The history of the creation of the city of Pereslavl Zalessky. The city of Pereslavl-Zalessky: year of foundation, history. Excursions around Pereslavl-Zalessky from local residents

The city of Pereslavl-Zalessky has great attractive power as an ancient cultural and architectural monument: it is the same age as Moscow (founded in 1152), and now one of the most interesting centers of the Yaroslavl region. Not only architectural masterpieces give reason to include it in the “Golden Ring” of old Russian cities. Many events in Russian history took place within the walls and on the soil of this ancient city.

V. Berdnikov

Pereslavl-Zalessky. The name alone of this ancient provincial town is both fascinating and alluring. It seems to invite you into a fascinating old Russian fairy tale that lives in the midst of modernity. The history of the Zalessky region originated somewhere far back in the mists of time. Its initial stages are the retreat of the last glacier, the appearance of taiga forests and rivers with their diverse inhabitants, and, as a consequence of the previous one, the arrival of the first people. The largest site of many ancient settlements in the Neolithic era was located on the eastern shore of the lake at the mouth of the river, later named Trubezh. Nowadays this place is known as Pereslavskaya Rybnaya Sloboda. It represents the oldest part of the city, a corner beloved by artists on the river, with weeping willows reflected in the water and ancient wooden huts along the banks. Another independent site of the ancient inhabitants of the region was located on the so-called Bolshaya Pesoshnitsa - on the banks of the same river, approximately where Trubezhnaya Street is now located. This is evidenced by finds, including shards of pottery with ornaments and large quantities of animal bones.

The hilly northeastern shore of Lake Zalesskoe, called Kleshchino in ancient times, has long been attractive to people. According to archaeological research, in the 4th century AD this coast was inhabited by the Finno-Ugric Merya tribes. In the 9th-10th centuries, during the influx of population from the south to the northeast of Rus', Slavs from the Novgorod and Dnieper lands came to Zalesye in search of fertile places. On the northeastern shore of the lake they founded a settlement, giving it the name Kleshchin. Evidence of those times has survived to this day, and it is they that make up one of the popular tourist routes today. This is the north-eastern shore of Lake Pleshcheev, beloved by city guests and Pereslavl residents, where the Kleshchinsky complex is located. It includes the remains of an ancient Slavic town, a burial mound, Alexander Mountain, which was formerly a pagan temple, and the legendary Blue Stone, which was once worshiped by the Merya and the Slavs.

Information from the chronicles says that in 1152, one of the younger sons of Vladimir Monomakh, Yuri Dolgoruky, moved the city “like on Lake Kleshchina” to the intersection of important trade routes near the mouth of the river and “...found a great city and erect a church of the Holy Savior...”. The emerging settlement, which “took over the glory” of the surrounding cities, was named Pereyaslavl New. This is a proud name, according to the historian M.I. Smirnova, sounds like “... combative and completely akin to the favorite princely and squad names: Yaroslav, Svyatoslav, Izyaslav...”. The town, which arose in the 12th century in the north of Rus', became the third with a similar name - after Pereyaslavl of Kyiv (993) and Ryazan (1095). And only in the 15th century, near Pereyaslavl, located from Kyiv “beyond the Bryn forests”, the more familiar name of the city - Pereslavl-Zalessky - was finally established.

This is a beautiful ancient city with an extremely interesting and eventful history. Its picturesque corners preserve the memory of many famous political figures and important historical facts. The 13th century became especially bright in the history of Pereslavl, when the city was the capital of a vast appanage principality, and at the same time a major cultural and political center of North-East Rus'. In those years, independent chronicling was carried out in the city, known today as “The Chronicler of Pereslavl of Suzdal.” In the same century, namely in May 1220, the famous Russian commander Alexander Yaroslavovich, later nicknamed Nevsky, was born here. At one time, he restored Pereslavl after another devastation by the Tatars and founded a monastery on Alexandrova Mountain. The holy noble prince Alexander Nevsky is especially revered in his homeland; he is one of the seven Pereslavl saints.

Pereslavl is one of the few Russian cities where you can see the 12th-century earthen fortress that once surrounded the settlement. The monument to early fortress construction has existed for more than eight and a half centuries and has been perfectly preserved to this day. Today, the ancient Pereslavl ramparts are an excellent place for walking, with a magnificent panorama of the old city opening from here.

Studies of the area have shown that the internal area of ​​the city in the first centuries of its existence was about 500 meters wide and 700 meters long. Earthen walls with a circumference of more than 2.5 km once reached an impressive height of up to 16 meters. The Pereslavl fortress was surrounded on the outer sides by the rivers Trubezh, Murmash and an artificial reservoir - a deep ditch with dug pointed stakes along the edges. In the old days, the crest of the rampart was crowned with wooden chopped walls with towers. They burned repeatedly during princely civil strife or Tatar raids, but were then restored. However, in the 18th century, the wooden walls were finally dismantled “due to disrepair and uselessness.”

On Red Square of Pereslavl, in a complex with an ancient embankment, there is a small one-domed stone temple - the Transfiguration Cathedral, founded by Yuri Dolgoruky in 1152 for the needs of the princely court and the garrison of the fortress. It is one of the oldest architectural monuments of the Vladimir-Suzdal school of architecture. The construction of this temple took five years and was completed, according to many historians, by the son of the city founder Andrei Bogolyubsky. The white-stone Savior, made in the Byzantine style, is a cross-domed four-pillar church traditional for the mid-12th century. Its image is simple and its decoration is sparse; only the drum of the dome and the cornices of the altar apses are decorated with arched belts. Despite the very turbulent course of many centuries, time has hardly left its mark on the appearance of the old Pereslavl temple. However, now in the ancient walls of the Transfiguration Cathedral there is no former splendid interior content, which once impressed the ancestors. Many priceless objects of ancient Russian art - church utensils, icons, books - disappeared without a trace during numerous devastations and fires. The original fresco painting of the second half of the 12th century also turned out to be lost. Miraculously, a silver chalice from the 12th century, decorated with ornaments, which, according to legend, was donated to the Pereslavl Cathedral by Yuri Dolgoruky, has survived to this day. Today this unique monument of decorative and applied art can be seen in the Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin. The temple icon “Transfiguration” from the 14th century, attributed to the workshop of Theophanes the Greek, has also been preserved to this day. The icon has been in Moscow since the 1920s, being one of the famous exhibits of the Tretyakov Gallery. The marble altar barrier installed in the temple dates back to the 19th century. Previously, the ancient one-domed cathedral was not only the main temple of the city, but also the tomb of the Pereslavl appanage princes. The son and grandson of Prince Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Alexandrovich and Ivan Dmitrievich, are buried there. Like his father, Dmitry Alexandrovich, proved himself to be an outstanding commander of his time. And Ivan Dmitrievich, having no direct heirs, before his death in 1302, bequeathed Pereslavl to his Moscow ally - his uncle Daniil Alexandrovich. This circumstance played an important role in the further formation of Moscow as the capital of Rus'. As a sign of the voluntary annexation of Pereslavl, a tradition appeared - to serve smoked Pereslavl herring - vendace, which has been found in Lake Pleshcheyevo since ancient times, on the royal table at the coronation of the heir to the Moscow throne.

During the Moscow period, the Zalessk city was actually the second religious capital of the Russian state. The names of many famous church figures and saints are associated with Pereslavl, including Sergius of Radonezh, Dmitry Prilutsky, Metropolitans Pimen, Athanasius, Peter and others.

The fate of the wife of Grand Duke Dmitry Donskoy, Evdokia, who escaped with her baby in the city of Zalessk from the persecution of Khan Tokhtamysh, is also closely intertwined with Pereslavl. Later, with her donations, the Goritsky Monastery, burned by the Tatars, was restored and a new wooden Church of St. John the Evangelist was built on the banks of the Trubezh.

Vasily III and Ivan the Terrible visited Pereslavl on pilgrimages more than once, making rich contributions to the Nikitsky, Trinity Danilov and Goritsky monasteries. Under Ivan IV, the Alexandrova settlement of Pereslavl district became the center of the oprichnina, in which Pereslavl residents Malyuta Skuratov, Alexey and Fyodor Basmanov played a prominent role.

Surviving documents clearly indicate that in the 16th century many merchants and artisans lived in Pereslavl. Among the latter were shoemakers, spoon makers, and nail makers. A special place was occupied by fishermen and falcon washers, who served the princely court and were exempt from regular city duties.

The energetic “tsar-carpenter, tsar-worker” Peter I also left his bright mark on the history of the city, having built an amusing fleet on the shores of Lake Pleshcheevo at the end of the 17th century, which laid the foundations of Russian shipbuilding. The historical museum-estate with the affectionate name “Boat of Peter the Great”, where Peter the Great’s business court was once located, today arouses great interest among Russians and foreign guests who want to see with their own eyes the cradle of the Russian fleet - the oval Pereslavl Lake - and Peter’s boat “Fortune”, which is kept in the museum on Mount Gremyach.

A popular attraction of Pereslavl today is the largest provincial historical, architectural and art museum-reserve in Russia, located within the walls of the former Goritsky Monastery. For almost fifty years, starting in 1744, this ancient monastery was the center of a vast diocese, including Mozhaisk, Dmitrov, Volokolamsk, Ruza and other ancient Russian cities. Today, Goritsy houses many unique monuments of antiquity and art, including church utensils, paintings, furniture, household items, etc.

