Tatiana Solomatina

Golden Ring of Russia: information for tourists

Hello, dear readers! Today I’m opening a new topic - “The Golden Ring of Russia”. This is the calling card of our country, the main tourist destination, which is visited annually by about 18 million tourists from all over the world.

In the article I will tell you which cities are included in the Golden Ring of Russia, why they are worth visiting and how you can organize your trip.

In fact, the name “Golden Ring” is not in any geographical reference book; such a phrase was invented in 1967 by a journalist of the newspaper “Soviet Culture” in describing a series of articles about eight Russian cities near the capital, which have a rich cultural and historical heritage.

If you look at the map, the ring resembles a capital “O”, which seemed to want to hide from the bustle of Moscow, carried away into the glorious historical times of Russia with the blessed silence of the outback. The total length of the route is 1000 kilometers. It included the cities of Yaroslavl, Moscow, Ivanovo, Kostroma, and Vladimir regions.

There is a so-called Small and Large ring. The “Bolshoi” includes up to 20 cities; excursions in this case are long, weekly. In addition to Sergiev Posad, Suzdal, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Vladimir, Rostov the Great, Ivanovo, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, which are part of the “Small” ring, you can visit cities in their surroundings that also have a rich history - Alexandrov, Novgorod the Great, Uglich, Bogolyubovo , Ples, Tver, Tutaev and many others.

The trip combinations can be any, depending on the route you choose (if you go on your own) or the travel agency program (if you buy an excursion).

What is interesting about traveling along the Golden Ring?

The most ancient Russian cities with golden-domed churches, majestic monasteries, folk craft workshops - this is the main feature of this unique “pearl”. You will miss a lot of important, interesting things, facts from the past of Russia if you don’t visit here!

The main cities are famous historical and cultural monuments. The closest point to Moscow is Sergiev Posad. The distance from the Mother See is only 52 kilometers. The most distant point of the tourist “oval” is Kostroma, located 306 kilometers from Moscow.

• Sergiev Posad is famous for its Museum-Reserve and many architectural monuments (bell chambers, chapels, monasteries). And, of course, the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
• In Pereslavl-Zalessky you will be impressed by the grandeur of the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior, visit many monasteries, churches, visit the Steam Locomotive and Iron museums, the museum-estate “Boat of Peter the Great”, and this is not the whole list.
• The wonderful Rostov Kremlin museum-reserve awaits you in Rostov the Great. There is also the Finifti Museum, the Church of the Ascension of the Lord, the Tolga Mother of God, the Savior on the Sands and other religious objects.
• Kostroma will delight you with shopping arcades, numerous churches and museums, magnificent nature and the spirit of the Russian hinterland. Yes, there is also a very unusual museum dedicated to the feat of Ivan Susanin!
• Yaroslavl has become famous for its mass of religious buildings, Metropolitan Chambers, Gostiny Dvor, cozy streets will imperceptibly take you back many years.
• In Suzdal there is the famous Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, the Spaso-Evfimeev Monastery, the Bishop's Chambers, and many museums. Well, how can we not remember the Suzdal Kremlin!
• Ivanovo is not only a city of “brides”. This is a city of temples: museums, churches. Its history is also eventful.
• In Vladimir you will be greeted by the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, Dmitrievsky, Assumption Cathedrals, the Water Tower, priceless frescoes by Andrei Rublev, the Golden Gate and much more.

If you want to diversify your vacation with impressions, I recommend expanding your route to include neighboring cities. By the way, they are no less remarkable from the main ones in terms of culture, traditions, landscapes: Gus-Khrustalny, Murom, Alexandrov, Rybinsk, Uglich and so on. There are actually a lot of interesting things on their territory, and in spirit such settlements fit well into the general concept of the trip: the expanse of the Central Russian landscape, domes sparkling in the sun, stunning examples of applied art, like business cards - take at least the unique lacquer miniatures of Palekh or Gusevsky crystal.

How and when is the best time to go on a trip?

You can go on a trip along the Golden Ring at any time of the year. In winter there are fewer tourists, which allows you to see the sights without the fuss. And the color in winter is special - piping hot Russian pancakes with mead on Maslenitsa, gilded domes with sparkling white snow, sleigh rides. Although on holidays, of course, there are more people. Summer is more crowded, but the bright colors of nature are impressive and the weather is conducive to long walks.

There are several ways to visit the cities of the Golden Ring:

1. By hitchhiking or in your own car.
2. Having outlined a travel plan in advance with clarification of the transport schedule - by train, bus.
3. by purchasing a cruise on the Volga - in the summer (not all cities of the Golden Ring are included in the cruise program).
4. Book a bus tour at a travel agency accompanied by a guide.

Of course, the most convenient way to see the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia is to develop your own route and travel by car. The advantages here are obvious. Nonresidents can rent a car. But sightseeing tours are also very interesting. It’s just that you can see much more on your own in the same period of time. But with a tour you won’t need to worry about organizational issues.

Almost all tours start in Moscow. The most popular are two-day or three-day. So-called weekend tours. There are also holiday tours, they are in demand, so I recommend booking in advance.

Regardless of which route you choose, you will definitely want to come back here again. You will be reminded of your trip to the cities of the Golden Ring by souvenirs that you will definitely bring home. In Pereyaslavl it is impossible to resist the temptation to buy amazing little jars and clay pots. In Yaroslavl the Great there are famous products made of black-polished ceramics and enamel; in Yaroslavl the stunning tiles delight the eye.

Which route to choose?

In fact, there are incredibly many options. It all depends on time and financial capabilities. When traveling on your own, open the map and study. Start planning your route with the Classic Ring; you can use excursion programs as a guide. Plan cities to visit, book hotels, see transport schedules and opening hours of attractions, read reviews.

