Golden ring of ancient Russian cities and the Volga region. Golden Ring of Russia: how many cities does it include? Yaroslavl - the true pearl of the Golden Ring

When making plans for how to spend a vacation or weekend, you should pay attention to a tourist route Russia, known far beyond its borders. And although the sights of the cities that are part of the Golden Ring are not as old as , they have managed to gain popularity among both domestic and foreign travelers.

Which cities are included in the Golden Ring of Russia?

List of cities included in the tourist route " Golden ring", just a few years ago included 8 settlements that at one time were part of the Vladimir Principality. But this list is expanding, and today Kaluga and Kasimov are officially included in it. It can be assumed that the list will continue to be replenished with new cities (in any case, such a statement was made by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation). But getting into the Golden Ring is not so easy: every locality applying for this must prove that it is worthy of being included in the most popular tourist route in Russia.

The first mention in chronicles of the capital of the Golden Ring dates back to 1108. This is one of the most ancient cities included in the tourist route. It was founded by Vladimir Monomakh on the banks of the Klyazma River (mainly on the left). Vladimir experienced ups and downs, was the most influential settlement and capital of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, and since 1609 it has suffered more than one attack by Lithuanian-Polish troops. Today the city's population is about 350 thousand people, and on its territory there are 239 architectural landmarks protected by the state.

What comes first? We recommend that you first go to the Assumption Cathedral, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first church building made of white stone was erected in 1158-1160 by order of the Vladimir prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. The cathedral survived several fires, desolation, was closed during the Soviet period, and today a museum is organized on its territory and religious services are held. Among the valuable historical attractions of the Assumption Cathedral are genuine fragments of Andrei Rublev's frescoes, 19th-century paintings and a tomb where princes and church ministers were buried.

The masterpiece of Russian architecture – the Golden Gate – is also worth seeing. They were also built under Andrei Bogolyubsky in 1164. The Golden Gate was intended for the grand entry into the city of the prince and his retinue. They repeatedly burned out and were destroyed, but each time they were restored. Under Catherine the Great, a gate church was built, and in 1991 the relics of Seraphim of Sarov were transported through them.

What else is worth visiting in Vladimir:

• Patriarchal Gardens.
• Mother of God-Rozhdestvensky monastery.
• Trinity Church.
• Museum complex "Chambers".
• Cathedral of Demetrius of Thessalonica.
• Catholic Church of the Holy Rosary.
• St. Nicholas Kremlin Church.
• House-museum of the Stoletov brothers.

You can call it a museum city. On its territory, tourists will see 200 historical monuments and attractions, all of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Judging by ancient chronicles, Suzdal was founded in 1024. It was the capital of the Rostov-Suzdal principality of Yuri Dolgorukov, and survived the invasions of the Volga Bulgars and Crimean Tatars. During Soviet times, many architectural sights of Suzdal were destroyed, churches were taken away from believers. Despite its difficult history, the city is still a treasury of national culture, which annually attracts thousands of tourists from all corners of the globe.

And first you should go to the Suzdal Kremlin. It is located in a bend of the Kamenka River, where defensive fortifications were erected in the 12th century and the city's first cathedral was built. Nowadays there is a museum on the territory of the Kremlin, which displays an extensive exhibition telling about the history of the city. Valuable exhibits from the Nativity Cathedral were also moved here.

The Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery was built in the 14th century as a defensive structure. On its territory there is the crypt of Prince Mikhail Pozharsky and a prison castle, where prisoners under Catherine the Great were kept, and during the Soviet period, German prisoners of war. While visiting the monastery, tourists will be able to hear the bell ringing and see the ancient clock on the tower.

What else to see:

• Bishop's Chambers.
• Mother of God Nativity Cathedral.
• Assumption Church.
• Wooden St. Nicholas Church.
• Elias Church.
• Pokrovsky Monastery.
• Entry of Jerusalem and Pyatnitskaya churches.
• Deposition of Robe Monastery.
• Church of Cosmas and Damian on Yarunova Gora.
• Museum of Wooden Architecture.

Of the entire Golden Ring tourist route, Ivanovo is the youngest city. Its history began in 1871 thanks to the merger of the village of Ivanovo, an old flax processing center, and Voznesensky Posad, an industrial city. Ivanovo chintz has long gained world fame, and the city itself is called the textile capital of Russia. But there are also interesting sights here that allowed the settlement to become part of the Golden Ring.

The main museum of the city - Industry and Art - appeared in Ivanovo thanks to the local manufacturer and public figure Dmitry Burylin. The collection included more than 100 bladed weapons and firearms, Japanese samurai equipment, orders, medals and other valuable exhibits, for the exhibition of which a separate building was built. Its architect was P. A. Trubnikov, and the materials for the house in the neoclassical style were brought from Italy.

Another attraction of Ivanovo is the Duringer estate. The Art Nouveau building was built for a wealthy Swiss at the beginning of the 20th century. The strict medieval appearance and the three-tiered round tower make the estate look like an ancient castle. Local residents say that the house contains countless treasures of the Swiss, which have not yet been found. And according to another legend, the owner of the house was buried in a closed coffin not only because of a contagious disease (Dühringer died of smallpox in 1919), but also because all his wealth was hidden under the coverlet.

What else is worth seeing in Ivanovo:

• Museum of Ivanovo chintz.
• Monuments of constructivism: ship house, bird house, horseshoe house.
• Shchudrovskaya tent.
• Art Square.
• Museum of the Soviet Automotive Industry.
• Museum of the artist A.I. Morozov.
• Vvedensky Monastery.
• House-museum of the Bubnov family.
• Assumption Monastery.
• Preobrazhensky Cathedral.
• Kazan Church.

The story begins around 1152. The city is the same age as the capital of the Russian Federation and one of the points on the Golden Ring tourist route. Its founder was Yuri Dolgoruky, and during the reign of Prince Vasily Yaroslavovich the city was considered the capital of North-Eastern Rus'. It was at this time that Kostroma flourished: monasteries, temples and other architectural attractions were built. During the reign of Catherine II, Kostroma was one of the first to receive its own coat of arms Russian cities. Today, its appearance miraculously combines ancient architectural structures and modern buildings.