During the existence of the Pereslavl diocese, more than six thousand inhabitants lived in the city. But after the plague of 1771, this number remained

only half of the townspeople. The basis of the settlement was the merchants, who, according to data from 1776, owned 61 shops and 6 taverns, where there was a brisk trade in goods typical of that time: clothing, cloth, “trifles for ordinary people and the peasantry,” as well as food products – “livestock and indigenous fish.” , nuts, gingerbread, sugar, flour, apples and grape drinks.

Remaining a major spiritual center of Russia with many churches, the famous Pereslavl-Zalessky from the 18th century “quietly rested on the laurels of its past.” At first it was the center of the province of the Moscow province, and since 1778 it has been a district town of the Vladimir province. However, even then Pereslavl was considered one of the first in trade and industry among the same district cities in central Russia. In the second half of the 19th century, six linen factories, a carriage and sausage establishment, and thirteen factories, including fur, tobacco and candle factories, operated here. The largest in the city was the Borisov paper spinning factory, which employed more than two thousand people.

But gradually the economy of the Zalessk city declined, and from the once developed settlement Pereslavl turned into a quiet county town. Many are inclined to believe that the reason for this is the lack of a railway in the city. It took place only 18 miles from Pereslavl, as a result of which it was deprived of opportunities for economic growth for many years.

Today Pereslavl-Zalessky is included in the famous tourist route “Golden Ring of Russia” and, despite the fact that many city churches were lost during the Soviet years, Pereslavl is still one of the centers of Russian Orthodoxy.

Currently, Pereslavl is the regional center of the Yaroslavl region with a population of about 42 thousand people. This is a cozy, clean and attractive Russian corner for tourists with beautiful landscapes, ancient Orthodox shrines and ancient houses along the central streets. More than once, people of art have fruitfully drawn inspiration from the local nature and rich history. The Pereslavl land was captured in their works by writers N.A. Ostrovsky and M.M. Prishvin, artist K. Korovin, D. N. Kardovsky and many others.

The famous Zalessky region is a protected area. His lake Pleshcheyevo today measures more than 6.5 km x 9.5 km and is one of the largest lakes in the Upper Volga region, as well as the center of the National Park of the same name.

On the outskirts of the city, Pereslavl residents bake delicious bread and make cheese, produce photographic paper and a variety of packaging. Graduates of local schools have the opportunity, without leaving the city, to continue their studies at the Film and Photo Technical College, which is named after “Alexander Nevsky” or the University of Pereslavl with the main directions of “applied mathematics” and “computer science”.

Local residents, accustomed to a measured pace of life, in their free time love to relax in the lap of nature, enjoying the coolness of the lake or river, and ski and sled down steep snow-covered hills in winter.

Very often on weekends, the picturesque Pereslavl region is filled with vacationers from near and far cities, many of whom are not in the Zalessky city for the first time. Most of the visitors seek first of all to visit Orthodox monasteries in one or all four - and to visit the local holy springs.

Guests of Pereslavl are always looking forward to comfortable hotels, restaurants with original cuisine and numerous museums with various collections of irons, teapots, steam locomotives and peasant utensils.

But Pereslavl residents and guests of the city especially love the traditional ones - Christmas in the Museum, City Day, Broad Maslenitsa, Youth Day, Aeronautics Festival and Navy Day. The holidays are always perfectly organized - with a unique twist and love for the native land.

Once you arrive in Zalesye, you will not be able to remain indifferent to this amazing land. The small ancient city of Pereslavl-Zalessky will definitely leave pleasant memories of itself, forcing you to return here again and again.

Many tourists are very interested in the city of Pereslavl-Zalessky. The year of its foundation is 1152. This is an incredibly ancient territory, which is part of the Yaroslavl region. In total, 40 thousand people live here as of 2015.

Popular tourism destination

From Moscow you need to travel 140 km to get to Pereslavl-Zalessky. The year of its foundation gives it the status of a very valuable historical architectural monument.

You need to move along the Kholmogory road until it is worth stopping where the riverbed flows into this body of water. Many visitors are attracted here by the year of its foundation. Pereslavl-Zalessky is also interesting because it is the center of a national park. You can arrive by train and get off at Berendeevo station. From here you can get to the Russian Golden Ring. In 2009, a record 292 thousand people visited here, most of whom were tourists. 2% of them were foreigners.

From hoary antiquity to the present day

Pereslavl-Zalessky has a very long history. The year the city was founded is 1152. It was erected by the prince. Then the name contained only the first part of the current name as an example of another, even older Pereyaslav-Russian, which today is called Pereyaslov-Khmelnitsky.

You can get there if you go to Ukraine. This place was founded by Vladimir Svyatoslavovich. Many archaeologists and historians have worked painstakingly to find out more information about this place. The year of foundation was taken as the starting point. Pereslavl-Zalessky fully lives up to the second part of its name, since it was obscured by dense forests.

There were also fields nearby that were successfully cultivated. In a word, in the bosom of local nature, a person had everything he could need. It was thanks to the environment that the final version of the name used today was formed, which became established in the 15th century.

Development

Many scientific minds tried to study Pereslavl-Zalessky perfectly. The year of foundation is by no means the starting point in the story about it. Much more important is the period that began with the birth of A. Nevsky in 1220 in Pereyaslavl.

His son, Dmitry Pereyaslavsky, Prince of Vladimir, founded the capital of the northern and eastern territory of Rus' on this territory. In the 14th century the city became part of the Principality of Moscow. At this point, more active changes begin, although almost two centuries have passed since the year of foundation and mention was dated.

Pereslavl-Zalessky could have been annexed to the lands of Andrei Alexandrovich, but this was prevented by a charter from the Khan of the Golden Horde, issued in 1303. In accordance with it, the rights of the Moscow princes were confirmed. The year of foundation and the first mention of the city of Pereslavl-Zalessky became the beginning of the great history of this settlement. Local residents showed themselves well in 1304, when a raid was carried out by a Tver detachment commanded by Akinf, a noble boyar at that time. The Moscow army defeated the enemy with honor, not allowing him into their home.

Raids

The year of foundation is taken as the historical reference point. Pereslavl-Zalessky year of first mention is as early as its appearance. Since then, many significant events have happened here.

For example, in 1238 the walls were besieged for five days. Similar raids were repeated in 1251 and 1281, then in 1282 and 1294. The city was burned by a prince named Black Fedor. Then this point attracted the Horde, who took it in 1382 and 1408, as well as 1419.

However, despite everything, the fortress walls held up. It is thanks to this persistence that we can now trace the year of foundation of Pereslavl-Zalessky. The year of the first mention became the starting point for numerous chronicle information data, which scientists found and provided for study to everyone who was not indifferent to the fate of this place.

Historical events

This point, like many during the Middle Ages, had to go through not the easiest times. For example, in 1372 there was a raid here by Prince Keistut, who started another fire.

If you trace the life of the settlement from 1302, governors from Moscow ruled here. Sometimes he was subordinated to princes who were newcomers. In the 15th and 16th centuries it was the patrimony of Moscow rulers. From here fish was sent to the capital as tribute.

The year the city of Pereslavl-Zalessky was founded is as interesting as its coat of arms, on which you can see vendace - a fruit of folk craft that served as tribute. It was considered an extremely tasty and even delicacy breed, and was not found anywhere except Lake Pleshcheyevo. Now it can be seen on the pages of the Red Books of the Yaroslavl region. and Russia as a whole.

Great importance

In the autumn of 1374, Prince Dmitry Ivanovich from Moscow organized a meeting of the most important boyars and princes here. The statesmen spoke about the problem of the yoke of the Tatars and Mongols, which needed to be urgently gotten rid of.

In 1608, the fortress suffered from a new enemy. Then Lithuanian-Polish invaders invaded here. The Time of Troubles also left its unfavorable imprint. Starting from 1688, by decree of Peter I, an amusing fleet was created here. Actually, from that moment on, the shipbuilding industry in the state began to develop.

In 1692, these works were completed and a celebration was held in honor of the review. Since 1708, this area included the Moscow province. In 1719, the central point of the Pereyaslavl province was founded here. Since 1778, there was a district territory of the governorship of Vladimir, as well as a province with the same name. In 1929, this place was the Ivanovo industrial region, and since 1936 - Yaroslavl. If you go back a little in time, you can trace the creation of the water supply system in 1884. From 1872 to 1917 the city was under the leadership of the city council. Its reconstruction took place in 1994.

Symbolism

As for the coat of arms, the first version was created in 1781. He depicted two golden fish - those same delicious vendaces against the backdrop of a black field. There was also a lion leopard here, which symbolized the governorship of Vladimir, of which the city was a part at that time.

The modern version of heraldry was adopted in 2002. Compared to the previous image, the top part of the composition is now missing, as this area no longer belonged to the previous administrative unit. The fish are depicted schematically. The flag is very similar to the coat of arms; it was approved in February 2002. The difference is that the background is yellow, and the images, on the contrary, are black.

Once here, you may encounter a temperate continental climate. In winter it is cold and cloudy, with periodic thaws. This is an excellent place for a tourist trip and a pleasant holiday. By visiting here, you will be able to saturate not only your imagination and imagination, but also gain a lot of interesting knowledge.