Do you want an expanded program? Choose a route around the Yaroslavl region that has an extended “loop”. Here you can travel in a circle or separately. For example, from Rostov the Great, go to the Boris and Gleb Monastery. You can go to Ples and Shchelykovo from Kostroma, to the places of folk crafts Palekh, Mstera, Kholui, it is better to go from Ivanovo. These are mini-tours where you visit up to seven cities.

With the choice of excursion program, everything is much simpler. If you plan to see as much as possible, opt for long excursions. You can explore the main cities and their surroundings in 9-10 days. The most popular tours consist of 3-5 days. You won’t be able to embrace the immensity, but you are guaranteed to get a sea of ​​impressions.

What can you bring as a souvenir?

Many people ask what souvenirs are best to buy in memory of a trip along the Golden Ring? For most travelers, it is important to bring something back from their trips. In all cities of the Golden Ring of Russia you can choose an original souvenir.

• In almost every city you can buy unique handicrafts.
• In Kostroma, pay attention to the stunning products made from birch bark: caskets, baskets, boxes, tueski. Homemade textiles and linen clothing are also sold here (you can even buy them with embroidery).
• Don’t forget to pick up unique items made of carved wood from your trip to Pereslavl-Zalessky. They wonderfully decorate the interior of the room.
• In Vladimir, pay attention to products made from semi-precious stones and patchwork.
• Ivanovo impresses with the work of local weavers, Palekh with lacquer miniatures, Suzdal with tapestries.

In any case, you won’t be able to resist the temptation to buy something as a souvenir!

What must be done?

In addition to studying history and visiting iconic places, be sure to:

1. Try delicious mead in Suzdal.
2. Collect sacred water from a source in Sergiev Posad.
3. Make a wish on the blue stone in Pereslavl-Zalessky (they say it will certainly come true).
4. Catch a fish in Rostov the Great and say in a whisper: “According to my desire...” (then comes desire).
5. Buy famous designer felt boots in Ivanovo.

The list can be continued for a long time, each city has something of its own.

Holidays: Looking for some fun?

Holidays in the cities of the Golden Ring are held in the best Russian traditions. You won't see this anywhere else!

The brightest celebrations take place on New Year's and Christmas days. With the wide scope inherent in our people - round dances, burning of effigy, sleigh rides, songs and belts.

On Maslenitsa you are guaranteed complete immersion in fair life, filled with songs, colorful performances and eating an incredible variety of pancakes.

The summer season begins with the May holidays. Interesting events: night festivities on the night of Ivan Kupala, competitions of heroes in Vladimir, a spectacular balloon festival in Yaroslavl. In the middle of summer you will find yourself at an amazing cucumber festival, which is celebrated in Suzdal.

Where to buy excursions: cost and agencies

There are many travel agencies selling excursions to the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia. It is better to choose operators who specialize in this area.

Prices for tours from Moscow vary depending on the chosen route and duration of the trip - from 1,000 to 30,000 rubles. It costs more from other cities.

Descriptions, routes and costs of excursion tours along the Golden Ring from Moscow can be found on the travel agency website Travel Store. There are day excursions, they can be seen in the banner below.

In mid-July I go on an independent trip around the Golden Ring by car. I'm currently working on a route. We plan to visit all cities in 10 days and collect practical information. Upon arrival, I will definitely write the details and share useful information and impressions. Subscribe to blog updates, don't miss the most interesting things.

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Now I'll say goodbye for a while. See you soon!
Tatiana Solomatina

The term “Golden Ring of Russia” has existed for more than 40 years. It was invented by a certain Soviet writer Yuri Bychkov in 1967 and immediately became a successful tourism brand to attract foreign tourists to the then existing USSR.

In fact, the Golden Ring is a group of cities concentrated in the territory of Central Russia and representing a certain historical and cultural value. Connected by highways, they form a symbolic circle that has become the personification of the cultural heritage of our country. Moreover, many of its cities and their attractions are protected by the UNESCO World Heritage Fund.

Traditionally, the Golden Ring of Russia includes eight cities - Vladimir, Ivanovo, Kostroma, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov, Sergiev Posad, Suzdal and Yaroslavl. All of them are located on the territory of six regions - Vladimir, Ivanovo, Kostroma, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod and Yaroslavl. In addition to the main list of cities, there is another, so-called discussion list, which already includes more than 20 settlements. Visiting these places depends on the chosen tourist route and, as a rule, is determined by the organizing company.

The Golden Ring of Russia includes: the city of Alexandrov, the village of Bogolyubovo, the city of Gorokhovets, the city of Gus-Khrustalny, the village. Kideksha, Moscow, Murom, Palekh, Plyos, Rybinsk, Tutaev, Uglich, Yuryev-Polsky, Shuya and a number of other cities, villages and towns. Vladimir is considered the generally recognized capital of the Golden Ring of Russia. Here we will begin a brief overview of the main cities of the Golden Ring of Russia tourist route.

Vladimir - the pearl of the Golden Ring

The pearl of the Golden Ring of Russia and one of the most ancient Russian cities, of course, Vladimir. The city is located 193 km from Moscow on the banks of the Klyazma River. In the 12th century, Vladimir was the capital of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, but over time it lost its importance and, during the growth of the Moscow state, even acquired the status of a provincial city. Today Vladimir is a large industrial and cultural center of the central part of Russia with a population of about 340 thousand inhabitants.

The city amazes with its pristine beauty and architectural monuments that have survived to this day, in particular numerous golden-domed temples and pointed wooden towers. The sights of Vladimir also delight with their diversity and uniqueness.

