Golden Ring of Russia cities, attractions, history, photos. What cities are included in the Golden Ring of Russia List of cities included in the Golden Ring

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 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 into the framework of the Golden Ring - cozy towns topped with domes glowing in the sun, the rich Central Russian landscapes around and magnificent examples of applied arts. 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

Communication 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, people live and have fun in the best Russian traditions - to the envy of the residents of megacities, 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.

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

The Golden Circle includes eight main cities:

2.Sergiev Posad




7.Ivanovo

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

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

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

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

Review of the excursion to Rostov the Great

How to get to Rostov Veliky

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

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

Sergiev Posad

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

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

Review of the trip to the Trinity-Sergeev Lavra

How to get to Sergeev Pasad

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

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

Review of the trip to Pereslavl-Zalessky

Museums of Pereslavl-Zalessky

How to get to Pereslavl Zalessky

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

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

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

Review of a trip to Yaroslavl

How to get to Yaroslavl

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

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

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

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

Review of a trip to Vladimir

How to get to Vladimir

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

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

Review of a trip to Kostroma

Restaurants and cafes in Kostroma

Museums of Kostroma

How to get to Kostroma

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

Ivanovo

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

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

Review of a trip to Suzdal

How to get to Suzdal

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

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

Considering the scale of the cities, located at a distance of several hundred kilometers from each other, one does not necessarily strive to get to all the cities in one tour. Taking into account the large number of architectural, cultural and historical monuments located in large cities, it is better not to rush here and focus not on quantity, but on quality. After all, travel should bring joy from a measured rest, and therefore there is no need to rush on excursions under any circumstances.

To complete a full tour it will take about 30-40 days, so it is best to travel around ancient Russian cities on short routes, taking 2-3 days, but with a tour of the most significant places. In this case, there is no doubt that the excursion will bring a lot of positive emotions and impressions and will satisfy the curiosity of the most demanding tourist. The sightseeing tour usually begins with Sergiev Posad and ends with Vladimir, however, as many have already understood, the routes can be changed at your discretion.

Traveling by car or bus?

You can travel either by private car or by excursion bus, and each type of transport has its own advantages. If you drive your own car, then along the way you can visit other cities and towns, stop in interesting places, and turn off the path at your own discretion. This is the advantage of a personal vehicle, but in order not to go astray, it is best to have a good GPS navigator with you.

If you go by bus, then you don’t have to worry at all about the route and how to get to certain attractions of the Golden Ring of Russia. Moreover, an experienced guide will tell you about the history of the place, which will broaden the tourist’s horizons, allowing him to better understand the history of a particular building.

The Family Suitcase company regularly conducts trips on comfortable buses.

The city closest to Moscow is a place known to most people, first of all, for the presence of the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius in it. Here you can appreciate all the skill of Russian architects who worked diligently to build the best church complexes.

The Trinity Cathedral reflects the white stone Moscow architecture, the Spiritual Church - the Pskov architectural school, the Assumption Cathedral with a beautiful belt of columns - the Vladimir-Suzdal architectural school, and the Refectory - the classic Russian pattern. The high 88-meter bell tower of the Church of John the Baptist, built in the Moscow Baroque style, attracts attention.

In addition to leisurely walks around the Lavra, here you can taste sweet monastery kvass, sweet gingerbread, and all kinds of delicious pastries. While here, you should definitely get some holy water and also venerate the relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh. It should be added that Sergiev Posad is not only a Lavra, but also a place for systematically holding all kinds of festive events. In summer, an aeronautics festival is held here, where balloons and hot air balloons are launched. The kids will surely enjoy the huge Matryoshka, the size of a 9-story building, a flying Submarine, a giant Heart and a large Tsar Bell.

In the same city it is worth visiting the ethnographic museum located on Mount Volokusha, where you can buy carved figurines of animals, birds and people, nesting dolls, and other souvenirs.

The next city to visit is, before entering which you can stop to explore Alexander Mountain and Lake Pleshcheyevo, where in ancient times the pagan temple of the god Yarila the Sun was located.