Pereslavl-Zalessky is an ancient Russian city founded by Yuri Dolgoruky near Lake Pleshcheevo. The city became famous for the birth of Alexander Nevsky, and in 1688 Peter the Great built the Amusement Flotilla here. There are numerous church monuments in Pereslavl-Zalessky; historical events important for the Russian state took place here.

The city is a protected area, part of the Golden Ring of Russia.

Founding and name of the city

In 1152, Prince Yuri Dolgoruky founded a city on the banks of the Trubezh River, where it flows into Lake Pleshcheyevo and named it Pereyaslavl, which translated from ancient Slavic means “Takeover the Glory.”

It was the third city in ancient Rus' with this name: at that time there already existed

• Pereyaslavl in modern Ukraine, renamed Pereslavl-Khmelnitsky in 1943
• Pereyaslav-Ryazansky, renamed in 1773 to Ryazan.

In the 15th century, the city founded by Yuri Dolgoruky began to be called Pereslavl-Zalessky, since it was located in Zalesye, that is, behind the forest that separated this area from the Kyiv and Chernigov lands.

The city was located 130 km from Moscow at the intersection of many trade routes and in those days was famous and rich.

Here on May 30, 1221, the great Russian commander Alexander Nevsky was born, and in the ancient Transfiguration Cathedral he was baptized.

A mountain on the shore of Lake Pleshcheevo, formerly known as Yarilina Mountain, is named in honor of Alexander Nevsky. Not far from Alexander Mountain, there is the so-called “blue stone”, considered sacred by the pagans.

Kremlin of Pereslavl-Zalessky

During the reign of Prince Yuri Dolgoruky, on the shore of Lake Pleshcheevo (then it was Lake Kleshchino) there was a powerful fortress for its time - a fortified princely town, called Kleshchin.

According to the chronicle, in 1152 the prince moved the city from Lake Kleshchina to a new location - at the intersection of important trade routes near the mouth of the Trubezh River.

In the new city, Yuri Dolgoruky erected a stone church of St. Savior, and also built fortifications, the most powerful among those erected in the cities founded by the prince.

The built Kremlin was the central part of the ancient Russian city. The length of its ramparts was almost 2.5 kilometers, the height was from 10 to 16 meters, and the width reached 6 meters. On top of the ramparts, wooden walls with towers were built. Researchers believe that in the 12th-13th centuries in the Vladimir-Suzdal land this fortress was the second most powerful after the capital Vladimir.

From the outside, the Kremlin walls were protected by natural barriers - the Trubezh River and its tributary Murmazh (now filled up), as well as a specially dug ditch. Thus, the fortress was surrounded on all sides by water.

The Kremlin was captured and plundered by the Horde more than once; it also suffered greatly during the Time of Troubles, but after each destruction its walls and towers were restored. Only in 1759 the wooden walls were dismantled as unnecessary and due to dilapidation.

Currently, a magnificent panorama of the old city opens from the ancient Pereslavl ramparts.

Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral in Pereslavl-Zalessky

Simultaneously with the defensive structures in the northern part of the fortress, the single-domed white stone Transfiguration Cathedral was erected in 1152-1157. This is a cross-domed tetrameter temple, the construction of which was completed under Andrei Bogoslovsky, the successor of Yuri Dolgoruky. The cathedral is the earliest of the five first white-stone churches of North-Eastern Rus' and the only one that has come down to us in good condition.

During its history, the Transfiguration Cathedral was restored many times, but, in general, retained its original appearance. Its height was 22 meters, and the width of the walls was from 1 to 1.3 meters.

The temple is located on Red Square. It is interesting that the name of Red Square in Moscow was borrowed from Pereslavl Red Square.

Initially, the inside of the cathedral was covered with frescoes, but all of them were removed during the restoration carried out in the 19th century. The surviving fragment of them was transferred to the Historical Museum of Moscow, and currently the walls inside the temple are white.

In ancient times, the cathedral was of great importance for the life of the city and was part of the system of its defensive structures.

Many Pereslavl princes were baptized in the temple, including Alexander Nevsky. The son and grandson of Alexander Nevsky, Dmitry Alexandrovich and Ivan Dmitrievich, are buried in the cathedral.

Next to the temple there was once a princely palace, which, as researchers believe, was connected to the cathedral by a gallery.

In 1958, as a sign of gratitude to his fellow countryman, a monument to Alexander Nevsky was erected opposite the Transfiguration Church.

The rise of Pereslavl-Zalessky

The city reached its greatest prosperity under the Grand Duke Vsevolod the Big Nest and his son Yaroslav. During the reign of Prince Vsevolod, who was a far-sighted politician and a skilled warrior, Pereslavl-Zalessky became one of the significant centers of culture in Vladimir-Suzdal Rus'.

Educated people served at the court of Prince Yaroslav, thanks to whom the historical chronicle “The Chronicler of Pereslavl of Suzdal” was written. During the same period, famous icon painters and wood carvers created many wonderful works of art.

Pereslavl-Zalessky - destruction of the city

In February 1238, the Mongol-Tatars took many Russian cities, among which were Vladimir and Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. In addition, during the internecine war in 1293, Prince Andrei, in the struggle for the throne against his brother Dmitry, used hordes of Mongol-Tatars to capture Russian cities, among which was Pereslavl-Zalessky.

Subsequently, devastation and sieges repeatedly befell Pereyaslavl - for example, Batu’s warriors alone ravaged the principality six times.

Annexation to the Moscow Principality

Like Alexander Nevsky, his son Dmitry Alexandrovich proved himself to be an outstanding commander of his time. Under him, Pereslavl reached its short but brilliant heyday. In 1276, Dmitry received the great reign, but, having become the Grand Duke and having completed all the formalities in Vladimir, he remained in Pereslavl, which became the capital city of the Russian land.

His son Ivan Dmitrievich had no direct heirs and bequeathed Pereslavl to his uncle Daniil Alexandrovich, the first Moscow prince, the youngest son of Alexander Nevsky. Thus the first stone was laid in the foundation of the future Russian state. This event was important for the formation of Moscow as the capital of Rus'.

It is interesting that a tradition appeared as a sign of the voluntary accession of Pereslavl-Zalessky to the Moscow Principality. During the coronation of the heir to the Moscow throne, smoked Pereslavl vendace, which is found in Lake Pleshcheyevo, was served on the royal table.

Pereslavl-Zalessky as a religious capital

During this period, the city was actually the second religious capital of the Russian state. The names of Metropolitans Pimen, Athanasius and Peter, as well as many famous church figures and saints, are associated with Pereslavl, including:

• Sergius of Radonezh, ordained to the rank of abbot in the Transfiguration Cathedral
• Dmitry Prilutsky, born in Pereslavl-Zalessky. In the Dormition Goritsky Monastery, the wonderworker took monastic vows, founded the Nikolsky Monastery on the shore of Lake Pleshcheevo and became its abbot.

Vasily III and Ivan the Terrible came to Pereslavl churches on pilgrimage. Russian tsars made rich contributions to the Nikitsky and Trinity, Danilov and Goritsky monasteries.

Pereslavl-Zalessky during the Time of Troubles

In 1608, Pereslavl-Zalessky was captured by the Poles, but on September 1, 1609, the Russian army under the leadership of Mikhail Skopin-Shuisky liberated the city. Later, detachments of the first zemstvo militia set off from here to liberate Moscow.

In the summer of 1611, the city managed to withstand the siege of Hetman Sapieha's detachment, and in 1618, an attack by Polish soldiers under the leadership of the Polish prince Vladislav.

Development and decline of the economy in the 19th century

At the beginning of the 19th century, Pereslavl-Zalessky was a large city with numerous churches, factories and mills, forges and stone houses under construction. The Belomorsky trade route, the shortest and most convenient route from Moscow to Arkhangelsk, passed through the city.

At the same time, the constructed Northern Railway bypassed Pereslavl, 18 versts from it, which led to the fact that the economy of the Zalessky city began to decline. And gradually the once developed city turns into a quiet and inconspicuous county town. Neither sufficiently developed industry and trade, nor numerous ancient shrines and historical monuments saved it from this fate.

The Pereslavl land has always attracted writers and artists - writers Nikolai Ostrovsky and Mikhail Prishvin, painter Konstantin Korovin and many other masters depicted it in their works.

To date, the city rampart surrounding the historical center of the city has been preserved, as well as monuments of church architecture. These are six monasteries, four of which are active and 9 churches:

• Nikitsky Monastery
• Nikolsky Monastery
• Holy Trinity Danilov Monastery
• Feodorovsky Monastery
• Sretensky Novodevichy Convent was closed in 1764
• The Goritsky Monastery was closed in 1744; currently it is a Historical, Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve.

In the Goritsky Monastery you can see unique monuments of antiquity and art, including church utensils, paintings and furniture, household items and other historical values.

Among the 9 surviving churches, the most notable are:

• Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral of the 12th century, the oldest architectural monument of North-Eastern Rus'
• The tented church of Metropolitan Peter, 1585.

Museum-estate "Boat of Peter the Great"

The city became famous for the fact that here, on the shores of Lake Pleshcheevo, at the end of the 17th century, Peter the Great built an amusing fleet, which became the basis of Russian shipbuilding.