Among them: the Golden Gate, built in 1164, which at one time formed the main entrance to the richest and most noble princely-boyar part of the city; The Assumption Cathedral is a monument of Russian architecture of the 12th century, painted by Andrei Rublev, an Orthodox church and at the same time a state museum; Dmitrievsky Cathedral, the walls of which are decorated with white stone carvings, with images of people and animals, and much more.

Suzdal

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Of the many routes around Russia, tours along the Golden Ring have become especially popular. Even during the Soviet era, even foreign travelers showed interest in this destination - the Golden Ring was called the country’s tourist pride. Today, little has changed, except that the popularity of such tours has increased many times, and the program has expanded significantly.

Cities of the Golden Ring

Gold ring is a term that appeared in 1967. It was introduced by art critic and journalist Yuri Bychkov. In “Soviet Culture” he published essays about the cities of Ancient Rus', uniting them under the general title “Golden Ring”. A series of Golden Ring routes pass through cities that have preserved unique historical monuments, culture and crafts. The composition of the cities of each tour changes, but at the core there are eight main ones.

Kostroma- a city interesting for its monuments of provincial classicism and historical layout. Its main attraction is the Ipatiev Monastery, which is closely connected with key events in Russian history. Kostroma has also become famous for its churches and museums.

Pereslavl-Zalessky- a picturesque city with many museums. Among the most visited are the Historical and Architectural Museum, the Iron Museum, and the Peter I Boat Museum. It is worth visiting the Nikitsky Monastery, the Transfiguration Cathedral and Lake Pleshcheyevo. It is of glacial origin and is recognized as a protected area.

When mentioned Sergiev Posad the image of his shrine - the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - appears before your eyes. Thanks to her, the city attracts not only tourist groups, but also many pilgrims. This is the largest active monastery in Russia, which should be treated with special respect.

Ivanovo- not only the old Russian city. In the past, it was a center of constructivism, so here you can see a record number of buildings in this style. In Ivanovo, the Calico Museum, the Holy Vvedensky Monastery and the unique Church of the Assumption are of interest.

Pearls of the Golden Ring: the main cities of the route

Each of the cities of the Golden Ring is of great importance for the history of Russia. But there are real pearls for which tourists choose this route. The main place in the Golden Ring is reserved for Rostov the Great. Thanks to its abundance of monuments, it was destined to become a Russian center of tourism and pilgrimage.

The heart of the city is the Rostov Kremlin, built in the 17th century. The architectural ensemble unites the Assumption Cathedral and its belfry, the Church of Hodegetria, the Judgment Order, and the Holy Gate. It is impossible to see all the Kremlin buildings in a day. You need to study its architecture, the richest collection of icons and museum collections (exhibitions of Ancient Russian Art, Art Gallery) for a long time and thoughtfully.

Rostov is also famous for its monasteries. It is worth visiting the Borisoglebsky, Abrahamievo-Epiphany and Spaso-Yakovlevsky monasteries.

Yaroslavl- one of the oldest cities on the Volga, on whose territory there are 150 important architectural monuments. The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery is worthy of attention here. He became famous for the fact that it was in him that “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” was discovered. The monastery houses rare frescoes from the time of Ivan IV, icons and objects of ancient Russian art.

The peculiarity of Yaroslavl is more than 30 ancient temples and churches. You won’t be able to see everything in a short time, but it’s worth visiting the Church of Elijah the Prophet. The city's rich history is reflected in the collections of its museums. Mainly in the exhibition of the Museum of the History of the City, where you can see ancient icons, ancient household items, coins and archaeological finds.

Vladimir- the city on which the Golden Ring “rests”. It preserved monuments of white stone architecture, examples of which were the magnificent Dmitrievsky and Assumption Cathedrals. It is impossible not to visit the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum with a priceless collection of Russian crafts, merchant household items and icons.

Suzdal- another city of the Golden Ring and an open-air museum. Its center was the Kremlin, which preserved the moats of the ancient fortress, several churches and bishops' chambers, in which a collection of jewelry, household items, coins and parts of cathedrals is exhibited.

The Spaso-Evfimievsky Monastery with its intact wall paintings and frescoes is of great interest to tourists. Also in Suzdal you can attend master classes on making clay products, weaving birch bark baskets and preparing traditional dishes.

At different times, many cities sought to become part of the Golden Ring - after all, this could guarantee a stable flow of tourists. Today the most complete list looks like this (with the exception of the main eight): Alexandrov, Bogolyubovo,

Since the 1960s, the Golden Ring has been a tourist route through the main cities of the center of the European territory of Russia. A journey through the ancient cities of central Russia, which are of particular interest to tourists because of their important role they once played in the history of the country.

The Golden Ring is a term used to define a tourist route passing through the cities of several regions near Moscow. The author of the term is Yu. Bychkov, who published a series of articles under the general title “Golden Ring”, telling about the ancient cities of the center of the country. It was Bychkov who came up with the idea of ​​a circular route, later implemented under the name “Golden Ring”.

This name was given to the route due to the fact that the settlements included in its composition are located northeast of Moscow and form a semicircle on the map, starting in Sergiev Posad and ending in Vladimir. The epithet “golden” was given for the great contribution of these cities to the culture of the country.

List of cities in the Golden Ring of Russia

There is no strictly defined list of cities in the Golden Ring. Usually there are two route options, differing in the number of participating cities. The classic route includes eight settlements in five regions:

• Vladimir and Suzdal (Vladimir region);
• Yaroslavl, Rostov and Pereslavl-Zalessky (Yaroslavl region);
• Kostroma;
• Sergiev Posad (Moscow region);
• Ivanovo.

