Sergiev Posad is a diamond in the Golden Ring of Russia, a city with an amazingly rich and interesting history, the center of Russian Orthodoxy, located just 50 kilometers from Moscow.
Sergiev Posad was named after Saint Sergei, known as Sergei of Radonezh, who was born in Radonezh (a city located next to Zagorsk).In the 14th century he founded a monastery there, which became one of the largest and most magnificent monasteries in Russia.Currently, the monastery is called the Lavra (the main and most important monastery) and is considered the “Russian Vatican”.
2. Rostov Veliky
If you want to feel at least for a moment the atmosphere of ancient Rus' with its traditions and customs, unique architecture, old fortresses and white churches, go on a tour to places that contain the history of the country, hear the ringing of ancient bells, their ringing sincere and beautiful melody, then you should visit one of the most ancient cities in Russia - Rostov the Great.
Colored domes in pink sunsets that Rostov the Great has seen for centuries and centuries. The Rostov Kremlin, with its impregnable walls and perfectly spaced towers, rises majestically above the waters of the vast Lake Nero.Looking at Moscow from the heights of its age, Rostov the Great, first described in chronicles in 862 and founded much earlier, was the capital of the Kyiv princes who moved to the northern lands that later became known as Muscovy and Russia.The architectural harmony of Rostov churches is excellent.
Where to go from Moscow, you ask?Rostov the Great, once a great and important city, is now a rustic green rural town with beautiful white stone churches.The Rostov Kremlin is the main attraction of Rostov, where each of the churches is a fine example of old and unique Russian architecture. Rostov the Great, The oldest city of the Golden Ring is probably the most tranquil city that shows its tourist sincere and rustic Russia with fresh air, a beautiful lake and old wooden houses where the local population lives.Whether you're on a multi-day Golden Ring tour or planning a day trip, you'll love Rostov Veliky for its ancient architecture and beautiful nature.
3. Vladimir
For more than 250 years, Vladimir played a very important role in the history of Russia, when it was the capital of the ancient Russian state. The main attractions of Vladimir are - The Golden Gate is the only existing monument of military engineering architecture of Ancient Rus'.
The gate was built in 1158-64 during the time of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky.This was the main, most spectacular and impressive gate of the capital of northeastern Russia.Such gates were built in major cities of Christendom, starting with the gate in Constantinople, which marked the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem through the city's Golden Gate.
Another unique attraction of Vladimir is the Assumption Cathedral, built in 1158-1606 by order of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, who preserved the world-famous frescoes of Andrei Rublev.It was not only the main church of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, its cultural, political and religious center, but it was to become the main church of all of Russia.In September 1164, the most revered icon of Russia, the Miraculous Icon of the Mother of God, was brought to the cathedral.Since then, the icon has been called the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God, the earliest and one of the most revered miraculous icons of the Russian Church.
During the excursion it is worth visiting the Dmitrievsky Cathedral, built in 1194-1197 during the reign of Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest, who dedicated it to his heavenly patron Great Martyr Demetrius of Thessalonica. Previously, it was part of the buildings of the princely court and one of the most beautiful and original cathedrals of Ancient Rus'.
4. Suzdal
Suzdal not only retained the spirit of antiquity, but also remained within the boundaries of the city of the 18th century. The first mentions of Suzdal in chronicles date back to the end of the 11th century. In the XII - XIV centuries it was one of the strongest and most powerful cities of ancient Rus'. Suzdal is home to more than 70 masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture, from the mid-12th century to the mid-18th century, on an area of just 9 square kilometers.
The Suzdal Kremlin is located on the winding bank of the Kamenka River in the heart of the old city.The Kremlin contains several of the most important monuments of old Suzdal: the Kremlin shaft (XI-XII centuries), the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ (XIII-XVI centuries, its frescoes dating back to the XIII, XV, XVII centuries and the iconostasis until the XVII century), the bell tower of the cathedral (1635).
Today the city is an outstanding architectural museum, containing more examples of ancient Rus' architecture than any other Russian city, and its original architectural topography remains almost intact.
5. Kostroma
Founded in 1152 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the city of Kostroma is located on the left bank of the Volga. The pride of the city - Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery, famous for the patronage of the Romanov dynasty.Here, in 1613, young Mikhail Romanov was blessed to reign. In addition to the monastery, historical sights of the city that are worth visiting during the tour areTrinity Cathedral, with 17th-century frescoes and Epiphany-Anastasia Monastery with an icon of the Holy Mother of God, which is believed to work miracles.
6. Uglich
Uglich is a historical city in the Yaroslavl region of Russia, located on the Volga. The city was founded in 937 as a border fortress of the Moscow principality. Uglich is one of the most interesting cities of the Golden Ring because it has numerous buildings of ancient architecture.Among them are the Kremlin with a chamber, the Church of Demetrius on Spilled Blood (1692) and the Transfiguration Cathedral, ensembles of the Alekseevsky, Resurrection and Epiphany monasteries (1680).
Uglich has preserved both historical and cultural traditions of Russia.The magnificent museums of Uglich are examples of cultural heritage and ancient Russian traditions.
7. Ples
The city was founded in 1410 by Vasily I as a border post of Muscovy. Plyos is a paradise of the upper reaches of the Volga with a landscape that seems to have been created by an artist’s brush and taken straight from a fairy tale. For centuries, it has been the quintessential Russian provincial city, it has inspired artists to create masterpieces of art. The great Russian artist Levitan created his masterpieces here.
