Cities of the Golden Ring of Russia: a brief description of the full route. Journey along the golden ring of russia Russian golden ring
The city of Vladimir is located 180 km northeast of Moscow, on the banks of the Klyazma River. It is the administrative center of the Vladimir region. Population 339.8 thousand people (2009). Vladimir is in gold ring of Russia and is a popular tourist center of Russia.
History of the city of Vladimir
The ancient Russian city of Vladimir was founded in 990 by Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich. In history, he was known as Vladimir the Red Sun. In 1108, Prince Vladimir Monomakh made the city a stronghold for the protection of the Rostov-Suzdal principality from the south and east. A fortress was built. From the south it was protected by the Klyazma River, from the north by the Lybed River, and from the west and east there were deep ravines. During the reign of the son of Yuri Dolgoruky, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, the capital of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality was transferred to the city of Vladimir. This was the heyday of the city. Palaces and temples were erected, construction was going on. V Suzdal and Vladimir, an all-Russian school of icon painting was formed.
In 1238, the city suffered greatly from the invasion of the Tatar-Mongol yoke. In 1293 he was ravaged by Dudenev's army. These invasions were repeated for many years. At the beginning of the 18th century, the city was the center of the province. Its construction was carried out in the style of classicism. The city is being revived. After the 1917 revolution, most of the monuments were reconstructed. Vladimir is known for its sights. Dmitrievsky and Uspensky Cathedrals are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Sights of the city of Vladimir
Among the sights of the city are monuments of church architecture, numerous museums.
Golden Gate in the city of Vladimir
The main street of the old city is Moskovskaya. In its western part in the 12th century were built Golden Gate. The silver gates installed in the eastern part, unfortunately, have not been preserved. The Golden Gate was built over 10 years during the reign of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. The walls of the gate are made in the form of a powerful box of hewn white stone. And its interior is filled with large fragments of rocks and a strong lime mortar. The gate was part of the defensive system of the fortress. The site, which is now an observation site, used to be a combat site. Enemies were fired from it, stones were thrown. Another observation deck called "Old Vladimir" is located on Kozlov Val - the southern fortification of the city.
Assumption Cathedral in the city of Vladimir
One of the main squares of the city of Vladimir is Cathedral Square. There is a monument in honor of the 850th anniversary of the city of Vladimir. This is a truncated trihedral pyramid made of white stone. It depicts milestones in the history of Vladimir in the form of allegories. On Cathedral Square is the entrance to Assumption Cathedral.
The cathedral is a complex of buildings of different times, the first of which began to be built in 1158. It was the burial place of many representatives of the Vladimir Grand Duke's house. Initially, the Assumption Cathedral was small and single-domed. A fire in 1185 destroyed almost the entire interior of the temple. Only the external painting of the temple in the form of peacocks (symbols of the Resurrection) and the prophets holding scrolls with texts glorifying the Mother of God have survived to this day. Under Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest, the area of the cathedral doubled. A new altar part and galleries around the temple appeared, interior frescoes were updated. The cathedral became five-domed. After the fire of 1238, decoration Assumption Cathedral again had to be restored. In 1408, Prince Vasily Dmitrievich decided to renew the frescoes of the cathedral. The work was carried out by 38-year-old monk Andrei Rublev and his friend Daniil Cherny. They painted almost the entire cathedral. The cathedral contains the largest number of frescoes by the brilliant medieval artist Andrei Rublev. His merit is the painting of a huge iconostasis, the icons of which are now in the Tretyakov Gallery and in the Russian Museum.
Demetrius Cathedral in Vladimir
Dmitrievsky Cathedral was founded in 1194 at the direction of Vsevolod the Big Nest. A feature of the temple are the sculptural decorations that adorn the walls of the temple. These are more than 600 bas-reliefs, which depict stories from the life of King David, as well as images of mythical animals and plants. Some reliefs have disappeared from the walls of the temple. Some have been replaced with new ones. In the center of the composition of each facade is the son of King David - King Solomon, who is the ideal for a wise ruler. On the northern facade facing the city, we see the figure of a man holding a child in his hands - the image of Vsevolod the Big Nest and his son Vladimir. On the southern facade there is a bas-relief "Ascension of Alexander the Great", and on the western one - the image of Hercules, borrowed from Greek mythology.
