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Golden Ring which city is more beautiful. Golden Ring of Russia: how many cities does it include? Historical heritage of cities in the Golden Ring

08.07.2023

The most popular excursion route in the country - the Golden Ring of Russia - is known far beyond the borders of our homeland. Tens of thousands of foreigners come every year to visit and look at the sights of ancient Rus'. But even such popularity still cannot answer the main question - how many cities are included in this route?

There are only 8 officially recognized cities of the Golden Ring, but some sources call 12, and some even double this figure. The Vipgeo portal offers you to familiarize yourself with the list of cities of the Golden Ring of Russia and find out what you can see in them?

Sergiev Posad

As soon as Sergiev Posad is called as part of the route - the pearl of the Golden Ring, and its heart, and the unofficial capital. And all these epithets will be true - any organized tour will begin with Sergiev Posad, whether you like it or not.

Of course, the central attraction of the city is the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, which gave its name to the settlement that arose around the monastery of one of the most revered Russian saints. Excursions are held here regularly, and the number of pilgrims and ordinary tourists at any time of the year is so large that in any case you will have to endure queues and other inconveniences.

The monastery itself can be walked up and down in a couple of days, but the Toy Museum will take you much less time. But it’s worth a visit if you’re interested in the history of this fishery.

Important: The Lavra has its own hotel that welcomes not only pilgrims, but also tourists. Therefore, if you want to stay in Posad for a few days and learn more interesting things about the monastery, it is better to stay there.

Vladimir

Anyone who says that it is worth visiting the ancient city of Vladimir only for the Golden Gate of the 12th century simply has not studied history. Today there are several dozen architectural monuments of federal significance in the city. Among them, in addition to the Gate, there are also UNESCO sites:

    The Assumption Cathedral is one of the few churches of pre-Mongol Rus';

    Dmitrievsky Cathedral is also an architectural monument of the 12th century.

In addition, on the territory of Vladimir and in its suburbs there are several very specific museums, for example, the museum at the Vladimir Central prison or the interactive exhibition area Borodin's Forge.

What exactly to dedicate your visit to Vladimir - modernity or antiquity - is up to you to decide. But any excursion can harmoniously combine these directions.

Suzdal

Without visiting Suzdal for at least a few hours, it is impossible to visit Vladimir, even if you are exploring the Golden Ring on your own. The cities are 30 km apart from each other, so there will be no problems with logistics.

The core of the city and the key attraction is the Suzdal Kremlin, built, according to the most conservative estimates, in the 10th century. Of course, the Nativity Cathedral and the Bishops' Chambers appeared much later, but the first earthen fortifications date back to the dawn of the Russian state.

Pilgrims and admirers of Orthodox architecture will find plenty of peace in Suzdal - within the city alone there are as many as 6 monasteries, and this takes into account the fact that you can walk from the center to the outskirts in literally an hour.

Among the secular buildings of Suzdal, you should definitely see the Trading Rows and the unique Museum of Wooden Architecture.

Rostov Veliky

Everyone knows that Rostov is not only on the Don, but also a little to the north - on the route of the Golden Ring. And yes, there is also a Rostov Kremlin here, which is the main point of any excursion. Many people take it from the film “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession,” but few people thought that on its territory there are several important architectural monuments:

    Assumption Cathedral of the 16th century and Belfry of the 17th century;

    Church of the Savior on Seny;

    Church of St. John the Evangelist;

    Red Chamber of the 17th century.

Rostov the Great also became famous for its “home” museums - exhibition venues located in historical mansions or in antique-style houses:

    Museum of Rostov Merchants;

    Museum of the Rostov Enamel Factory;

    Horse Gallery;

    Lukova Sloboda;

    Academy of fish soup “Pike Dvor”;

    Craft yard "Firebird".

Pereslavl-Zalessky

For pilgrims, Pereslavl-Zalessky is 4 operating and two more Orthodox monasteries converted into museums. It is deservedly considered the most spiritually rich city of the Golden Ring after Sergiev Posad.

The city's shrines are:

    Holy Trinity Monastery;

    Nikolsky Monastery;

    Feodorovsky Monastery.

But it is the closed monasteries that have always attracted more interest among tourists:

    Sretensky Novodevichy Convent;

    Goritsky Monastery.

And, like in Rostov, Pereslavl has its own thematic museums, which sometimes have no analogues in the world, for example:

    Iron Museum;

    Teapot Museum;

    Kvass Museum;

    Tea Museum.

Yaroslavl

There are hardly many cities in the world whose entire areas would be recognized by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage of Humanity, but our Yaroslavl is among them. The historical center of the city is the subject of special protection by the world's defenders of antiquity and at the same time is the main place for all excursions related to the Golden Ring.

Of course, acquaintance with Yaroslavl most often begins with the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery, which appeared in the city during the reign of Ivan III. It has reached our time in a fairly reconstructed form, but this has not diminished its value. Many tourists always climb the belfry of the main cathedral to view almost the entire city from its height.

Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery

In addition, particularly valuable architectural monuments of Yaroslavl include:

    Gostiny Dvor;

    Demidov pillar;

    Zatrapeznov Estate;

    Vakhrameev mansion;

    Rozhkov's house.

At the same time, no one cancels walks along the Volzhskaya embankment, or Strelka, as it is commonly called here. Three key museums of Yaroslavl are within walking distance from it:

    Art Museum;

    Museum of History;

    Museum "Music and Time".

Kostroma

Kostroma was once famous for its Kremlin and the exploits of the legendary Ivan Susanin, but now people come here as part of the Golden Ring of Russia route for peace, Volga landscapes and ancient architecture that survived the turbulent beginning of the 20th century.

Now all official excursions in Sovereign Kostroma begin with a tour of the territory of the Ipatiev Monastery - the pearl of 17th-century architecture. Among the key objects of the monastery:

    Chambers of the Romanovs;

    Catherine's Gate;

    Archimandrite Corps.

The museums of Kostroma are known far beyond the borders of Russia - these are exemplary exhibition complexes from a historical point of view, dedicated to the people's most beloved crafts, famous personalities and even folklore heroes. The following are considered mandatory visits:

    Museum of Flax and Birch Bark;

    Museum of Peter's Toy;

    Museum of Wooden Architecture;

    Romanov Museum;

    The Snow Maiden's Tower.

Ivanovo

The favorite saying that Ivanovo is the city of brides has already settled so deeply in the minds of any Russian-speaking person that many are beginning to forget about the true historical significance of this place. Of course, sewing factories have long turned into modern factories, but it is not for them that thousands of tourists come here every year.

The specific format of excursions around Ivanovo is a march through museums, including:

    Ivanovo Calico Museum;

    Museum of the First Council.

But the architectural delights of Ivanovo no longer belong to antiquity, but to the era of industrialization - in the 1930s, the city was actively built up, including experimental projects by outstanding Soviet architects. Tour groups are brought to such objects as:

    House-Ship;

    House of the Collective;

    Horseshoe House;

    Regional Bank;

    Ivanovsky Post Office.

The oldest building in the city, and one of the few pre-revolutionary buildings, is the Shchudrovskaya Tent, built in the 17th century.

Cities included in the Golden Ring

In addition to the main 8 cities of the official Golden Ring of Russia route, the following cities are often included in it:

  • Yuriev-Polsky;

    Alexandrov;

    Gus-Khrustalny;

It is best to visit each of the cities on your own, so as not to be limited in time and in the excursion program.

Is it worth visiting the cities of the Golden Ring during the holidays? (opinion)

You can often see questions on travel forums about whether it is worth going to the popular cities of the Golden Ring of Russia for the holidays - New Year, Christmas and Easter? And no less often are the answers that this is absolutely impossible to do - there are too many people, prices are soaring, etc.

In fact, as those tourists who independently built their travel route by car say, on holidays each of the ancient Russian cities has a unique atmosphere. Yes, there are quite a lot of people, but this is not comparable to the excitement at night sales or the notorious queue at the Mausoleum. Even if many people come to a festive service at the Lavra or any other large temple, no crowds have been observed for the last 10 years.

And those tourists who are used to eating or living directly in the tourist area are right about prices. Of course, restaurants near the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius or the Rostov Kremlin will be indecently expensive, especially on holidays. But if you literally cross the street, it’s quite possible to find an inexpensive cafe or hotel with reasonable prices. Another thing is whether there will be free places there.

Also, experienced guests of the Golden Ring warn about problems with transport on holidays and weekends - sometimes you have to wait for hours for intercity buses. Therefore, it is worth thinking about a car tour.

When making plans for how to spend a vacation or weekend, you should pay attention to the tourist route of Russia, known far beyond its borders. And although the sights of the cities that are part of the Golden Ring are not as old as , they have managed to gain popularity among both domestic and foreign travelers.

Which cities are included in the Golden Ring of Russia?

The list of cities included in the Golden Ring tourist route, a few years ago, included 8 settlements that at one time were part of the Vladimir Principality. But this list is expanding, and today Kaluga and Kasimov are officially included in it. It can be assumed that the list will continue to be replenished with new cities (in any case, such a statement was made by the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation). But getting into the Golden Ring is not so easy: every locality applying for this must prove that it is worthy of being included in the most popular tourist route in Russia.

The first mention in chronicles of the capital of the Golden Ring dates back to 1108. This is one of the most ancient cities included in the tourist route. It was founded by Vladimir Monomakh on the banks of the Klyazma River (mainly on the left). Vladimir experienced ups and downs, was the most influential settlement and capital of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, and since 1609 it has suffered more than one attack by Lithuanian-Polish troops. Today the city's population is about 350 thousand people, and on its territory there are 239 architectural landmarks protected by the state.