Many attractions and architectural monuments in the city of Plyos have still been preserved.Among them are such famous architectural masterpieces as the Church of the Resurrection of Christ (1699), the Trinity Church (1808), the Vvedenskaya Church (1828), the Assumption Cathedral (1699), the Church of St. Barbara (1821) and kiosks of the 19th century.
In 1982, a state and historical museum, as well as an art museum, were built, which united three other museums: the Levitan Museum, the Plyos Historical Museum and the Landscape Museum.
8. Yaroslavl
Founded in 1010 by Yaroslav the Wise (future Grand Duke of Kiev), it is a large, pleasant, quiet old city.
During the times of ancient Rus', Yaroslavl developed rapidly due to its favorable location along the Volga trade route.In 1218 it became the capital of the independent feudal Yaroslavl principality.In 1463, the Principality merged with the Moscow state.
9. Myshkin
The city has a very specific, unusual name. It is unlikely that Myshkin is able to amaze with architectural masterpieces. Among its attractions are the 18th-century St. Nicholas Cathedral - the oldest building in the city, the Assumption Cathedral of the early 19th century, from the bell tower of which a panorama of Myshkin opens, and several merchant mansions.
The most interesting thing about Myshkin is its small museums, there are more than two dozen of them. The leadership belongs to the Mouse Museum - according to the Guinness Book of Records, the only one in the world.
10. Pereslavl-Zalessky
Pereselavsky-Zalessky, located near Moscow almost in the very center of the Golden Ring of Russia, on the shore of Lake Pleshcheyevo, is an old Russian city famous for its six monasteries - beautiful examples of old Russian architecture. The landmark of the city and the Golden Ring is theThe bottom of the oldest Russian churches is the Transfiguration Cathedral, built in the 1150s and preserved in its original form.
Pereslavl-Zalessky , a city of vivid impressions, whose history was created by such historical figures as Yuri Dolgoruky, Ivan the Terrible, Peter I, Alexander Nevsky. Everything here breathes with antiquity; the rampart ring around the historical center has also been preserved.
Attractions
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Half a century ago, a journalist from the newspaper “Soviet Culture” (now the newspaper “Culture”), Yuri Bychkov, who was passionate about the study of ancient Russian architecture and repeatedly visited historical places, developed a circular route for a trip to 8 ancient cities of Russia. In 1967, he managed to complete his planned trip, after which the journalist wrote a series of essays, soon published under the author’s heading “The Golden Ring.” Thus was born a popular tourist route, which has become the calling card of the country due to the special significance of its intermediate points, which are rightly called Pearls. Each of the cities is a concentration of historical and cultural monuments of Ancient Rus', centers of folk crafts. Anyone can complete this famous route in just one week. However, in order to become more thoroughly acquainted with the heritage of the past and appreciate the beauty and grandeur of the treasure cities, it will take much more time. In our review you will find out what you should pay attention to first of all in both cases.
A trip along the Golden Ring, as a rule, begins from Sergiev Posad (from 1930 to 1991 - the city of Zagorsk), which is located closest to Moscow. The main attraction of the city, its heart is the famous Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius - a monastery founded in the first half of the 14th century by Sergius of Radonezh. It was around the Orthodox monastery that the city began to take shape. The Trinity Monastery, which became the spiritual center of the state, was repeatedly visited by many rulers, including Dmitry Donskoy, Ivan the Terrible, Peter I, Elizaveta Petrovna. A masterpiece of ancient Russian icon painting was born here - “The Trinity” by Andrei Rublev. Over the five centuries of the monastery’s existence, an extensive architectural ensemble has formed around its oldest building, the Trinity Cathedral, which includes about 50 structures erected by the best architects of the country. Among the largest churches of the Sergius Lavra is the Assumption Cathedral, built in the 16th century. Next to the temple there is a tent-tomb for Boris Godunov and his family. The Trinity-Sergius Lavra is a unique open-air museum, viewing the “exhibition” of which can take more than one day.
On the shore of the upper Skitsky (Korbushinsky) pond, 3 km from the monastery, there is the Chernigovsky monastery with a cave church. In the south-eastern outskirts of Sergiev Posad there is a natural monument - the Gremyachiy Klyuch waterfall, the history of which is associated with a number of legends. It is believed that its waters, beating from a crevice in the limestone slope from a height of 25 meters, have miraculous properties.
In addition to outstanding monuments of ancient architecture and picturesque surroundings, Sergiev Posad attracts the attention of tourists with its preserved ancient urban buildings, as well as with the unique and largest collections of its museums - the Sergiev Posad State Historical and Art Museum-Reserve and the Toy Museum. The latter houses one of the symbols of the city - “Zagorskaya Matryoshka” - the first Russian nesting doll, made according to sketches by the local talented artist Sergei Malyutin.
There is no doubt that a visit to the Radonezh land will make an indelible impression not only on pilgrims, but also on everyone who is interested in the history and culture of Russia.
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The territory on which the Russian cities that form the Golden Ring are located was called Zalesskaya land in the Middle Ages, meaning everything that was “beyond the forest” in relation to the Kyiv and Chernigov lands. One of the fortified cities of Zalesye - Pereyaslavl - was founded in 1152 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Since a city under that name already existed (the current Ukrainian city of Pereyaslav-Khmelnitsky), the name of the fortress soon acquired a characteristic definition, and later lost the letter “I”.