The interior of the cathedral is interesting with fragments of the frescoes "The Last Judgment" and "Paradise", "The Procession of the Righteous to Paradise", as well as icons. Here is the most famous of them, brought from Thessalonica, depicting St. Demetrius of Thessalonica.
For tourists, admirers of church architecture, attractions such as Nativity monastery, the Office Building, as well as the Knyaginin Cathedral and Gostiny Dvor; churches Veil on the Nerl, Nikita the Martyr and the Holy Trinity. The city has many museums that will tell guests about the culture and history of the city.
It was invented by a certain Soviet writer Yuri Bychkov in 1967 and immediately became a successful tourist brand to attract foreign tourists to the then USSR.
In fact, the Golden Ring is a group of cities concentrated on the territory of Central Russia and representing a certain historical and cultural value. Connected by roads, they form a symbolic circle that has become the personification of the cultural heritage of our country.
Moreover, many of its cities and their sights 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, the 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.
It includes: the city of Aleksandrov, the village of Bogolyubovo, the city of Gorokhovets, the city of Gus-Khrustalny, with. Kideksha, Moscow, Murom, Palekh, Plyos, Rybinsk, Tutaev, Uglich, Yuryev-Polsky, Shuya and a number of other cities, villages and settlements.
The generally recognized capital of the Golden Ring of Russia is Vladimir.
Every person who understands the Russian language and more or less understands history, at the words “city of Vladimir”, immediately has an image of something incredibly ancient, full of monuments of the past, former greatness and glory. Those who are not burdened with intellect will immediately remember Vladimirsky Central. But, despite the last gloomy thoughts, Vladimir is a bright, joyful city, rich in greenery and cultural monuments, this is one of the most visited points of the famous Golden Ring of Russia by tourists.
This city is indeed one of the oldest in Russia, which arose even before Moscow.
According to one version, this city was founded in 1108 by Vladimir Monomakh, and according to another, in 990 Vladimir Svyatoslavich (the baptist of Russia) built a fortress on the Klyazma, which became the starting point. In the middle of the 12th century, Vladimir became the capital of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality, from whose lands the formation of the modern state of Russia would begin.
Although since the 14th century Vladimir has been losing its significance as the center of North-Eastern Russia and becoming one of the provincial cities, the city continues to be ranked first in the titles of Russian princes and tsars, even ahead of Moscow.
From the end of the 18th century, Vladimir became the center of the governorship, and then the province, turning into a center of advanced education and high culture in the province.
During the years of Soviet power, the appearance of the city changed significantly - not only were many churches demolished, most of the cemeteries within the city boundaries were destroyed, but many factories were built, which are still functioning today.
The city of Vladimir is the pearl of the Golden Ring of Russia. There are more than two hundred monuments of culture and history, some of which are included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.
Most of the architectural monuments are concentrated in the historical core of the city, which has largely retained its appearance, despite the turbulent historical events.
We will begin to consider the sights from the entrance to the old Vladimir -. Built in 1164, they represent the rarest evidence of Russian military architecture and are the main entrance to the city.
The largest building of ancient Vladimir is erected in 1158-1160.
It was rebuilt several times and became more extensive and majestic. In 1408 Andrei Rublev decorated the walls of the cathedral with frescoes. Together with fragments of paintings of the 12th century, this provided the Assumption Cathedral with the name of the museum of monumental painting of medieval Russia. The Assumption Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin was built on the model of this cathedral.
Not far from Uspensky is white stone Demetrius Cathedral, built in 1194-1197. in the name of St. Demetrius of Thessalonica in honor of the birth of the son of Prince Vsevolod III. The same prince a little earlier (in 1191) founded the Nativity monastery. Prince Alexander Nevsky was buried here, and later the monastery became a bishop's house. Today, the residence of the Vladimir-Suzdal bishop is located here.
The wife of the prince - the builder of the Dmitrievsky Cathedral - at the beginning of the 13th century also founded a monastery, but a female one, in honor of the Assumption of the Mother of God. This monastery bears the name Knyaginin Monastery. There are two churches in its ensemble, one of them - Assumption, is decorated with frescoes by the painter Mark Matveev and conveyed to our times the images of many Vladimir-Suzdal princes. Initially, the monastery was conceived as a family tomb of the Vladimir princesses, and therefore the wives of many famous Russian rulers are buried here.
