Write a message about the city of the golden ring. Travel along the Golden Ring of Russia. Demetrius Cathedral in the city of Vladimir

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.

Actually golden ring is a group of cities concentrated in the territory of Central Russia and representing a certain historical and cultural value. United 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 Foundation World Heritage UNESCO.

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.

It 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.

Every person who understands the Russian language and has a more or less understanding of history, when they hear the words “city of Vladimir,” immediately has an image of something incredibly ancient, full of monuments of the past, former greatness and glory. Those unencumbered by intelligence will immediately remember “Vladimir Central”. But, despite the latest gloomy thoughts, Vladimir is a bright, joyful city, rich in greenery and cultural monuments; it is one of the most visited points by tourists on the famous Golden Ring of Russia.

This city is truly one of the oldest in Russia, having arisen even before Moscow.

According to one version, this city was founded in 1108 by Vladimir Monomakh, and according to another, in 990 Vladimir Svyatoslavich (baptist of Rus') built a fortress on 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 from the 14th century Vladimir loses its significance as the center of North-Eastern Rus' and becomes one of the provincial cities, the city continues to be placed in first place 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's borders were destroyed, but also many factories were built that are still operating today.

The city of Vladimir is the pearl of the Golden Ring of Russia. There are more than two hundred cultural and historical monuments here, some of which are included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

Most architectural monuments are concentrated in the historical core of the city, which has largely preserved its appearance despite turbulent historical events.

We’ll start looking at the sights at the entrance to old Vladimir. Built in 1164, they represent a rare example 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 and more extensive and majestic. In 1408, Andrei Rublev decorated the walls of the cathedral with frescoes. Together with fragments of 12th-century painting, this gave the Assumption Cathedral the name of a 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 located white stone Dmitrievsky Cathedral, built in 1194-1197. in the name of Saint Dmitry 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 Demetrievsky Cathedral - at the beginning of the 13th century also founded a monastery, but for women, in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God. This monastery is called the Princess Monastery. In its ensemble there are two churches, one of them is the Assumption Church, decorated with frescoes by the painter Mark Matveev and brought to our times images of many Vladimir-Suzdal princes. Initially, the monastery was conceived as a family tomb for the Vladimir princesses, and therefore the wives of many famous Russian rulers are buried here.

Nikitskaya, Georgievskaya, Spasskaya, Voznesenskaya, Nikolo-Galeiskaya, Konstantino-Eleninskaya, Michael-Arkhangelskaya, Sretenskaya and many other churches, shopping arcades 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 that is 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 Stoletov House Museum (in the restored house of the famous merchants Stoletov, an excellent exhibition has been created that conveys the spirit of the 19th century and the atmosphere of merchant life), cultural and educational center “Chambers” (dedicated to the culture of past eras), museum of military valor (on display are 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) , museum “Native Nature” (exhibition area of ​​almost 400 square meters with hundreds of animal exhibits and corners of the nature of this region), museum of the history of the Vladimir region from the Stone Age to the February Revolution, exhibitions “Old Vladimir”, “Crystal, Lacquer miniatures, 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 institutions that have produced world champions.

After such an impressive list of attractions, it remains to add information about the presence of 18 clubs in the city and entertainment centers, 12 palaces of culture (including Ice Palace for fans of skating and hockey). The picture will be completed by an innumerable number of bars, cafes, pubs, restaurants, cabarets for any category of population and income.

About the Vladimir Central

For the edification of everyone thirsting for revelry, debauchery and destruction, we 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 began to be called Central in the 20th century. Now they are being held there and are serving their sentences in special custody. dangerous criminals. For those who do not want to break the law, radically change their lives and break their fate, but want to visit inside, the museum is open.

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 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 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 provincial town. 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 preserved to this day architectural monuments, 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 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, Orthodox church and at the same time 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 name “Golden Ring” is given to Russia’s largest network of tourist routes, which pass through several ancient cities of the country. A huge number of historical and architectural monuments, museums, and craft centers of applied folk art are concentrated in large and small settlements. This unique name was invented by 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 attractions included in the Golden Ring. It is believed that the main regions where the route passes are: Moscow, Tver, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Ivanovo. 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. Locality was formed by order of Tsar Alexander II by merging Voznesensky Posad and the village of Ivanovo. As a result, a city without a district was formed, which today is considered part of the “Golden Ring”. Ivanovo is famous for its textile production, and local linen and calico fabrics have become famous far beyond the country's borders. Historians claim that Finno-Ugric tribes lived in this area back in the ninth century. The local Zoo is considered the most popular tourist attraction in the city.