Today, a small town on the shores of Lake Pleshcheevo is of great interest as a witness to the centuries-old development of the state, which is reflected in the numerous attractions of this place. What is Pereslavl-Zalessky famous for? Of course, with its rich history, it’s better to start getting acquainted with it from Red Square. It was here that the sovereign’s court with the prince’s chambers was once located, where the great commander Alexander Nevsky was born in 1220, where decrees were announced and regiments gathered. To this day, the ancient white-stone temple, the Transfiguration Cathedral, which was the spiritual center of princely power, has been preserved almost in its original form. At the end of the 17th century, Peter I built a “funny flotilla” on Lake Pleshcheyevo, which laid the foundation for the Russian fleet. The memory of this event is preserved by the museum-estate “Boat of Peter I”, where the only surviving ship of the miniature squadron is exhibited - the wooden boat “Fortune”.
In addition, Pereslavl-Zalessky is one of the centers of Orthodox culture in Russia. Nine ancient churches and five monasteries have survived to this day - Goritsky, Nikitsky, Feodorovsky, Nikolsky, Trinity-Danilov. Four of them are active, and on the territory of the former Goritsky Monastery there is a historical, architectural and art museum-reserve.
It is impossible not to mention the picturesque nature of the region. The pride of the Pereslavl region is the Pleshcheyevo Lake national park, part of which is the Pereslavl dendrological garden, where plants from all over the world are collected. Near Lake Pleshcheevo you can see a ritual stone from the times of pagan Rus' - the Sin-stone.
The unique collections of Pereslavl museums are interesting, including the aforementioned Museum-Reserve and the Boat of Peter I, as well as the Iron Museum, the House of Dummies Museum, the Museum of Crafts, the Museum of Steam Locomotives, etc. Fascinating interactive programs are offered to guests of the city by the center of folk traditions "House Berendey."
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One of the oldest Russian cities, Rostov the Great, traces its history back to 862. Its impressive past explains its abundance of archaeological, historical and cultural monuments. The central place among the attractions is occupied by the Rostov Kremlin - the former Bishop's Court (the residence of the Metropolitan), built in the second half of the 17th century. At this time, the city no longer had defensive significance, so the architectural structure is rather an example of stylization of an ancient Russian fortification, which, however, does not deprive the monument of historical and artistic significance. It was the Rostov Kremlin that became the setting for L. Gaidai’s famous film “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession.” Inside the Kremlin walls there are five churches, the Assumption Cathedral of the 16th century and other historical buildings, which today are occupied by a museum-reserve.
On the territory of the city there are numerous churches and monasteries built between the 13th and 19th centuries. The oldest Orthodox monastery in Rostov is the Avraamiev Epiphany Monastery, the first mention of which dates back to 1261. On the outskirts of the city there is an active Trinity-Sergius Varnitsky Monastery, built in the 15th century in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh, who, according to one version, was born near Rostov. The Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery, located on the shores of Lake Nero, is distinguished by its extraordinary beauty and variety of architectural forms.
In addition to monuments of temple architecture, in the city you can see numerous civil buildings of the 17th - 19th centuries, among which are the only partially preserved stable yard of the 17th century in Russia, Trading Rows, Mytny Dvor, the building of the Gymnasium. A.L. Kekina et al.
Rostov the Great is famous for its arts and crafts, made using the technique of enamel - painting on enamel, which spread here back in the 17th century. An ancient folk craft still lives in the city, rightly considered the center of Russian enamel art. Collections of works by the best masters who worked in this genre are presented in the Rostov Kremlin Museum-Reserve and in the Museum of Enamel at the Rostov Enamel Factory.
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The first Russian city on the Volga, founded by Yaroslav the Wise during his reign in Rostov, crossed the thousand-year mark in 2010. Thanks to a significant number of valuable monuments, Yaroslavl is classified as a capital city of historical, cultural and architectural heritage of world class. Its unique urban structure includes examples of a variety of stylistic trends of the past, thereby allowing us to trace the development of Russian architecture over several centuries. Yaroslavl architecture reached its peak in the 17th century. At the same time, the modern layout of the historical center began to take shape, the compositional dominants of which were majestic churches. The ensemble of the former Transfiguration Monastery, which played a significant role in the history of the development of Yaroslavl, deserves special attention. Today, one of the oldest Russian monasteries is the main territory of the Yaroslavl State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve, where over 300 thousand exhibits are collected, telling in detail about the legendary Yaroslavl land.
One of the most popular attractions of the city is the Volzhskaya Embankment. In addition to the delightful landscapes, here you can see the Volga fortress tower of the 17th century, the Church of the Annunciation (17th - early 18th centuries), a monument to the poet N.A. Nekrasov, whose years of study were spent in Yaroslavl. While walking along the embankment, guests of the city should definitely visit the Museum of Ancient Russian Art, which occupies the ancient Metropolitan Chambers, and the Museum of the History of the City of Yaroslavl, housed in a former merchant estate. In the building of the former governor's house of the 19th century, there is the Yaroslavl Art Museum, which houses a collection of icons from representatives of one of the most famous schools of Russian icon painting - the Yaroslavl school.
The Drama Theatre, created in Yaroslavl in 1750, became the first professional theater in Russia. Therefore, one of the components of a trip to the pearl of the Golden Ring will certainly be a visit to the most ancient temple of performing arts - the Russian Academic Drama Theater named after. F. Volkov, located in the city center, on Volkov Square.
It is difficult to list even some of the main attractions of the ancient city, which certainly confirms that Yaroslavl will captivate any, even the most demanding tourist.