Nikitskaya, Georgievskaya, Spasskaya, Voznesenskaya, Nikolo-Galeiskaya, Constantino-Eleninskaya, Mikhailo-Arkhangelskaya, Sretenskaya and many other churches, shopping malls of the period of Catherine II, the building of the City Duma of the early twentieth century, hundreds of other unique buildings with original architecture - all this is just a small part of Vladimir worth visiting.
But there are also special places for excursions - museums, of which there are also many in the city: the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve, the Stoletovs' house-museum (an excellent exposition has been created in the restored house of the famous merchants Stoletovs, conveying the spirit of the 19th century and the atmosphere of merchant life), cultural and educational center "Chambers" (dedicated to the culture of past eras), a museum of military prowess (the exposition includes weapons and armor of the 12th-19th centuries, a diorama of Batu's invasion of Vladimir, materials about famous Russian commanders and heroes of the Soviet Union, who hail from Vladimir) , the Museum "Native Nature" (the exposition area is almost 400 square meters with hundreds of exhibits of animals and corners of the nature of this region), the Museum of the History of the Vladimir Region from the Stone Age to the February Revolution, the expositions "Old Vladimir", "Crystal, Lacquer Miniature, Embroidery" .
In addition to 4 cinemas in Vladimir, there is a drama theater named after. Lunacharsky, the Philharmonic, the puppet theater, a bunch of sports facilities that have raised world champions.
After such an impressive list of attractions, it remains to add information about the presence in the city of 18 clubs and entertainment centers, 12 palaces of culture (including the Ice Palace for skating and hockey lovers). An innumerable number of bars, cafes, pubs, restaurants, cabarets for any category of the population and wealth will complete the picture.
About Vladimir Central
As an edification to all who are thirsty for revelry, debauchery and destruction, one should be reminded of the existence of another attraction in Vladimir - the Vladimir Central.
This is a prison famous throughout Russia with a unique and impressive history. How many people, how many destinies, how many views on the world - and all this in one place.
This prison was built in 1783 by decree of Catherine II, and it began to be called Central in the 20th century. Now especially dangerous criminals are kept and serving their sentences in it. For those who do not want to break the law, abruptly change their lives and break their fate, but want to go inside - a museum is open.
For many years, this route has been one of the most attractive not only for foreigners who have decided to visit this vast country, but also for Russians who want to get to know the history and culture of their homeland. What cities are included in the Golden Ring of Russia? Where did this term come from? What are its main attractions? Let's talk about it in order.
How did the term "Golden Ring" come about?
The author of this term 50 years ago was the Soviet journalist Yuri Bychkov. Once he decided to visit those cities of Russia in which, as he considered, the most significant sights of the country, both cultural and historical, were preserved. The journey of the journalist from Moscow to Zagorsk, which is now called Sergiev Posad, began, continued in Pereslavl-Zalessky, then in Rostov the Great, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo and Suzdal. And the last point of the route before returning to Moscow was the city of Vladimir.
Returning home, Bychkov created a series of essays about these places with a rich cultural and historical heritage, published in 1967, which he gave the name "Golden Ring". So he called his route for a reason: if you connect these cities with lines on the map, you will get a solid loop resembling a ring. Bychkov's essays attracted the attention of the authorities, who took advantage of the journalist's experience and laid a tourist route through the cities described, giving it this apt name. And, I must say, the idea turned out to be very successful: it was very difficult to get a ticket for a tour to the Golden Ring in those years - this ring route turned out to be so popular among both Soviet citizens and foreign tourists.
So, to summarize: as we have already found out, the Golden Ring of Russia includes the following 8 cities:
This is a classic version of the ring route, the so-called Small Golden Ring of Russia. Small because subsequently, in order to expand tour operator activities and increase tourism income, other cities of the ancient Vladimir-Suzdal principality, for example, Bogolyubovo, Martynovo, Aleksandrov, Uglich, Tver, Myshkin and others, began to be included in this route. The extended route was called the Big Golden Ring of Russia. Travel agencies offer different routes with a different set of cities, and there are about 20 of them in total. Moreover, the addition of cities continues to this day: in 2016, the idea was approved to include the city of Kaluga in the Big Golden Ring of Russia.
