Tikhvin, a city in the Leningrad region, has officially become the capital of the “Silver Necklace” tourist project in 2025, succeeding Staraya Russa, and is embarking on an ambitious plan to become a major attraction in Northwest Russia. The city aims to rival Copenhagen and even St. Petersburg in terms of attractiveness.

Tikhvin secured the title of “Capital of the Silver Necklace” with a significant lead, scoring 227 points compared to its closest competitor’s 150. This victory is attributed to the city’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, particularly the revered Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God, which returned in 2014 and is considered one of Russia’s main icons.

The city’s development plan, known as “Monastery Plus,” focuses on leveraging its historical and cultural assets. Key attractions include the restored Rimsky-Korsakov House-Museum, celebrating the renowned composer who was born in Tikhvin, and the planned Wedding Palace, the first of its kind in the Leningrad region. The city also aims to create a modern information and tourist center and improve infrastructure, including road reconstruction and the removal of dilapidated buildings.

A significant aspect of Tikhvin’s transformation involves the creation of various artistic and entertaining attractions based on Rimsky-Korsakov’s operas. These include recognizable characters from his works, such as a swan in Taborakh pond and potentially Vakula riding a devil. The city is also working on installing a small architectural form representing the “Tikhvinka” boat, a historical vessel used on the Tikhvin water system.

To further enhance the tourist experience, Tikhvin plans to install a mermaid statue, aiming to surpass the famous one in Copenhagen. The city also intends to develop a tourist passport program with stamps for visitors who explore all the attractions, as well as install modern bus stop pavilions with shops offering tourist-related products.

Tikhvin is also focusing on industrial tourism, offering excursions to local factories like the Wagon-Building Plant and the former “Ikea” factory, “Luzales.” Additionally, the city aims to improve accessibility and convenience for tourists by developing a comprehensive tourist portal with information on accommodations, dining, and attractions, as well as creating address plates in Russian, English, and Chinese.

To support these developments, Tikhvin will receive 157 million rubles from regional and local budgets for infrastructure and promotion. The city expects to attract 200,000 tourists by 2030, a significant increase from the 79,500 visitors it welcomed last year.

Tikhvin is partnering with Cosmos Hotel Group to build a key central hotel and is investing in infrastructure improvements, such as replacing the collector in the area where the hotel will be located. The city also aims to create a friendly environment for investors and entrepreneurs, encouraging them to invest in various projects, including guest houses and boutique hotels in the historical part of the city.

In addition to tourism, Tikhvin is also focusing on improving the quality of life for its residents by building a new school, an ice arena, and a gerontological center. These initiatives aim to attract a skilled workforce and encourage people to live and work in Tikhvin, contributing to the city’s overall development and appeal.