What comes first? We recommend that you first go to the Assumption Cathedral, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The first church building made of white stone was erected in 1158-1160 by order of the Vladimir prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. The cathedral survived several fires, desolation, was closed during the Soviet period, and today a museum is organized on its territory and religious services are held. Among the valuable historical attractions of the Assumption Cathedral are genuine fragments of Andrei Rublev's frescoes, 19th-century paintings and a tomb where princes and church ministers were buried.

The masterpiece of Russian architecture – the Golden Gate – is also worth seeing. They were also built under Andrei Bogolyubsky in 1164. The Golden Gate was intended for the grand entry into the city of the prince and his retinue. They repeatedly burned out and were destroyed, but each time they were restored. Under Catherine the Great, a gate church was built, and in 1991 the relics of Seraphim of Sarov were transported through them.

What else is worth visiting in Vladimir:

  • Patriarchal Gardens.
  • Mother of God Nativity Monastery.
  • Trinity Church.
  • Museum complex "Chambers".
  • Cathedral of Demetrius of Thessalonica.
  • Catholic Church of the Holy Rosary.
  • St. Nicholas Kremlin Church.
  • House-museum of the Stoletov brothers.

You can call it a museum city. On its territory, tourists will see 200 historical monuments and attractions, all of which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Judging by ancient chronicles, Suzdal was founded in 1024. It was the capital of the Rostov-Suzdal principality of Yuri Dolgorukov, and survived the invasions of the Volga Bulgars and Crimean Tatars. During Soviet times, many architectural sights of Suzdal were destroyed, churches were taken away from believers. Despite its difficult history, the city is still a treasury of national culture, which annually attracts thousands of tourists from all corners of the globe.

And first you should go to the Suzdal Kremlin. It is located in a bend of the Kamenka River, where defensive fortifications were erected in the 12th century and the city's first cathedral was built. Nowadays there is a museum on the territory of the Kremlin, which displays an extensive exhibition telling about the history of the city. Valuable exhibits from the Nativity Cathedral were also moved here.

The Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery was built in the 14th century as a defensive structure. On its territory there is the crypt of Prince Mikhail Pozharsky and a prison castle, where prisoners under Catherine the Great were kept, and during the Soviet period, German prisoners of war. While visiting the monastery, tourists will be able to hear the bell ringing and see the ancient clock on the tower.

What else to see:

  • Bishop's Chambers.
  • Mother of God Nativity Cathedral.
  • Assumption Church.
  • Wooden St. Nicholas Church.
  • Elias Church.
  • Pokrovsky Monastery.
  • Entrance to Jerusalem and Pyatnitskaya churches.
  • Deposition of Robe Monastery.
  • Church of Cosmas and Damian on Yarunova Gora.
  • Museum of Wooden Architecture.

Of the entire Golden Ring tourist route, Ivanovo is the youngest city. Its history began in 1871 thanks to the merger of the village of Ivanovo, an old flax processing center, and Voznesensky Posad, an industrial city. Ivanovo chintz has long gained world fame, and the city itself is called the textile capital of Russia. But there are also interesting sights here that allowed the settlement to become part of the Golden Ring.

The main museum of the city - Industry and Art - appeared in Ivanovo thanks to the local manufacturer and public figure Dmitry Burylin. The collection included more than 100 bladed weapons and firearms, Japanese samurai equipment, orders, medals and other valuable exhibits, for the exhibition of which a separate building was built. Its architect was P. A. Trubnikov, and the materials for the house in the neoclassical style were brought from Italy.

Another attraction of Ivanovo is the Duringer estate. The Art Nouveau building was built for a wealthy Swiss at the beginning of the 20th century. The strict medieval appearance and the three-tiered round tower make the estate look like an ancient castle. Local residents say that the house contains countless treasures of the Swiss, which have not yet been found. And according to another legend, the owner of the house was buried in a closed coffin not only because of a contagious disease (Dühringer died of smallpox in 1919), but also because all his wealth was hidden under the coverlet.

What else is worth seeing in Ivanovo:

  • Museum of Ivanovo chintz.
  • Monuments of constructivism: ship house, bird house, horseshoe house.
  • Shchudrovskaya tent.
  • Art Square.
  • Museum of the Soviet Automotive Industry.
  • Museum of the artist A.I. Morozov.
  • Vvedensky Monastery.
  • House-museum of the Bubnov family.
  • Assumption Monastery.
  • Transfiguration Cathedral.
  • Kazan Church.

The story begins around 1152. The city is the same age as the capital of the Russian Federation and one of the points on the Golden Ring tourist route. Its founder was Yuri Dolgoruky, and during the reign of Prince Vasily Yaroslavovich the city was considered the capital of North-Eastern Rus'. It was at this time that Kostroma flourished: monasteries, temples and other architectural attractions were built. During the reign of Catherine II, Kostroma received its own coat of arms as one of the first Russian cities. Today, its appearance miraculously combines ancient architectural structures and modern buildings.