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On the left bank of the Volga, at the old mouth of the Kostroma River, lies an ancient city, whose life path goes back centuries. Kostroma owes its existence to Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, who founded a fortress here in 1152 during a campaign in the land of the Kazan Bulgarians. Since the middle of the 13th century, the city has been known as the center of the Kostroma appanage principality, and already in the 14th century, Kostroma became part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Since that time, its history has been closely connected with the history of the Russian state.
To this day, the city as a whole has retained its unique historical appearance, formed by numerous architectural structures of the 16th-19th centuries. Here, ancient Russian temple architecture and folk wooden architecture coexist with baroque and classicist buildings, buildings in the pseudo-Russian style, erected at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. Among the religious buildings, the most interesting is the majestic Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery, located in the western part of Kostroma. It was from here that the founder of the Romanov dynasty, Mikhail Fedorovich, was called to the kingdom.
A single architectural ensemble of the late 18th - 19th centuries represents the central part of the city. On Susaninskaya Square, named after the national hero, Kostroma peasant Ivan Susanin, there are outstanding monuments of Russian classicism - the building of a former guardhouse, a fire tower, shopping arcades and others. In a number of architectural monuments, various museum institutions have been opened: the historical, architectural and art museum-reserve, the architectural, ethnographic and landscape museum-reserve “Kostromskaya Sloboda”, the Museum of Nature of the Kostroma Region, the Museum-Estate of Flax and Birch Bark, the Museum of Jewelry Art.
In the south of the Kostroma region there is the Shchelykovo estate - the birthplace of the playwright A.N. Ostrovsky. Probably, the picturesque nature and special national flavor of these places inspired the author to create the fairy tale play “The Snow Maiden”. Today there is a memorial and natural museum-reserve of A.N. Ostrovsky. Anyone can plunge into the atmosphere of an ancient Russian estate, visit the Blue House of the Snow Maiden, and learn a lot of new and interesting things about the life and work of the great Russian playwright.
The city's exciting and diverse tourist routes will allow all its guests to get a vivid and unforgettable experience.
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This is the youngest of all the cities of the Golden Ring. Ivanovo-Voznesensk was founded only in 1871. However, the history of its ancestor - the village of the same name - also goes back to the Middle Ages, between the 14th and 16th centuries. In the first half of the 17th century, Ivanovo was a large village with developed crafts and trade. In the 18th century, the first linen manufactories appeared here, which laid the foundation for the fabric production of the future city, which later became the center of the country’s textile industry, and was popularly called the “Cintz Land.” The historical heritage of Ivanovo consists of several factories - monuments of industrial architecture of the 19th century, which have come down to us in almost their original form. Those wishing to see a unique textile collection, as well as rare looms, should go to the Ivanovo Calico Museum.
A number of pre-revolutionary buildings have been preserved in the city - the wooden Assumption Church of the 17th century, the ensemble of the Vvedensky Convent (early 20th century), a complex of buildings of the local history and regional art museums, etc. The oldest civil building in Ivanovo is the Shchudrovskaya tent of the 17th century (originally an official hut, then - a printing factory). Ivanovo differs from other cities on the route by the presence of a large number of historical and revolutionary monuments, as well as architectural monuments of the constructivist era, including the Ship House (1930), Horseshoe House (1934), etc.
Ivanovo stands on the picturesque bank of the Uvod River, which makes a visit to the “City of Brides” doubly pleasant.
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According to chronicle sources, the founding date of Suzdal is considered to be 1024. At the beginning of the 12th century, the city was the center of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality, and at the end of the 14th century it became part of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. The oldest witness to its centuries-old history was the Suzdal Kremlin, which includes valuable historical and architectural monuments - the Nativity Cathedral (XIII century), the Bishop's Chambers (XV-XVIII centuries), several churches, including the ancient St. Nicholas Church (1766).
Since the 16th century, active construction of monasteries has been carried out in Suzdal, five of which have survived to this day. The obligatory cultural program for exploring the city includes the Pokrovsky and Spaso-Evfimiev monasteries, founded in the second half of the 14th century. Next to the latter there is a rare monument of residential urban planning at the turn of the 17th-18th centuries - the Posadsky House, which in stone forms repeats the architecture of wooden houses of that time. Today, the ancient building is occupied by a museum that recreates the life of a merchant townsman in Suzdal.
In the center of the city there is Torgovaya Square, the ensemble of which consists of several churches of the 18th century and Gostiny Dvor (Trading Rows), built in 1806–1811. Of great interest is the oldest church of the Vladimir-Suzdal land, one of the earliest white-stone buildings in North-Eastern Rus' - the Church of Boris and Gleb, located on the eastern outskirts of the city, in the village of Kideksha. The Museum of Wooden Architecture will tell about Russian peasant life, where authentic exhibits are collected: the hut of a middle peasant, the house of a wealthy peasant, windmills, a barn-storage, a wheel well, a bathhouse and others.
Suzdal is a unique city-reserve that has managed to preserve not only its original architectural appearance, but also the spirit of ancient Russian culture.
Read completely CollapseDespite the fact that the center of Vladimir has now been significantly rebuilt, the city has managed to preserve its fascinating historical atmosphere, which so attracts tourists from all over the world. The Old Russian capital is the owner of a huge number of historical and architectural monuments, three of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. These are the triumphal Golden Gate, which from the middle of the 12th century formed the main entrance to the princely domains, the white stone Assumption and Demetrius Cathedrals, built at the end of the same century. Not far from the Golden Gate there is a church in pseudo-Gothic style - the Catholic Church of the Holy Rosary, built at the end of the 19th century. An interesting monument of engineering, technical and industrial architecture dating back to the 19th century. XX centuries - The water tower, which has been occupied by the Old Vladimir Museum since 1971. This and other museum institutions are united by the world-famous Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve, which includes more than 50 architectural monuments of the 12th-20th centuries. One of its exhibition halls is the last religious pre-revolutionary building - the former Old Believer Church of the Holy Trinity, where today the Museum of Crystal and Lacquer Miniatures is located.