In 1692, ships built on Lake Pleshcheyevo were launched. Peter the Great was kind to ships and ordered them to be taken care of. However, during a fire in 1783, almost all of them were destroyed, leaving only the boat “Fortune”, built, according to stories, by the hands of the Tsar himself.

On Mount Gremyach, on the southern shore of Lake Pleshcheyeva, the Historical Museum-Estate “Boat of Peter the Great” is located, where you can see Peter the Great’s boat “Fortune”.

Nowadays, Lake Pleshcheyevo is one of the largest lakes in the Upper Volga region and the center of the National Park of the same name. The dimensions of the lake are more than 6.5 km by 9.5 km.

In Soviet times, Pereslavl-Zalessky lost many city churches, but even now it is one of the centers of Russian Orthodoxy. This is a cozy and attractive corner for tourists with beautiful landscapes and ancient Orthodox shrines.

The cathedral was founded in 1152 by the founder of the city, Yuri Dolgoruky, and is one of the main attractions not only of Pereslavl, but throughout North-Eastern Rus'. This is one of the oldest architectural monuments of the pre-Mongol period - in comparison with the elegant churches of Western Europe, the cathedral is very ascetic and resembles a stern warrior who stood up to defend his native land.

From the once rich interior of the temple, very little survived during numerous fires and devastations - fortunately, the most valuable temple icon “Transfiguration” of the 14th century, presumably the work of Theophanes the Greek, has survived to this day. Since 1920, the icon has been in, and a lithographic copy of it is on display in the cathedral.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Red Square, 1a. GPS coordinates: 56.73671, 38.85218.

2. Zemlyanoy Rampart of Pereslavl

The rampart is the little that remains of the fortifications of the ancient city - eight centuries ago the height of the rampart reached 16 meters (by now it has subsided greatly, but even now the height is 10-12 meters). Judging by the diameter (as far as this word is applicable to the “oval” figure), early Pereslavl-Zalessky was very small - only 500 by 700 meters. At the base of the ring of fortifications there were once aspen and oak log houses, and along the top there were wooden fortress walls with watchtowers.

Coordinates: 56.73718, 38.85213.

3. Monument to Alexander Nevsky

Pereslavl-Zalessky is the birthplace of the Grand Duke - it was from here that he left to reign in Novgorod, and returned here when the “democrats” of Novgorod called for another prince. In short, it was Alexander who preserved Orthodoxy in Rus'. After the devastation of the country by the Tatars and its transformation into a province of the Horde, the Pope offered the Novgorod prince his military assistance in the fight against the Horde, but in return, Orthodoxy was to be replaced by Catholicism with recognition of the primacy of Rome. Prince Alexander turned out to be the only ruler not only of Rus', but of all of Europe who refused such a tempting offer.

Instead, he chose the path to temporarily submit to the Horde (and for this purpose traveled to the distant khan’s capital Karakorum), and direct all remaining forces against the expansion of the Latins. The motive was simple: for all the horrors of their raids, the Tatars were not interested in the religion of the conquered peoples and they did not lay claim to their souls. The Catholic knights, despite their outward “civilization,” first of all sought to change the people’s perception of the world, to turn their souls inside out. According to many historians, it was Alexander’s choice and his preservation of Orthodoxy as the spiritual core of the nation that predetermined the future fate of Russia as a great empire.

Coordinates: 56.73636, 38.85261.

Excursions around Pereslavl-Zalessky from local residents

For curious and sociable travelers who want to fully experience the unique atmosphere of ancient Pereslavl and see it from a new and, often, unexpected perspective, I recommend booking a personalized city tour from local residents. Your guides will be Pereslavl residents themselves: artists, photographers, journalists - who are in love with their city and know almost everything about it.

At the booking stage, you need to pay online only 20% of the excursion cost - the rest is given to the guide before it starts.

4. Church of Alexander Nevsky and Vladimir Cathedral

These two churches were built in the 1740s with the money of the Pereslavl manufacturer F. Ugryumov, and until the second half of the 18th century they were part of the Mother of God Sretensky Novodevichy Monastery - then they were surrounded by a wall, and next door stood the monastery bell tower in the form of a round tower. The bell tower and the wall were dismantled in the 30s of the last century in connection with the construction of a road, and after the revolution the churches themselves began to be used as bakery workshops.

Alexander Nevsky Church

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Sovetskaya, 12. Coordinates: 56.73559, 38.85264.

5. Church of Metropolitan Peter

According to legend, the first wooden church on this site appeared in the 14th century - it was built on the site of the trial of Metropolitan Peter, whom the Tver prince accused of trading in church positions, but the metropolitan was acquitted at the Pereslavl Cathedral. The stone church was built at the behest of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, who considered Metropolitan Peter his spiritual patron. The church is a tented temple, quite atypical for North-Eastern Rus'.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Sadovaya street, 5. Coordinates: 56.7355, 38.85159.

6. Iron Museum

A private collection containing all possible irons of the “pre-electric” era. There are even “predecessors” of the iron - a rolling pin and a ruble. Here you can learn about the operating principles of irons from different eras, see a collection of metal irons from different countries (there are exhibits from Germany, Poland, etc.), and get acquainted with Russian peasant life. The museum is located in an old merchant mansion - the first floor is stone, there is a souvenir shop, the second wooden floor is where the museum collection is located.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Sovetskaya, 11 (two steps from Red Square). Coordinates: 56.7346, 38.85247.

7. Museum of tricks and ingenuity

The museum's exhibition is a collection of funny and very useful household items invented in past centuries by savvy peasants and townspeople: prototypes of modern juicers, musical bottles, pest traps, special cups for mustachioed men, unusual devices for cracking nuts, and much more. If desired, the functionality of some museum exhibits can be checked in person.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Sovetskaya, 14b. Coordinates: 56.73453, 38.851.

8. St. Nicholas Monastery

This convent is one of the main attractions of Pereslavl-Zalessky, and its golden domes are one of the architectural dominants of the city. According to legend, a monastery in the name of St. Nicholas was founded in a swamp near the walls of ancient Pereslavl by the son of a merchant, and now one of the most revered saints, Dmitry Prilutsky, a disciple of Sergius of Radonezh. The monastery was repeatedly destroyed during enemy raids, but suffered the most during the Soviet years, when its main cathedral and bell tower were blown up. Life was breathed into the destroyed and virtually abandoned monastery in 1994 by two nuns. Since then, many of the monastery's buildings have been restored, and the number of its inhabitants has increased significantly.

The main shrine of the St. Nicholas Monastery is the ancient Korsun cross, located in the main cathedral. Korsun is the ancient Russian name for Crimea, where Prince Vladimir accepted Orthodoxy, and the most ancient and revered relics in Rus' were called Korsun. Tradition connects the equal-pointed shape of the Korsun Cross with the miraculous sign of a cross shining in the sky with the inscription “By this way conquer!”, revealed to the Byzantine Emperor Constantine in 312.

According to researchers, this cross was transferred from Korsun to Kyiv under Prince Vladimir, and in the 11th century it came to the Vladimir-Suzdal lands. Under Dmitry Donskoy and Ivan the Terrible, the cross was decorated with gems, and since the 17th century it has been in the Pereslavl St. Nicholas Monastery (in Soviet times, the cross was transferred to the local museum, but was returned back in the 1990s).

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Museum Lane, 4. Coordinates: 56.73158, 38.83743.

9. Temple of the Forty Martyrs of Sebaste

This picturesque church on the shore of Lake Pleshcheyevo was built in 1755 and consecrated in honor of the Sebastian martyrs - 40 soldiers of the XII “Lightning” Legion of the Roman Empire, who, during the persecution of Christians, were convicted of adhering to a forbidden faith and for this they were left to die of hunger and cold. on the ice of a frozen lake.

The church is located in one of the most beautiful places in Pereslavl - on the outskirts of the ancient Fisherman's Settlement, where the Trubezh River flows into Lake Pleshcheyevo. The best view of the church opens from the opposite bank of Trubezh, from Pravaya Naberezhnaya street.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Levaya Naberezhnaya street, 165. Coordinates: 56.7353, 38.82869.

10. Lake Pleshcheyevo

This unique lake, which has an almost regular oval shape, is one of the main attractions of Pereslavl. Looking at its smooth, mirror-like surface, it is very difficult to get rid of the feeling that it is alive and, in turn, is watching you. I saw many different lakes - in Guatemala, in, in, in and God knows where else - but I only got such a strange and almost mystical feeling on the shore of Lake Pleshcheevo.

Coordinates: 56.74031, 38.83602.

11. Dormition Goritsky Monastery (Pereslavl Museum-Reserve)

There is a legend associated with the Goritsky Monastery: two years after the defeat in the Battle of Kulikovo, the Tatars under the leadership of Khan Tokhtamysh again invaded Rus' and subjected it to thorough devastation. Shortly before the invasion, Grand Duchess Evdokia, the wife of Dmitry Donskoy, came here to the Goritsky Monastery for a pilgrimage. The princess was saved by a miracle - the monks and retinue put her on the raft and it disappeared behind the thick fog in the middle of the saving Lake Pleshcheyevo. In memory of her miraculous salvation, Evdokia used her personal funds to restore the Goritsky Monastery destroyed by the Tatars 10 years later. Since then, there has been such a tradition in Pereslavl-Zalessky: on the sixth Sunday after Easter, a procession of the cross on boats is held from the Goritsky Monastery to the middle of the lake.