Rostov Veliky

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 its name was first 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 it was given the prefix “Great”. If you manage to visit here, be sure to visit the one-of-a-kind Rostov Kremlin.

Suzdal

The name of the city was first mentioned in the “Tale of Bygone Years” in the 11th century; since then the number of temples, monasteries, cathedrals, monasteries and churches in Suzdal has increased exponentially every year. Local attractions are business card Russia and flaunt on the pages of popular printed publications. The most interesting places to visit are the Pokrovsky Monastery, the Suzdal Kremlin, the Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral and Pushkarskaya Sloboda.

Kostroma

The cozy and quiet Volga city amazes everyone who is lucky enough to visit here with its original beauty. Since the beginning of the 12th century, Kostroma has been known as a center of flax and birch bark production. Modern city boasts many objects that have come down to us in excellent condition; on the streets of Kostroma you can see both buildings erected 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, a moose farm, a zoo, the Museum of Wooden Architecture and a jewelry factory.

Bogolyubovo

A small village located in the vicinity of Vladimir is famous for the fact that here is one of the most revered Russian shrines - the church with the sonorous name of the Intercession on the Nerl. The settlement was named after Andrei Bogolyubsky, who was killed here. Since those times, the princely chambers have been preserved, the remains of fortresses with ramparts, ditches and towers, the date of construction of which dates back to the 12th century. Tourists are most often offered to see another attraction - the Holy Bogolyubsky Convent.

Kasimov

Considered one of the most ancient cities Ryazan region and is famous for its numerous architectural and historical monuments. The date of foundation of Kasimov is 1152, the original name is Gorodets Meshchersky. Countless times the settlement was destroyed and plundered, but was invariably restored local residents. The museum dedicated to the Russian samovar, the mosque, and Cathedral Square will be interesting to see.

Alexandrov

The ancient name is Alexandrovskaya 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 again. Over time, the settlement became larger and turned into Aleksandrov, which today is part of Vladimir region. To this day, on the streets of the city you can find amazing witnesses of that time: palaces, merchant estates and objects built under various rulers. The most famous is the local Kremlin and the monument to Alexander Nevsky.

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Gus-Khrustalny

The city was founded in the 18th century by the famous dynasty of Maltsov merchants, who had long cherished the dream of creating a high-quality crystal production facility on the Gus River. Gradually, Gus-Khrustalny became larger, its borders expanded and glass factories were erected everywhere, which you can still visit. The modern name for 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 mesmerizing river landscapes as here. Most of the famous Levitan’s paintings 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 back in the 12th century. The small and compact town is famous for its picturesque landscapes and numerous buildings preserved in perfect condition. Once upon a time in these places last refuge found the Rurik family, giving way to the Romanov dynasty. You can visit the Epiphany and Alekseevsky monasteries in Uglich.

Shuya

The main excursion site 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

On the site of modern Dmitrov, a fortress was built in the 12th century, founded by Yuri Dolgoruky. Since then, many events have happened in the city, one of which was the successful implementation of Operation Typhoon, designed to stop the fascist invaders on the outskirts of the capital. Guides recommend visiting the majestic Dmitrov Kremlin and the elegant Boris and Gleb Monastery.

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Rybinsk

It is located on the banks of the large Rybinsk Reservoir and is known as a center for fishing and hunting. Rybinsk has a deep layer of industrial and commercial heritage, and only here you can see ancient hunting rows, gostiny dvors, 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 the center of uniquely beautiful wooden Russian architecture, and the central object is the magnificent Kazan Church of the 18th century, made in white and blue colors.

Kalyazin

First, a monastery arose on this site, then a settlement began to settle in there, and the official foundation of Klyazin is considered to be the 15th century. 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 carved elements and patterns. The houses in Myshkin resemble toy houses, and the art of the craftsmen who created the attractive shutters and fences is amazing modern man to the depths of my soul. The provincial simplicity and outlandish appearance of the city annually attracts crowds of tourists, and the Mouse Museum is considered the most interesting attraction.

Tutaev

The town is located in the Volga region and is famous for its perfectly preserved temple complex. The attraction is located on seven hills and therefore looks quite unusual. Tutaev is famous for its Resurrection Cathedral and its sheep skin souvenirs. Local leather workers have long been producing fleece, from which fur coats were made throughout Russia.