One of the main historical attractions of the city is the Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery, located on the banks of the Kostroma River. It was here that the founder of the Romanov dynasty, Mikhail Fedorovich, was crowned king, for whom the monastery turned out to be a haven during the period of Polish intervention. It is difficult to say what the monastery looked like before 1649 - an exploding barrel of gunpowder destroyed the wooden church to the ground. Today, on the territory of the monastery, tourists can see more than 10 historically significant buildings: the chambers of the Romanov boyars, the Catherine Gate, the Trinity Cathedral with a belfry, and the bishop's building. Within the walls of the monastery are kept the unique Ipatiev Chronicle, the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God and part of the Robe of the Lord.

The Epiphany-Anastasia Monastery is also definitely worth seeing in Kostroma. It was founded by one of the students of Sergius of Radonezh in the 16th century. During troubled times, the monastery was plundered by the troops of False Dmitry II and only partially restored by the middle of the 17th century. Unfortunately, the unique frescoes made by S. Savin and G. Nikitin have not survived to this day. Today here is one of the main shrines of the Romanov dynasty - the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God.

Other city attractions:

• Shopping arcades.
• Guardhouse.
• Fire Tower.
• Romanov Museum.
• House of General Borschov.
• Museum-reserve "Kostromskaya Sloboda".
• Museum of Jewelry Art.
• Museum of Flax and Birch Bark.
• Church of the Resurrection on Debra.
• Monument to Ivan Susanin.
• Sledovo estate.
• The Snow Maiden's Tower.

At the confluence of the small river Kotorosl and the Volga in 1010, Yaroslav the Wise founded a fortress. When Moscow was occupied by the Poles, Yaroslavl became the capital of the state for some time. This is also the time when it flourished cultural life and construction. Craftsmen and artists from all over Russia came to the city to build churches and monasteries. Under Catherine the Great, large parks and mansions appeared, built in a new style. The city with more than 1000 years of history is one of the main points of the Golden Ring tourist route. In addition, Yaroslavl was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.

The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery was built in the 12th century outside the city walls as one of the defensive structures and is still considered the main attraction of Yaroslavl. A religious school operated here (one of the first in North-Eastern Rus') and a library was collected. An important value is the handwritten copy of “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.” During troubled times, the monastery held back the onslaught of Polish troops, from here Minin and Pozharsky with the militia set off to liberate Moscow. Today on its territory you can see the Kopeyka Monument, the Blagovestnik Bell, the Uglich and Mikhailovskaya towers, and the stele “The Oath of Prince Pozharsky.”

Many have seen the Church of John the Baptist on the 1000-ruble bill, and it is located in Tolchkovskaya Sloboda. The temple was built at the expense of local merchants. An interesting feature of the church is that the main dome does not have the traditional onion shape, but is made in the shape of a concave bowl. All details of the temple are covered with grass ornaments, and scenes from the Bible are placed on 9 tiers. But the most amazing thing about the design of the Church of John the Baptist is the unique fresco painting of the 17th century.

Other attractions of Yaroslavl:

• Church of Elijah the Prophet.
• Yaroslavl Museum-Reserve.
• Kazan Convent.
• Metropolitan Chambers.
• Museum-reserve of N. A. Nekrasov “Karabikha”.
• Demidovsky garden.
• Monument to Yaroslav the Wise.
• Museum "Music and Time".

50 km from Yaroslavl there is a city, the first mention of which can be found in the “Tale of Bygone Years” (862). In order not to be confused with, it is called Rostov the Great - that is how it was named in the Ipatiev Chronicle. Since 1151, the city has been the center of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality; many architectural landmarks have survived to this day, and some were even used for filming films. For example, the Rostov Kremlin can be seen in the film “Ivan Vasilyevich changes his profession.”

Initially, the Rostov Kremlin was the residence of bishops, which is why it is sometimes called the Metropolitan and Bishops' Court. Today the ensemble includes 5 temples and other architectural attractions, surrounded by a high fortress wall. The famous Rostov bell ringing also attracts tourists here. The belfry was built in 1682-1687. Here is a bell weighing 33 tons, named “Sysoev” in honor of the father of the bell customer, Metropolitan Jonah Sysoevich.

If you want to see something unusual in Rostov, then go to the Museum of Enamel. This is what enamel was called in ancient times, and Russian masters adopted the painting technique from Byzantine craftsmen. Today the museum exhibits more than 1.5 thousand miniatures made in this style. The exhibition is located on the territory of the Rostov Enamel factory. Tourists will not only be able to listen to an interesting story from the guide about the development of the craft, but also take part in a master class on painting metal products.

What else you need to see in Rostov Veliky:

• House of Crafts.
• Museum of Rostov merchants.
• Church of the Savior at Torg.
• Church of St. John the Evangelist on Ishna.
• Avraamiev Epiphany Monastery.
• Mother of God Nativity Monastery.
• Art gallery "Horse".

Traveling along the Golden Ring of Russia, one cannot help but look into the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky. It was founded by order of Prince Yuri Dolgoruky in 1152 on the shore of Lake Pleshcheevo. It was here that the Amusing Flotilla of Peter the Great was built. Despite the small size of the city, it can compete with others in terms of the number of architectural monuments settlements, included in the Golden Ring. But Pereslavl-Zalessky is interesting not only for its temples and monasteries - unusual museums will give tourists their share of positive emotions.

Nikitsky is considered one of the most ancient monasteries in the city. It was erected in the mid-12th century by order of the son of Vladimir Krasnoe Solnyshko, Prince Boris Vladimirovich. So he wanted to convert the pagans living in Pereslavl-Zalessky to the Christian faith. Nikita Stylite brought fame to the monastery. He served as a tax collector under Prince Yuri Dolgoruky and had the reputation of a self-seeker and bribe-taker. But a prophetic vision changed Nikita’s life, and he took monastic vows. They say that he had the gift of healing and exorcism. Today, on the territory of the Nikitsky Monastery, tourists will be able to see the Cathedral of the Great Martyr Nikita, the Tent and New Bell Towers, the refectory chamber with the Annunciation Church and the stone chapel. Many of the buildings, as well as the walls of the monastery, were built under Ivan the Terrible.