The Goritsky Monastery was closed in the middle of the 18th century; currently its buildings house the Pereslavl State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve, the largest provincial state museum in Russia. The basis of the museum collection consists of objects of religious and secular art taken from monasteries and manorial estates of the Pereslavl land.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Museum lane, 4. Coordinates: 56.72095, 38.82389.

12. Alexander Nevsky Museum

This museum, which opened only in 2012, is dedicated to the most famous native of Pereslavl-Zalessky - Holy Prince Alexander Nevsky. The museum's collection consists of relics that are directly or indirectly related to the Grand Duke: a model of Pereslavl of the 12th century (when Alexander lived there), icons depicting the canonized prince, the order and medal named after Alexander Nevsky. Particularly notable is the group “Three Warriors”, depicting a Russian knight, a Tatar-Mongol and a Teutonic knight.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, per. Museum, 9. Coordinates: 56.72033, 38.8256.

13. Pereslavl Dendrological Garden named after. S.F. Kharitonova

This landmark of Pereslavl was founded in 1962, and in 1998 the garden was included in the Pleshcheyevo Lake National Park. The territory of the garden is divided into eight zones - Siberia, the Far East, the Caucasus, Crimea, Western Europe, Central Asia, China, Japan - where many characteristic plants are planted: relict vine, Korean cedar, Japanese cherry, cork tree and many others. For the convenience of visitors, alleys are laid out throughout the garden, and picturesque bridges are built across artificial ponds.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Zhuravleva street, 1b. Coordinates: 56.71825, 38.82901.

14. Holy Trinity Danilov Monastery

An active monastery, founded in 1508. The founder and first abbot was Elder Daniel, known as the godfather of Ivan the Terrible. The main temple of the monastery - Trinity Cathedral - was erected in 1530, during the life of St. Daniel and is the second oldest building in Pereslavl after the Transfiguration Cathedral. Trinity Cathedral was built at the behest of Tsar Vasily III in honor of the birth of his heir - the future Ivan the Terrible.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Lugovaya street, 7. Coordinates: 56.72018, 38.83837.

15. Feodorovsky Convent

This active monastery was founded on the site of the battle between Muscovites and the army of Mikhail Tverskoy, who also laid claim to supremacy over North-Eastern Russia. The oldest five-domed temple of the monastery - Feodorovsky Cathedral - was built by Ivan the Terrible in honor of the birth of his son Fedor. Under Peter I, the monastery essentially turned into a women's prison - in this capacity the monastery remained in this capacity until the beginning of the 20th century.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Moskovskaya street, 85. Coordinates: 56.71275, 38.81821.

16. Complex "Russian Park"

This attraction appeared on the map of Pereslavl relatively recently, in 2014. “Russian Park” is a historical and cultural center and a popular tourist complex, which is a Russian village with wooden carved towers and traditional huts, where the atmosphere characteristic of the 19th century has been carefully recreated. In the “Russian Park” there is a tavern where you can taste traditional Russian cuisine, and several museums telling about the great achievements and discoveries of Russian inventors and scientists, about Russian architecture, everyday culture, and folk art.

The territory of the “Russian Park” is very large and interesting; it is advisable to allocate at least half a day for its thoughtful inspection. There are many different exhibitions here (a tea museum, an exhibition of popular prints and spinning wheels, a Ural hut, a museum of proverbs and sayings, etc.), and all of them can be viewed with one ticket purchased at the entrance (300 rubles for adults and 150 rubles for children) - and the organizers they adequately assess the ability of tourists to absorb new knowledge and impressions: the ticket is valid throughout the day, you can walk around the museum a little, then go to Pereslavl to relax, and then return and continue the inspection.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, st. Moskovskaya, 158. Coordinates: 56.71041, 38.80356.

17. Museum complex “Boat of Peter I”

The place is sacred for all lovers of the maritime history of Russia: it was here, on Lake Pleshcheevo, that the Russian military fleet was born (“The Moscow Sea” then, of course, did not exist and the expanses of Lake Pleshcheevo - 6 by 9 km - seemed to young Peter sufficient for the construction of the first " funny" fleet). Nowadays Lake Pleshcheyevo is considered its cradle, and the “embryo” is kept on the territory of the museum complex - the famous large wooden boat of Tsar Peter, which for some reason everyone calls the “boat”. It was from this small boat that a fleet then grew, which all the great naval powers had to reckon with.

Granite monument with a double-headed eagle:

It contains a quote from Peter’s decree “to the governors of Pereslavl” with the highest command to “take care of ships, yachts and galleys.” It didn’t help - after 90 years the “amusing” fleet burned down. True, by that time the Russian Empire had acquired a fleet that was far from amusing - the Swedes and Turks experienced this the hard way.

The same boot “Fortune”:

The boat, designed for 10 rowers and 10 passengers and intended for transporting passengers and cargo to warships, occupies almost the entire space of the small hangar built for it.

Address: Pereslavl district, Veskovo village. Coordinates: 56.7246, 38.77129.

18. Museum of Gramophones and Records

The Museum of Gramophones and Records is a private small museum dedicated to music and early devices for its reproduction: gramophones, phonographs, electrophones, radios, phonols and gramophone records. In the museum you can get acquainted with their history, learn how the device itself works and sound is born.

Address: Pereslavl district, village. Veskovo, st. Peter I, 77 (across the road from the Museum "Boat of Peter I"). Coordinates: 56.72494, 38.77592.

19. Museum of Dummies

The museum's exposition is located in a simple village hut, in the upper room of which there are many different teapots, samovars and other items related to the Russian tradition of tea drinking. The basis of the collection are teapots - porcelain, copper, cupronickel - of various shapes and sizes, made in the late 19th - early 20th centuries.

Address: Pereslavl district, Veskovo village, Peter the Great street, 17. Coordinates: 56.74851, 38.86082.

20. "Berendey's House"

In the folklore of North-Eastern Rus' there are many ancient legends about Berendey - usually, according to the plot, the main character meets a certain fairy-tale character (sorcerer, sea or forest king), drags him to the bottom of a lake or sea and promises to let him go only if the main character gives him something that he himself does not yet know about.

Pereslavl “Berendey House” is a center for the preservation and development of folk traditions, where folk festivals and meetings of folk craftsmen and craftsmen are often held. All decorative elements here are made by hand using ancient technologies. “Berendey's House” combines a museum exhibition, a playground, a souvenir shop and a very nice cafe.

The theatrical excursion tells about traditional Russian life, traditions and customs - you can visit the chamber of Tsar Berendey and hear from him a story about the ancient Berendeys who have long lived on Pereslavl land.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Uritsky street, 38. Coordinates: 56.74873, 38.86114.

21. Nikitsky Monastery

The monastery, like many other monasteries in North-Eastern Rus', looks more like a fortress than a holy monastery. There were good reasons for this - and the fortress walls saved the inhabitants more than once. The monastery was founded by Prince Boris, the son of the Baptist of Rus', Prince Vladimir, in honor of the Holy Great Martyr Nikita, whom Boris especially revered.

According to legend, Nikita was a tax collector under Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Properly doing his job, he oppressed people until, while cooking meat, his wife saw bloody foam and pieces of a human body in the cauldron instead of an appetizing brew. Shocked by this event, Nikita came to the abbot of the monastery with a request to accept him into the monastery so that he could atone for his sins. He was accepted, but only after a difficult test: he had to give himself up to be tormented by mosquitoes and midges in the swamp closest to the monastery. Having already become a monk, Nikita continued to exhaust himself by wearing iron chains and a stone cap. These chains destroyed him: the robbers mistook the iron for silver and killed the ascetic; Now those chains are kept in the Nikitsky Monastery.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, Nikitskaya Sloboda, st. Zaprudnaya, 20. Coordinates: 56.76164, 38.85928.

22. Alexandrova Mountain

Alexandrova Gora (Bald Mountain, Yarilin bald spot) rises on the eastern shore of Lake Pleshcheevo and is part of the Kleshchinsky archaeological complex (named after the city of Kleshchin, the predecessor of Pereslavl-Zalessky). The height of the mountain (or rather hill) above the lake level is 30 meters, its entire top is covered with trenches and holes - these are traces of archaeological excavations. According to archaeologists, there was once an ancient settlement of the Merya tribe on the shore of the lake, and its Detin Kremlin was located on Alexandrova Mountain.

Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky, north-eastern shore of Lake Pleshcheevo. Coordinates: 56.78194, 38.83173.

23. Blue stone

2. Hotel La Confiture***

New comfortable hotel, impeccably clean, very tasty cuisine. The location is especially convenient for those traveling by car - on the Kholmogory bypass highway, 5 minutes to the city center.

3. Hotel "Zapadnaya"

Excellent location - in a quiet location on the banks of the Trubezh River, some rooms offer views of the Transfiguration Cathedral. Spacious, warm rooms, homely atmosphere, low (for this level of comfort) prices. Delicious breakfasts in the hotel restaurant - in addition, there are many cafes and restaurants within walking distance.

4. Guest house "Sokolsky"

A cozy guest house with a good location - close to the Arboretum and Goritsky Monastery. Large beautiful area, there is a nice veranda. The guesthouse has only 3 rooms, so the atmosphere is calm and homely. Comfortable and well-equipped rooms - for example, heated floors in the bathroom (this is extremely rare in hotels of this price level).