In the second route option, Ivanovo is excluded from the list and the following are added:

• Ples (Ivanovo region);
• Tutaev and Uglich (Yaroslavl region);
• Yuriev-Polsky and Alexandrov (Vladimir region).

Recently, Kasimov (Ryazan region) and Kaluga were included in the route. Thus, the number of settlements on the route can vary from 8 to 14-15.

Many other cities in Central Russia, such as Myshkin, Murom, Gorokhovets, Shuya, etc., also apply for inclusion in the route list, since their tourism potential is not inferior to the cities that are part of the Golden Ring. However, there has not yet been an official expansion of the list of cities participating in the route to include these settlements.

Historical heritage of cities in the Golden Ring

All the cities that are part of the traditional Golden Ring are located within the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, and later the Grand Duchy of Vladimir - the center of colonization of the Zalessk lands by the Slavs. The remoteness from the steppe, which for centuries posed a danger, as well as the fertile Suzdal region, led to the fact that from the beginning of the 2nd millennium AD. e. The Rostov-Suzdal, and then the Vladimir-Suzdal principality turned into the powerful Grand Duchy of Vladimir, claiming primacy among the ancient Russian state formations. Historical processes were reflected in the architecture and culture of these lands, which experienced rapid growth.

The position of the principality was not shaken by either the Mongol invasion or the confrontation with the Novgorod Republic and Lithuania. After the capital was gradually moved from Vladimir to Moscow, the name of the state was changed to the Grand Duchy of Moscow. It was in these lands that the Russian people and the state, now called Russia, were formed.

Cities of the former Novgorod Republic, which also played an important role in the history and culture of Rus', united into the Silver Ring of Russia tourist route. It includes the main centers of North-Western Rus', such as Veliky Novgorod, Pskov, Izborsk, Vologda, Staraya Ladoga, Tikhvin and others.

Vladimir region

It was in the Vladimir region that the most important centers of the Grand Duchy of Vladimir were located - Vladimir and Suzdal. Within the region there is a large part of Opole - a fertile piece of land with an area of ​​​​about 2.1 thousand km 2. It was the presence of fertile soils that attracted agricultural colonists leaving the troubled lands of Southwestern Rus' (modern Ukraine). Population growth due to developed agriculture became one of the main reasons for the subsequent economic and cultural rise of the Grand Duchy of Vladimir.

Vladimir

Since the second half of the 12th century, Vladimir has been the capital of North-Eastern Rus'. Thanks to the ruling princes Andrei Bogolyubsky and Vsevolod III, an ensemble of white stone monuments was created here, which are a UNESCO Heritage List object.

Golden Gate- the oldest architectural monument in Vladimir. Created in the second half of the 12th century under Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. They are the only ones that have survived to the present day from the 7 gates that once surrounded the city. Later it was rebuilt in the 18th-19th centuries, when a church was built on top of the gate and round towers were added to support the ancient masonry of the main structure.

Assumption Cathedral(second half of the 12th century), built under Andrei Bogolyubsky and rebuilt under Prince Vsevolod III. For several centuries, the Assumption Cathedral became the main temple of the principality and a model for subsequent cathedrals built after the Mongol yoke. The Assumption Cathedral was a tomb for representatives of the grand ducal dynasty and bishops of the city. The interiors of the temple contain frescoes created by Andrei Rublev.

Dmitrievsky Cathedral was built during the reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest at the very end of the 12th century. The walls of the temple are decorated with more than 600 anthropomorphic and zoomorphic reliefs, biblical scenes and images of the grand ducal family. For its carvings, St. Demetrius Cathedral received the nickname “white stone book.”

Near Vladimir, in the town of Bogolyubovo, which once housed the residence of Andrei Bogolyubsky, there is another masterpiece of white-stone Vladimir architecture - the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. In addition, in Bogolyubovo the remains of the chambers of the Grand Duke - the castle of Andrei Bogolyubsky - have been preserved.

Among the monuments of Vladimir that are not considered masterpieces of white stone architecture, one can highlight:

• Princess Monastery with the Assumption Cathedral of the 15th century;
• Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1649, “Russian patterned” style);
• Nikitskaya Church (1760, Baroque style);
• the “Old Vladimir” museum, housed in a 19th-century water tower;
• Trinity Cathedral, Church of the Holy Rosary and many other buildings.

Suzdal is the oldest city in the region, formerly the capital of North-Eastern Rus' before the founding of Vladimir. The first mention of Suzdal dates back to 999, when it was called the leading city of these lands. Now Suzdal is a unique cultural and historical phenomenon: on the territory of a small town with a population of 10 thousand people there are more than 40 churches, several monasteries, and buildings of civil architecture of past centuries. In total, in Suzdal there are more than 200 architectural monuments of the 13th-19th centuries, protected by the state.

Suzdal Kremlin- the oldest part of the city, its ensemble consists of the Nativity Cathedral (first half of the 13th century) and the Bishops' Chambers (XV-XVIII centuries). The Nativity Cathedral, along with the churches of Vladimir and Bogolyubov, belongs to the category of “White stone monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal”. The oldest part of the cathedral is the lower one, preserved from the moment the temple was built; here, just like on the Dmitrievsky Cathedral, there are carved reliefs.

Bishops' Chambers- a house for the church leaders of Suzdal, now the building houses an exhibition dedicated to the history of the city and the Kremlin. The last object of the Kremlin complex is the 18th-century St. Nicholas Church.

Monastery of Saint Euthymius- the most famous monastery in Suzdal, dating back to the 14th century. The current architectural ensemble was formed in the 16th-17th centuries. The main temple of the monastery is the Transfiguration Cathedral (late 16th century). The entire monastery territory is surrounded by powerful fortress walls, although the monastery was never used as a defensive fortress. The 22-meter entrance tower, facing the city, is decorated with elements of “Russian patterning”.