In the city of Pereslavl itself, they visit, first of all, the Transfiguration Cathedral, which was erected in the middle of the 12th century.

By the way, this is the only temple in the city that was built before the Tatar-Mongol yoke, which makes it one of the most significant architectural monuments. Not far from it is the princely boarding house, where Alexander Nevsky, who managed to stop the German army, was born. There is also his tomb, which will also be very interesting to visit.

In the city, it will also be interesting to examine the model of a stylized ship, which is a monument to the shipyards of the Petrine Poteshny Fleet, which became the prototype of the real Russian combat fleet. By purchasing a low-cost ticket you can get into the museum-estate “Boat of Peter I”.

Other interesting places in the city include the Berendey House, the Museum of Cunning and Ingenuity, the Iron Museum and the Arboretum, so, as a rule, it takes a whole day to see the local attractions.

The next day of the tour you can go to a small town, where today only about 30 thousand people live. In ancient times, it was the capital of the Rostov principality and was a serious spiritual center of Eastern Rus'. This is confirmed by the presence of a large number of churches and cathedrals here, the main ones being the Assumption Cathedral and the Rostov Kremlin State Museum-Reserve.

Here tourists can not only explore all the bastions, fortifications and loopholes, but also rent medieval clothes and take pictures in them against the background of the fortifications and domes.

Other attractions include the Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery, the Church of the Savior on Senya, the Borisoglebsky and Spaso-Pesotsky monasteries.

The city is very beautiful, there are many places that offer panoramic views of the surrounding area. By purchasing a guidebook, you can find ancient houses and buildings, feeling the nostalgic and patriarchal atmosphere.

There is an excellent highway from Rostov to three lanes in each direction, so getting to your new destination will not be difficult.

After the bridge over the Kotorosl River, a view of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery opens up, which, by the way, is printed on the 1000-ruble banknote.

Other places that are of particular interest to tourists include the Chapel of Minin and Pozharsky, the Church of John the Baptist (located in Tolkovaya Sloboda) and the monument to Yaroslav the Wise. By visiting the museum-reserve, city guests can see collections of monetary treasures, porcelain, clothing items, and exhibitions of other things.

You should definitely visit the wonderful park, which was founded in honor of the 1000th anniversary of Yaroslavl, so today everyone can walk around the beautiful park with green and beautifully trimmed lawns, trees, flower beds and even light and music fountains. Recently, a museum dedicated to the first female cosmonaut of our country, Valentina Tereshkova, was opened in the city, and on the street. Epiphany erected a monument to the bear.

Many restaurants and cafes allow tourists to taste national Russian dishes, appreciating the culinary skills of local chefs. You can walk around Yaroslavl all day, looking into souvenir shops, taking pictures against the backdrop of historical buildings and ancient monuments. It would be best to go on a city tour accompanied by a guide who can tell you a lot of new and interesting things, explaining the name and historical significance of certain places.

Having left the Ivanovskoye Highway, you can easily get to the next city of the Golden Ring by bus or car. At first, travelers are greeted by residential areas, but after crossing the bridge across the Volga, travelers are immediately greeted by the famous Trading Rows, ancient Linden trees, as well as the green domes of the Resurrection Church on Debra. The layout of the city is very interesting, it is a kind of fan, thanks to which all the central streets lead to the main square. This is extremely convenient for walking, since it is simply impossible to get lost in Kostroma.

As you look around the city, you can’t help but notice the ancient mansions with wrought iron fences, chimneys made of cut iron, massive oak gates and oddly shaped balconies. Much has been preserved here in its original form, so from time to time it seems that you are in the 19th century. Other attractions of the city include the Romanov Museum, the Fire Tower, and the Ipatiev Monastery.