Let's now walk through the cities of the classic Golden Ring of Russia and their main attractions that everyone should definitely see.
Sergiev Posad
You can get to Sergiev Posad from Moscow in just an hour and a half, and one day is enough to see the main sights: the city cannot be called big, its population is just over one hundred thousand people, but in the 15th century it was the cultural and political center the state of Moscow.
Here you should definitely look at the Trinity-Sergius Lavra, around which the town itself was subsequently built. It is associated with many historical figures: it was founded by Sergius of Radonezh, Ivan the Terrible was baptized in it, and it also served as a haven for Peter I, who was hiding in the monastery during the Streltsy rebellion.
In addition to the Lavra, it will be interesting to look at the Krasnogorskaya Square opposite it with colorful shopping malls decorated in the “Russian” style, as well as visit the Toy Museum.
Pereslavl-Zalessky
And here is the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky himself and the city where one of the first white-stone churches in Russia appeared - the Transfiguration Cathedral of the 12th century. And it is not in vain that two vendace are depicted on the coat of arms of the city, because Pereslavl stands on the shore of Lake Pleshcheyevo, where this remarkable fish was caught right for the royal table.
A visit to the local Museum of Steam Locomotives will also be a curious experience, and those who want to see a monument of the pagan culture of Russia should get out not far from the city and visit the Blue Stone, shrouded in ancient secrets and legends.
Rostov the Great
We have finally reached the most popular destination that the Small Golden Ring of Russia can boast of - Rostov the Great, one of the oldest cities in Russia and an important cultural and historical center, on the territory of which there are more than 300 cultural monuments. But, despite the name, this city is very small, with a population of only 30 thousand people.
A must-see is the Rostov Kremlin, which is distinguished by its decorative appearance among other similar structures in the country. By the way, it was here that some scenes from the popularly beloved Soviet film "Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession" were filmed. There are really a lot of monasteries here: among them are Spaso-Yakovlevsky, Avraamievo-Bogoyavlensky and Borisoglebsky, but apart from them you can be distracted by the famous museum of Rostov enamel.
Yaroslavl
As many as 140 cultural sights distinguish the ancient city of Yaroslavl, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are really a lot of churches here! In particular, we suggest taking a look at the Spaso-Preobrazhensky and Tolgsky monasteries - on the territory of the latter you can also take a look at the beautiful cedar forest, where 193 cedars grow.
The chapel of Our Lady of Kazan and the Church of John the Baptist, founded in the 17th century, and the largest in the city, also attract attention. You can also visit the Museum "Music and Time" and the Einstein Museum.
Kostroma
Further, the Golden Ring of Russia leads us to Kostroma. It stands on the banks of the Volga, therefore, historically, its entire layout is built relative to the river, representing a ray grid of streets - Catherine II herself decided to make the city look like a fan. During its existence, Kostroma experienced many events, including two fires - one was arranged by the Rostov prince Konstantin, the other - by the troops of the Mongol-Tatars.
Now the main attraction of the city is the Ipatiev Monastery - a key historical monument, which includes the Trinity Cathedral, the Belfry, the Romanovs' chambers, as well as the Bishops' and Brothers' Corps. Do not forget to look at the monument to Ivan Susanin - the savior of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich.
Ivanovo
If other cities of the Golden Ring of Russia may be unfamiliar to you, then you probably heard about Ivanovo - in the sense that it is called the "city of brides" in general. This statement stretches from ancient times, when light industry, in particular textile, was developed in the city, where mostly women worked, and was aggravated by the Great Patriotic War, when the male population decreased significantly.
But the city itself has other distinctive features and attractions: visit the Vvedensky Monastery, museums of industry and art, as well as a museum of the famous Ivanovo calico. Attention will be attracted by the Horseshoe House, the Ship House, as well as the Shchudrovskaya tent - a workshop and one of the oldest stone buildings.