Deposition of Robe Monastery- the oldest in Suzdal, founded at the beginning of the 13th century. The oldest buildings of the monastery date back to the 16th century, but the most interesting structure of the complex is the Holy Gate, built a century later, made in the form of two hipped towers. The monastery's 72-meter-high Venerable Bell Tower is the tallest building in the city.

Pokrovsky Convent was founded in the middle of the 14th century and for a long time was a place of exile for noble female persons, including the wives of kings, who for various reasons did not suit their crowned spouses. The main buildings of the monastery date back to the 16th-17th centuries.

Ensemble of the Trade Square, formed in the 18th-19th centuries, with shopping arcades and six churches of the 18th century.

Many churches of Posad, Zarechye and settlements, now included in the city limits of Suzdal. In total there are about 30 separate temples, most of which were built in the 17th-18th centuries.

Museum of Wooden Architecture, consisting of wooden architectural monuments brought from the outskirts of the city, such as the Transfiguration and Resurrection churches, windmills, residential buildings and huts, as well as outbuildings. All samples belong to the monuments of wooden architecture of the 18th-19th centuries.

Yaroslavl region

The Yaroslavl region is the heir to the Yaroslavl principality, which was first an appanage of the Grand Duchy of Vladimir, and in the 15th century annexed to Moscow.

Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl reached its architectural and cultural heyday in the 17th century, when it was the second most populous city in the country. The main monuments of Yaroslavl were erected at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. The entire historical center of the city is included in the UNESCO List as an outstanding architectural ensemble of its time. On an area of ​​approximately 100 hectares there are more than 140 architectural monuments and approximately the same number claim this status.

Spassky Monastery- an ancient and long-defunct monastery, founded in the 11th-12th centuries. The oldest building is the Transfiguration Cathedral with frescoes from the 16th century. The Spassky Monastery went down in Russian history as the place where a masterpiece of ancient Russian architecture was found, The Lay of Igor's Campaign.

C Church of Elijah the Prophet- the most famous temple in Yaroslavl, built in 1650 and famous for its tiles and galleries, as well as frescoes of the regional school of painting.

Church of John the Baptist in Tolchkovo- the apotheosis of the Yaroslavl school of architecture, the temple depicted on the 1000 RUR banknote.

Posad and Sloboda churches, erected in the second half of the 17th century: the temple complex in Korovniki, the churches of St. Nicholas the Ruben, the Savior on the City, Epiphany, St. Nicholas the Mokroy, the temple of the Fedorov Icon and many other religious buildings. The Yaroslavl school of architecture is characterized by green domes and an abundance of tiles decorating the walls of temples.

Buildings of the 18th-19th centuries, among which we can highlight the Church of Peter and Paul (a replica of the Peter and Paul Cathedral of St. Petersburg), monuments of provincial classicism (the Soviet Square ensemble, Gostiny Dvor, Kazan Cathedral) and later buildings (the New Volkov Theater, the Bristol Hotel).

Rostov Veliky

Rostov, or Rostov the Great, is the oldest city of the Golden Ring. Rostov was first mentioned in 862, and later it became one of the main centers of North-Eastern Rus'. Now the city is a decoration of the Golden Ring and is famous primarily for the Rostov Kremlin.

Rostov Kremlin- the residence of the city's metropolitans, built in the second half of the 17th century by order of Metropolitan Jonah Sysoevich and located on the shore of Lake Nero. The Kremlin is a complex of buildings for religious and economic purposes, surrounded by a high defensive wall with 11 towers. The oldest building in the Kremlin is the Assumption Cathedral of the early 16th century, built even before the construction of the Kremlin complex. The famous belfry of the cathedral, on which 15 bells are located, was erected already under Ion Sysoevich. In total, there are 5 temples on the territory of the Kremlin, as well as administrative buildings. There is a metropolitan garden inside the complex. The ensemble of the Rostov Kremlin is considered one of the most perfect architectural monuments of the 17th century in Russia.

Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery was founded at the end of the 14th century, but its architectural ensemble was finally formed only in the 19th century. The oldest building on the territory of the monastery is the Conception Cathedral in the “Russian patterned” style, erected at the end of the 17th century. A century later, a stone fence and a bell tower were built, and in the 19th century the Demetrius Cathedral and St. Jacob's Church were added.

Trinity-Sergius Varnitsky Monastery located a few kilometers from Rostov, founded in the 15th century at the birthplace of Sergius of Radonezh. During the Soviet era, the monastery was almost completely destroyed; restoration and construction of churches and fraternal buildings took place in our time.

Pereslavl-Zalessky

Pereslavl-Zalessky is another pearl of the Golden Ring. The small town (40 thousand inhabitants) has a whole range of attractions: there are 6 monasteries, a dozen churches, and several unusual museums. The main asset of Pereslavl-Zalessky is the Transfiguration Cathedral, the oldest temple in North-Eastern Rus' and another monument of white stone architecture of the Vladimir Principality. The cathedral was erected in the middle of the 12th century on the territory of the Pereslavl Kremlin, from which a complex of ditches and earthen embankments was preserved, and the wooden walls were dismantled.

The Transfiguration Cathedral is famous for its 12th-century wall graffiti, which describes the murder of Andrei Bogolyubsky and lists the names of the killers.

Nikitsky Monastery Pereslavl-Zalessky is one of the oldest monasteries in the country. The founding date of the monastery is considered to be 1010, when the first Russian saint, Prince Boris, founded a church on the shore of Lake Pleshcheevo, which formed the basis of the monastery. The main architectural complex of the monastery was formed by the 18th century, but construction continued here later, for example, the Gate Bell Tower was erected.