The glorious city of Vladimir can become both the beginning of a classic tourist route and its magnificent ending.
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The most popular excursion route in the country - the Golden Ring of Russia - is known far beyond the borders of our homeland. Tens of thousands of foreigners come every year to visit and look at the sights of ancient Rus'. But even such popularity still cannot answer the main question - how many cities are included in this route?
There are only 8 officially recognized cities of the Golden Ring, but some sources call 12, and some even double this figure. The Vipgeo portal offers you to familiarize yourself with the list of cities of the Golden Ring of Russia and find out what you can see in them?
Sergiev Posad
As soon as Sergiev Posad is called as part of the route - the pearl of the Golden Ring, and its heart, and the unofficial capital. And all these epithets will be true - any organized tour will begin with Sergiev Posad, whether you like it or not.
Of course, the central attraction of the city is the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, which gave its name to the settlement that arose around the monastery of one of the most revered Russian saints. Excursions are held here regularly, and the number of pilgrims and ordinary tourists at any time of the year is so large that in any case you will have to endure queues and other inconveniences.
You can walk around the monastery itself in a couple of days, but the Toy Museum will take you much less time. But it’s worth a visit if you’re interested in the history of this fishery.
Important: The Lavra has its own hotel that welcomes not only pilgrims, but also tourists. Therefore, if you want to stay in Posad for a few days and learn more interesting things about the monastery, it is better to stay there.
Vladimir
Anyone who says that it is worth visiting the ancient city of Vladimir only for the Golden Gate of the 12th century simply has not studied history. Today there are several dozen architectural monuments of federal significance in the city. Among them, in addition to the Gate, there are also UNESCO sites:
The Assumption Cathedral is one of the few churches of pre-Mongol Rus';
Dmitrievsky Cathedral is also an architectural monument of the 12th century.
In addition, on the territory of Vladimir and in its suburbs there are several very specific museums, for example, the museum at the Vladimir Central prison or the interactive exhibition area Borodin's Forge.
What exactly to dedicate your visit to Vladimir - modernity or antiquity - is up to you to decide. But any excursion can harmoniously combine these directions.
Suzdal
Without visiting Suzdal for at least a few hours, it is impossible to visit Vladimir, even if you are exploring the Golden Ring on your own. The cities are 30 km apart from each other, so there will be no problems with logistics.
The core of the city and the key attraction is the Suzdal Kremlin, built, according to the most conservative estimates, in the 10th century. Of course, the Nativity Cathedral and the Bishops' Chambers appeared much later, but the first earthen fortifications date back to the dawn of the Russian state.
Pilgrims and admirers of Orthodox architecture will find plenty of peace in Suzdal - within the city alone there are as many as 6 monasteries, and this takes into account the fact that you can walk from the center to the outskirts in literally an hour.
Among the secular buildings of Suzdal, you should definitely see the Trading Rows and the unique Museum of Wooden Architecture.
Rostov Veliky
Everyone knows that Rostov is not only on the Don, but also a little to the north - on the route of the Golden Ring. And yes, there is also a Rostov Kremlin here, which is the main point of any excursion. Many people take it from the film “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession,” but few people thought that on its territory there are several important architectural monuments:
Assumption Cathedral of the 16th century and Belfry of the 17th century;
Church of the Savior on Seny;
Church of St. John the Evangelist;
Red Chamber of the 17th century.
Rostov the Great also became famous for its “home” museums - exhibition venues located in historical mansions or in antique-style houses:
Museum of Rostov Merchants;
Museum of the Rostov Enamel Factory;
Horse Gallery;
Lukova Sloboda;
Academy of fish soup “Pike Dvor”;
Craft yard "Firebird".
Pereslavl-Zalessky
For pilgrims, Pereslavl-Zalessky is 4 operating and two more Orthodox monasteries converted into museums. It is deservedly considered the most spiritually rich city of the Golden Ring after Sergiev Posad.
The city's shrines are:
Holy Trinity Monastery;
Nikolsky Monastery;
Feodorovsky Monastery.
But it is the closed monasteries that have always attracted more interest among tourists:
Sretensky Novodevichy Convent;
Goritsky Monastery.
And, like in Rostov, Pereslavl has its own thematic museums, which sometimes have no analogues in the world, for example:
Iron Museum;
Teapot Museum;
Kvass Museum;
Tea Museum.
Yaroslavl
There are hardly many cities in the world whose entire areas would be recognized by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage of Humanity, but our Yaroslavl is among them. The historical center of the city is the subject of special protection by the world's defenders of antiquity and at the same time is the main place for all excursions related to the Golden Ring.
Of course, acquaintance with Yaroslavl most often begins with the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, which appeared in the city during the reign of Ivan III. It has reached our time in a fairly reconstructed form, but this has not diminished its value. Many tourists always climb the belfry of the main cathedral to view almost the entire city from its height.
Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery
In addition, particularly valuable architectural monuments of Yaroslavl include:
Gostiny Dvor;
Demidov pillar;
Zatrapeznov Estate;
Vakhrameev mansion;
Rozhkov's house.