Suzdal
Next, we move on to the city of Suzdal with a population of 10 thousand people, standing on the Kamenka River. Archaeological studies have shown that it began to be built back in the 10th century - and even now it looks like a real old Russian city, so it will leave an impression of itself for a long time. Although he is considered provincial, he does not hold charm and beauty.
Arriving in Suzdal, one cannot help but look at the Suzdal Kremlin, which is about a thousand years old. And there is no need to even talk about the lack of monasteries here - there are a lot of them here: Pokrovsky, Alexandrovsky, Vasilyevsky, etc. Be sure to walk along the malls to look at such traditional things as a kokoshnik, an embroidered tablecloth and a Russian shirt.
Vladimir
And the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia end with a popular tourist center - Vladimir with a huge cultural heritage - there are more than 200 historical monuments protected by the state. We advise you to take a look at such sights as the Assumption Cathedral with frescoes by Andrei Rublev, Dmitrievsky Cathedral with unique bas-reliefs and decorative carvings, as well as the local triumphal arch - the Golden Gate fortress, and the house-museum of the Stoletov merchants.
You can learn more about the Big Golden Ring of Russia, its secrets and various interesting facts by watching this video:
In 1967, art historian Yuri Bychkov, on the instructions of the newspaper "Soviet Culture", went on his "Muscovite" to the cities of the Vladimir region to write a series of articles about the trip. In the end, he decided not to return along the same path, but to pass through Yaroslavl, thereby enclosing his route in a ring. A series of his travel notes was published under the title "Golden Ring". This is how the famous route from 8 cities appeared: Sergiev Posad - Pereslavl-Zalessky - Rostov the Great - Yaroslavl - Kostroma - Ivanovo - Suzdal - Vladimir.
“Falling into thoughtfulness, he wandered around Moscow. The weather was a contrast to the five sunny days of a recent trip - the sky was covered with a gray veil. I raised my eyes upward, and my gaze met the dome of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower, melting in a ghostly height, golden through a curtain of drizzle slowly descending from the sky of rain dust. Like an electric shock: "Golden!" This "gold" immediately contacted the road. It turned out - "Golden Ring".
Yuri Bychkov
SERGIEV POSAD
The only city in the Moscow region in the Golden Ring. Its main attraction is the Trinity-Sergius Lavra. There are about fifty white-stone buildings that were built over four centuries by the best architects of the country. So it is unlikely that you will be able to see them all in one tour.
The relics of Sergius of Radonezh are kept in the Trinity Cathedral, and hundreds of pilgrims flock here every day. The cathedral is known for its horizontal iconostasis, which was created by an artel of craftsmen under the leadership of Andrei Rublev. On one of the doors of the temple, a hole from the core has been preserved - a trace from the siege of the Lavra by the troops of False Dmitry II.
In the vicinity of the city there is an old manor Abramtsevo. Here Nikolai Gogol read to the owners of the estate, the Aksakov family, the second volume of Dead Souls; Valentin Serov wrote The Girl with Peaches, while Andrei Tarkovsky filmed some scenes from Solaris.
As a souvenir from Sergiev Posad, you can bring a Bogorodsk toy - a carved wooden bear or a colorful bird - which is set in motion by a secret mechanism.
PERESLAVL-ZALESSKY
In the city on the shore of Lake Pleshcheyevo, you can see six monasteries and nine churches. Among them is the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior, in which, according to legend, Alexander Nevsky was baptized. The decoration of the temple differs from most Russian churches in its asceticism: there is practically no decor, a minimum of frescoes. The exception is a copy of the icon "Transfiguration" by Theophanes the Greek above the marble altar.
Be sure to visit Pleshcheyevo Lake itself. It was here that in the 17th century Peter I began the construction of the "amusing flotilla", the progenitor of the entire Russian fleet. Today, the “Boat of Peter I” is open here - a museum where the only boat “Fortune” that has survived from Peter the Great's times is exhibited. And on the lake there is a Blue stone - it was used during the rituals of the pagan Slavs. When it rains, the color of the stone changes from gray to blue - hence the name. Tourists make wishes at the Blue Stone and, in order for it to come true, they tie a bright ribbon to a neighboring bush, and leave a coin on the stone itself.