Vladimir Cathedral and Alexander Nevsky Temple, built in the 40s of the XVIII century in the provincial baroque style, are distinguished by the great influence on their architecture of traditional Yaroslavl architecture. An unusual duo of churches, left over from the abolished Bogoroditsko-Sretensky Novodevichy Convent, is located on Red Square of Pereslavl-Zalessky.

Pereslavl-Zalessky is characterized by unusual museums that impress tourists who visit them. The Teapot Museum, the Iron Museum or the Museum of Cunning and Ingenuity amaze not so much with their extensive exhibitions, but with their creative approach to their design and creative guides, who do not at all resemble the usual museum workers.

Kostroma

Kostroma is the only city in the region of the same name that is part of the route. Kostroma is a medium-sized settlement located 80 km from Yaroslavl. The city was founded in 1152 by Yuri Dolgoruky. Now Kostroma is one of the main centers of tourism in the Upper Volga.

Ipatiev Monastery- the main attraction of Kostroma, which was important during the Time of Troubles and in 1612 was the place of residence of Mikhail Romanov, the future tsar and founder of the royal dynasty. In the monastery, which received the nickname “the cradle of the Romanovs,” one can particularly highlight the Chambers of the Romanov Boyars, in which the future monarch lived, as well as the Trinity Cathedral (1650).

Shopping arcades in Kostroma- the largest of the surviving complexes in Russia, massively built in the second half of the 18th century under Catherine II. Kostroma shopping arcades were built after a fire in 1773, which destroyed wooden shops in the city center. The shopping arcades still perform their function, and their complex is an example of the civil architecture of Catherine’s times.

Sergiev Posad

Sergiev Posad is the only city in the Moscow region that is part of the route and one of the key points of travel along the Golden Ring. Sergiev Posad is known far beyond the country's borders for its main asset - the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of two laurels in Russia.

The main spiritual center of the country was founded by Sergius of Radonezh in 1337, when the monk settled in a monastery on Mount Makovets. Now the Lavra is the largest monastic complex in the country, behind the walls of which there are more than 50 buildings, from a typical representative of ancient Russian architecture, the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the 15th century, to baroque buildings of the 18th century - the Smolensk Church and the Main Bell Tower. Now the Trinity-Sergius Lavra is included in the UNESCO heritage list as an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble.

Ivanovo is the most unusual city included in the Golden Ring route. The settlement received urban status only in 1871, and before that time the large villages of Ivanovo and Voznesenskoye were located here. Now the former Ivanovo-Voznesensk, which dropped the second part of its name under the USSR, is a reserve of constructivist architecture, which is not at all similar to the architecture of other cities of the Golden Ring. Among the main examples of the avant-garde architectural style are the “Horseshoe House”, “Collective House”, and “Ship House”. Ivanovo is also famous for its museums, a significant part of which are dedicated to revolutionary themes (“Ivanovo - the city of the first Soviet”) and light industry, which was the reason for the economic takeoff of the city in the 19th-20th centuries.

Expanded list of cities of the Golden Ring of Russia

The expanded list of cities participating in the Golden Ring route also includes:

Uglich (Yaroslavl region), which went down in history as the place of death of the last descendant of the Rurik dynasty, Tsarevich Dmitry. In Uglich you can see the ensemble of the Uglich Kremlin, the main buildings of which are in one way or another connected with the last Rurikovich: this is the Church of Demetrius on Blood, the Tsarevich’s Chambers and the Transfiguration Cathedral. Among other attractions of the city, one can note the Alekseevsky Monastery complex with one of the masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture, the Marvelous Church.

Tutaev (formerly Romanov-Borisoglebsk), Yaroslavl region. The city, divided into two parts by the Volga and without bridges across the river, is known not only for the complex of churches on the Romanovskaya (left bank) side, but also for one of the most impressive churches of the 17th century - the Resurrection Cathedral on the Borisoglebskaya (right bank) side.

The tiny town of Ples (less than 2 thousand inhabitants) is located in the Ivanovo region. Plyos, lying on the high bank of the Volga, has a complex of churches from the 17th-19th centuries, but it is famous primarily for its landscapes, which have attracted painters for a long time. It was in Plyos that the outstanding artist I. Levitan created many of his canvases, and in the city itself there is a house-museum of the artist, which displays many of Levitan’s works painted in Plyos.

Yuriev-Polsky (Vladimir region), founded by Yuri Dolgoruky in 1152. The landmark of the city is the St. George Cathedral of 1230 - the last temple of North-Eastern Rus', built before the Mongol invasion. Another popular site of Yuryev-Polsky is the Mikhailo-Arkhangelsky Monastery, destroyed by Batu’s troops shortly after its founding. The current monastery complex was rebuilt in the 17th-18th centuries.

Alexandrov, Vladimir region, better known in history as Alexandrovskaya Sloboda - the center of decision-making and residence of Ivan the Terrible during the oprichnina. For 17 years, the Alexander Kremlin was the de facto capital of the state. From the time of Ivan the Terrible, the Trinity Cathedral and the Church of the Intercession have reached our time, but most of the fortress was destroyed by the Poles during the Time of Troubles. Since the mid-17th century, the Assumption Monastery has been located on the territory of the Alexander Kremlin.

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New cities included in the Golden Ring were Kasimov in the Ryazan region (in 2015) and Kaluga (in 2016). Kasimov is one of the most unusual cities in Russia, for two centuries it was part of the vassal kingdom of Kasimov, ruled by the Tatar khans. Of great interest is the combination of Muslim heritage (Khan Mosque, tomb of Shah Ali Khan) and Orthodox architecture (Ascension Cathedral, Annunciation and Assumption churches).