5. Fisch Herberg – Herring Royal Ambassador

A legendary themed hotel - its catchy facade attracts the attention of everyone who passes through Pereslavl by car. Ideal location (in the very center of the city), excellent restaurant, impeccable cleanliness.

Cities of the Golden Ring of Russia:

Basic moments

The history of Pereslavl is shrouded in secrets, legends, traditions and is inextricably linked with the names of the great Russian princes, tsars, famous warriors and famous clergy. Its magical aura is preserved by the ancient shrines of the city - white stone churches with golden domes and monasteries, each of which deserves a separate visit. The city museum displays the richest historical collections, and private atmospheric museums surprise tourists with original exhibitions and creative excursions.

In the parks of Pereslavl-Zalessky there are cultural and entertainment centers where city guests can immerse themselves in the atmosphere of ancient Russian fairy tales and get acquainted with the traditions and way of life of the people who lived in this corner of Ancient Rus'.

Pereslavl-Zalessky, standing on the shore of the huge Pleshcheevo Lake, at its confluence with the Trubezh River, delights with its wonderful landscapes. In the vicinity of the city, in the bosom of generous nature, there are recreation centers, guest houses, tent sites, and beaches for tourists. Lake Pleshcheyevo is a popular fishing spot. At any time of the year, fishing enthusiasts come here not only from neighboring cities, but also from Moscow.

History of Pereslavl-Zalessky

The land on which Pereslavl-Zalessky stands has been inhabited since Neolithic times - this is evidenced by archaeological finds discovered near the shores of Lake Pleshcheyevo and the Trubezh River. In the I-X centuries AD. e. These regions were inhabited by the ancient Merya people, belonging to the Finno-Ugric group of tribes. Later, the Slavs settled here: the Ilmen - immigrants from the Novgorod land, as well as the Krivichi, who migrated from the Dnieper region.

The city of Pereslavl-Zalessky itself owes its existence to Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. In 1151, having been defeated in the fight for Kyiv, he retired to North-Eastern Rus' and began an unprecedented development of these lands, founding new cities and actively encouraging the settlement of his possessions by immigrants from South-Western Rus'. In 1152, on the flat bank of a deep river flowing into a huge lake, in close proximity to the fortified fortress city of Kleshchino, he founded a city, later named Pereslavl-Zalessky. According to many historians, Yuri Dolgoruky built a new city as the capital of his possessions in North-Eastern Rus', and also as a symbol of isolation from Kyiv and the assertion of his undivided right to reign in this land.

Pereslavl-Zalessky was one of the largest cities in all of Rus', the third after Kyiv and Smolensk. The city was protected by huge ramparts, on top of which were built chopped walls. In terms of scale and technical perfection, the Pereslavl ramparts surpassed most other earthen defensive structures of Rus'. Their height ranged from 10 to 18 meters, and they stretched along a circumference of 2,350 m.

The ancient name of the princely city is Pereyaslavl, which literally means “took over the glory.” There were three Pereyaslavl in Rus': Pereyaslavl-Ryazansky, Pereyaslavl-Novy (later Pereslavl-Zalessky) and their progenitor Pereyaslavl-Yuzhny (today Pereyaslavl-Khmelnitsky, Ukraine), located on the southern cordon of Kievan Rus. According to some sources, Yuri Dolgoruky himself grew up and may have been born in Pereyaslavl-Yuzhny, where his father Vladimir Monomakh ruled.

During the reign of the descendants of Yuri Dolgoruky - Vsevolod III the Big Nest and his son Yaroslav Vsevolodovich - the city continued to develop and prosper, becoming one of the most significant centers of Vladimir-Suzdal Rus'. Educated people, chroniclers served at the princely court, masters of icon painting worked, craftsmen honed the art of wood carving. The outstanding commander Alexander Nevsky was born and raised in Pereslavl-Zalessky.

Like all Russian lands, the city was ravaged more than once by the Mongol-Tatars, and civil strife also did not spare it. In the 14th century, Pereslavl-Zalessky, as part of the Vladimir Principality, came under the control of the Grand Duchy of Moscow. Over the following centuries, the city developed as a craft and trade center; churches and monasteries were erected here, the number of which was second only to Suzdal. The great Moscow princes, and then the tsars, often visited these places - some were attracted by the rich hunting grounds in these parts, while others went here on pilgrimage.

In August 1688, the energetic and ambitious young Tsar Peter I arrived in Pereslavl, accompanied by the Dutch shipwright Brandt Karsten. Here, near Lake Pleshcheevo, he decided to build a flotilla, which became known as the amusing flotilla. This idea served as the first step of the future emperor towards the creation of the Russian fleet. On August 1, 1692, a parade of ships took place in Pereslavl. In the presence of the Tsar and courtiers, under the solemn ringing of bells, the first Russian flotilla set out on a campaign along the shores of Lake Pleshcheevo. After Peter left Pereslavl, the construction of a real Russian navy began in Arkhangelsk, then in Voronezh and on the shores of the Baltic Sea. However, the first cadres of shipbuilders and sailors were forged right here, in Pereslavl-Zalessky.

In 1719, Pereslavl received the status of the main city of the Pereslav-Zalessky province, and by the end of the century it became a district city of the Vladimir province. In the 19th century, it was a fairly large center with factories - tanneries and malting factories, mills, forges, and its linen factories were famous. The well-being of the city was also based on the fact that the White Sea trade route passed through it, connecting Moscow with the Volga and going further to the north. After a section of the Northern Railway was built 20 kilometers from Pereslavl, and it lost its transit significance, the city began to gradually change its appearance, turning into an ordinary, quiet provincial corner of the empire.

In the first half of the last century, the buildings of Pereslavl-Zalessky remained mainly wooden, and the city continued to grow along the Moscow-Yaroslavl road. Only in the 60-70s, along with the construction of large chemical and light industry enterprises, new microdistricts began to appear here, remote from the historical core of the city. Nowadays, Pereslavl-Zalessky is the third largest city in the Yaroslavl region.

Tourism seasons

Pereslavl-Zalessky, like other cities of the Golden Ring, is part of the middle zone of the European part of Russia, which is characterized by rather cold, dry winters and warm, sunny summers. Summer time is the ideal time to travel to Pereslavl. During the day the temperature varies from +20 °C to +30 °C, in the evenings it is fresh. At this time of year, you will be able to make the most of your time and not be dependent on the early twilight that is typical for other months. In addition, many open-air museums and attractions only accept visitors in the summer. Ancient temples, the interiors of which have preserved ancient paintings, are also closed to visitors in cold weather.

In spring and autumn you will have to rely on chance. If you are lucky and the days turn out to be clear, warm and fine, you will be able to enjoy the beauty of the landscapes of Pereslavl and explore local attractions in comfort, but if it rains or sleet, the trip will be complicated.

Cold weather begins in November and lasts until mid-March. In winter, daytime temperatures range from –10 °C to –5 °C, at night from –15 °C to –10 °C, although thaws here are no exception.

Sights of Pereslavl-Zalessky

In miniature Pereslavl-Zalessky, almost all attractions are located in the historical center, within walking distance of each other, focusing on the picturesque banks of the Trubezh River and Lake Pleshcheyevo. No matter where you go to the old city, you will not be able to pass the earthen ramparts that have been rising around the ancient settlement - the Pereslavl Kremlin - for more than eight and a half centuries. The fortifications are well preserved and represent a rare monument of early fortification architecture in this part of Russia.

Most of the churches and monasteries of Pereslavl date back to the 16th-18th centuries, and the urban development dates back to the 18th-19th centuries. Wooden and stone buildings cannot be called masterpieces of architecture, but, inextricably linked with the history of the city, they are of interest.

Several colorful two-story stone houses can be seen on Rostovskaya Street. In the old days, their first floors housed shops and taverns, and the upper rooms served as hotel rooms or rented apartments. Ancient buildings have been preserved in the Red Square area, including a two-story building, the decoration of which is the front two-flight staircase. On Gagarina Street, not far from the ramparts, a house from the early 18th century, built for the city office, attracts attention, preserving its blue-and-white tiled stoves. The building of the former city estate, built about three centuries ago in the classical style, is also of interest. To the side of it is the building of one of the manufactories from 1781. The ancient houses of Pereslavl-Zalessky are also located on Konnaya Street, in the former settlements near the monasteries, as well as Rybnaya Sloboda - the most picturesque corner of the city, located at the mouth of the Trubezh River, near the shores of Lake Pleshcheyevo.

Churches

In Pereslavl-Zalessky there is one of the most ancient monuments of North-Eastern Rus' - the Transfiguration Cathedral. The townspeople call it the Old Cathedral, and the square on which it is located has long been called Red. It is known that the temple was founded in 1152, simultaneously with the beginning of the construction of the city. Presumably, the work lasted five years, and the architects were Rostov and Suzdal masters who left numerous graffiti on the façade of the cathedral. Here is the tomb of the family members of Prince Alexander Nevsky, the great commander himself was baptized within the walls of the temple and took “princely tonsure” here - a rite of initiation into warriors. Next to the cathedral there is a monument to the prince.