At the same time, no one cancels walks along the Volzhskaya embankment, or Strelka, as it is commonly called here. Three key museums of Yaroslavl are within walking distance from it:
Art Museum;
Museum of History;
Museum "Music and Time".
Kostroma
Kostroma was once famous for its Kremlin and the exploits of the legendary Ivan Susanin, but now people come here as part of the Golden Ring of Russia route for peace, Volga landscapes and ancient architecture that survived the turbulent beginning of the 20th century.
Now all official excursions in Sovereign Kostroma begin with a tour of the territory of the Ipatiev Monastery - the pearl of 17th-century architecture. Among the key objects of the monastery:
Chambers of the Romanovs;
Catherine's Gate;
Archimandrite Corps.
The museums of Kostroma are known far beyond the borders of Russia - these are exemplary exhibition complexes from a historical point of view, dedicated to the people's most beloved crafts, famous personalities and even folklore heroes. The following are considered mandatory visits:
Museum of Flax and Birch Bark;
Museum of Peter's Toy;
Museum of Wooden Architecture;
Romanov Museum;
The Snow Maiden's Tower.
Ivanovo
The favorite saying that Ivanovo is the city of brides has already settled so deeply in the minds of any Russian-speaking person that many are beginning to forget about the true historical significance of this place. Of course, sewing factories have long turned into modern factories, but it is not for them that thousands of tourists come here every year.
The specific format of excursions around Ivanovo is a march through museums, including:
Ivanovo Calico Museum;
Museum of the First Council.
But the architectural delights of Ivanovo no longer belong to antiquity, but to the era of industrialization - in the 1930s, the city was actively built up, including experimental projects by outstanding Soviet architects. Tour groups are brought to such objects as:
House-Ship;
House of the Collective;
Horseshoe House;
Regional Bank;
Ivanovo Post Office.
The oldest building in the city, and one of the few pre-revolutionary buildings, is the Shchudrovskaya Tent, built in the 17th century.
Cities included in the Golden Ring
In addition to the main 8 cities of the official Golden Ring of Russia route, the following cities are often included in it:
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Yuriev-Polsky;
Alexandrov;
Gus-Khrustalny;
It is best to visit each of the cities on your own, so as not to be limited in time and in the excursion program.
Is it worth visiting the cities of the Golden Ring during the holidays? (opinion)
You can often see questions on travel forums about whether it is worth going to the popular cities of the Golden Ring of Russia for the holidays - New Year, Christmas and Easter? And no less often are the answers that this is absolutely impossible to do - there are too many people, prices are soaring, etc.
In fact, as those tourists who independently built their travel route by car say, on holidays each of the ancient Russian cities has a unique atmosphere. Yes, there are quite a lot of people, but this is not comparable to the excitement at night sales or the notorious queue at the Mausoleum. Even if many people come to a festive service at the Lavra or any other large temple, no crowds have been observed for the last 10 years.
And those tourists who are used to eating or living directly in the tourist area are right about prices. Of course, restaurants near the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius or the Rostov Kremlin will be indecently expensive, especially on holidays. But if you literally cross the street, it’s quite possible to find an inexpensive cafe or hotel with reasonable prices. Another thing is whether there will be free places there.
Also, experienced guests of the Golden Ring warn about problems with transport on holidays and weekends - sometimes you have to wait for hours for intercity buses. Therefore, it is worth thinking about a car tour.
Many people living in Russia, and in other countries, know that there is a Golden Ring of Russia, and many would also like to visit cities that fit into the Golden Ring. But few people know what these cities are and why they were placed in the Golden Ring of Russia.
What it is?
The Golden Ring of Russia is called a route created for tourists, it connects the oldest cities of Russia, these cities are of historical value for Russia, they also carry the cultural heritage of Russia, these cities contain the oldest and rarest monuments of their kind. Among the many cities there are eight main ones. The cities belong to the territory of Moscow and neighboring regions:
- Pereslavl-Zalessky;
- Sergiev Posad;
- Yaroslavl;
- Rostov Veliky;
- Suzdal;
- Ivanovo;
- Kostroma;
- Vladimir.
There are also disputes over other cities whose heritage is of great importance to Russia, and it is not uncommon for visits to such cities to be included in some circuit tours.
Back in 1967 a Moscow journalist was sent to do a short report about the city of Suzdal, and the journalist wrote not only about Suzdal, but also about other ancient cities that are located along the Yaroslavl highway. In the article, Yuri Bychkov used the name of the route he himself invented - the Golden Ring of Russia.
To all travelers to the beautiful country of Russia just need to make a visit to the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia. The frescoes of the Assumption Cathedral are only a small part of all architectural structures of Ancient Rus'.
Traveling along a long route
We invite you to take a closer look at this tourist route. To begin with, it should be noted some features of terminology. The specifics of the tourism business determines many names for tourist routes.
Without going into details, we note that initially there were eight cities in the Golden Ring. This route is a classic one, but is now often called the small Golden Ring.
It is not difficult to understand that if there is a small ring, then there is also a big. Indeed, such a route exists and includes about twenty cities. Moreover, the composition of this route may vary; there is no such precision as the classic version.
What is included in the expanded composition?
Each city is interesting in its own way; let’s highlight the most interesting sights of the cities of the large Golden Ring.
Let's start with the most ancient monastery in Russia, preserved from 1371.