Kaluga stands out for its architectural sights, created mainly in the 18th century. Among them are the Great Stone Bridge, built during the time of Catherine II and representing a 160-meter viaduct, as well as several temples: the Church of St. George at the Top, the Nikolo-Kozinskaya Church, the Trinity Cathedral and a masterpiece of provincial baroque, the Church of Cosmas and Damian.

The number one direction near Moscow, which ensured a stable influx of foreign currency into the state treasury back in the days of socialism, the Golden Ring on the map rather resembles a calligraphic capital “O”, striving to break away from noisy Moscow and rush into the foggy distance of the glorious history of Rus' and the blessed silence of the outback.

8 ancient cities with majestic monasteries and golden-domed churches, chambers of commerce of Volga merchants and workshops of famous folk crafts - the brilliant crown of the mother throne. Not visiting them means missing out on a lot of interesting and important things from the eventful Russian past.

But you shouldn’t think at all that there is nothing to do here besides walking around religious and secular architectural complexes - on the contrary! For example, in Yaroslavl you can eat to your heart's content with perhaps the most delicious donuts in the central region, and from Kostroma you can take away a couple of heads of cheese in a Kostroma birch bark container; Suzdal will lift your spirits with the International Cucumber Festival, and Pereslavl-Zalessky will enchant you with the blue expanses of Lake Pleshcheevo. In addition, the path to this fairy-tale kingdom is not far at all: just a couple of hours from Moscow, and the tourist infrastructure is fully developed - you can eat and spend the night in style and for a reasonable price.

What is the Golden Ring: cities and monasteries

First, let's define the terminology. The classic Golden Ring is 10 cities, significant for their historical and cultural monuments, located on a virtual circle to the northeast of Moscow. Clockwise from the city closest to the capital these are: Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov the Great and Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Suzdal and Vladimir. In 2015, the city of Kasimov joined them, and in 2016, Kaluga.

Along with the classic route, there are also expanded ones, depending on the imagination of the tour operators, including neighboring cities (by the way, no less remarkable in terms of landscapes, traditions and culture): Kalyazin, Murom, Plyos, Rybinsk, Gus-Khrustalny, Palekh, Alexandrov, etc. Let us forgive them for such confusion of thoughts: in the territory of the central regions of Russia there really is something to see, and in spirit these settlements fit well within the framework of the Golden Ring - cozy towns topped with domes glowing in the sun, rich Central Russian landscapes around and magnificent examples of applied art as a calling card - let's take, for example, Gusev's crystal or a lacquer miniature of Palekh.

Rostov Veliky

Routes along the Golden Circle

There are a lot of options for excursion programs around the Golden Ring. In addition to the classic “ten” mentioned above, an extended route with a loop around the Yaroslavl region is popular - with a visit to Myshkin, Rybinsk and. Its length is about 1000 km.

You can travel along the Golden Ring not only in a circle, but also radially: for example, from Rostov the Great - to the Boris and Gleb Monastery, from Yaroslavl - to Tutaev, from Kostroma - to Plyos and Shchelykovo, from Ivanovo - to Shuya and the places of folk crafts Palekh, Kholui and Mstera. Most often, such mini-programs include visits to only 4-7 cities.

In terms of duration, trips can be designed for either 2-3 days (weekend tours) or for a full 9-10 days required to explore the main cities and other “cherubim like them”. The most popular options are from 2 to 5 days, although there are also many who want to embrace the immensity, especially in the summer.

What to ride

The most convenient way to travel around the Golden Ring is an organized excursion. Despite the inevitable “gallop across Europe” in such cases, the advantages of this option are obvious: they will bring you and take you away on schedule, accommodate you, feed you and tell you about it.

Travelers on their own should rely on personal vehicles (ideal) or intercity buses. The railway is more suitable for individual visits to the cities of the Golden Ring, since it only connects regional centers (which is convenient, say, for Yaroslavl or Vladimir). In many small towns, stations are located tens of kilometers from tourist spots. To quickly get to the opposite side of the “ring”, you can use an airplane: for example, flights from Moscow Domodedovo depart to Kostroma twice a week. Travel time is just under 1.5 hours.

• Which cities of the Golden Ring can you visit by boat during a cruise?

Golden Circle Cards

Communications and Wi-Fi

Finding a free Wi-Fi hotspot in the cities of the Golden Ring is not a problem. The Internet is not available everywhere, but we can’t even talk about a shortage; after all, it’s a tourist route. So, in small towns like Sergiev Posad, access is available in central cafes and well-known restaurants. Some establishments offer free Wi-Fi only to clients, so you need to make an order to receive a password.

In larger cities, such as Vladimir, the net can be caught in large squares and around attractions.

As for hotels, it is better to study this issue when booking. Tourists from big cities, spoiled by the default service, may encounter partial or no Wi-Fi coverage. Access problems may arise in small mini-hotels or guest houses.

Golden Ring Hotels

Fortunately, the times when a trip to the Russian outback was invariably fraught with difficulties in finding a suitable hotel (more precisely, with a complete lack of decent accommodation options) have sunk into oblivion. Today, in any city of the Golden Ring there are at least a couple of nice hotels, as well as many options in the private sector: from cozy mini-hotels with homely furnishings to apartments and even cottages for daily rent. There are also business hotels designed for wealthy foreigners.

A pleasant highlight and, if you like, exotic even for us, residents of big cities, is accommodation in old houses in suburbs or real village huts.

Accommodation prices range from 550-1500 RUB per room in the private sector, sanatorium or tourist center to 2400-5100 RUB for a well-furnished room in a modern hotel or well-kept private hotel. Business accommodation will cost 6,000-10,000 RUB for a double room with breakfast. Prices on the page are as of November 2019.