ROSTOV VELIKIY
One of the oldest cities in Russia was mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years - in the annals of 862. Rostov is decorated with the 17th century Kremlin, which was built not to protect the city, but as the residence of the metropolitan. He was glorified throughout the country by Leonid Gaidai: the main characters of the film "Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession" ran away from the chase through the passages of the Rostov Kremlin.
In the ensemble of the Kremlin is the Assumption Cathedral - one of the most beautiful churches in Russia. Its architectural style is largely reminiscent of the Assumption Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin. According to legend, the father of the hero Alyosha Popovich was the rector of this cathedral. The famous Rostov belfry with fifteen bells is also located at the cathedral. The largest of them - and the most major in sound - "Sysy". It weighs 32 tons - it takes two bell ringers to rock this giant.
Rostov the Great is famous for traditional Russian cuisine. Delicate dumplings stuffed with pike can be called a favorite of city guests - the main treat of local cafes and restaurants in the Russian style.
YAROSLAVL
The first thing in Yaroslavl is to go to the historical center of the city to the Church of Elijah the Prophet. The elegant facade of this temple with snow-white walls, green domes, carved arches and colorful architraves has survived to this day almost in its original form. Ancient frescoes and a baroque carved iconostasis of the 17th century have also survived. However, for visitors to the temple museum, they are open only in the warm season: damp and cold weather can cause irreparable damage to the images.
IVANOVO
"Moscow and Ivanovo... were rebuilt"- wrote Mayakovsky. There are really not many ancient buildings in the city that have survived, and the oldest of them is the stone Shchudrovskaya tent. The miniature pre-Petrine chambers now house a department of the Ivanovo Local History Museum.
There are many more examples of architectural constructivism in the city. For example, residential "House-ship", built in 1930 by architect Daniil Fridman. The shape of the building really resembles a ship due to the rounded walls and sloping end. The panoramic glazing of the first floor imitates the water on which the house “floats”.
One of the largest museums in the city is the Ivanovo Calico Museum. Nearly half a million textile samples have been collected here - from ancient homespun fabrics to the most modern factory samples. Also in the museum there is an exhibition of works and sketches of the famous native of Ivanovo - fashion designer Vyacheslav Zaitsev.
SUZDAL
The Suzdal Kremlin was built in the 10th century, and, surprisingly, almost all of its main buildings have survived to this day. Including the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin with a special deep blue dome with golden stars. Also, the ensemble of the Kremlin includes Bishops' Chambers: in ancient times, these stone buildings were used as residential and utility rooms, and today they house an exhibition dedicated to the history of the region.
The Suzdal Museum of Wooden Architecture in the open air contains authentic buildings of the 17th-18th centuries. Peasant huts, merchant houses and even mills are open to the public. Their interior decoration was recreated by the museum staff to the smallest detail.
The Shchurovo Settlement Museum is a reconstruction of the settlement of the ancient Slavs. In 2008, she became the scenery for the film by Pavel Lungin "Tsar". Today, in the interactive museum, visitors are introduced to the life of the inhabitants of ancient Suzdal, they are taught how to bake bread in a real oven, shoot a bow and hold a sword correctly.
VLADIMIR
Vladimir for two centuries was the nominal capital of North-Eastern Russia. It was here, in the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that the great princes were crowned for reign. This temple was built to store the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, which was considered the patroness and protector of the state. Today, the Assumption Cathedral is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Its white stone walls are covered with frescoes of the finest work - among them are the works of Andrei Rublev.
The Golden Gates of Vladimir were built in the 12th century by Andrey Bogolyubsky. He wanted to show that the city is not inferior to Kiev in influence and wealth. The gates have become not only a beautiful architectural monument, but also a powerful protective structure. They withstood the onslaught of the Tatar hordes during the siege of the city of Batu.
Also in the water meadows near Vladimir is one of the most famous Russian churches - the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. The graceful temple looks light and weightless thanks to the combination of narrow and elongated decorative elements. The walls of the church are decorated with thematic carved reliefs. The central motif of three of them was King David seated on the throne, surrounded by lions and doves.