This building is located in the long-suffering Uglich, which was completely burned down several times and although it is one of the most ancient cities (first mentioned in 900 AD), it has mainly preserved buildings of the 16th century, in addition to the previously mentioned Alekseevsky Monastery.
Let's continue in Veliky Ustyug, which is also sometimes referred to as the large Golden Ring. Of course, it is most interesting to go here with children, who will be able to visit Santa Claus both in winter and summer. Although it is also interesting for adults: there are more than enough beautiful churches, as they say, and in addition there is the opportunity to purchase magnificent handicrafts made of silver, birch bark and other materials.
If we continue to talk about living attractions, such as Santa Claus, then we should continue with the so-called Rostov bells. This term refers to the bells of various churches and cathedrals, which have an amazing sound.
In almost every city on the route there are magnificent Orthodox monasteries. There is an amazing, peaceful atmosphere there; if you are limited in time, you can visit only the main ones (believe me, you will have enough positive impressions):
- the Paraclete hermitage and the Chernigov temple near the Trinity-Sergius Lavra;
- Goritsky, Danilov, Fedorovsky, Nikitsky monasteries in Pereslavl-Zalessky;
- Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery in Yaroslavl;
- Ipatievsky in Kostroma.
Undoubtedly, in Sergiev Posad you should look at the works of Andrei Rublev.
Popular travel options
There are several options for traveling along the Golden Circle. Some people even prefer to hitchhike. Main options the following:
- by car;
- by bus independently or as part of a tourist trip;
- to hitchhike;
- by train;
- cruise on the Volga (in summer).
The most interesting and convenient options are car travel and cruise. We will consider these options further.
Do you want to hitchhike? Useful tips especially for you are in the next section.
By car on your own
The option with a car is attractive because it allows you to choose your route. Try as much as possible create a route so that you have about two days to stay in each city. Regarding accommodation, there are a considerable number of quite affordable options.
Of course, the possibilities for such a trip would be almost limitless if it were not for a characteristic feature of Russia - the quality of roads.
Not everywhere there are federal highways, and not everywhere the roads are ideal for your car. This fact when planning a route should be considered and choose the routes that are most convenient for you.
For example, the roads leading to Pereslavl-Zalessoky and Veliky Rostov are not the best. If the suspension of your car is not the standard of strength, it is quite possible to drive from Sergiev Posad to Yaroslavl, but first things first. For example, let's take the classic route.
The first point is Sergiev Posad, from which Pereslavl-Zalessky is about seventy kilometers. However, you should allow at least two hours for the journey due to the quality of the route. Next comes Veliky Rostov, which is not much more than sixty kilometers from the previous point, but here again you should give a margin of time.
From Rostov the Great the route runs to Yaroslavl, it is replete with traffic police posts and is about 60 kilometers. From here the road leads to cozy Kostroma, which is located 86 kilometers away, and then a little over a hundred kilometers to the weaving city of Ivanovo.
Although the roads to Ivanovo are of tolerable quality, it can be inconvenient for traffic inspectors, who in this city are actively interested in visitors from other regions, perhaps guarding their marriageable girls.
Now we have to go to Suzdal - one of the most interesting cities on the route, about eighty kilometers from Ivanovo. Completes the journey the road from Suzdal to Vladimir, which is a little over 30 kilometers and is of high quality.
Cruise by boat
Just like in the previous version, here tourists can vary the content of the route. Some travel companies offer only eight “classic” cities, while others supplement the trip with other cities and attractions in every possible way. To the delight of tourists, the cities of the route are almost completely framed by rivers; motor ships ply along the rivers:
- Volga;
- Moscow;
- Oka.
Accordingly, which trip to choose depends entirely on you. As a rule, Moscow tour operators offer more interesting and varied options, but then you will need to go to Moscow, where the cruises begin. At the same time, it is quite possible to start a journey from other cities that have their own river ports, for example, from or or Yaroslavl.
The excursion program always includes some cities from the main route, which can be supplemented by other ancient cities of Russia. For example, Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan or Kasimov are often included in the trip.
It should be noted that there are various thematic tours, which are much more interesting to travel to.
Of course, during a long trip of two or more weeks you will be able to fully explore the cities of the route and learn a lot of new things, but often it is possible to spend no more than a week on a cruise, or even less. Then we advise you to choose a thematic tour that is dedicated to a specific area, some historical events, or has interesting specifics.
If we evaluate attractiveness of cruises, then they certainly represent an almost optimal option for summer tourism. Traveling along rivers creates a certain atmosphere and allows you to better experience the route.
Small Tour Tour - Classic Eight
As mentioned earlier, this term refers to the classic “eight” cities.
One of the most alluring cities– Sergiev Posad, they also gave it the name “Russian Vatican”. Sergiev Posad attracts with its history, directly related to religion. But in turn, he is obliged to the Trinity Monastery. Since the construction of the Trinity Monastery became the reason for the construction of the city of Sergiev Posad.
Also one interesting city is Pereslavl-Zalessky. In modern times, it is a large industrial city, but it never ceases to attract many people.
It attracts with its leisurely life, comfort and silence. In this city there are monasteries built back in the 14th-17th centuries: Goritsky Uspensky, Trinity Danilov, Fedorovsky, Nikitsky monasteries.
Many monuments are located in the city of Ivanovo, in the year there are architectural structures of many eras, they are not as well known as in other cities of the Golden Ring, but they also attract a large number of people with their antiquity. Ivanovo is also known by the same name as “the city of brides”.
