We know that Rachmaninoff was born in this area, and went with his grandmother to the churches of Novgorod. There he listened to the choir singing.

This is "Cremlin", the fortress (reminds of Italian fotresses)

The Cremlin, inside of it there is a big church of Saint Sofia

The Church of Saint Sofia, the main church of Novgorod

The Church of Saint Sofia. Other side

We went on the bridge on the other side of river Volhov, we look backward on Saint Sofia Church

We look backward on the "Cremlin"

River Volhov reminds the sea a bit

We look forward on the other shore of Volhov river

Closer view

Entrance to one of the churches
More on Novgorod:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veliky_Novgorod
There are more than 40 old churches in Novgorod, hope next time we will visit other churches too.