One of the main historical attractions of the city is the Holy Trinity Ipatiev Monastery, located on the banks of the Kostroma River. It was here that the founder of the Romanov dynasty, Mikhail Fedorovich, was crowned king, for whom the monastery turned out to be a haven during the period of Polish intervention. It is difficult to say what the monastery looked like before 1649 - an exploding barrel of gunpowder destroyed the wooden church to the ground. Today, on the territory of the monastery, tourists can see more than 10 historically significant buildings: the chambers of the Romanov boyars, the Catherine Gate, the Trinity Cathedral with a belfry, and the bishop's building. Within the walls of the monastery are kept the unique Ipatiev Chronicle, the icon of the Tikhvin Mother of God and part of the Robe of the Lord.

The Epiphany-Anastasia Monastery is also definitely worth seeing in Kostroma. It was founded by one of the students of Sergius of Radonezh in the 16th century. During troubled times, the monastery was plundered by the troops of False Dmitry II and only partially restored by the middle of the 17th century. Unfortunately, the unique frescoes made by S. Savin and G. Nikitin have not survived to this day. Today here is one of the main shrines of the Romanov dynasty - the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God.

Other city attractions:

  • Shopping arcades.
  • Guardhouse.
  • Fire Tower.
  • Romanov Museum.
  • House of General Borschov.
  • Museum-reserve "Kostromskaya Sloboda".
  • Museum of Jewelry Art.
  • Museum of Flax and Birch Bark.
  • Church of the Resurrection on Debra.
  • Monument to Ivan Susanin.
  • Sledovo estate.
  • The Snow Maiden's Tower.

At the confluence of the small river Kotorosl and the Volga in 1010, Yaroslav the Wise founded a fortress. When Moscow was occupied by the Poles, Yaroslavl became the capital of the state for some time. At the same time, cultural life and construction flourished. Craftsmen and artists from all over Russia came to the city to build churches and monasteries. Under Catherine the Great, large parks and mansions appeared, built in a new style. The city with more than 1000 years of history is one of the main points of the Golden Ring tourist route. In addition, Yaroslavl was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2010.

The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery was built in the 12th century outside the city walls as one of the defensive structures and is still considered the main attraction of Yaroslavl. A religious school operated here (one of the first in North-Eastern Rus') and a library was collected. An important value is the handwritten copy of “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign.” During troubled times, the monastery held back the onslaught of Polish troops, from here Minin and Pozharsky with the militia set off to liberate Moscow. Today on its territory you can see the Kopeyka Monument, the Blagovestnik Bell, the Uglich and Mikhailovskaya towers, and the stele “The Oath of Prince Pozharsky.”

Many have seen the Church of John the Baptist on the 1000-ruble bill, and it is located in Tolchkovskaya Sloboda. The temple was built at the expense of local merchants. An interesting feature of the church is that the main dome does not have the traditional onion shape, but is made in the shape of a concave bowl. All details of the temple are covered with grass ornaments, and scenes from the Bible are placed on 9 tiers. But the most amazing thing about the design of the Church of John the Baptist is the unique fresco painting of the 17th century.

Other attractions of Yaroslavl:

  • Church of Elijah the Prophet.
  • Yaroslavl Museum-Reserve.
  • Kazan Convent.
  • Metropolitan Chambers.
  • Museum-reserve of N. A. Nekrasov “Karabikha”.
  • Demidovsky garden.
  • Monument to Yaroslav the Wise.
  • Museum "Music and Time".

50 km from Yaroslavl there is a city, the first mention of which can be found in the “Tale of Bygone Years” (862). In order not to be confused with, it is called Rostov the Great - that is how it was named in the Ipatiev Chronicle. Since 1151, the city has been the center of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality; many architectural landmarks have survived to this day, and some were even used for filming films. For example, the Rostov Kremlin can be seen in the film “Ivan Vasilyevich changes his profession.”

Initially, the Rostov Kremlin was the residence of bishops, which is why it is sometimes called the Metropolitan and Bishops' Court. Today the ensemble includes 5 temples and other architectural attractions, surrounded by a high fortress wall. The famous Rostov bell ringing also attracts tourists here. The belfry was built in 1682-1687. Here is a bell weighing 33 tons, named “Sysoev” in honor of the father of the bell customer, Metropolitan Jonah Sysoevich.

If you want to see something unusual in Rostov, then go to the Museum of Enamel. This is what enamel was called in ancient times, and Russian masters adopted the painting technique from Byzantine craftsmen. Today the museum exhibits more than 1.5 thousand miniatures made in this style. The exhibition is located on the territory of the Rostov Enamel factory. Tourists will not only be able to listen to an interesting story from the guide about the development of the craft, but also take part in a master class on painting metal products.