Rostov Veliky is a museum city. Many, although they have not been there, have repeatedly seen the Rostov Kremlin, because it was there that Gaidai’s famous comedy about Ivan Vasilevich was filmed. In addition to the Kremlin, there are a huge number of attractions, many of which are more than a thousand years old.
Yaroslavl is considered one of the most beautiful cities on the route. In the city center there are a huge number of buildings from the 16th century. You could also see the sights of this city without visiting the city, since a thousand ruble banknote is dedicated to Yaroslavl.
Suzdal Previously, it was a major center of crafts and trade, although now it is difficult to imagine this, because no more than a couple of tens of thousands of people live in the city. The only evidence of its former greatness are numerous historical buildings. A considerable number of films have been filmed here and excellent mead is made here.
Vladimir is home to several magnificent 12th century cathedrals and magnificent ancient gates. The city is protected by UNESCO.
In Kostroma Many architectural ensembles from the Middle Ages have been preserved. The central part of the city includes ancient temples and monasteries. The city is certainly one of the most beautiful in the Moscow region.
Which city is the most beautiful?
It is difficult to name any specific city, because everyone is original and unique, and in the aesthetic sphere there are no such precise definitions. Here it seems more relevant to focus on personal preferences.
For example, for someone more beautiful cozy and sparsely populated Suzdal, which has no tall buildings. Some people like big cities where they can feel the majesty of Rus', for example, Vladimir, which was previously the capital of an ancient state.
An overview of the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia - in the following video:
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Of the many routes around Russia, tours along the Golden Ring have become especially popular. Even during the Soviet era, even foreign travelers showed interest in this destination - the Golden Ring was called the country’s tourist pride. Today, little has changed, except that the popularity of such tours has increased many times, and the program has expanded significantly.
Cities of the Golden Ring
Gold ring is a term that appeared in 1967. It was introduced by art critic and journalist Yuri Bychkov. In “Soviet Culture” he published essays about the cities of Ancient Rus', uniting them under the general title “Golden Ring”. A series of Golden Ring routes pass through cities that have preserved unique historical monuments, culture and crafts. The composition of the cities of each tour changes, but at the core there are eight main ones.
Kostroma- a city interesting for its monuments of provincial classicism and historical layout. Its main attraction is the Ipatiev Monastery, which is closely connected with key events in Russian history. Kostroma has also become famous for its churches and museums.
Pereslavl-Zalessky- a picturesque city with many museums. Among the most visited are the Historical and Architectural Museum, the Iron Museum, and the Peter I Boat Museum. It is worth visiting the Nikitsky Monastery, the Transfiguration Cathedral and Lake Pleshcheyevo. It is of glacial origin and is recognized as a protected area.
When mentioned Sergiev Posad the image of his shrine - the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - appears before your eyes. Thanks to her, the city attracts not only tourist groups, but also many pilgrims. This is the largest active monastery in Russia, which should be treated with special respect.
Ivanovo- not only the old Russian city. In the past, it was a center of constructivism, so here you can see a record number of buildings in this style. In Ivanovo, the Calico Museum, the Holy Vvedensky Monastery and the unique Church of the Assumption are of interest.
Pearls of the Golden Ring: the main cities of the route
Each of the cities of the Golden Ring is of great importance for the history of Russia. But there are real pearls for which tourists choose this route. The main place in the Golden Ring is reserved for Rostov the Great. Thanks to its abundance of monuments, it was destined to become a Russian center of tourism and pilgrimage.
The heart of the city is the Rostov Kremlin, built in the 17th century. The architectural ensemble unites the Assumption Cathedral and its belfry, the Church of Hodegetria, the Judgment Order, and the Holy Gate. It is impossible to see all the Kremlin buildings in a day. You need to study its architecture, the richest collection of icons and museum collections (exhibitions of Ancient Russian Art, Art Gallery) for a long time and thoughtfully.
Rostov is also famous for its monasteries. It is worth visiting the Borisoglebsky, Abrahamievo-Epiphany and Spaso-Yakovlevsky monasteries.
Yaroslavl- one of the oldest cities on the Volga, on whose territory there are 150 important architectural monuments. The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery is worthy of attention here. He became famous for the fact that it was in him that “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” was discovered. The monastery houses rare frescoes from the time of Ivan IV, icons and objects of ancient Russian art.
The peculiarity of Yaroslavl is more than 30 ancient temples and churches. You won’t be able to see everything in a short time, but it’s worth visiting the Church of Elijah the Prophet. The city's rich history is reflected in the collections of its museums. Mainly in the exhibition of the Museum of the History of the City, where you can see ancient icons, ancient household items, coins and archaeological finds.
Vladimir- the city on which the Golden Ring “rests”. It preserved monuments of white stone architecture, examples of which were the magnificent Dmitrievsky and Assumption Cathedrals. It is impossible not to visit the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum with a priceless collection of Russian crafts, merchant household items and icons.
Suzdal- another city of the Golden Ring and an open-air museum. Its center was the Kremlin, which preserved the moats of the ancient fortress, several churches and bishops' chambers, in which a collection of jewelry, household items, coins and parts of cathedrals is exhibited.
The Spaso-Evfimievsky Monastery with its intact wall paintings and frescoes is of great interest to tourists. Also in Suzdal you can attend master classes on making clay products, weaving birch bark baskets and preparing traditional dishes.
At different times, many cities sought to become part of the Golden Ring - after all, this could guarantee a stable flow of tourists. Today the most complete list looks like this (with the exception of the main eight): Alexandrov, Bogolyubovo,