There are currently no testimonials for Lady First, please provide .

Lady First Photos

Amenities & Entertainment

For your relaxation and entertainment Lady First has the following facilities, for more details please speak to your yacht charter broker.

Lady First is reported to be available to Charter with the following recreation facilities:

• 1 x Williams Jet Tenders 520 Tender

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

• + shortlist

For a full list of all available amenities & entertainment facilities, or price to hire additional equipment please contact your broker.

'Lady First' Charter Rates & Destinations

Summer Season

May - September

€280,000 p/week + expenses Approx $312,000

High Season

Cruising Regions

Mediterranean France, Italy, Monaco

HOT SPOTS:   Corsica, French Riviera, Sardinia

Winter Season

October - April

Charter Lady First

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker , or we can help you.

To charter this luxury yacht contact your charter broker or

Update your yacht

Yacht Owner, Captain or Central Agents - Send us latest Photos, Charter Rates or Corrections Send Updates

SIMILAR YACHTS FOR CHARTER

40m | Benetti

from $165,000 p/week

37m | Couach

from $118,000 p/week ♦︎

43m | Yildiz Shipyard

from $236,000 p/week ♦︎

40m | Sunseeker

from $175,000 p/week

37m | Benetti

from $160,000 p/week

Alpha Waves

41m | Benetti

from $225,000 p/week

37m | Numarine

from $155,000 p/week

36m | Sanlorenzo

from $128,000 p/week ♦︎

from $161,000 p/week ♦︎

from $144,000 p/week ♦︎

Barbara Anne

41m | Baglietto

from $250,000 p/week ♦︎

Berco Voyager

from $178,000 p/week ♦︎

NOTE to U.S. Customs & Border Protection

Specification

SEASONAL CHARTER RATES

• Share on Facebook
• Share Yacht

SIMILAR LUXURY CHARTER YACHTS

Here are a selection of yachts which are similar to the current charter yacht. To view all similar luxury charter yachts click on the button below.

As Featured In

The YachtCharterFleet Difference

YachtCharterFleet makes it easy to find the yacht charter vacation that is right for you. We combine thousands of yacht listings with local destination information, sample itineraries and experiences to deliver the world's most comprehensive yacht charter website.

San Francisco

• Like us on Facebook
• Follow us on Twitter
• Follow us on Instagram
• Find us on LinkedIn
• Add My Yacht
• Affiliates & Partners

Popular Destinations & Events

• St Tropez Yacht Charter
• Monaco Yacht Charter
• St Barts Yacht Charter
• Greece Yacht Charter
• Mykonos Yacht Charter
• Caribbean Yacht Charter

Featured Charter Yachts

• Maltese Falcon Yacht Charter
• Wheels Yacht Charter
• Victorious Yacht Charter
• Andrea Yacht Charter
• Titania Yacht Charter
• Ahpo Yacht Charter

Receive our latest offers, trends and stories direct to your inbox.

Please enter a valid e-mail.

Thanks for subscribing.

Search for Yachts, Destinations, Events, News... everything related to Luxury Yachts for Charter.

Yachts in your shortlist

• Bahasa Indonesia
• Slovenščina
• Science & Tech
• Russian Kitchen

5 reasons to visit Staritsa, one of the oldest towns in Tver Region

Staritsa is shrouded in legends. According to one of them, the town near the mouth of the Staritsa (or Starchonka, how it was originally called) River was completely destroyed by the Tatar Mongols at the end of the 13th century, with only one old woman remaining alive. She took refuge in one of the white stone caves, for which the town is so famous. And as ‘old woman’ is translated as 'staritsa' in old Russian, allegedly this is why the town is called this way (and not because of the nearby Starchonka River).

That’s why it is worth visiting.

1. Find out how the old white-stone Russia was born

These days, the quarried local white stone goes to Moscow for the restoration of the Kremlin and the Tsaritsyno Palace, as well for the Assumption Cathedral in the city of Yaroslavl. But, before this, people always lined up for Staritsa white stone and took it across the whole of Russia — to the cities of Moscow, Tver, Smolensk, St. Petersburg, Arkhangelsk and others. It was especially convenient to float the stone down the Volga River (as Staritsa River is Volga’s tributary), before it became shallow in these places.