Built in the Byzantine style, strict, laconic and majestic, the Transfiguration Cathedral is considered one of the first examples of famous white stone architecture in the lands of North-Eastern Rus'. The facades of each of its walls are divided by pilasters, forming a unique three-part rhythm, the apses are lined with ornamental brickwork, the windows are narrow and long, like slits. The interior decoration of the temple is modest; ancient paintings have not been preserved here.

Recently, restoration was completed in the temple, and today it is open to the public. Entrance here is paid - 80 rubles per person.

Near the Transfiguration Cathedral there is a tented church of Peter the Metropolitan, built in 1585. Its appearance is distinguished by severity and asceticism, which is characteristic of the architecture of that era. Of interest are the preserved old doors leading to the main church. Wall paintings and wood carvings in the interior belong to a later period.

Not far from the Church of Metropolitan Peter are the Vladimir (New) Cathedral and the Temple of Alexander Nevsky, built in the Baroque style in the 40s of the 18th century outside the walls of the then existing monastery of the Presentation of the Vladimir Mother of God and belonging to it. After the abolition of the monastery in 1764, the churches received the status of ordinary parish churches.

On Rostovskaya Street you can see another ancient landmark of Pereslavl-Zalessky - the Temple of Simeon the Stylite, built in 1771. This temple has two floors. Previously, there was a summer church on the ground floor. In its western part there is a spectacular hipped bell tower.

Near the city bridge over Trubezh, Pleshcheevskaya Street begins, stretching west to the lake. Here, above the low residential buildings, rise a slender belfry and an elegant dome of the Church of the Intercession, built in 1769. The temple is a typical example of provincial baroque architecture of the 18th century. Its interiors preserve interesting examples of icon painting, church utensils, and wood carvings.

Rybnaya Sloboda stretches along the Trubezh River. The local houses are almost close to the shore, completely lined with boats. Previously, fishermen lived here and supplied the famous Pereslavl herring to the royal table. Near the shore, at the mouth of the river, stands the original scarlet Church of the Forty Martyrs. It is known that it existed already in the 17th century. A spectacular panorama opens up from Lake Pleshcheevo to the temple, familiar to many from the advertising brochures of Pereslavl-Zalessky.

On Gagarin Street you can see the Smolensk-Kornilievskaya Church, dating back to the beginning of the 18th century and belonging to the Boris and Gleb Monastery located here before Catherine’s secularization. The church itself, the refectory, the cell building, and the bell tower have been preserved from the monastery itself. The temple is a rare monument of provincial architecture, distinguished by some eclectic decoration.

On Moskovskaya Street leading to the capital, at the top of the slope is the Sretenskaya (Alexandro-Nevskaya) Church, built in 1776. It is located between two famous monastery ensembles - Goritsky and Danilov. The temple is clearly visible from the city center, and together with the monastery walls and towers it forms a magnificent architectural composition that adorns the southern outskirts of Pereslavl-Zalessky.

Monasteries

Like many centuries ago, the appearance of Pereslavl-Zalessky is formed by magnificent architectural ensembles of monasteries. Most of them were built at a distance from the fortified city, along the roads that led to it, but gradually the holy monasteries entered the city limits. The three largest monastic ensembles - Goritsky, Trinity-Danilov, Fedorovsky - are located in the south of Pereslavl-Zalessky.

The famous Goritsky Monastery, founded at the beginning of the 14th century, got its name due to its location on a hill, near the cliff. Initially it was called Uspensky, which is on Goritsa, and after that it was simply called Goritsky. Located on the highway coming from Moscow, the monastery was repeatedly subjected to armed attacks, looting, and survived more than one fire, but was always revived, since it was highly revered and was under the patronage of Moscow rulers.

Already in the 16th century, the monastery buildings were predominantly stone, but most of them have not survived to this day, since they were dismantled in the middle of the 18th century, when the monastery was abolished, becoming the residence of the bishop of the Pereslavl diocese. During the bishops' stay here, grandiose construction began: a new Assumption Cathedral, a bell tower, and two towers were erected. The monastery walls also underwent reconstruction and renovation. However, in 1788, the diocese, which included many churches and monasteries, was abolished, and the former monastic properties gradually fell into disrepair. In 1919, a local history museum began to operate on the territory of the Goritsky Monastery, on the basis of which the Pereslavl-Zalessky Historical, Architectural and Art Museum that exists today was created - one of the best in this region of Russia.

While walking around the territory of the monastery, examine the Holy Southern Front Gate, built at the end of the 17th century, and the St. Nicholas Church, located above it, dating back to the same period. It is definitely worth visiting the largest cathedral church of the monastery ensemble - the five-domed Assumption Cathedral. Its interiors look luxurious and represent one of the most striking examples of Russian Baroque: the walls and vaults are decorated with spectacular stucco moldings, figured belts, cartouches, sculptures, and monograms. The iconostasis of the cathedral, created in Moscow by carving master Yakov Ilyin-Zhukov, is magnificent. The creation of the famous carver was brought to Pereslavl in disassembled form. Here it was assembled according to the drawings. This iconostasis, as if woven from gilded lace, is one of the best works of decorative Russian art.

On the same axis with the Assumption Church is the five-domed All Saints Refectory Church of the 17th century. Part of the exposition of the Pereslavl Museum is exhibited in its premises. It is worth saying that its holdings include more than 30 thousand rarities. Among them are historical documents, archaeological finds, ancient books, and weapons. Of interest are icons, church utensils, as well as mitres of archimandrites, altar crosses, silver chalices decorated with pearls and semiprecious stones.

The art gallery displays works of painting and sculpture dating from the 15th century to the present. Here you can see canvases by Shishkin, Benois, Polenov, Semiradsky, paintings by famous artists of the beginning of the last century - Korovin, Mashkov, Lentulov, Serebryakova.

Entrance to the monastery territory is paid - 50 rubles per person. You must pay separately to view the museum's exhibitions.

Opposite the Goritsky Monastery is the active Trinity-Danilov Monastery, founded by the monk of the Goritsky Monastery Daniel in 1508. The walls have not survived, but the Holy Gate (1750), built in the shape of a triumphal arch, can still be seen today. On the territory of the monastery, of interest is the recently restored Trinity Cathedral, dating back to the 30s of the 16th century, presumably built according to the design of the famous Rostov architect Grigory Borisov. In the appearance of this slender, tall, single-domed temple, features of Italian architecture are visible, which was characteristic of the era of Vasily III. In the interiors of the cathedral you can see restored frescoes from 1662 by famous masters Gury Nikitin and Sila Savin. Many monastery buildings were built at the expense of Prince Ivan Baryatinsky in the 17th century.

In 1660, at the northern side of the Trinity Cathedral, above the site of the tomb of the founder of the monastery, Daniel, a chapel was erected, to which an elegant hipped bell tower was later added. In the northeastern part of the monastery you can see the miniature one-domed Church of All Saints. To the south of the Trinity Cathedral there is a massive refectory building and the Church of the Praise of the Virgin Mary (17th century). This complex cost Prince Baryatinsky 11,237 rubles - a huge amount for those times. The temple is lavishly decorated and is considered a masterpiece of Russian architecture.

The entrance to the monastery, which returned to the Orthodox Church in 1993, is open from 8:00 to 22:00.

The southernmost monastery of Pereslavl-Zalessky is Fedorovsky. The first mentions of it date back to the 15th century. Until the 17th century it was masculine, after which it was turned into feminine. Among the nuns of the Fedorovsky Monastery there were many representatives of eminent and wealthy families. Noble families, as well as representatives of the royal family, constantly donated considerable money and precious things to the monastery treasury, which contributed to the prosperity of this monastery.

The oldest monastic building is the five-domed Fedorovsky Cathedral. Erected in honor of the birth of Ivan the Terrible's son, Tsarevich Fyodor, it is distinguished by the monumental style characteristic of monastery cathedrals of the era of Ivan IV. Its richly decorated extensions date back to the 19th century, as do the paintings inside. To the north of the cathedral is the Vvedenskaya Church of the early 18th century, and in the southwestern part of the monastery you can visit the Church of Our Lady of Kazan, built in 1714.

The monastery buildings have not been preserved in their original form, but restoration work has not distorted the appearance of the monastery. Behind its white walls, as many centuries ago, it is light and calm, the dark green scaly domes of the cathedral and the golden domes of the chamber churches look fabulous, like an illustration to an ancient book.

Today there are 20 nuns serving in the Fedorovsky Monastery. The doors to the monastery are open from early morning until the evening service at 17:00. Entrance to the site is free, but donations are kindly accepted.

To the side of the road leading to Yaroslavl, closer to the Trubezh River, behind a low brick fence with decorative turrets is the St. Nicholas Monastery, founded in the mid-14th century. Over the centuries, it was devastated several times, first by the Mongol-Tatars, and then by the Polish-Lithuanian invaders. The revival of the monastery began in 1613, and at the end of the 17th century the Korsun cross was brought here, which is still the main monastery shrine.

Until 1898, the St. Nicholas Monastery was a male monastery, then it was converted into a female monastery, which it is today, after 70 years of desolation. Of the ancient churches, two have survived to this day: the Gate Church of Peter and Paul, built in 1748, which contains fragments of paintings on the walls and vaults, and the Church of the Annunciation, built in the Baroque style.