What to bring

Handicrafts and souvenirs from the cities of the Golden Ring are perhaps more attractive to travelers than monasteries, temples and museums. In addition to the standard assortment - all sorts of things depicting local architectural monuments - almost every town is famous for the exceptional products of its craftsmen. In Kostroma, for example, they make magnificent birch bark items - tueski and boxes, boxes and baskets. Linen clothing and home textiles are also brought from here - regular and embroidered. From Pereslavl-Zalessky it is worth grabbing wonderful interior and kitchen items made of carved wood. Vladimir is famous for patchwork, enamel and jewelry made from semi-precious stones, and Suzdal is famous for tapestries. In Ivanovo, be sure to pay attention to the products of local weavers - calico and printed fabrics, textiles for the home and bedroom. The towns of the “big” Golden Ring - Kholui, Mstera, Palekh - are famous throughout the world for the art of lacquer miniatures.

Traveling through the cities of the Golden Ring

Cuisine and restaurants of the Golden Ring

Thanks to the unabated tourist interest, largely from foreigners, there are no problems with nutritional establishments on the Golden Ring. From sandwich shops and wine bars (and you say, exotic - abroad!), where you can kill a worm, say, with meat and potatoes in a pot and have a glass “for sightseeing,” to restaurants of Russian haute cuisine in the spirit of the famous Moscow “Cafe Pushkin” .

In the cities of the Golden Ring, you should definitely try local gastronomic delights: in Yaroslavl - donuts, in Kostroma - cheese, in Suzdal - mead and cucumbers in all forms - from fresh to pickled, in Rostov the Great - pike dishes.

It is worth noting that in inexpensive establishments they serve food in a native way: the products are fresh, the portions are impressive, the prices are affordable - the soulful Russian hinterland, after all, is not the shameless shawarma makers of megacities. Buffets are rarely offered in hotels: breakfasts are usually continental, and dinner can be ordered à la carte in the hotel restaurant.

The best photos of the Golden Ring

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All photos of the Golden Ring

What to see

Vladimir continues the theme of New Year's miracles, where even fairs in winter turn into theatrical stages, and the main enemy of New Year's matinees, Baba Yaga, rules the ball. In the children's favorite fairytale museum "Grandma-Yagusya" miracles happen - the hook-nosed old woman suddenly becomes kinder and even treats guests with sweets.

People have noisy fun on New Year’s days in the “Birth of a Fairy Tale” complex, 25 km from Pereslavl-Zalessky (website). It’s worth returning to this city in the summer to visit the Russian Park, which offers dozens of programs for children’s recreation.

A unique place in Suzdal is the Shchurovo Settlement Museum, where the atmosphere of ancient Russian life is recreated. At the beginning of spring, a unique festival “Russian Fairy Tale” takes place here.

In Yaroslavl, children are accepted into heroes at the Aleshino Compound museum-theater. The zoo and dolphinarium are worthy of attention.

Luxurious Kremlin Christmas trees are organized in Rostov the Great. It would be a good idea to take a look at the Lukovaya Sloboda museum and the Pike Dvor fish soup academy in the Rostovsky complex (website).

Ivanovo and Sergiev Posad cannot boast of such an abundance of entertainment, but there is something to do here too. The Ivanovo Zoo, for example, is home to more than 800 representatives of the animal world (website). And in Sergiev Posad, an excellent place for a family holiday is the “Wonder Park” amusement complex.

Holidays and Events

In the cities of the Golden Ring they live and have fun in the best Russian traditions - to the envy of the residents of megalopolises, they ride sleighs, noisily see off the winter by burning effigies, have round dances, and dress up in all sorts of ways.

The most vibrant folk festivities take place in the regions on New Year and Christmas. In this regard, Vladimir, Kostroma, Rostov Veliky and Yaroslavl delight with entertainment programs. A complete immersion in the atmosphere of fair life is guaranteed on Maslenitsa weekend. Celebrations are accompanied by songs, noisy performances and eating pancakes with dozens of fillings. The demand for the Golden Ring and Easter is high.

In an age when Easter cakes are bought in supermarkets, a trip to the bell-ringing city of the Golden Ring on Easter will give you an unforgettable experience.

The summer season on the Golden Ring opens with the May holidays and continues with night festivities on Ivan Kupala. A spectacular event on Yaroslavl soil in July is the Aeronautics Festival. In Vladimir, at the beginning of autumn, the “Princely Fun” competition of heroes takes place.

Suzdal boasts a kaleidoscope of holidays. In mid-summer, tourists from all over the country come to the city to celebrate Cucumber Day. Local bast racing competitions are widely known.

Climate and season

The climate in the cities of the Golden Ring is classic, moderate with a pronounced seasonality - warm in summer, cold in winter, stormy in autumn and spring.

High season is the end of December-January, when crowds of tourists flock to the outback to celebrate New Year and Christmas. Winter here is “correct” - with frosts that decorate the windows, snowdrifts and crunchy snow, without which the tourist attractiveness of the cities would probably suffer greatly. It’s crowded on the Golden Ring and on Maslenitsa, when people rush to take part in colorful folk festivities.

In spring, as in autumn, life in the cities calms down - the route is slushy and it rains. The flow of tourists resumes in May. Summer in ancient Russian cities is undoubtedly the ideal season for relaxation. Firstly, trees grow here, not high-rise buildings, and it’s beautiful. Secondly, there are a lot of street festivals on the Golden Circle at this time of year - they're fun. Well, the not-Moscow-style clean rivers and lakes found along the route will significantly brighten up the holiday for those who like to swim.