Moore

The city of Murom was first mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years. According to legend, it was in this city that the Russian hero Ilya Muromets, who defended the Oka from the bloodthirsty Polovtsians, was born. 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 in which the relics of two righteous people are kept - Peter and Fevronya. Today you can visit here active monasteries- Voskresensky, Blagoveshchensky and Spaso-Preobrazhensky.

Yuriev-Polsky

It was also founded by Yuri Dolgorukov, who created on the banks powerful fortifications of seven-meter walls and huge shafts. The defensive structure has survived to this day, and outside the fortress a town gradually began to develop, which became famous after the Golitsyn dynasty stayed here. The city has many interesting sights, including St. George's Cathedral and the princely estate.

Palekh

It is considered the cradle of Russian icon painting and the craft of lacquer miniatures. Bright and colorful boxes, caskets, painted trays, cutlery, powder compacts and caskets that are stored in best museums and private collections around the world. It is almost impossible to leave Palekh without a fancy souvenir.

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Today, our compatriots, dreaming of travel and entertainment, are increasingly seeking to go abroad. And this is understandable: new countries, new impressions, a culture and way of life unknown to us - all this cannot be uninteresting for any thinking person.

However, in an effort to see the world, the residents of Russia have practically forgotten that in our country there are many places that are very worthy of attention. After all, these are the places people want to see first. foreign tourists, coming to Russia, and their own local citizens often consider them unworthy of visiting, although they have never been there and know about everything only from school history textbooks.

We are talking about one of the most popular tourist routes in Russia - a trip to the cities of the Golden Ring. Cities of the Golden Ring of Russia really form a symbolic ring, and each of the cities surprises with its great history and unique attractions, the likes of which are not found anywhere else in the world.

It can be said that cities of the Golden Ring of Russia are precious diamonds in the Russian treasury national culture. Main cities of the Golden Ring of Russia eight are considered: Suzdal, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl, Rostov, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Sergiev Posad, Ivanovo.

Of course, most often in trip along the Golden Ring of Russia they go to get acquainted with the priceless monuments of Russian architecture and art - that is why tourists from other countries are so eager to go there. However, the very atmosphere of Russian provincial cities amazes travelers, and especially residents of megacities, where there is no peace day or night, with its calm and silence, lack of fuss and regularity of life.

Wonderful natural landscapes middle zone Russia also captures the imagination of travelers with its discreet, but peaceful and shy beauty. This sight is no less attractive and exciting than the majestic architectural ensembles and creations of great artists of past centuries.

Particularly attractive is the picturesque shore of the Volga, the great river of Russia, as well as many other rivers and blue lakes, on the banks of which there is enough space for walks and picnics. For example, favorite place The inhabitants of Yaroslavl can be called the arrow, where the Volga merges with the Kotorosl, its right tributary.

Regarding ancient architecture cities of the Golden Ring of Russia, then there are many interesting and unique examples of it here, and in each city they have their own unique style. Masterpieces of medieval architecture give way to magnificent classical buildings, next to which you can see buildings of the 20th century built in the avant-garde style.

Starting from the 11th century, new cities were rapidly growing in the northeastern part of Rus', and not only wooden fortifications and earthen ramparts were being built, but also the first stone cathedrals, harsh and ponderous. But already 100 years after the construction of the first cathedrals, other temples began to be built, more reminiscent of the Romanesque style. Their forms were much lighter - they seemed to float in the air. The beginning of the 12th century is characterized in these places by the fact that Moscow influence begins to be felt in architecture. However, the old styles were not completely forgotten: in subsequent centuries they were repeatedly subjected to creative reworking by architects and builders, and were used to create the appearance of many cities.

The development of monastery construction had a particular impact on the culture and art of the northeastern part of Rus'. After all, at that time monasteries were not only the center of religion, but also cultural centers, which gave rise to the development of Russian writing and art.

As a rule, in every city that is part of today Golden Ring of Russia, several monasteries were built - both inside the city walls and outside. Thus, a special urban structure was created, consisting of a spacious part surrounded by monasteries, which, in turn, also had walls.

So, in architectural appearance Suzdal it was the monasteries that became the main part of the urban topography.

Suzdal today they call it a museum city, and it really is fairytale city, ancient and reserved. It has been mentioned in Russian chronicles since the 11th century, and since then a whole era began in the development of Russian culture and statehood.

Perhaps, in terms of the number of monuments, Suzdal is the first among the cities of the Golden Ring - it has best preserved its original appearance. About 9 sq. km here are occupied by architectural monuments of the 13th-19th centuries - this temple complexes and civil buildings, more than two hundred in all.