In the very center of Pereslavl-Zalessky there is the Transfiguration Cathedral. Construction of the temple began under Yuri Dolgoruky, and its construction was completed by the prince’s son, Andrei Bogolyubsky. According to historical data, Alexander Nevsky was baptized in the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. Despite the fact that the temple was repeatedly remodeled, it managed to preserve the individuality and characteristic atmosphere of ancient Russian churches. Now the cathedral is undergoing a large-scale reconstruction, and you can only get inside on major Orthodox holidays.

Main attractions of Pereslavl-Zalessky:

• St. Vladimir's Cathedral.
• Blue stone.
• Nikolsky Monastery.
• Berendey's house.
• Goritsky Monastery.
• Iron Museum and Teapot Museum.
• Museum-estate "Boat of Peter I".
• Museum of cunning and ingenuity.
• Church of the Intercession.
• Russian park.
• Museum "Kingdom of Vendace".
• Feodorovsky Monastery.

The only representative of the Moscow region in the list of cities of the Golden Ring was founded thanks to Sergius of Radonezh. In fact, it was formed around the Trinity Monastery more than 700 years ago. Peasants began to settle in the surrounding area, creating entire settlements of artisans. But in 1408 the monastery was burned down during an attack by the Tatar Khan Edigei. The successor of Sergius of Radonezh, Abbot Nikon, took up the restoration of the monastery. Since 1993, the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Assumption Cathedral, founded by order of Ivan the Terrible, attracts special attention from tourists. The tsar himself never saw the completion of construction - the work went on for 26 years. The best masters from Troitsk and Yaroslavl were brought in to paint the temple. The architecture of the Assumption Cathedral repeats appearance cathedral of the same name in the Moscow Kremlin. The solemnity of the temple is emphasized by a five-tiered carved iconostasis, and on its other side there is a three-tiered gallery for the church choir.

In Sergiev Posad you can see not only churches and monasteries, but also interesting exhibition complexes. One of them is the “Once upon a time” museum of peasant life. The idea for the unusual exhibition belongs to local artist Viktor Bagrov. The museum is located next to his workshop in a house with carved frames. Here you can see peasant clothes made of homespun linen, clay and wooden toys, household items and decorative arts. Periodically, the complex hosts exhibitions of contemporary works by masters from Sergiev Posad.

What else to see:

• Spiritual Church.
• Bell tower of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
• Vvedensky and Pyatnitsky churches.
• Sergiev Posad Museum-Reserve.
• "Trading rows" on Krasnogorskaya Square.
• Church and archaeological office.
• Spaso-Vifansky Monastery.
• Exhibition hall "Bells of Rus'".
• Chernigov skete.

The first mention of the city can be found in the charter of the Lithuanian prince Olgerd in 1371. Since 1389, Kaluga became part of the Moscow Principality and became one of the main defensive outposts of the state. During the Time of Troubles, the troops of False Dmitry I, and later False Dmitry II and Marina Mnishek, found refuge in the city. The last impostor was killed and buried in Kaluga; However, it was not possible to reliably determine the burial place. Since 2016, the city has rightfully taken its place on the Golden Ring tourist route, because there are many architectural monuments of antiquity here.

If you don't know what to see in Kaluga, first of all go to the Stone Bridge. It is he who is most often depicted on postcards with a view of the city and is his business card. Its length is 112 meters, it connects 2 sides of the Berezuisky ravine in the historical center of the city. The Stone Bridge is the only structure in Russia built on the principle of viaducts Ancient Rome. The idea of ​​creation belongs to the architect Nikitin, and the work took only 3 years. Legend has it that it was here that Gogol drew inspiration when he described Manilov’s dreams of building a stone bridge.

Speaking about Kaluga, one cannot help but recall the father of Russian cosmonautics - K. E. Tsiolkovsky. In the house-museum dedicated to the famous scientist, tourists will be able to see memorial items, books and documents that miraculously survived the Second World War. The following people contributed to the restoration of the exposition: famous people, like Sergei Korolev and Yuri Gagarin. Today, in Tsiolkovsky’s house, the interiors and atmosphere that were during the scientist’s lifetime have been completely recreated, and the exhibition itself is part of the Museum of Cosmonautics.

Sights of Kaluga:

• Trinity Cathedral.
• Museum-estate "Polotnyany Zavod".
• Museum-diorama “Great Stand on the Ugra River”.
• Museum of dolls "Bereginya".
• House of the merchant Rakov.
• Chambers of Korobovs.
• Yanovsky estate.
• Vorotyn Monastery.
• St. George's Cathedral.
• Church of Cosmas and Damian.
• Temple of John the Baptist

In 2015, Kasimov was added to the list of Golden Ring cities. The fortress was founded by Yuri Dolgoruky to protect the borders of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality in 1152. The city received its current name in honor of Khan Kasim, to whom Vasily the Dark gave it in 1452. Thanks to the interweaving of two cultures - Tatar and Russian - the city acquired a unique look. You can see it nearby Muslim mosques and Orthodox churches, Tatar mausoleums and golden-domed cathedrals.

Among the main attractions of Kasimov, it is worth highlighting the Ascension Cathedral. It was erected with donations from local merchants and manufacturers, and, as it turned out, there were quite a lot of them in the city. Previously, there was a wooden church in its place, later a stone church was built there, and it acquired its present appearance in 1862. The project was developed by architect Voronikhin. The fate of the Ascension Cathedral is similar to the fate of many church buildings. In Soviet times, a parachute tower was located on its belfry, and in the building itself there was a sports school. And only in 2002, after reconstruction, the temple was returned to the parishioners.

One of the Muslim symbols of the city, reminiscent of the reign of the Tatar princes, is the Khan's Mosque. It is visible from almost anywhere in Kasimov, and its minaret offers an amazing view of the surrounding area. The history of the Khan Mosque began in the 15th century. According to one version, the construction was started by Prince Kasim, according to another - it happened later (in the 16th century), and Khan Shah Ali was engaged in the construction. A sad fate befell the mosque during the reign of Peter I - while sailing along the Oka River, he mistook it for a Christian shrine and crossed himself. Realizing the mistake, the king flew into a rage and ordered the Horde temple to be destroyed to the ground. Today there is a local history museum here, telling about the history of the Tatar people and their culture.