Staritsa Bridge

Since its foundation in 1297, the town was famous for its amazingly white limestone, which was nicknamed ‘Staritsa marble’. Whole local families were involved with the limestone extraction. It was quarried in layers, rolled out on logs and taken to the river by sleighs in winter. In spring, the 'precious' stone was shipped in hundreds of barges. 

St. Paraskeva Pyatnitsa Church

During World War II, partisans and locals took refuge in the unique mulit-kilometer-long catacomb caves, along with their livestock and supplies. Later, the quarries were blown up, but, even now, you can find a guide who will take you on an excursion through the preserved part of the dungeon. The ‘Seltsovskaya’ quarry, complete with bats, is suitable for beginner adventure seekers, while the ‘Barsuchya’ quarry, with its low ceilings is for advanced ones.

2. Enjoy the picturesque views & the local sights

One of the most picturesque ancient settlements in Russia and the highest point of the city is the Staritsa's Gorodishche', a historical center of the city built on ramparts of the Volga River's left bank. There is also an observation deck, which offers stunning views of the entire Dormition Monastery, the Volga River and its 'Staritsky Gate'. This is probably the most beautiful section of the river, where the Volga makes its way through the high banks.

View to the Volga’s right bank

Despite the limestone deposits, the embankments of Staritsa have always been reinforced with wood, but, to this day, on one side they are protected from landslides by white stone forges. They were built at the end of the 18th century right at the foot of the ramparts.

Staritsa's 'Gorodishche', Borisoglebsky Cathedral

Along with limestone extraction, Staritsa was famous for its blacksmiths: every year, they produced up to 25,000 sickles for the whole country. Out of 50 forges, seven have survived to our day. And they look fabulous: sunk into the ground, each of them is decorated with an arch with merlons, where you can see the date of construction: “1798”.

The forges are planned to be restored for local manufacturers and a modern space is to be created there. The whole town is also being actively revived and restored - in five years, it will be unrecognizable. For instance, a picturesque embankment has already been built along the entire Staritsa River.

Staritsa forge

On the embankment, the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, which is more than 200 years old, is under restoration right now. In the 1930s, a bakery was set up in the church: the Soviets dismantled all the aisles, built ceilings and made three floors. The interior decoration was completely destroyed.

View from the St. Nicholas Church’s bell tower

Now, you can climb the bell tower of the church and listen to the bell ringing right there, looking at the entire Staritsa. You can also see miraculously preserved fragments of frescoes on the walls and even order a brick with your name to be laid in the masonry. And, thus, donate to restore the church.

You can order a brick with your name

All the icons there share the same style and are covered in simple foil frames. These very unusual 19th-century coverings are from the Borisovka settlement in Belgorod Province. There is also a curious double icon featuring two Christs: Christ in full height next to the Mother of God, who is holding little Jesus in her arms.

3. Discover the ancient monastery where the first holy Patriarch of all Rus’ lived

The town of Staritsa developed around the Staritsa Dormition Monastery. According to legend, a wooden church on the right bank of the Volga River above the mouth of the Staritsa River was built by two monks from the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra back in the year 1110. And, in 1297, Tver prince Mikhail Yaroslavovich built a fortress there.

View of the Dormition Monastery from the left bank

Surrounded by a white-stone wall, the Staritsa monastery was revived several times over its long history. Firstly, it was razed to the ground during the feuds of the 14th century; then, in the 18th century, the land was taken away from the monastery under the secularization manifesto of Catherine the Great; finally, in 1919, under the Soviets, the wall was dismantled for other construction works and the buildings were mothballed.

The wall of the Staritsa Dormition monastery was made entirely anew

In the 2010s, the monastery was restored to its original appearance. The restoration was carried out by the Foundation for the Revival of the Holy Dormition Monastery, which was established by Viktor Khristenko. They say that after the restoration, the monks witness a miracle at night: the face of Christ under the dome is illuminated by a ray of light.  

The Dormition Monastery is famous for the fact that, in the second half of the 16th century, it was ruled by Archimandrite Job, who later became the first Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia and one of the three patriarchs canonized. During the ‘Time of Troubles’, Job refused to recognize False Dmitry I - he was exiled to his native Dormition Monastery and died there.