The borders of Suzdal today remain the same as in the 18th century; the ancient topography and ancient flavor have been preserved, which cannot be copied or conveyed in words. Ancient Russian architecture is in amazing harmony with the surrounding world and nature, allowing us today to feel all the beauty and grandeur of our history.

One of the oldest Russian cities - Vladimir, in the 12th century the former capital of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality. In these two cities, Suzdal and Vladimir, located not far from each other, the formation of the Vladimir-Suzdal school of painting and architecture took place. The main building of Vladimir is the Church of the Assumption Holy Mother of God- It was here that all the great princes were married. Fragments of the unique painting by Andrei Rublev are still preserved in this temple.

Golden Ring of Russia - Kostroma

The next city of the Golden Ring is Kostroma. First, a fortress was founded on the banks of the Sulla River. It was founded by Yuri Dolgoruky in 1152, and almost 500 years later Kostroma became a major craft center in Russia. The most famous attraction here is the Ipatiev Monastery, where Mikhail Romanov was crowned king in 1613. Instead of a posad, usual for ancient Russian cities, in Kostroma, next to the city Kremlin, shopping arcades were built - a huge shopping complex those times. At the turn of the 18th-19th centuries, one of the largest shopping centers countries.

Distinguished by its unique attitude and traditions Yaroslavl, a city with a thousand-year history, which was also at one time one of the centers of the Russian state. This city appeared around 1010, during the time of Kievan Rus, by the will of the young prince Yaroslav Vladimirovich, later nicknamed “The Wise”.

Then, by order of the prince, a fortress was founded on the Volga to protect the northeastern borders of the state. Yaroslavl became the first stronghold of Christianity on the Volga, and it was always considered significant by all Russian rulers, representatives of both royal families - the Rurikovichs and the Romanovs.

The architecture of the 12th century is presented in Yaroslavl more clearly than in other cities of the Golden Ring. In general, the 12th century can be considered the heyday of the city: then the Epiphany Church, the Church of Elijah the Prophet, as well as the Spassky Monastery were built, famous for that, that it was there that the most unique work of Russian and world literature was found - “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign”.

Golden Ring of Russia - Rostov

Rostov first mentioned in the Tale of Bygone Years in 862, which coincides with the beginning of the reign of the Rurik dynasty. The main attraction is the Kremlin, its Assumption Cathedral, five more churches and ancient residential buildings around. The famous Rostov belfry is a set of bells with different sounds, a unique musical instrument that allows you to perform musical works of the 17th-19th centuries - Rostov bells.

Pereslavl-Zalessky was also founded by Yuri Dolgoruky in 1152, on Lake Pleshcheevo, known as one of the most beautiful Russian lakes, and also because young Peter I began to build his “amusing” fleet here.

The temples and monasteries of the Pereslavl land, rich in ancient Christian shrines, are endowed with magical powers. Central Cathedral Pereslavl - Spaso-Preobrazhensky, which has been decorating its Red Square for more than 800 years. In this cathedral, where all the Pereslavl princes were buried, the descendants of Alexander Nevsky - his son and grandson - are also buried.

Golden Ring of Russia - Ivanovo

Ivanovo city, “the calico capital of Russia,” stands on the banks of the Uvod River, 65 km from the Volga. The city was first mentioned during the time of Ivan the Terrible. More precisely, then Ivanovo was a village granted by the Tsar to the princes of Cherkassy, ​​and they began to call it a city only 300 years later, in 1871. Thanks to the growth of Ivanovo's manufactories, the city became fourth in the number of workers, after Moscow, St. Petersburg and Riga. Ivanovo is a city that is interesting not only ancient monuments, but also those that are connected with our recent history - the revolutionary events that took place here at the beginning of the 20th century.

And of course, famous Sergiev Posad, with its Trinity-Sergius Lavra, founded in the 14th century. This shrine is considered the center of Russian Orthodoxy, because in difficult moments in the history of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra has always been for Russia a symbol of fidelity to God and the fatherland, a shining example of spiritual strength, inspiring the entire Russian people.

There is a functioning monastery here, the largest in Russia, and in 1993, thanks to the uniqueness of its architectural ensemble, UNESCO included the Lavra on the World Cultural Heritage List. The relics of St. Sergius of Radonezh rest in the Trinity Cathedral of the Lavra, in a silver shrine.

Travel the Golden Circle You can visit it all year round, and at any time you can feel the real soul of Russia here, touching the deep layers of its unique ancient culture.