What else to visit in Kasimov:

• St. Nicholas Church.
• Church of the Resurrection of Christ and the Archangel Michael.
• Tekiye of Shah Ali Khan.
• Museum "Russian Samovar".
• Shopping arcades.
• Barkov's mansion.
• Tomb of Sultan Afghan-Muhammad.
• Museum of the Utkin Brothers.
• St. Nicholas Church.

Why is the Golden Ring of Russia called that?

A tourist route with this name appeared in the 60s of the last century thanks to art critic and artist Yuri Bychkov. His material about his travels through the ancient cities of Russia was published on the pages of Soviet Culture. During the preparation of a series of essays, he independently developed a circular route from Moscow, which can be overcome without problems in 1 day. Well, the word “Golden” appeared in the name thanks to the gilded domes of churches and cathedrals, which are the main attractions of ancient cities that were once part of Vladimir Rus'.

When is the best time to travel along the Golden Ring?

You can plan a trip along the Golden Ring for almost any time of the year. But tourists who have already visited ancient cities are advised to make the trip either in late spring or early autumn. You can also see beautiful views in winter, when the ancient buildings are covered with snow. During the off-season, poor roads may make access to some Golden Ring attractions difficult.

Let's sum it up

You don't have to travel long distances to see it. Just a few kilometers from the capital, travelers will find ancient temples and ancient mansions, interesting museums and unusual exhibition complexes.

The Golden Ring, despite its “young” age by historical standards, allows you to plunge into the atmosphere of ancient Russian culture and rediscover the history of Russia.

Attractions

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Half a century ago, Yuri Bychkov, a journalist of the newspaper “Soviet Culture” (now the newspaper “Culture”), was passionate about the study of ancient Russian architecture and repeatedly visited historical places, developed a circular travel route along 8 ancient cities 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, a vast architectural ensemble, 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 in which they are located Russian cities, forming the Golden Ring, in the Middle Ages was called Zalesskaya land, meaning everything that was “behind 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 small town on the shore 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, his rich history, which is best to start getting acquainted with 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 Spaso-Preobra deserves special attention convent, who played a significant role in the history of the development of Yaroslavl. 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.

Drama Theater, 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. A variety of museum institutions have been opened in a number of architectural monuments: the historical, architectural and art museum-reserve, the architectural, ethnographic and landscape museum-reserve "Kostromskaya Sloboda", the Museum of Nature Kostroma region, Museum-Estate of Flax and Birch Bark, 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 large quantity 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.

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Despite 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 - catholic church 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 Golden Ring of Russia is the most popular tourist route that residents of Moscow and the Moscow region enjoy exploring on weekends. And residents of other regions of Russia travel many kilometers to visit ancient Russian cities and villages. The term “Golden Ring” was coined in the 20th century by the writer Yuri Bychkov in the process of creating essays published in the newspaper “Soviet Culture”. It's interesting that cities popular route really form a kind of ring on the map northeast of Moscow. The route passes through ancient cities and villages, where the most ancient monuments of architecture, art, and culture have been preserved. A tour of the Golden Ring involves not only visiting ancient Russian monasteries, museums, churches, but also a complete immersion in the atmosphere of Ancient Rus'. Taking a trip along the Golden Ring means getting to know great Russia more deeply.

The Golden Circle includes eight main cities:

2.Sergiev Posad




7.Ivanovo

Interest in the Golden Ring is so great that cities such as Rybinsk, Gus-Khrustalnye, Kalyazin , Murom, Myshkin, Ples, Uglich, Alexandrov and others. In my opinion, these cities are no less interesting to visit, but today we will focus on the Big Eight.

Each of the cities included in the Golden Ring of Russia is unique and different from its neighbor. Each of them has preserved valuable monuments of ancient Rus', so I suggest you read more about each city.

This city with a thousand-year history is a center of art and culture of ancient Rus', formed on the banks of the Pizherma River. The first mention of the city, which flows into Lake Nero, appeared in records for 862. Rostov began to be called the Great in 1137, and in the second half of the 11th century it became the center of the Rostov-Suzdal principality. Over the years, it has not lost its importance as a religious center.

The main attractions that amaze the imagination are located on the territory of the Kremlin (the former residence of the Metropolitan), where the famous Assumption Cathedral is also located. In addition, when going to the museum city, where the precious treasures of Russian culture are located, you should visit the stone buildings of the 18th-20th centuries. Every building here is imbued with the spirit of antiquity... You probably saw this white-stone Kremlin in the film “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession,” when the guards were running after the main characters. If you want to visit the most ancient monastery of North-Eastern Rus', then go to the Abrahamic Epiphany Monastery, founded by Saint Abraham in the 16th century; the Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery deserves no less attention - they set the tone for the architectural appearance of Great Rostov! Pseudo-Gothic completions of the towers, picturesque combinations of various styles give Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery special charm, turning it into a fabulous place that fits perfectly into the lakeside landscape. Rostov bells are a treasure of world culture! Listening to the 13 bells of the belfry, you seem to be transported many centuries ago. Interestingly, each bell sounds unique!

Review of the excursion to Rostov the Great

How to get to Rostov Veliky

Rostov the Great is located approximately 220 km from Moscow. If you go by car, then you need to take the Yaroslavskoye Highway, the travel time without traffic jams is about 3.5 hours.

You can get to Rostov Veliky on your own from the Yaroslavsky station by train that goes to Yaroslavl (just make sure there is a stop in Rostov). There is no direct train from Moscow; you will have to change trains at Aleksandrov 1 station (travel time is about 4.5 hours).

Sergiev Posad

This is a city that gradually formed around the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. According to legend, Sergius of Radonezh and his brother Stefan were looking for a place where they could pray to God and live as hermits. Finally, such a place was found - here they built a cell, a hut, a church. Bartholomew (Sergius of Radonezh), unlike his brother, remained here forever, taking monastic vows and being baptized Sergius. A monastery was gradually formed, and over time it became famous throughout Rus'.