What else you need to see in Rostov Veliky:

  • House of Crafts.
  • Museum of Rostov merchants.
  • Church of the Savior at Torg.
  • Church of St. John the Evangelist on Ishna.
  • Avraamiev Epiphany Monastery.
  • Mother of God Nativity Monastery.
  • Art gallery "Horse".

Traveling along the Golden Ring of Russia, one cannot help but look into the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky. It was founded by order of Prince Yuri Dolgoruky in 1152 on the shore of Lake Pleshcheevo. It was here that the Amusing Flotilla of Peter the Great was built. Despite the small size of the city, it can compete with other settlements included in the Golden Ring in terms of the number of architectural monuments. But Pereslavl-Zalessky is interesting not only for its temples and monasteries - unusual museums will give tourists their share of positive emotions.

Nikitsky is considered one of the most ancient monasteries in the city. It was erected in the mid-12th century by order of the son of Vladimir Krasnoe Solnyshko, Prince Boris Vladimirovich. So he wanted to convert the pagans living in Pereslavl-Zalessky to the Christian faith. Nikita Stylite brought fame to the monastery. He served as a tax collector under Prince Yuri Dolgoruky and had the reputation of a self-seeker and bribe-taker. But a prophetic vision changed Nikita’s life, and he took monastic vows. They say that he had the gift of healing and exorcism. Today, on the territory of the Nikitsky Monastery, tourists will be able to see the Cathedral of the Great Martyr Nikita, the Tent and New Bell Towers, the refectory chamber with the Annunciation Church and the stone chapel. Many of the buildings, as well as the walls of the monastery, were built under Ivan the Terrible.

In the very center of Pereslavl-Zalessky there is the Transfiguration Cathedral. Construction of the temple began under Yuri Dolgoruky, and its construction was completed by the prince’s son, Andrei Bogolyubsky. According to historical data, Alexander Nevsky was baptized in the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery. Despite the fact that the temple was repeatedly remodeled, it managed to preserve the individuality and characteristic atmosphere of ancient Russian churches. Now the cathedral is undergoing a large-scale reconstruction, and you can only get inside on major Orthodox holidays.

Main attractions of Pereslavl-Zalessky:

  • St. Vladimir's Cathedral.
  • Blue stone.
  • Nikolsky Monastery.
  • Berendey's house.
  • Goritsky Monastery.
  • Iron Museum and Teapot Museum.
  • Museum-estate "Boat of Peter I".
  • Museum of cunning and ingenuity.
  • Church of the Intercession.
  • Russian park.
  • Museum "Kingdom of Vendace".
  • Feodorovsky Monastery.

The only representative of the Moscow region in the list of cities of the Golden Ring was founded thanks to Sergius of Radonezh. In fact, it was formed around the Trinity Monastery more than 700 years ago. Peasants began to settle in the surrounding area, creating entire settlements of artisans. But in 1408 the monastery was burned down during an attack by the Tatar Khan Edigei. The successor of Sergius of Radonezh, Abbot Nikon, took up the restoration of the monastery. Since 1993, the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The Assumption Cathedral, founded by order of Ivan the Terrible, attracts special attention from tourists. The tsar himself never saw the completion of construction - the work went on for 26 years. The best masters from Troitsk and Yaroslavl were brought in to paint the temple. The architecture of the Assumption Cathedral repeats the appearance of the cathedral of the same name in the Moscow Kremlin. The solemnity of the temple is emphasized by a five-tiered carved iconostasis, and on its other side there is a three-tiered gallery for the church choir.

In Sergiev Posad you can see not only churches and monasteries, but also interesting exhibition complexes. One of them is the “Once upon a time” museum of peasant life. The idea for the unusual exhibition belongs to local artist Viktor Bagrov. The museum is located next to his workshop in a house with carved frames. Here you can see peasant clothes made of homespun linen, clay and wooden toys, household items and decorative arts. Periodically, the complex hosts exhibitions of contemporary works by masters from Sergiev Posad.

What else to see:

  • Spiritual Church.
  • Bell tower of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra.
  • Vvedensky and Pyatnitsky churches.
  • Sergiev Posad Museum-Reserve.
  • "Trading rows" on Krasnogorskaya Square.
  • Church and archaeological office.
  • Spaso-Vifansky Monastery.
  • Exhibition hall “Bells of Rus'”.
  • Chernigov skete.

The first mention of the city can be found in the charter of the Lithuanian prince Olgerd in 1371. Since 1389, Kaluga became part of the Moscow Principality and became one of the main defensive outposts of the state. During the Time of Troubles, the troops of False Dmitry I, and later False Dmitry II and Marina Mnishek, found refuge in the city. The last impostor was killed and buried in Kaluga; However, it was not possible to reliably determine the burial place. Since 2016, the city has rightfully taken its place on the Golden Ring tourist route, because there are many architectural monuments of antiquity here.