The name "Golden Ring" was given to the largest network of tourist routes in Russia, which pass through several ancient cities of the country. In large and small settlements, a huge number of historical and architectural monuments, museums, craft centers of applied folk art are concentrated. Such a peculiar name was coined by the correspondent Yuri Bychkov, who specializes in writing essays for travelers who want to get to know Russia better.
What is the "Golden Ring of Russia"
There has never been an officially approved list of cities and sights included in the Golden Ring. It is believed that the main areas where the route passes are: Moscow, Tver, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Ivanovskaya. At the same time, the list is periodically updated with new names and today the small "Golden Ring" includes:
Ivanovo
The city was founded on August 2, 1871. The settlement was formed by order of Tsar Alexander II by the merger of Voznesensky Posad and the village of Ivanovo. As a result, a countyless city was formed, which today is considered part of the Golden Ring. Ivanovo is famous for its textile production, and local linen and chintz fabrics have become famous far beyond the borders of the country. Historians claim that Finno-Ugric tribes lived in this area as early as the ninth century. The most popular tourist attraction in the city is the local Zoo.
Rostov the Great
The city is considered a diamond in the setting of the "Golden Ring". Rostov the Great has been celebrating its birthday for more than eleven centuries, and for the first time its name was mentioned in chronicles in 862. Rostov has long been the spiritual center of the Russian lands and for more than 500 years was considered the most beautiful, cultural and developed in the country, for which he was given the prefix "Great". If you manage to visit here, be sure to visit the one-of-a-kind Rostov Kremlin.
Suzdal
For the first time the name of the city was mentioned in the "Tale of Bygone Years", in the XI century, since then the number of temples, monasteries, cathedrals, sketes and churches in Suzdal has increased exponentially every year. Local attractions are the hallmark of Russia and are featured on the pages of popular print media. The most interesting places to visit are the Pokrovsky Monastery, the Suzdal Kremlin, the Mother of God-Nativity Cathedral and Pushkarskaya Sloboda.
Kostroma
The cozy and quiet Volga city amazes with its original beauty of everyone who was lucky enough to visit here. Kostroma has been known since the beginning of the 12th century as a center for linen and birch bark production. The modern city can boast of many objects that have come down to us in excellent condition. On the streets of Kostroma, you can see both buildings built according to classical designs of the 16th century, as well as examples of Russian architecture, monasteries of the 16th-19th centuries. Today, more than three dozen jewelry factories operate in Kostroma, so it is not surprising that the city bears the title of the jewelry capital of the country. The most popular excursion sites are the Ipatiev Monastery, the moose farm, the zoo, the Museum of Wooden Architecture and the jewelry factory.
Bogolyubovo
A small village located in the vicinity of Vladimir is known for the fact that one of the most revered Russian shrines is located here - the church with the sonorous name of the Intercession on the Nerl. The name of the settlement was given by the name of Andrei Bogolyubsky, who was killed here. Since those times, the princely chambers, the remains of fortresses with ramparts, moats and towers, the date of construction of which dates back to the 12th century, have been preserved. Tourists are most often offered to see another attraction - the Holy Bogolyubsky Convent.
Kasimov
It is considered one of the most ancient cities in the Ryazan region and is famous for its numerous monuments of architecture and history. Kasimov was founded in 1152, the original name was Gorodets Meshchersky. Countless times the settlement was destroyed and plundered, but invariably restored by local residents. Curious for viewing will be a museum dedicated to the Russian samovar, a mosque, Cathedral Square.
Alexandrov
The old name is Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda. Contemporaries know this settlement as the residence of the great and terrible Tsar Ivan the Terrible, where he killed his heir in a rage, after which he left the city and never returned here. Over time, the settlement grew larger and turned into Alexandrov, which today is part of the Vladimir region. And until now, on the streets of the city, one can meet amazing witnesses of that time: palaces, merchant estates and objects erected under various rulers. The most famous is the local Kremlin and the monument to Alexander Nevsky.
Located in the center of the European part of Russia, the city of Voronezh is a rather remarkable Russian city that attracts travelers with its monument...Gus-Khrustalny
The city was founded in the 18th century by the famous Maltsov dynasty of merchants, who for a long time cherished the dream of creating a high-quality crystal production on the Gus River. Gradually, Gus-Khrustalny became more and more, its borders expanded and glass factories were built everywhere, which you can visit now. The modern name of glass products “Gus-Khrustalny” has become a recognizable brand in Russia, and you can get acquainted with the works of local craftsmen in the Crystal Museum.
