Volkhov: City History, Hydropower and Remembrance

Volkhov brings together a vivid history of hydropower and memorial sites connected with the city and the Second World War. A central place for this is the Museum of the History of the City of Volkhov. There, you can encounter people’s stories, technology and historical events through specific exhibits. The hydroelectric power plant, a historic locomotive and the banks of the Volkhov River also offer further perspectives on the place.

Graftio and the History of Hydropower

The museum is located in the wooden house of Heinrich Osipovich Graftio, an important Russian and Soviet academic in the field of energy. It is devoted mainly to his life and to the construction of Russia’s first hydroelectric power plant under the GOELRO Plan. The construction period from 1918 to 1926 provides a clear historical framework for this focus: this is not just about a technical facility, but also about the people and the work behind its construction.

In the hall devoted to the construction of the power plant, visitors can try out the “goat,” a device used by the power plant builders to carry bricks. If you would like to try this hands-on exhibit, check before your visit whether it is currently available to use. It offers a different way into the history of the construction than the historical explanations and makes a specific work tool an exhibit in its own right.

Graftio’s personal car is also among the exhibits: the GAZ M-11-73 was built in 1946 and presented to the academic by the Soviet government. Alongside the history of the large facility, this brings a personal item from Graftio’s life into view. The focus shifts from a collective construction project to a vehicle associated with one individual.

Wartime History in the Museum and at the Railway Station

A separate hall in the museum is devoted to the Second World War. It features maps of the fighting and a panorama of the battle at Walimsky Creek near Volkhov. A diorama covers the breaking of the Siege of Leningrad; photographs, documents, examples of combat weapons and materials about the heroes of the Second World War complete the exhibition. At the museum, visitors can also operate a hand siren that was used to sound air raid warnings during the war. The various exhibits bring together maps and documents with objects whose function can be described directly.

Another memorial stands at Volkhovstroy-1 railway station: the Eu 708-64 locomotive. During the war, it was assigned to the depot in the city of Volkhov. On February 7, 1943, after the siege was broken, it brought the first train carrying food and ammunition into besieged Leningrad. The precise date and cargo give this historical event a concrete connection to supplying the encircled city.

Hydroelectric Power Plant and the Banks of the Volkhov

The Volkhov Hydroelectric Power Plant, named after V. I. Lenin, is located on the Volkhov River in the city and region of Leningrad. It is one of Russia’s oldest operating hydroelectric power plants and a historic monument to science and technology. Volkhov therefore offers two different perspectives on hydropower side by side: the museum explores the construction of the facility, while the power plant itself remains in operation.

The museum house’s location also gives a visit a connection to the landscape. The house stands on a former medieval hill on the banks of the Volkhov. Further downstream, there is also a recreational area along the riverbank. The river thus complements the history of the museum and technology with an aspect of the place in its own right, without implying a particular route.

When planning your trip, it is therefore worth asking which focus interests you most: Graftio’s life and the construction of the power plant, the wartime exhibitions, the precisely dated event commemorated by the locomotive, or the connection between the city and the river. These topics can help you decide whether Volkhov matches your travel interests and provide a starting point for your search for a holiday apartment in Volkhov.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Svetogorsk, Sosnovo, Slavyanka, Ogonki, Karvala, Olkhovka, Zamoshye and Sinyovo.

For the higher-level travel overview: Leningrad Oblast.