Ivanovo

From Kostroma it is best to go to, especially since if you go by car, the distance can easily be covered in just 1.5-2 hours. It is noteworthy that, unlike previous cities, where tourists got acquainted with the monuments of ancient houses and cathedrals of the 12th-16th centuries, in Ivanovo the buildings of the 20th century are of interest. The monumental architecture of the Soviet style is presented here very clearly, and there are many such projects that a person will not find in any other city. While here, you should definitely check out buildings such as the Horseshoe House and the Bird House, the wings of which really look like the wings of a bird. There are also buildings in the shape of a ship with a sloping bow, a tower at the stern and balconies in the form of decks.

By visiting the local Museum of Local Lore, you can get to know the culture better, learn better the history of the city’s development, and epoch-making dates. Fans of domestic cars should check out the Museum of Russian Automotive Industry. After lunch, you can take a walk through the park of culture and recreation, where vacationers will find amazing forged figures of various animals from fairy tales and cartoons. It will be very interesting to explore the city from the top of the Ferris Wheel attraction.

Suzdal

Having admired the masterpieces of Soviet masters of architectural art, travelers go to a city where many ancient buildings still remain. It is worth paying attention to the fact that there are practically no houses here that are more than 3 floors high, so the city looks quite nice, practically representing an open-air museum. To admire the panorama of the city, you should go to the local hills, namely, the Kremlin ramparts and the cliff, which begins immediately behind the Spaso-Efimovsky Monastery.

The highest place in the city is the bell tower of the Monastery of the Robe, which rises 72 meters.

Surprisingly, despite the small population of Suzdal and its compact overall dimensions (it occupies an area of ​​only 15 km2), there are so many attractions that a tourist will have to spend at least a whole day exploring them. The main attractions of the town include the Kazan and Resurrection churches, Trade Square, Memorial Stone and Eternal Flame, the house of the merchant Kashitsin, St. Basil's Monastery and Elias Church.

The last city of the Golden Ring is considered to be where there are about 240 protected cultural monuments, which indicates the important historical significance of this place. Walking around the city, you can’t help but notice that there is an amazing combination of historical houses and new buildings that fit well into the surrounding space. Vladimir very often hosts various festivals dedicated to theatrical art, folk crafts, songs, dances, Orthodox culture and more.

It is definitely worth visiting the old Assumption Cathedral, built at the beginning of the 14th century, where the miraculous icon, which, according to legend, was able to stop Tamerlane’s army, is still kept. Here you can also see restored frescoes by Andrei Rublev. An epic fortification structure of the 12th century is an earthen rampart adjacent to the Golden Gate. The building of the former water tower now houses a museum where you can see not only clothes and kitchen utensils, but also mannequins of cab drivers and salesmen, old and yellowed signs, posters, and pre-revolutionary marriage advertisements.

To view the panorama of the city, it is worth going up to a specially equipped observation deck, where the view of the Assumption Cathedral, the water meadows across the river, the Klyazma River and other places opens up in full view. At the exit from Vladimir there is a monastery built in memory of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, who was killed on this site. If you wish, you can visit the church building or admire it from afar, appreciating the lonely romanticism and fragile beauty of the temple.

Conclusions about the trip

The vast majority of travelers who have undertaken such a tour have the warmest memories of the tour, which delight the person for a long time and lift his spirits. Needless to say, photographs help to preserve the most significant places in memory, capturing oneself against the backdrop of ancient buildings, churches, monuments and sculptural works. Traveling along the Golden Ring is an excellent opportunity to get the best idea of ​​your native land and plunge headlong into the amazing world of antiquity.

All the cities that are part of this long tour have their own identity and special national flavor, which emphasizes the richness and diversity of Russian culture. Folk crafts, ancient settlements, ramparts and fortifications, churches and cathedrals, roads and bridges - this and much more, along with the most beautiful Russian nature, gives an understanding of how interesting the history of Russia is. By the way, from 2004 to 2008, the Bank of Russia issued a series of commemorative coins dedicated to the route.

So those who want to make not a simple, but a truly interesting tour with visits to many Russian cities can be confidently advised to go along the Golden Ring route.