The importance of the city grew along with the enlargement of the Trinity-Sergius Monastery: in 1744 it received the title of Lavra, and in 1782 the settlements began to be officially called the city of Sergiev Posad. The Trinity-Sergius Lavra is a unique architectural ensemble created by the best architects of the 15th-19th centuries. It includes more than 50 unique buildings. The earliest structure is the cross-domed Trinity Cathedral made of white stone - many tourists dream of seeing this miraculously preserved example of Moscow white stone architecture of the 14th-15th centuries. Surprisingly, but true, the work on the iconostasis of the cathedral was carried out by the famous icon painters Andrei Rublev and Daniil Cherny. The Trinity-Sergius Lavra is not just a monastery, because we are talking about the largest spiritual and religious center! Did you know that the Trinity Cathedral is a place of pilgrimage for Orthodox Christians who venerate St. Sergius of Radonezh? It was he who became his tomb; in addition, this is the first stone building in the monastery ensemble. The Nikon Church adjoins the Trinity Cathedral from the south, and at the western half of the southern wall of the cathedral there is the Serapion Tent (over the relics of Archbishop Serapion; moreover, Dionysius of Radonezh is buried here). The Spiritual Church is an equally significant place that attracts thousands of tourists. This is a classic of Pskov architecture. Pay your attention to the Assumption Cathedral, however, since this is the largest building of the monastery, you are unlikely to leave it unnoticed. Directly adjacent to it is the grave of Boris Godunov and his family. Undoubtedly, while in Sergiev Posad, you should also visit the Church of the Entry into the Temple Holy Mother of God along with the Church of the Martyr Paraskeva Pyatnitsa, because we are talking about the oldest churches in the city. Don’t forget about the Ilyinskaya and Ascension churches, located behind the monastery. The no less popular toy museum will amaze your imagination, where a vast collection of toys of all times and peoples is presented. Buying a craft at the walls of the Lavra means doing a godly deed, since St. Sergius himself cut toys.

Review of the trip to the Trinity-Sergeev Lavra

How to get to Sergeev Pasad

Sergiev Pasad is located approximately 55 km from Moscow along the Yaroslavl highway. You can get there on your own by train from the Yaroslavl station; travel time is about 1 hour 30 minutes.

Founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, the city is located on the shores of the picturesque Lake Pleshcheevo. Pereslavl-Zalessky is rightly called one of the most protected cities. For a long time it was the capital of the Russian principalities, since the residence of the son of Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Pereslavsky, was located here, and he was also the Grand Duke of Vladimir. Today the city is the largest center of Orthodoxy; here you can visit many architectural complexes of monasteries and churches. Lovers of antiquity will appreciate the numerous monuments of Russian architecture, including archaeological site"Kleshchinsky complex". The city is also rich in museums - on its territory there are original thematic museums of masks, teapots and steam locomotives. While in the Pereslavl region, pay your attention to “Peter’s Boat” - this is a memorial complex located in the suburban village of Veskovo. This is one of the first provincial museums in Russia; it will introduce you to the history of the Russian fleet from Peter the Great to the present day! Everyone who has visited this city never ceases to admire the beauty of the Transfiguration Cathedral - this is the only white-stone temple in North-Eastern Rus' that has reached us completely intact. It was here that the Pereslavl princes were baptized, including Alexander Nevsky. Do you know that the Transfiguration Cathedral also served as the tomb of the Pereslavl appanage princes?! Of course, no less attention should be paid to such a landmark of the Pereslavl region as Lake Pleshcheyevo, where Peter I built the “amusing flotilla” that laid the foundation for the Russian fleet. On its shore, near the ancient settlement of Kleshchin, there is another amazing place! We are talking about the famous “Blue Stone”, half-grown into the ground, weighing 4 tons. This is the constant object of worship of the pagans. At the end of the excursions, all that remains is to feel the calm and comfort of the narrow streets for the last time, leaving a piece of this amazing city in your heart forever...

Review of the trip to Pereslavl-Zalessky

Museums of Pereslavl-Zalessky

How to get to Pereslavl Zalessky

Pereslavl Zalessky is located approximately 150 km from Moscow along the Yaroslavl Highway. You can get there on your own by bus from the Shchelkovo bus station in about 3.5 hours.

Founded in 1010, the city of Yaroslavl is rich in architectural and cultural monuments. It is noteworthy that this is the only city that has such an impressive number of beautiful works of medieval murals. After joining the Moscow Principality in 1463, it became a large shopping center Russia. In 1820-1830 The reconstruction of the historical center of Yaroslavl was completed, shaping its current appearance. The history of the city is inextricably linked with such great names as Prince Pozharsky, poet Nekrasov, singer Sobinov, etc.

This one ancient city, located on the Volga, is also the most beautiful in the Volga region. There are 140 architectural monuments on its territory. Today the city is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The pearl of ancient Russian architecture is the Church of Elijah the Prophet - this is the earliest of the Yaroslavl churches of the 17th century. The solemn temple with five domes is also famous for its rich interior decoration. The outstanding architectural ensemble of Yaroslavl in Korovnitskaya Sloboda, formed in the second half of the 17th century on the right bank of the Volga, evokes many emotions among tourists who never cease to admire its beauty. We are talking about buildings merging together (the warm Church of the Vladimir Mother of God and the cold Church of St. John Chrysostom, the bell tower). The Church of John the Baptist is no less popular among tourists - it is the pinnacle of Yaroslavl architecture of the 17th century, moreover, it is recommended by UNESCO for showing to tourists! Grandiose in size, it dazzles with the luxury of patterns and paintings. This is a whole encyclopedia of biblical stories, which have no equal in world art! The unique Ensemble of the Tolga Monastery, the Spasskaya Church, the Art Museum - all these unique attractions certainly also deserve your close attention!

Review of a trip to Yaroslavl

How to get to Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl is located 265 km from Moscow. By car the journey will take about 4.5 hours along the Yaroslavl highway. The most convenient way to get to Yaroslavl on your own is by express train, which takes only 4 hours. In addition, it is convenient to get to Yaroslavl by train; you can buy a ticket for the night train.

The beginning of this large tourist center with a rich cultural and historical heritage was laid by the construction by Prince Vladimir Monomakh of a stronghold for the defense of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality in 1108. Officially, the city of Vladimir was founded in this year. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky contributed to the growth of Vladimir; it was he who moved the capital of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality here. The rapid development of the city was interrupted in 1238 during the Tatar invasion.