Gataulina Galina
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Many people living in Russia, and in other countries, know that there is a Golden Ring of Russia, and many would also like to visit cities that fit into the Golden Ring. But few people know what these cities are and why they were placed in the Golden Ring of Russia.

What is it?

The Golden Ring of Russia is called a route created for tourists, it connects oldest cities Russia, these cities are of historical value for Russia, they also carry cultural heritage Russia, in these cities there are the oldest and rarest monuments of their kind. Among the many cities there are eight main ones. The cities belong to the territory of Moscow and neighboring regions:

• Pereslavl-Zalessky;
• Sergiev Posad;
• Yaroslavl;
• Rostov Veliky;
• Suzdal;
• Ivanovo;
• Kostroma;
• Vladimir.

There are also disputes over other cities whose heritage is of great importance to Russia, and it is not uncommon for visits to such cities to be included in some circuit tours.

Back in 1967 a Moscow journalist was sent to do a short report about the city of Suzdal, and the journalist wrote not only about Suzdal, but also about other ancient cities that are located along the Yaroslavl highway. In the article, Yuri Bychkov used the name of the route he himself invented - the Golden Ring of Russia.

To all travelers beautiful country Russia just need to make a visit to the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia. Frescoes of the Assumption Cathedral are only a small fraction of all architectural structures Ancient Rus'.

Traveling along a long route

We invite you to take a closer look at this tourist route. To begin with, it should be noted some features of terminology. The specifics of the tourism business determines many names for tourist routes.

Without going into details, we note that initially there were eight cities in the Golden Ring. This route is a classic one, but is now often called the small Golden Ring.

It is not difficult to understand that if there is a small ring, then there is also a big. Indeed, such a route exists and includes about twenty cities. Moreover, the composition of this route may vary; there is no such precision as the classic version.

What is included in the expanded composition?

Each city is interesting in its own way; let’s highlight the most interesting sights of the cities of the large Golden Ring.

Let's start with the most ancient monastery in Russia, preserved from 1371.

This building is located in long-suffering Uglich, which was completely burned down several times and although it is one of the most ancient cities (first mentioned in 900 AD), it has mainly preserved buildings from the 16th century, in addition to the previously mentioned Alekseevsky Monastery.

Let's continue in Veliky Ustyug, which is also sometimes referred to as the large Golden Ring. Of course, it is most interesting to go here with children, who will be able to visit Santa Claus both in winter and summer. Although it is also interesting for adults: there are more than enough beautiful churches, as they say, and in addition there is the opportunity to purchase magnificent handicrafts made of silver, birch bark and other materials.

If we continue to talk about living attractions, such as Santa Claus, then we should continue with the so-called Rostov bells. This term refers to bells different churches and cathedrals that have amazing sound.

In almost every city on the route there are magnificent Orthodox monasteries. There is an amazing, peaceful atmosphere, if you are limited in time, you can visit only the main ones (believe me, you will have enough positive impressions):

• the Paraclete hermitage and the Chernigov temple near the Trinity-Sergius Lavra;
• Goritsky, Danilov, Fedorovsky, Nikitsky monasteries in Pereslavl-Zalessky;
• Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery in Yaroslavl;
• Ipatievsky in Kostroma.

Undoubtedly, in Sergiev Posad you should look at the works of Andrei Rublev.

Popular travel options

There are several options for traveling along the Golden Circle. Some people even prefer to hitchhike. Main options the following:

• by car;
• by bus independently or as part of a tourist trip;
• hitchhiking;
• by train;
• cruise on the Volga (in summer).

The most interesting and convenient options look car trip and cruise. We will consider these options further.

Do you want to hitchhike? Useful tips especially for you - in the next one.

By car on your own

The option with a car is attractive because it allows you to choose your route. Try as much as possible create a route so that you have about two days to stay in each city. Regarding accommodation, there are a considerable number of quite affordable options.

Of course, the possibilities for such a trip would be almost limitless if it were not for a characteristic feature of Russia - the quality of roads.

Not everywhere there are federal highways, and not everywhere the roads are ideal for your car. This fact when planning a route should be taken into account and choose the routes that are most convenient for you.

For example, the leads to Pereslavl-Zalessoky and Veliky Rostov are not the most best roads. If the suspension of your car is not the standard of strength, it is quite possible to drive from Sergiev Posad to Yaroslavl, but first things first. For example, let's take the classic route.