If you don't know what to see in Kaluga, first of all go to the Stone Bridge. It is he who is most often depicted on postcards with views of the city and is its calling card. Its length is 112 meters, it connects 2 sides of the Berezuisky ravine in the historical center of the city. The Stone Bridge is the only structure in Russia built on the principle of viaducts of Ancient Rome. The idea of ​​creation belongs to the architect Nikitin, and the work took only 3 years. Legend has it that it was here that Gogol drew inspiration when he described Manilov’s dreams of building a stone bridge.

Speaking about Kaluga, one cannot help but recall the father of Russian cosmonautics - K. E. Tsiolkovsky. In the house-museum dedicated to the famous scientist, tourists will be able to see memorial items, books and documents that miraculously survived the Second World War. Such famous people as Sergei Korolev and Yuri Gagarin contributed to the restoration of the exhibition. Today, in Tsiolkovsky’s house, the interiors and atmosphere that were during the scientist’s lifetime have been completely recreated, and the exhibition itself is part of the Museum of Cosmonautics.

Sights of Kaluga:

  • Trinity Cathedral.
  • Museum-estate “Polotnyany Zavod”.
  • Museum-diorama “Great Stand on the Ugra River”.
  • Museum of dolls "Bereginya".
  • House of the merchant Rakov.
  • Chambers of Korobovs.
  • Yanovsky estate.
  • Vorotyn Monastery.
  • St. George's Cathedral.
  • Church of Cosmas and Damian.
  • Temple of John the Baptist

In 2015, Kasimov was added to the list of Golden Ring cities. The fortress was founded by Yuri Dolgoruky to protect the borders of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality in 1152. The city received its current name in honor of Khan Kasim, to whom Vasily the Dark gave it in 1452. Thanks to the interweaving of two cultures - Tatar and Russian - the city acquired a unique look. Here you can see nearby Muslim mosques and Orthodox churches, Tatar mausoleums and golden-domed cathedrals.

Among the main attractions of Kasimov, it is worth highlighting the Ascension Cathedral. It was erected with donations from local merchants and manufacturers, and, as it turned out, there were quite a lot of them in the city. Previously, there was a wooden church in its place, later a stone church was built there, and it acquired its present appearance in 1862. The project was developed by architect Voronikhin. The fate of the Ascension Cathedral is similar to the fate of many church buildings. In Soviet times, a parachute tower was located on its belfry, and in the building itself there was a sports school. And only in 2002, after reconstruction, the temple was returned to the parishioners.

One of the Muslim symbols of the city, reminiscent of the reign of the Tatar princes, is the Khan's Mosque. It is visible from almost anywhere in Kasimov, and its minaret offers an amazing view of the surrounding area. The history of the Khan Mosque began in the 15th century. According to one version, the construction was started by Prince Kasim, according to another, it happened later (in the 16th century), and the construction was carried out by Khan Shah Ali. A sad fate befell the mosque during the reign of Peter I - while sailing along the Oka River, he mistook it for a Christian shrine and crossed himself. Realizing the mistake, the king flew into a rage and ordered the Horde temple to be destroyed to the ground. Today there is a local history museum here, telling about the history of the Tatar people and their culture.

What else to visit in Kasimov:

  • St. Nicholas Church.
  • Church of the Resurrection of Christ and the Archangel Michael.
  • Tekiye of Shah Ali Khan.
  • Museum "Russian Samovar".
  • Shopping arcades.
  • Barkov's mansion.
  • Tomb of Sultan Afghan-Muhammad.
  • Museum of the Utkin brothers.
  • St. Nicholas Church.

Why is the Golden Ring of Russia called that?

A tourist route with this name appeared in the 60s of the last century thanks to art critic and artist Yuri Bychkov. His material about his travels through the ancient cities of Russia was published on the pages of Soviet Culture. During the preparation of a series of essays, he independently developed a circular route from Moscow, which can be overcome without problems in 1 day. Well, the word “Golden” appeared in the name thanks to the gilded domes of churches and cathedrals, which are the main attractions of ancient cities that were once part of Vladimir Rus'.

When is the best time to travel along the Golden Ring?

You can plan a trip along the Golden Ring for almost any time of the year. But tourists who have already visited ancient cities are advised to make the trip either in late spring or early autumn. You can also see beautiful views in winter, when the ancient buildings are covered with snow. During the off-season, poor roads may make access to some Golden Ring attractions difficult.

Let's sum it up

You don't have to travel long distances to see it. Just a few kilometers from the capital, travelers will find ancient temples and ancient mansions, interesting museums and unusual exhibition complexes.

The Golden Ring, despite its “young” age by historical standards, allows you to plunge into the atmosphere of ancient Russian culture and rediscover the history of Russia.

Travel along a unique route - Golden Ring of Russia– this is an acquaintance with the unique atmosphere of the most ancient Russian cities, as well as a great opportunity to get to know the country better, get acquainted with its history and culture. A visit to ancient cities, where the most important events in the history of the country took place, will definitely leave a lasting impression.