Today in this city of memories and shrines there are 239 buildings of the 18th-19th centuries, protected by the state. Here every centimeter is imbued with the spirit of antiquity! Numerous architectural monuments of the Vladimir-Suzdal school are concentrated in Vladimir. First of all, we are talking about the fortress Golden Gate, which was rebuilt in the 17th-18th centuries. This white stone triumphal arch with a semi-circular vault is a valuable monument of defensive architecture.

Be sure to visit the famous white stone cathedrals of Vladimir: Assumption and Dmitrievsky. The Assumption Cathedral, rebuilt in 1189, is a 6-pillar temple of incredible beauty! Its interior is richly decorated with fragments of frescoes from the 12th-13th centuries, as well as frescoes made by Rublev and Cherny. The cathedral was destroyed many times and burned, but was restored in 1888-1891 after restoration. The 4-pillar Dmitrievsky Cathedral, built in 1194-1197, is distinguished by rich decorative carvings on the facades. This is a unique monument of Vladimir-Suzdal white stone architecture, built by Prince Vsevolod Yuryevich the Big Nest in the name of St. Dmitry of Thessaloniki. Also attracting the attention of tourists are the numerous churches of the city of the 17th-18th centuries: the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, St. Nikita, etc. Vladimir is a city that amazes tourists not only with its impressive size, but also with its beauty and grandeur of golden-domed temples and pointed towers. Connoisseurs of antiquity, wandering the streets, enjoy the atmosphere of antiquity that this amazing city preserves...

Review of a trip to Vladimir

How to get to Vladimir

Vladimir is located approximately 235 km from Moscow along the Gorkovskoye Highway. The fastest way to get there on your own is by Sapsan, longer, but cheaper, by a simple train.

The city, founded in 1152, was at that time an outpost of the northeastern borders of Rus'. During the Tatar-Mongol invasion it was ravaged and burned. However, Kostroma managed to recover very quickly; some credit for this belongs to the Grand Duke of Vladimir Yaroslav Vsevolodovich. It is interesting that this city is called nothing less than the “younger sister” of Moscow, which is not surprising, since Kostroma was founded at about the same time as Moscow. Today Kostroma is an ancient city with a centuries-old history that has undergone many riots and devastation. It delights tourists with numerous attractions. Among the most significant monuments are, first of all, the Ipatiev Monastery, as well as the Epiphany-Anastasinsky Monastery, along with the Trading Rows. The Ipatiev Monastery was first mentioned in chronicles in 1432. Did you know that it was here that sixteen-year-old Mikhail Romanov was called to the throne?! The territory of the monastery is divided into Old and New town. As for its compositional center, we are talking about the monumental five-domed Trinity Cathedral and belfry. The Bishop's Corps (XVIII century), the Romanov Chambers (XVI century), the fraternal building (XVIII century) - these buildings are unique historical monuments! Former shopping arcades are an equally significant landmark of the city. Their construction took place in the center of Kostroma in 1775. In addition, the attention of tourists from all over the world is attracted by the Epiphany-Anastasinsky Monastery, founded in the mid-15th century by Elder Nikita (a relative and student of St. Sergius of Radonezh). It is here that the Kostroma miraculous icon of the Mother of God of Feodorovskaya is located - this is the main shrine of the entire Kostroma region!

Review of a trip to Kostroma

Restaurants and cafes in Kostroma

Museums of Kostroma

How to get to Kostroma

Kostroma is located 350 km from Moscow along the Yaroslavl highway. The most convenient way to get there on your own is by fast train (the journey takes about 6 hours).

Ivanovo

Located on the Uvod River, the “city of brides” Ivanovo was formed in 1871 through the merger of the old flax processing center (the village of Ivanovo) and the industrial Voznesensky Posad. This city is interesting, first of all, because it is the only one represented by relatively young architecture of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The first textile manufactories appeared here already in the 17th century; linen fabrics were in demand not only in Russia, but abroad! Architecturally, the city is distinguished by historical monuments dating back to the era of constructivism, we are talking about a house-ship, a horseshoe house, etc. The best materials were used during construction: rare woods, marble, bronze. These buildings give Ivanovo a certain flavor. In addition, attracts the attention of tourists historical Center Ivanovo, consisting of former merchant houses of the 19th century, as well as industrial architecture of the 19th century. A tour of Ivanovo would not be complete without visiting the Shchudrovskaya tent, built in the 17th century. This ancient civil brick building received its name from the merchant Osip Shchudrov. Also be sure to visit the legendary Burylin mansion, built in 1904 for the manufacturer, creator of the Museum of Industry and Art D.G. Burylina. Now there is the Ivanovo Calico Museum. The foundation stone of the Holy Vvedensky Church, funds for the construction of which were collected through private donations, is also impressive; the author of the project is the famous architect P.G. Begen.

In 1024, mentions of Suzdal as an existing city first appeared in the chronicle. In the 11th century, Suzdal became the capital of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality. However, during the invasion of the Crimean Tatars and the six-month siege of the Polish-Lithuanian invaders, the city suffered greatly. Instead of the damaged churches, white stone churches and monasteries were later built. In accordance with the government decision of 1967, Suzdal subsequently became a museum city. By the 16th century there were already eleven monasteries here. Today Suzdal is rightfully considered a symbol of Russian antiquity; moreover, we are talking about the most visited city of the Golden Ring, which is not surprising, since it contains over 200 historical monuments of Russian culture. Your trip to Suzdal would not be complete without visiting the oldest part of the city – the Suzdal Kremlin, located in the bend of the Kamenka River. The moats of the fortress have been preserved here, along with the ensemble of the bishop's courtyard with the ancient Nativity Cathedral, the Bishop's Chambers, and St. Nicholas Church. We recommend visiting the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, which is built of tuff-like limestone; previously in its place there was a Plinthian temple from the time of Vladimir Monomakh. The facades are decorated with figures of lions and intricate ornaments. The Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery also attracts the attention of tourists from all over the world; we are talking about a monastery founded by Prince Boris Konstantinovich in the 13th century.

Review of a trip to Suzdal

How to get to Suzdal

Suzdal is located 220 km from Moscow along the Gorkovskoye Highway. You can get there on your own without transfers by bus from the Shchelkovo bus station. By railway you can get to Vladimir, and then take a bus to Suzdal.