Video

The most famous tourist route in Russia is called the “Golden Ring” for a reason. The route leads through the oldest Russian cities, where the most ancient sights have been preserved - cultural monuments, historical places. The term “Golden Ring” appeared more than 30 years ago thanks to essays in the newspaper “Soviet Russia”. The Golden Circle includes eight main cities, which you will learn about in this topic. If you look at the cities on the map, it becomes clear why the tourist route was named that way; the cities are located in a kind of ring to the northeast of Moscow

They say that the best way to understand and experience great Russia is to travel along its Golden Ring. The cities of the Golden Ring preserve historical and architectural monuments of Ancient Rus'. The Golden Ring includes eight cities - Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Suzdal and Vladimir. Later, several more cities were included in the list, but this list has not yet been approved and is controversial. The route along the “Golden Ring of Russia” is suitable for any time of year. Traveling along the Golden Ring gives everyone who is interested in the history, culture and present day of Russia the opportunity to get to know its ancient capital and other cities where the past centuries have left their mark


Gold ring of Russia and its history is very eventful. Many books are devoted to the history of the Golden Ring, but at the same time, the history is very tragic - due to the indifference and indifference of people, due to active construction, many unique sights, cultural and historical monuments were completely lost. However, most of the monuments have been preserved and are protected by UNESCO and the Russian state

The Golden Ring is famous for its masterpieces of folk art. Museums in many cities contain examples of ancient artistic crafts: wood and bone carvings, products of skilled lacemakers and jewelers, lacquer miniatures and enamel painting, and much more. If you are planning a trip around the Golden Ring of Russia, then you should spend at least two days getting to know each of the cities. It is most convenient to travel along the route in your own car; finding a hotel will not be difficult, but you will not be tied to any of the excursion routes, which are hastily compiled and do not allow you to experience all the beauty of the Golden Ring.


In the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia all stages of the development of ancient Russian architecture are represented: majestic white-stone churches of the 12th-13th centuries, tent-roofed buildings of the 16th century, buildings of the 17th century, creations of architectural and painting schools of Rostov, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Vladimir.


So, more about each of the cities included in the Golden Ring... Let's start with Rostov the Great, since it is one of the oldest cities in Russia. Rostov the Great is the most popular city of the Golden Ring. The enormous cultural potential of the city has made it one of the great centers of tourist pilgrimage. Rostov is included in a special program of interaction between the Council of Europe and Russia for the preservation of historical and cultural heritage. Rostov's significant past has determined its abundance of historical and cultural monuments. One of the most important monuments is the landscape of the lake basin and the surrounding area, rich in archaeological monuments. The sights of Rostov the Great, in particular the buildings of the former Bishop's House of the 17th century, have become classics not only of Russian, but also of world art. - Rostov Kremlin.

The stone and wooden buildings of Rostov from the 18th to 20th centuries are of enormous value. The property of world culture is the Rostov bells - a set of musical works of the 17th-19th centuries, inseparable from an outstanding musical instrument - the famous Rostov belfry. Each of the 13 bells of the belfry, from the largest, weighing 32 tons, to the smallest, sounds special.


The next city in the Golden Ring of Russia is Sergiev Posad. The city is famous primarily for the ensemble of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra monastery, consisting of more than 50 buildings. The earliest building in the monastery is the cross-domed Trinity Cathedral made of white stone, built in 1422 on the site of a wooden church of the same name; one of the few surviving examples of Moscow white stone architecture of the 14th-15th centuries. The architectural ensemble of the Lavra gradually formed around the Trinity Cathedral. Built by the successor of the founder of the monastery, Nikon, “in honor and praise” of St. Sergius of Radonezh, and founded in the year of the latter’s glorification as a saint. The famous Russian icon painters Andrei Rublev and Daniil Cherny worked on the iconostasis of the cathedral; For this iconostasis, Rublev painted the “Holy Trinity” icon.