Dormition Monastery

Forty-five years later, Job’s relics were solemnly transferred to the Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, but the tomb remained in Staritsa. Even in Soviet times, students visited it (secretly) with a textbook before exams. They believed that if you sprinkled sand from the tombstone on the page that you had managed to memorize, then it would be the one that you get in the exam. And although the tombstone has been fenced off, schoolchildren still come here before taking their graduation exam.

Believers still venerate Job’s tombstone praying to pass exams

4. Get to know Pushkin even better

“Pushkin’s Tver office” is what literary scholars dub Staritsa and the surrounding area. This city is included in the so-called ‘Pushkin Ring of the Upper Volga Region’. The poet visited Tver Province more than twenty times to see his friends, the Wulfs, who had property there. For example, at the Osipova-Wulf Estate in Malinniki, he wrote the seventh chapter of 'Eugene Onegin' and completed the poem 'Anchar'. 

A monument to Pushkin was unveiled in Staritsa in June 2024

Pushkin also often visited the Wulff estate in the village of Bernovo, where a museum in his honor now operates. Every year, they organize a big festival to celebrate the poet's birthday. The cozy, hilly park around the estate attracts people from all the surrounding areas.

Every year the Pushkin museum arranges a feast on his birth’s anniversary

On his way to monastery, Pushkin visited Staritsa and ordered canes from the white stone forges, bought wine for dinner and joined the balls in merchant Filippov’s house. By the way, the balls of Pushkin era are still held there today.

A ball in Filippov Mansion

In honor of Pushkin's 225th birthday, a monument to the poet was unveiled in Staritsa's renovated park next to the Dormition Monastery. Now, it is the tallest Pushkin's monument in the entire Tver Region. The locals are proud: "In Boldino, Pushkin lived because of quarantine, in Mikhailovsky he was in exile, but, in Tver Province, he came for love," they say proudly.

Join a play-walk around Staritsa to get know the history

By the way, now until the golden fall, which the poet loved so much, a tourist can see ancient Staritsa through his eyes - you just need to join the performance-walk ‘We are all Pushkin’ by ‘Excursion Bureau № 1’. It is easy to get to know the town on your own with the free audio guide ‘Pushkin Staritsa’ , recorded by the voice of Georgy Marchenko, who plays Pushkin in an immersive performance.

5. Eat Pushkin's pie, pick strawberries & stay at a cheese farm

Staritsa’s culinary calling card is Wulf's apple puffs. According to legend, Pushkin fell in love with them when he tasted them once at another Wulff estate - Pavlovskoye. It is said that, thanks to these puffs, the poet signed his letters to his beloved woman, Anna Kern, as "All Yours, Apple Pie". 

Wulf's apple puffs

Allegedly, the recipe was brought from Germany by Pavel Wulf's wife. The delicate creamy and not too sweet puff, in which the apple is not immediately recognizable, became a local attraction. Then the recipe was lost and only restored in our time. Not only tourists hunt for puff pastries, but also the locals. Therefore, it might not be possible to find the pastry, which has become one of the culinary brands of the Tver region, so readily!

Grigorevo strawberries

Another local edible attraction are the strawberries in the neighboring village of Grigorevo. You can come to the family's berry eco-farm to pick sweet strawberries yourself . 

Eduard Yastrebov talks about his farm's cheeses

And if you're tired of sweet things, there is a peasant farmstead not far from Staritsa, where the Yastrebov brothers make delicious cheese . There, you can stay in a village house with a stove and a bathhouse, walk in the fields where cows, goats and horses graze and learn how cheese is made. In the morning, you will be fed with homemade casseroles and fresh milk!

Dear readers,

Our website and social media accounts are under threat of being restricted or banned, due to the current circumstances. So, to keep up with our latest content, simply do the following:

• Subscribe to our Telegram channel
• Subscribe to our weekly email newsletter
• Enable push notifications on our website
• Install a VPN service on your computer and/or phone to have access to our website, even if it is blocked in your country

If using any of Russia Beyond's content, partly or in full, always provide an active hyperlink to the original material.

to our newsletter!

Get the week's best stories straight to your inbox

• 5 reasons to visit the Pushkin Hills where Russian literature was born
• 10 most interesting places in Tver Region (PHOTOS)
• 33 incredible UNESCO sites located in Russia (PHOTOS)

This website uses cookies. Click here to find out more.