Staraya Russa is the third largest town of Novgorod region. The population of the town and region is approximately 58000 people. There are 298 villages and settlements which are situated in the area of the Staraya Russa district.

The history of the town dates from the 11th century. It was first mentioned in the chronicles of the year 1167. At the time, Russia-was part of the land of Novgorod. In 1478, together with Novgorod, it joined the Moscow state. In the mid-16th century, it was
the fourth biggest town in the Russian state in the size of its population and in the number of households after Moscow, Pskov and Novgorod. In 1781 Catherine the Great granted Staraya Russa a coat of arms. Occupying an economically and strategically important position, the town grew rich by carrying on trade and producing salt. From olden times until the mid-19th century, Staraya Russa supplied the cities of Moscow Grand Duchy and, subsequently, of the Russian state with salt.

In the 1820s, the local mineral springs, which had for centuries been used for producing salt, were discovered anew, as it was-this time, as medical springs. The year 1828, when military settlers began to be treated here, is regarded as the year of founding the Staraya Russa spa. By the end of the 19th century, it developed into a fashionable health resort. Members of the imperial family, noted writers and celebrated actors came here to improve their health. During the Great Patrotic War (1941-1945), the health resort, together with the town, was razed to the ground. In December 1946, however, it already received the first group of holiday-makers a total of 50 persons. Today the resort's park covers an area of nearly 100 hectares. The park has a cascade of mineral lakes. The one in the middle has an excellent bathing beach. The lower lake is used as a source of medicinal mud. Every day a load of mud from this lake is brought to the local mud-cure clinic. The spa has an indoor swimming-pool filled with mineral water.

The Muravyovsky fountain, a spring of mineral water, gushing from a well sunk, back in 1854, has long been a symbol of Staraya Russa spa. It is the biggest natural fountain of mineral water in Europe. The health resort can receive up to 1000 people at the same time.

Other places of interest are the Dostoevsky House-Museum where the famous author lived for ten years, Church of Staraya Russa the Victorious where you will come face to face with the 14th century, the Cathedral of the Resurrection and Saviour-and Transfiguration Monastery.

Today Staray Russa has been included in the list of six small towns which are to be reconstructed in conformity with old Russian traditions. And the traditions are already coming back. The St. Peter (summer) Fair, a merry festival of the town featuring performances of folkloric ensembles and street theatre shows, has already been revived.