The first point is Sergiev Posad, from which Pereslavl-Zalessky is about seventy kilometers. However, you should allow at least two hours for the journey due to the quality of the route. Next comes Veliky Rostov, which is not much more than sixty kilometers from the previous point, but here again you should give a margin of time.

From Rostov the Great the route runs to Yaroslavl, it is replete with traffic police posts and is about 60 kilometers. From here the road leads to cozy Kostroma, which is located 86 kilometers away, and then a little over a hundred kilometers to the weaving city of Ivanovo.

Although the roads to Ivanovo are of tolerable quality, it can be inconvenient for traffic inspectors, who in this city are actively interested in visitors from other regions, perhaps guarding their marriageable girls.

Now we have to go to Suzdal - one of the most interesting cities on the route, about eighty kilometers from Ivanovo. Completes the journey the road from Suzdal to Vladimir, which is a little over 30 kilometers and is of high quality.

Cruise by boat

Just like in the previous version, here tourists can vary the content of the route. Some travel companies offer only eight “classic” cities, others in every possible way complement the trip with other cities and attractions. To the delight of tourists, the cities of the route are almost completely framed by rivers; motor ships ply along the rivers:

• Volga;
• Moscow;
• Oka.

Accordingly, which trip to choose depends entirely on you. As a rule, Moscow tour operators offer more interesting and varied options, but then you will need to go to Moscow, where the cruises begin. At the same time, it is quite possible to start a journey from other cities that have their own river ports, for example, from or or Yaroslavl.

IN excursion program some cities from the main route are always included, which can be supplemented by others ancient cities Russia. For example, travel often includes Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan or Kasimov.

It should be noted that there are various thematic tours, which are much more interesting to travel to.

Of course, during a long trip of two or more weeks you will be able to fully explore the cities of the route and learn a lot of new things, but often it is possible to spend no more than a week on a cruise, or even less. Then we advise you to choose a thematic tour that is dedicated to a specific area, some historical events, or has interesting specifics.

If we evaluate attractiveness of cruises, then they certainly represent practically best option for summer tourism. Traveling along rivers creates a certain atmosphere and allows you to better experience the route.

Small Tour Tour - Classic Eight

As mentioned earlier, this term refers to the classic “eight” cities.

One of the most alluring cities– Sergiev Posad, they also gave it the name “Russian Vatican”. Sergiev Posad attracts with its history, directly related to religion. But in turn, he is obliged to the Trinity Monastery. Since the construction of the Trinity Monastery became the reason for the construction of the city of Sergiev Posad.

Also one interesting city is Pereslavl-Zalessky. IN modern times it is a large industrial city, but it never ceases to attract many people.

It attracts with its leisurely life, comfort and silence. In this city there are monasteries built back in the 14th-17th centuries: Goritsky Uspensky, Trinity Danilov, Fedorovsky, Nikitsky monasteries.

Many monuments are located in the city of Ivanovo, there are architectural structures of many eras in the year, they are not as well known as in other cities of the Golden Ring, but they also attract with their antiquity large number people. Ivanovo is also known by the same name as “the city of brides”.

Rostov Veliky is a museum city. Many, although they have not been there, have repeatedly seen the Rostov Kremlin, because it was there that Gaidai’s famous comedy about Ivan Vasilevich was filmed. In addition to the Kremlin, there are a huge number of attractions, many of which are more than a thousand years old.

Yaroslavl considered one of the most beautiful cities route. In the city center there are a huge number of buildings from the 16th century. You could also see the sights of this city without visiting the city, since a thousand ruble banknote is dedicated to Yaroslavl.

Suzdal Previously, it was a major center of crafts and trade, although now it is difficult to imagine this, because no more than a couple of tens of thousands of people live in the city. The only evidence of its former greatness are numerous historical buildings. A considerable number of films have been filmed here and excellent mead is made here.

Vladimir is home to several magnificent 12th century cathedrals and magnificent ancient gates. The city is protected by UNESCO.

In Kostroma many have survived architectural ensembles medieval era. Central part The city includes ancient temples and monasteries. The city is certainly one of the most beautiful in the Moscow region.

Which city is the most beautiful?

It is difficult to name any specific city, because everyone is original and unique, and in the aesthetic sphere there are no such precise definitions. Here it seems more relevant to focus on personal preferences.

For example, for someone more beautiful cozy and sparsely populated Suzdal, which has no tall buildings. Some people like big cities, in which it is possible to feel the majesty of Rus', for example, Vladimir, which was previously the capital of the ancient state.

An overview of the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia - in the following video:

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