Plyos
Nowhere else in Russia can you find such bewitching river landscapes as here. Most of the paintings of the famous Levitan were painted on these shores, Ilya Repin came here for inspiration. And today many of our compatriots and foreign guests come to admire the magnificent pictures of Russian nature.
Uglich
In the Ipatiev Chronicle, Uglich was mentioned as early as the 12th century. The small and compact town is famous for its picturesque landscapes and numerous buildings that have been preserved in perfect condition. Once in these places, the Rurik clan found its last refuge, giving way to the Romanov dynasty. You can visit the Epiphany and Alekseevsky monasteries in Uglich.
Shuya
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The main sightseeing object of the town is the wooden Resurrection Cathedral with a bell tower 106 meters high. In addition to the temple, you can visit a dozen ancient churches and the ruins of a prison castle built in the 16th century.
Dmitrov
A fortress was built on the site of modern Dmitrov in the 12th century, which was founded by Yuri Dolgoruky. Since then, many events have taken place in the city, one of which was the successful conduct of Operation Typhoon, designed to stop the Nazi invaders on the outskirts of the capital. Guides recommend visiting the majestic Dmitrovsky Kremlin and the elegant Borisoglebsky Monastery.
Noisy, huge, ancient Moscow, thanks to its history, is rich in various sights and interesting historical places. Impossible from...Rybinsk
It is located on the banks of the large Rybinsk reservoir and is known as a fishing and hunting center. Rybinsk has a deep layer of industrial and commercial heritage, and only here you can see the old hunting grounds, gostiny yards, stock exchanges, breweries, barns, a fire tower, as well as the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Gorokhovets
Almost from the day of its foundation, Gorokhovets became a center of trade. Goods from all over the region flocked here, and Vladimir merchants considered it an honor to bring their products here. Today Gorokhovets is a center of uniquely beautiful wooden Russian architecture, and the magnificent Kazan Church of the 18th century, made in white and blue colors, is considered the central object.
Kalyazin
First, a monastery arose on this site, then a suburb began to settle in, and the XV century is considered the official foundation of Klyazin. The only attraction of the town is the flooded bell tower, around which in 1940, as a result of a technological tragedy, a large reservoir was formed.
Myshkin
A classic Russian city with wooden buildings decorated with carvings and patterns. The houses in Myshkin resemble toys, and the art of the craftsmen who created attractive shutters and fences shakes modern man to the core. The provincial simplicity and outlandish appearance of the city annually attracts crowds of tourists here, and the Mouse Museum is considered the most curious attraction.
Tutaev
The town is located in the Volga region and is famous for the well-preserved temple complex here. The attraction is located on seven hills and therefore looks rather unusual. Tutaev is known for the Resurrection Cathedral and for his sheepskin souvenirs. Local leather workers have long been making fleece, from which fur coats were sewn all over Russia.
Murom
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For the first time, the city of Murom was mentioned in the story of bygone years. According to legend, it was in this city that the Russian hero Ilya Muromets was born, who defended the Oka from the bloodthirsty Polovtsians. During the reign of Catherine, Murom became a thriving trading center, where merchants brought their goods and sold them at numerous fairs. Orthodox Christians know Murom as the city where the relics of two righteous people, Peter and Fevronya, are kept. Today you can visit the existing monasteries here - Resurrection, Annunciation and Spaso-Preobrazhensky.
Yuryev-Polsky
It was also founded by Yuri Dolgorukov, who created powerful fortifications on the banks of seven-meter walls and huge ramparts. The defensive structure has survived to this day, and outside the fortress, a town began to gradually develop, which became famous after the stay of the Golitsyn dynasty here. The city has many interesting sights, including St. George's Cathedral, the prince's estate.
Palekh
It is considered the cradle of Russian icon painting and lacquer miniature craftsmanship. Bright and colorful boxes, caskets, painted trays, cutlery, powder boxes and chests, which are kept in the best museums and private collections around the world, are famous all over the world. It is almost impossible to leave Palekh without a fancy souvenir.
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