Information about the Golden Ring of Russia

Being the most popular tourist route, which has almost 50 years, the trip gives foreign tourists the opportunity to get to know the Russian hinterland better, discover perfectly preserved sights, monuments of religious and civil architecture of the 12th-19th centuries. Due to its close location to, residents also like to travel along this route.

During the trip, important stops are such legendary cities as Vladimir, and. The main reason why they were included in the list of cities of the Golden Ring of Russia is the presence of unique architectural, historical and cultural attractions that reveal the richness of Russian traditions.

While visiting cities, you can get acquainted with all stages of the development of ancient Russian architecture. There are white stone and wooden temples here XII-XIII centuries, the buildings 16th century, works of architecture and painting. In addition, the atmosphere of the Russian province is striking, the lack of fuss and tranquility, the most wonderful nature, attractive at any time of the year.

Sergiev Posad is an important center of Orthodoxy

The journey begins from Sergiev Posad, a legendary city famous for Trinity-Sergius Lavra, which was founded by St. Sergius of Radonezh about 700 years ago. Constantly developing, the city has turned from a small settlement into a center of the Orthodox faith and culture, where people from all over the country come.

Numerous architectural structures were built here by the best architects in XV-XIX centuries. The monastery ensemble includes more than 50 buildings, each of which has its own purpose. The snow-white Refectory and the Metropolitan's Chambers especially stand out from the others. You can admire this splendor by climbing to the observation deck of Pancake Mountain.

There are other interesting places outside the Lavra:

  • Museum complex "Horse yard";
  • Toy Museum in Sergiev Posad.

You can discover a lot of educational things in the outskirts of the city, for example, here is Gethsemane Chernigov Skete, which previously was not inferior to the Lavra in terms of the number of pilgrims.

Pereslavl-Zalessky - Birthplace of Prince Alexander Nevsky

The second point on the route is Pereslavl-Zalessky, an ancient city so rich in attractions that exploring them can take the whole day. It has its own Kremlin and several Old Russian churches surrounded by ramparts. The most famous of them is Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior, based on the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky.

On the territory of the city there are 5 monasteries with powerful walls and towers:

  • Nikitsky;
  • Goritsky (not active);
  • St. Nicholas;
  • Holy Trinity Danilov;
  • Feodorovsky.

From the bell tower of the Goritsky Monastery you can discover the best bird's eye views of Pereslavl.

In Pereslavl-Zalessky there is a picturesque and mysterious Lake Pleshcheyevo– the place where Tsar Peter I staged “Funny Fights”. In the southern part of the city you can find interesting museums, and in the northern part you can get acquainted with well-preserved traces of pagan times (Blue Stone and Alexander Mountain).

Rostov the Great - the oldest city of Kievan Rus

The first mention of Rostov the Great dates back to 9th century, or rather by 862. Since that moment, the city has acquired and preserved to this day many architectural monuments, numerous museums and exhibitions reflecting the centuries-old history of not only Rostov, but throughout Rus'.

The main treasures of Rostov the Great are, of course, its numerous temples, churches, cathedrals and monasteries. This city was the center of the spread of Orthodoxy in North-Eastern Rus'. There are religious buildings on its territory dating back to 991.

Located in Rostov Metropolitan Court, better known as Rostov Kremlin. Its walls were not intended for defense, but were erected as a decorative decoration of the princely residence, for this reason they have been perfectly preserved to this day. Here, at different times, the sons of Vladimir Krasnoye Solnyshko occupied the throne, and in our days the famous chase from the film “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession” was filmed.

Yaroslavl - the true pearl of the Golden Ring

This city is worth a visit to get to know, first of all, the incredibly well-kept and festive village, as well as the historical center, protected by UNESCO. It is located around 800 monuments of ancient architecture, perfectly preserved to this day! During its history, this city managed to be a rich and influential center of Rus', and in troubled times - the de facto capital of Russia.

Worth seeing in Yaroslavl:

  • Historical city center;
  • churches and towers of pre-Petrine times;
  • Volzhskaya embankment;
  • Governor's Garden;
  • Museum of City History;
  • Millennium Park of Yaroslavl.

The ancient churches located in Yaroslavl are one more beautiful than the other. All that remains is to admire their whiteness, exterior decoration and golden domes.

It's also nice to stroll around Pervomaisky Boulevard– a popular place among tourists and locals. Each building located on its sides has historical value, and many interesting stories are associated with the boulevard itself.

Kostroma is the birthplace of the royal dynasty and the Snow Maiden

Kostroma is one of the largest river ports on the Volga, as well as the oldest cities in Russia, founded in 1152 Yuri Dolgoruky. Here, the classical architecture of the 16th century has been perfectly preserved to this day, adjacent to examples of ancient Russian wooden architecture.