Of course, in order to visit all the sights of the cities of the Golden Ring, it takes a lot of time; you need to spend several days getting to know each of them. Only in this case will you be able to enjoy all the splendor of the cities of the Golden Ring and get to know the great and mighty Russia...

The Golden Ring of Russia is a timeless, always relevant route through the main ancient cities of central Russia. The symbolic circle that has become the personification cultural heritage of our country, is clearly visible on the map, it is formed car roads, connecting the cities traditionally included in the Golden Ring list - Vladimir, Ivanovo, Kostroma, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov Veliky, Sergiev Posad, Suzdal and Yaroslavl.

But in addition to the main list of cities, there is another, so-called discussion list, which already includes more than 20 cities, villages and towns; for example, it includes Myshkin, Gorokhovets, Gus-Khrustalny, Murom, Palekh, Plyos, Rybinsk and Uglich.

It turns out that the successful tourism brand has a 50th anniversary in 2017, since the term “Golden Ring of Russia” was first mentioned in 1967 in a magazine publication of the same name by the writer Yuri Bychkov. By the way, this route was primarily aimed at foreign tourists.

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Flower installation in Yaroslavl dedicated to the anniversary of the Golden Ring of Russia brand

This summer we were lucky enough to travel for the first time to the cities of the Golden Ring, both from the main and additional list. This note is dedicated to three undeniable pearls - the empress Kostroma, Yaroslavl-father and Rostov the Great. We had no more than one day to get acquainted with each of the three cities, so I do not pretend to be deep or rich in the information conveyed. But I can say for sure that all three days we had “sight and hearing” and absorbed new impressions like a sponge...

Kostroma, Kostroma, my lady, Kostroma... (folk song)

- Great, Kostroma!
- Great!
- What are you doing?
- And spinning, dear, we think
- Well, remember, remember...

Kostroma, Kostroma, my lady, Kostroma...
And Kostromushka has jelly with milk, milk,
And Kostromushka has pancakes with cottage cheese...

It is believed that Kostroma was founded by Yuri Dolgoruky in the middle of the 12th century, and it was to him that a monument was erected in the city center in 2003. Yuri Dolgoruky is depicted sitting with a sword in the form of a cross and extending his right hand forward, pointing to the Volga and shopping arcades, as if defining the place where the city should be founded.

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In the surviving Kostroma archives there are records from which it follows that already in the 17th century there were 40 churches and 5 monasteries in the city. And today in Kostroma the golden-domed domes of dozens of churches and monasteries amaze.

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The Women's Epiphany-Anastasiin Monastery is the repository of one of the main shrines of the Orthodox - the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God, which has been patronizing believers for more than 700 years.

Alexander Nevsky himself took the icon with him on military campaigns and became a monk in front of its face. We bowed to the icon and, of course, it was forbidden to take photographs in the temple, so I borrowed a photo from the Internet.

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The Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery enjoys great fame and honor. In 1613, within the walls of the Ipatiev Monastery, the first Russian Tsar of the Romanov family, Mikhail, ascended the Russian throne. Then began the history of the royal family of the House of Romanov, which lasted just over 300 years, and subsequently every Russian emperor considered it his duty to visit Kostroma at the beginning of his reign. A very beautiful view of the monastery opens from the Volga.

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The feat of the peasant of the Kostroma province Ivan Susanin, who led the Polish-Lithuanian invaders into impenetrable thickets and suffered death from enemies, also wrote Kostroma into history. Proof of the reality of Ivan Susanin’s feat is considered to be the royal charter of 1619 granting Susanin’s son-in-law Bogdan Sobinin half of the village with “whitewashing” of all taxes and duties “for service to us and for blood and patience...”

In addition to the cradle of the House of Romanov and the homeland of Ivan Susanin, Kostroma has another super popular brand - Snegurochka. Kostroma can rightfully be considered the birthplace of the Snow Maiden, and there are at least three reasons for this.

Firstly: the legend of Kostroma and Kupala is about a brother and sister. The legend says that brother and sister, separated in childhood, met many years later. Kostroma was walking along the river, wove and put a wreath on her head, but a gust of wind tore it off and carried it into the water. A handsome young man passing by on a boat picked up the wreath. The girl and the boy immediately fell in love with each other and then got married. And only after some time they learned that they were brother and sister: the young man turned out to be Kupala. Out of grief, the young people decided to drown themselves, but the gods took pity on them and turned the beautiful couple into a flower, now known as Ivan da Marya.

This story is reflected in the ancient custom of burning Kostroma (hence the name Kostroma - from “bonfire”, “bonfire”), the ritual of seeing off spring and welcoming summer. A girl, wrapped in white clothes, personifying Kostroma, was led, accompanied by a round dance, to the river, where a straw effigy was burned at the stake. Symbolizing fertility, Kostroma was resurrected after death. It is believed that the fairy tale about the Snow Maiden arose precisely on the basis of this tradition of burning Kostroma.

The second and third reason that allows Kostroma to be considered the birthplace of the Snow Maiden can be considered the writing in Shchelykovo by A. N. Ostrovsky of the famous play “The Snow Maiden” and the filming of the film “The Snow Maiden” in 1968. For the sake of this “spring fairy tale,” a special house was built in Berendeyevka, which has survived to this day.

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Throughout the state, Kostroma was famous not only for its high-quality linen fabrics, salt and honey, but also terrible fires, destroying everything in its path. Kostroma was almost completely destroyed by fires 14 times. Descriptions of some of them have survived to this day. For example, the chronicle says about 1413: “On the 30th day of June, the city of Kostroma burned and 30 churches burned down.” It took a lot of money, effort and time to restore the city. Then, in October 1823, the first professional fire brigade was created in Kostroma, which was subordinate to the police.

By order of the Kostroma governor, a Fire Tower was built in the center of the city. “It doesn’t hurt to have a decent tower here, which would both serve as a decoration for the city and protect every inhabitant with safety during fire incidents.” In 1823-1827, the tower “grew up” on Susaninskaya Square, organically fitting into the architecture of the city. Nicholas I himself publicly admired the construction. After this, the Kostroma fire department began to be considered the best in the province.

