Valday[10] (Russian: Валда́й) is a town and the administrative center of Valdaysky District in Novgorod Oblast, Russia, located on the southwestern shore of Lake Valdayskoye, the biggest one in the set of lakes in the highest region of the Valdai Hills, on the M10 Highway connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg, 386 kilometers (240 mi) from Moscow and 140 kilometers (87 mi) from Veliky Novgorod, the administrative center of the oblast.

The famous monastery, built under the auspices of Patriarch Nikon in the 1650s, is located on one of the islands of Lake Valdayskoye.

[13] Located along the road connecting Moscow and St. Petersburg, Valday developed as a major trade center.

In August 1927, the uyezds were abolished and, effective October 1, 1927, Valdaysky District was established, with the administrative center in Valday.

[14] Valday was close to the eastern front line for Russia during World War II, but was never occupied by German troops.

On July 5, 1944, Valdaysky District was transferred to newly established Novgorod Oblast and remained there ever since.

Valday is a popular tourist destination, situated in the middle of the Valdaysky National Park, in the northern part of the Valdai Hills.

The second part, in the former Church of St Katherine, the Great Martyr, highlights the history of Valday bell-making.

The complex of buildings is highly secured and a large sector of the lake is closed for boats and swimmers.