Kostroma’s business card – Ipatiev Monastery- a historically important place in which the first tsar from the Romanov dynasty lived and was later called to the throne. After Mikhail Fedorovich was elected to the throne, members of the royal family began to revere the monastery as a family shrine.

Near the monastery there is a famous Museum of Wooden Architecture, where the ancient architecture of poor and rich peasants is collected in large quantities. Here you will find houses, barns, churches, mills, chapels and churches. All this is in such a picturesque setting that you instantly lose the reality of time.

Kostroma is considered the jewelry capital, so a visit to the factory here will be interesting. Also in this city there is the Snow Maiden's tower, a zoo and a moose farm.

Ivanovo is the textile capital of Russia

The youngest city on this route cannot boast of an extensive number of historical attractions, but there is also something to see here. Behind 300 years Since its existence, a couple of notable museums have opened here.

A diverse collection of weaving traditions with 17th century and is still represented in the Calico Museum to this day. In this place you can see ancient looms, a variety of fabrics and ways of creating them. The Museum of Industry and Art, located opposite, has an impressive collection from around the world, from fans to astronomical clocks by Parisian masters.

In terms of architecture in Ivanovo the following will be interesting:

  • Shchudrovskaya tent;
  • house "Ship";
  • House "Podkova".

Most of Ivanovo's architecture dates back to the era constructivism– Soviet avant-garde style, developed in 20-30 years last century. But you can also find typical merchant houses and industrial architecture here.

Suzdal - an ancient Russian city-museum in the open air

Suzdal is considered a quiet and cozy city, which has the largest number of religious buildings compared to other cities of the Golden Ring. You won't find high-rise buildings or modern buildings here. The incredibly picturesque and well-kept streets have perfectly preserved architecture from past centuries. For this reason it is called an open-air museum.

In the center of Suzdal is located Suzdal Kremlin, which is an outstanding architectural monument. On its territory, earthen ramparts and ditches, churches, a complex of bishops' chambers and the luxurious Nativity Cathedral are perfectly preserved.

In the city you can find more 40 churches, some of which are built of wood. There are also several monasteries with fortress walls and towers: Spas-Evfimiev, Pokrovsky, Aleksandrovsky, Rizopolozhensky and Vasilyevsky.

Vladimir is a treasure trove of history and culture

Vladimir is the oldest city in Russia, in which every stone preserves a part of the centuries-old history of more than one century. There are unique wooden and white stone historical and architectural monuments here. 12th century, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as ancient buildings XVII-XVIII centuries.

Walking around Vladimir, you get the impression that every building here is an important part of the history of the former capital of North-Eastern Rus'. Here is the legendary Assumption Cathedral with an iconostasis and frescoes of the 18th century, which were painted by the great master Andrei Rublev himself. Another important object is the Dmitrievsky Cathedral with unique carvings from the 12th century. The scale of work on its decoration is impressive - it contains 200 scenes and 2000 carved stones.

Of the old buildings are perfectly preserved Golden Gate created in the 12th century. The main purpose of this structure is to protect the Vladimir settlement and create a solemn appearance in it. In total, five such gates were built in the city, but only this design has survived to this day.

The article does not pretend to cover all attractions; it reflects the individual experience of our blogger.

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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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 it is?

The Golden Ring of Russia is called a route created for tourists, it connects the oldest cities of Russia, these cities are of historical value for Russia, they also carry the cultural heritage of Russia, these cities contain 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 to the beautiful country of Russia just need to make a visit to the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia. The frescoes of the Assumption Cathedral are only a small part of all architectural structures of 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 extended 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 the 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 of 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 the bells of various churches and cathedrals, which have an amazing sound.

In almost every city on the route there are magnificent Orthodox monasteries. There is an amazing, peaceful atmosphere there; 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. Basic options the following:

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

The most interesting and convenient options are car travel and cruise. We will consider these options further.

Do you want to hitchhike? Useful tips especially for you are in the next section.

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 practically 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 considered and choose the routes that are most convenient for you.

For example, the roads leading to Pereslavl-Zalessoky and Veliky Rostov are not the best. 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, while others supplement the trip with other cities and attractions in every possible way. 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 the journey from other cities that have their own river ports, for example, from or or Yaroslavl.

The excursion program always includes some cities from the main route, which can be supplemented by other ancient cities of Russia. For example, Nizhny Novgorod, Ryazan or Kasimov are often included in the trip.

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 an almost optimal 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 in the 14th-17th centuries: Goritsky Uspensky, Trinity Danilov, Fedorovsky, Nikitsky monasteries.

Many monuments are located in the city of Ivanovo, in the year there are architectural structures of many eras, they are not as well known as in other cities of the Golden Ring, but they also attract a large number of people with their antiquity. 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 is considered one of the most beautiful cities on the 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 architectural ensembles from the Middle Ages have been preserved. The central part of 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 where they can 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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