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There are also new, touching monuments in Kostroma, for example, this sculpture of cats and dogs injured by cars.

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The noble, ancient appearance of Kostroma, its royal history connecting the city and the Romanov family, have gained fame among travelers of all centuries and classes.

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Oh, you are our father, Yaroslavl city! (old folk song)

Oh, you are our father, Yaroslavl city!
You are good, you stand handsomely on the mountain,
You stand on the mountain - in all its beauty:
Between two rivers, between fast ones -
Between the Volga rivers, between Kotraski!
From the meadow it was on the side -
The Mother Volga flowed here,
From the mountain and from the side -
The Kotraska River ran through here...

Founded around 1010, Yaroslavl in the 17th century became the third trading city of the Russian state after Moscow and Kazan, and the second after Moscow in terms of population.

Of course, confirming the status of the capital of the Golden Ring (however, sometimes this status is disputed by Vladimir), Yaroslavl has a lot of interesting objects and attractions, but we managed to visit only a few.

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"Postcard" view of Yaroslavl

Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery is the oldest monastery in Yaroslavl. Initially, all the buildings and walls of the monastery were wooden, but in the second half of the 13th century they were replaced with stone ones, and the monastery itself gradually became the religious and cultural center of the region. It is not surprising that it was in this monastery that the collector of Russian antiquities Alexei Ivanovich Musin-Pushkin discovered the copy of “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.”

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Ivan the Terrible himself loved to visit the monastery. This is evidenced by 55 royal charters, which have survived to this day.

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During the Time of Troubles, Yaroslavl was proclaimed the temporary capital of the Russian state for several months. From the walls of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, the militia led by Nizhny Novgorod residents Minin and Pozharsky moved towards Moscow and liberated it from the Polish-Lithuanian invaders. In memory of this event, a monument “The Oath of Prince Pozharsky” was erected, made in mosaic technique.

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Mosaic on the monument "Oath of Prince Pozharsky"

The Metropolitan Chambers are one of the oldest buildings in the city, a rare example of 17th-century architecture. Today, the Metropolitan Chambers display a rich collection of ancient Russian art. Among the masterpieces are unique icons from the 13th to 17th centuries. Having become acquainted with the exhibition, we had a unique opportunity to trace the 600-year history of Yaroslavl icon painting and see the works of several generations of masters.

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Above the Volga bank, testifying to ancient Orthodox roots, rises the Assumption Cathedral, which is the architectural dominant and true decoration of Yaroslavl.

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Surprisingly, ancient Yaroslavl always kept up with the times and became the first in many ways: the first Christian city on the Volga, the birthplace of the first Russian national accessible theater; here the first magazine in the province “Solitary Poshekhonets” began to be published, the first printing house and the first bookstore in the Russian province were opened; the country's first heavy-duty vehicle, diesel engine and trolleybus were produced; During the years of Soviet power, the world's first synthetic rubber was produced. The world's first female cosmonaut, Valentina Vladimirovna Tereshkova, is from Yaroslavl.

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The historical center of Yaroslavl, as an example of urban planning policy of the 18th century, is under the protection of UNESCO. Yaroslavl is deservedly depicted on the thousandth banknote.

Rostov the Great. Remember: Rus'-Rostov-Russia is the essence of our genealogy!

You can start the story about Rostov the Great with the words of Konstantin Sluchevsky: “Here the Great Russian tribe was born and strengthened”.

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Indeed, Rostov the Great is one of the most ancient cities in Russia; the first mentions of the city are found in the chronicles of 862.

According to one version, these lands belonged to the Finno-Ugric tribe Merya, and the founder of the city was the Meryan leader Rosta, after whom the city was named. The Merya were pagans and engaged in cattle breeding. In the 8th century, the first Slavs, most likely Novgorodians, appeared in Rostov. Peaceful assimilation gradually led to the loss of the Merya language and customs. Two tribes merged into one...

But the coins found here from the time of the Roman Emperor Domitian, a buckle from the 5th-6th centuries and a cowrie shell from the southern part of India do not fit into the logic of this folding version. All these items could not have belonged to the Merya tribe of cattle breeders, but could have been brought by the Russian tribe, who passed through all of Europe. Therefore, it is possible that Rostov was one of the first Russian cities, built by Slavic pioneers on the territory of the future Russia during the time of the Great Migration.

In pagan Rostov, the cult of the patron god of domestic animals and material well-being, Veles, was strong. By order of Prince Vladimir, Yasno Solnyshko was erected in pre-Christian Rostov “The idol of Veles, so large that the gilded head of the idol at sunset was visible even from Rostov.”

In 989, the idol of Veles was overthrown, and a church was erected in its place. The people of Rostov were baptized, driving the entire population into the waters of Lake Nero. People were divided into groups of 10-15 people, and specially invited Byzantine priests sailed on boats between groups and baptized residents, giving them one name per group...

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By the way, Lake Nero, on the shore of which Rostov stands, is approximately 500 thousand years old. As local legends say, treasures hidden during the Mongol-Tatar invasion are still hidden at the bottom. The depth of the lake is from 1 to 4 meters, and up to 20 meters of silt... An excellent place to hide untold wealth for centuries. But tourists come here not for treasures, but for the wonderful views that open from the shores.

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In the 13th century, Rostov was the capital of an independent principality, but the principality quickly became smaller and divided into parts, so much so that proverbs even appeared: “In the Rostov land there is a prince in every village”, “In the Rostov land, seven princes have one warrior”. During the Tatar-Mongol and Muscovite wars, Rostov suffered greatly and was eventually absorbed into the Principality of Moscow.

For several centuries, Rostov was a diocesan center, one of the richest in Russia. The main attraction of the city is also associated with church rulers. Here is the residence of the bishops - the local Kremlin, built by Metropolitan Jonah. Despite the fortress walls surrounding the courtyard, the Rostov Kremlin had a purely civilian purpose. Such architectural features, like the unusually wide gates and windows on the towers, emphasize its non-fortification purpose.

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The oldest building on the territory of not only the metropolitan courtyard, but also the city in general is considered to be the Assumption White Stone Cathedral of the early 16th century. It was built on the site of older churches destroyed by fire. Currently, restoration is underway inside the temple, but the temple is open to the public; here you can see paintings from the 17th century.