The most ancient monastery of Pereslavl-Zalessky and one of the oldest in Russia - Nikitsky - is located on the northern outskirts of the city, near the Trinity Settlement. Founded at the end of the 11th - beginning of the 12th century, it has preserved architectural monuments dating back to the 16th-17th centuries.

Its walls with loopholes and towers are the oldest stone fortifications of Pereslavl-Zalessky and the surrounding lands.

The main temple of the monastery is the five-domed Nikitsky Cathedral, built in the 16th century and rebuilt several times in the next two centuries. The temple looks very impressive both outside and inside. Its architectural feature is pointed arches, common in Western European architecture and the Caucasus, but not found in ancient Russian architecture.

Heading south from the Nikitsky Cathedral, you will see a large complex of monastery buildings, which includes the Annunciation Church, utility rooms, bell towers, and the refectory chamber, where, according to legend, Peter I stayed.

Not long ago, major restoration work was completed at the Nikitsky Monastery, and today many consider it the most beautiful in the city. There are always a lot of visitors here, whom the monks greet very warmly. There is convenient parking near the walls of the monastery; on its beautiful, well-groomed territory, the doors of the cafe-refectory are open for guests, where you can buy delicious monastery bread, herbal preparations, honey from the monastery apiary, and kvass. Entrance to the holy monastery is free.

Museums

In Pereslavl-Zalessky there are several very nice, mostly private museums, which will be interesting for both adults and children to visit. The subject matter of the exhibitions is unusual. For example, the Iron Museum, located in an old mansion, displays a collection of 200 ironing devices - heating, coal, alcohol, gas, modern. You will also get acquainted with a collection of everyday goods for city residents dating back to the 19th century. The staff is friendly, young and there is a fun atmosphere.

The original Museum of Teapots, housed in a bright blue wooden house behind a multi-colored fence, introduces guests to the history of tea drinking in Rus'. More than 130 unique teapots and teapots are presented here - cupronickel, copper, porcelain, shiny and worn, rusty and enameled, tiny and gigantic. The tours are conducted to the accompaniment of music played from an antique gramophone.

In Pereslavl-Zalessky there is also the Radio Museum, the Museum of Cunning and Ingenuity, and the “Kingdom of the Vendace” Museum, dedicated to this rare fish, which is found only in Lake Pleshcheyevo.

The youngest museum in the city is the Museum of Money, and the oldest is the Museum-Estate “Boat of Peter I”, opened back in 1803 in memory of the emperor’s historical undertaking - the construction of the “amusing flotilla”. The museum houses the boat "Fortune" - the only ship that has survived from those times. Here you can also see ancient equipment for the production of ships, as well as the remains of rigging: sails, masts, cables, ship steering wheels.

In front of the museum building there is a monument to Peter I - the work of the sculptor Campioni, next to it are anchors from Peter's large ships. To the west is the so-called Rotunda Palace, built in the 50s of the 19th century, then the White Palace, where there is an exhibition dedicated to the history of the Russian fleet.

Camping

One of the iconic places in Pereslavl-Zalessky that you should definitely visit is Lake Pleshcheyevo. The local region is incredibly picturesque and romantic; in winter the lake freezes, and in summer its surface, usually calm and motionless, sometimes rises with large waves. The banks of the reservoir, either flat or hilly, are open on all sides, and from everywhere the view of the reservoir is simply amazing.

Lake Pleshcheyevo is a protected area, but excellent conditions for active recreation have been created here for the townspeople and guests of Pereslavl. There are several beaches on the sandy shores - both wild and developed, with summer cafes, umbrellas, and gazebos. It is possible to rent a boat or go surfing. The lake is also popular among fishing enthusiasts. Its waters are home to 16 species of fish, including the famous vendace.

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On the elevated shore of Lake Pleshcheevo, called Alexandrova Mountain, lies a huge stone - a boulder of an extraordinary blue color, brought here by ancient glaciers. It was once an object of pagan worship and today is a tourist attraction. A path paved with boards has been laid to the Blue Stone and a fee of 50 rubles is charged for its inspection.

The Pleshcheyevo Lake nature reserve also includes the Pereslavl Dendrological Garden, founded in 1952. Its territory is divided into 8 zones, each of which demonstrates the vegetation of different parts of the planet. The garden has paths and artificial ponds with nice stone bridges. Interesting excursions take place here; a special route – “Trail of Fairy Tales” – is designed for children.

In the very center of Pereslavl-Zalessky there is an open-air museum “Berendey's House” - an original cultural and entertainment venue with a museum, a souvenir shop, and an atmospheric folk-style cafe serving traditional Russian dishes and drinks.

During a tour of the museum, which takes place in a playful way, you will be told about the ancient traditions of the Russian way of life, rituals, demonstrated ancient household items, told and shown how our ancestors celebrated Maslenitsa, the Honey and Apple Savior. The Berendey House often hosts celebrations with songs, dances, entertainment, as well as wedding ceremonies in the traditional style.

On weekdays the museum can be visited from 8:00 to 17:00, on holidays and weekends - from 10:00 to 17:00. The cost of the excursion is from 385 to 525 rubles.

Another wonderful place for walking and getting to know Russian traditions is located at the entrance to Pereslavl-Zalessky from Moscow. Here, on an area of ​​several hectares, the Russian Park is located. Its center is a stylized Russian village, where in each of the wooden houses there is a museum or exhibition, their theme is Russian traditions and life.

At the Cossack Yard you will be offered a ride on a horse or in a cart, they will teach you how to throw an ax and handle a whip, and at the Ryapushka tavern you will be treated to royal borscht made from five types of meat, Guryev porridge, and fragrant kvass.

The cost of visiting the park is 300 rubles for an adult, 150 rubles for a child. Excursions must be paid separately.

Souvenirs

In Pereslavl-Zalessky there are many shops and kiosks where you can buy souvenirs. Most of them work at museums and in places near historical sites. In the Iron Museum, for example, you can buy stylized ceramic irons and elegant stands for them, in the Teapot Museum - porcelain dishes and samovars.

A wide range of interesting things is presented in the souvenir shop “Berendey’s House”: original Berendey toys, nesting dolls, ceramic, birch bark and pottery, all kinds of amulets.

The shops at the monasteries sell delicious honey and herbal teas.

A traditional delicious souvenir from Pereslavl is smoked fish, which has long become an indispensable purchase for every guest of the city.

Cafes and restaurants

There are enough establishments with European cuisine in Pereslavl-Zalessky; many cafes serve Caucasian cuisine, but, of course, the highlight of the local cuisine is traditional Russian food. One of the most popular restaurants among tourists is “Albitsky Garden”, located at the hotel of the same name. Here you will be treated to excellent pike cutlets with sauce, salmon caviar, baked pike perch, home-salted milk mushrooms, and excellent fish solyanka. The service here is excellent, a saxophonist plays in the evenings, but the prices are “Moscow”.

Guests also praise the atmospheric cafe "Monpensier" in the city center, the restaurant of the tourist center "Fish Herberg - Herring Tsarsky Ambassador", where, among other things, you can try delicious fresh herring, served with a variety of side dishes: potatoes, onions, under a fur coat. Prices in these establishments are quite affordable.

The cafe-restaurant “Pirog i Borshch” is famous for its home-cooked food – they serve excellent dumplings with potatoes, strawberries, cherries, and apples; pies with meat, cheese; branded berry juice.

On average, in popular establishments in Pereslavl-Zalessky, a hearty lunch will cost from 600 rubles per person, this amount does not include alcoholic drinks. In an ordinary cafe you can have a snack, limiting yourself to 150-300 rubles.

Where to stay

In Pereslavl-Zalessky there are several three-star hotels, as well as motels and guest houses. The average cost of hotel accommodation is from 2300 rubles per room. You can rent an apartment here, which will cost from 500 to 1,500 rubles per day.

Many city guests prefer to stay at tourist centers. Near Lake Pleshcheevo there is an excellent recreation center “Sin-Kamen”, where you can stay in one of the comfortable houses with the whole family. Not far from it, in a pine forest, there is another wonderful corner - “Pleshcheyevo”. The Urev tourist center is also popular among guests of Pereslavl-Zalessky; here you can have a great time both in summer and in winter, going ice fishing or going hunting for wild boar, elk, hare, fox.

In the summer, “savage” tourists can camp in a tent right on the sandy shore of Lake Pleshcheyevo. In an unequipped area it will cost 250 rubles; in a specialized parking lot, setting up a tent will cost 400 rubles.

Transport

There are several bus routes in Pereslavl-Zalessky, the most convenient and popular of which is No. 1, which runs through the entire city. To get to attractions located in the surrounding area, you will have to take a taxi. The cost of the trip is from 90 to 150 rubles, prices depend on the distance and season.

For those traveling by car, parking lots are available in Pereslavl. Renting a place costs 70 rubles/day or 20 rubles/hour.

Many tourists travel around Pereslavl-Zalessky on bicycles, which can be rented for 600 rubles/day or 100 rubles/hour.

How to get there

From Moscow to Pereslavl-Zalessky you can drive by car in two hours along the M-8 Kholmogory highway. A network of highways connects the city with other points along the Golden Ring of Russia route.

Buses arriving at the Pereslavl bus station are direct routes from Moscow and Yaroslavl, as well as transit buses heading from Moscow to Kostroma, Rybinsk and beyond. Travel time from the capital to Pereslavl-Zalessky by bus is about 3 hours.