All the sights of Sergiev Posad are in one way or another connected with the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius. They either were part of it, or are still part of it. The city is truly unique and attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year


Pereslavl-Zalessky is famous for being one of the first white-stone churches in North-Eastern Rus', which have come down to us almost completely preserved. IN Gold ring of Russia Pereslavl-Zalessky is included due to its rich historical and cultural heritage. The attractions of Pereslavl-Zalessky include monuments of church architecture: six architectural complexes of monasteries and nine churches. In the center of Pereslavl, the city rampart surrounding the historical center of the city has been preserved. Rybnaya Sloboda stretches along the Trubezh River. 2 kilometers northwest of Pereslavl there is an archaeological monument “Kleshchinsky complex”; the center of the complex is the ancient city of Kleshchin, from which the ramparts of the 12th century have been preserved. The object of pagan worship has been preserved - the Blue Stone, a large dark blue boulder weighing 4 tons.


Yaroslavl is the oldest city of the Golden Ring of Russia, one of the most beautiful cities in the Volga region. There are 140 architectural monuments and attractions on the territory of Yaroslavl. The most striking sights of Yaroslavl are the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, the Church of Elijah the Prophet and the Tolgsky Monastery. Since 2005, Yaroslavl is one of 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Russia according to criteria II - the development of the center of Yaroslavl, which developed in the 17th-18th centuries, is an outstanding example of mutual cultural and architectural influence between Europe and Russia, and IV - a striking example of the urban planning reform of Empress Catherine Great, carried out across Russia between 1763 and 1830.

Kostroma is also part of the Golden Ring of Russia. In the old part of the city, the historical planning structure has been preserved (the master plan of the city was approved by Empress Catherine II in 1781). The basis of the city's layout is a radial grid of streets; the center of Kostroma is open in relation to the Volga. The most significant of Kostroma's monuments is the Ipatiev Monastery, founded in the 1330s. Also interesting in Kostroma are the Epiphany-Anastasinsky Monastery and Trading Rows


Have you ever heard about the city of brides Ivanovo? If you haven’t heard, then you haven’t had a chance to travel around the Golden Ring of Russia yet. Architecturally, Ivanovo is known primarily for monuments dating back to the era of constructivism (30s of the 20th century): a ship house, a horseshoe house, etc. A large number of historical and revolutionary monuments were built in Ivanovo, giving the city an original flavor. The historical center of the city is interesting, consisting mainly of former merchant houses of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The industrial architecture of the 19th century is also of particular interest. (several textile factories dating back to this period have remained practically intact in the city, but free access to them is limited). Other attractions include the Shchudrovskaya Tent, which was built in the 17th century, and the complex of the Holy Vvedensky Convent, the main part of which dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. If you are wondering why Ivanovo was nicknamed the city of brides, then this is another story that has nothing to do with the Golden Ring. You can find out about this using the link above.

The famous city of Suzdal is also part of the Golden Ring of Russia. The city of Suzdal is a museum-reserve protected by the state and UNESCO. The oldest part of the city is the core of Suzdal - the Suzdal Kremlin. The Kremlin has preserved the earthen ramparts and ditches of the ancient fortress, several churches and the ensemble of the bishop's courtyard with the ancient Nativity Cathedral. On the spot where the Suzdal Kremlin Museum is now located, once upon a time, in the 12th century, Suzdal began to be built


Vladimir is also included in the approved list of cities of the Golden Ring. In total, there are 239 state-protected buildings of the 18th-19th centuries in Vladimir. Among the attractions of Vladimir are the Vladimir-Suzdal Historical and Art Museum-Reserve - a museum that combines exhibitions and interiors of the Assumption and Demetrius Cathedrals, the "Old Vladimir" museum, a military-historical exhibition in the Golden Gate, the house-museum of the Stoletov merchants, the exhibition "Crystal, lacquer miniature, embroidery" in the Old Believer Trinity Church, etc.


You can find out more about each of the cities of the Golden Ring using the links in the topic. The Golden Ring is the pride of Russia. The entire culture of our ancestors, our entire historical heritage is concentrated here. Our task is to understand how important it is to preserve such places for the future, to teach our children a decent attitude towards the history of our homeland.

December 8, 2010 | Categories: Places , History , Architecture

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