Golden Ring of Russia - Travel Guide

WHAT IS IT: The so called "Golden Ring ofof the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church,
Russia" is a symbolical ring connecting historicalwhere the remains of the first national saint,
towns and cities to the North-West of Moscow.Sergei Radonezh, rests. In the heart of Sergiev
They represent 1,000 years of rich RussianPosad is a well-preserved splendid architectural
history written in stone and wood, from aensemble of over 50 historical buildings, as well as
850-year old church in Rostov to a 19th-centurymagnificent art collections including old Russian
log house in the Suzdal's open air museum. Eachpainting and the treasures in the vaults of the
of the "golden" towns once played an importantformer Trinity Monastery.
role in the history of Russia and was conected inSuzdal (founded in 1024, population 12,000) - this
one way or another with famous historical figureslittle quiet town is a real gem, one of the most
such as Alexander Nevsky, Ivan the Terrible,beautiful in the Golden Ring collection of citeis and
Peter the Great and many others.towns. In the 11th century Suzdal became the
WHAT TO SEE: The cities and towns of thevery first forepost of Christianity in the
Golden Ring are listed here in alphabetical order:North-Eastern Russia and significantly affected the
Aleksandrov (founded in 1530, population 68,000) -religious life in Russia until the end of 19 century.
The town is situated 100 km from Moscow onHere you can find over 100 church and secular
the crossway of ancient roads from the largestbuildings dating from the mid-12th to the mid-19th
historic centers of Russia - Vladimir and Suzdal,century crowded into a area of 9 square km.
Rostov and Yaroslavl, Sergiev Posad andUglich (founded in 937, population 38,000) - the
Pereyaslavl-Zalessky. In 1564- 1581 the town wastown was built on a major trade route. In its
the residence of Ivan the Terrible. The very firsthistory Uglich has survived destruction by the
in Russia publishing house was established inMongols and lived through the devastation of fires
Aleksandrov in 1576. One of the leading textileand plagues. Uglich is famous for Russia's darkest
manufacturing centres in Russia in the 19thsecret - the death of young Prince Dimitri, son of
century.Ivan the Terrible who is often called Tsarevich (a
Bogolubovo (founded in 990, population 4,000) - aheir to the throne) Dmitry. The center of the
tiny quiet town near the city of Vladimir. Thetown also is a historical and architectural landmark.
town was named after the Russian prince AndreyThe streets are wide, with various churches
Bogolubsky (God-loving) who built the firststanding side by side along the road.
fortified settlement here in 1165. Tourists can seeVladimir (founded in 1108, population 400,000) -
remains of the Andery Bogolubsky's residenceone of the oldest Russian cities, was founded by
including some residential chambers of the 12ththe Russian Prince Vladimir Monomakh on the
century and the beautiful Church of thebanks of the Kliazma river. The city really
Intercession of the Virgin on the Nerl (1165) whichblossomed in the 12th century during the reign of
is considered to be one of the finest specimensPrince Andrey Bogolubsky, who strengthened its
of old Russian architecture.defences, welcomed architects, icon-painters,
Gorohovets (founded in 1239, population 30,000) -jewellers from other countries, built new palaces
The town was founded under Vladimir princeand churches so magnificent that travelers
Andrey Bogolubsky. The town is picturesquelycompaired them with the ones in the "mother of
settled on the high bank of the Klyazma River.all Russian cities"- Kiev. Until the middle of 14th
Played role as a fortified forepost until 1600-s.century the city had been an administrative,
Reached its developmental pick in the 17-thcultural and religious center for North-Eastern
century as a local centre for blacksmithing,Russia.
textile-making and making of leather and also asYaroslavl (founded in 1010, population 600,000 ) -
an agricultural trade centre for grains and flax.as the legend goes it was founded by the famous
Gus-Khrustalny (founded in 1756, populationRussian prince Yaroslav the Wise as a fortified
80,000) - Over 200 years ago a merchant builtsettlement on the Volga river. After a huge fire
here the first workshop of glass casting. Todayof 1658 that turned most of the city into ruins,
the town is one of the district centers of VladimirJaroslavl was rebuilt in stone and reached the
region, well-known in Russia and abroad as thepeak of its architectural development with palaces
national center of glassmaking. The nameand churches richly decorated with beautiful
Gus-Krustalny can be literally translated asfrescoes and ornaments thus earning the title
Chrystalline Goose. The old part of the town is a"Florence of Russia". Today it is a quiet
workmen's settlement of 1900-s. with its ownmetropolitan city, one of Russia's largest regional
Church of St. Joachim of 1816.centres, a capital of the Jaroslav province and one
Kholuy (founded 1650, population 1,000) - Theof the most beautiful cities of old Russia.
village of Kholui did not begin producing lacqueredYuriev-Polsky (founded in 1152, population 20,000)
miniatures until the 1930s, and though iconography- was founded by the Prince Yury Dolgoruky
had been an important trade in the region in(who also founded Moscow in 1147) and named
previous centuries, Kholui was never bound to anyafter himself. The second word "Polsky" means
particular artistic tradition. Rather, Kholui miniatures"among the fields" as it is situated in the heart of
share some traits with both Palekh and Msterafertile and flat Suzdal land. These beautiful
art, yet maintain a distinctive lyrical quality of theirlandscapes inspired the great painters and writers
own. Sometimes, as with Palekh miniatures, Kholuisuch as Repin, Tyutchev, Odoevsky, Soloukhin.
miniatures will include some fine gold and/or silverLocal textile centre since the 18th century.
ornamentation within the painting, and KholuiHOW TO GET THERE: By plane to Moscow. From
artists can create fantastic border ornaments onMoscow you can travel the cities and towns of
par with those of Palekh.the Golden Ring either by a tour bus or by a river
Kostroma (founded in 1213, population 300,000) -cruise ship. The last option limits the number of
In the past Kostroma was known as "the flaxtowns that you can visit as they have to be
capital of the north"; it supplied Europe with thesituated close to the Volga river. We recommend
world's finest sail-cloth. The city has been alsoyou to take a bus tour for 3 to 10 days
called as the "cradle of the Romanov dynasty".depending on your stamina and level of interest in
Mikhail Romanov, the first of the RomanovRussian history. A typical 3-4-day tour from
dynasty, left the Ipatievsky Monastery forMoscow covers up to 7 cities and towns of the
Moscow in 1613 to become tsar of Russia. DuringGolden Ring. You travel during the day time in a
the Polish intervention in the turbulent years ofcomfortable bus with a well-trained
the early seventeenth century Kostroma was aEnglish-speaking guide and spend nights at hotels
significant stronghold for the resistancewith Western-class service (usually- 3 star). The
movement. Nowadays Kostroma is an importantGolden Ring tour can be perfectly combined with
industrial center (textile, metal works), a capital2-3 day program in Moscow. Almost every major
city of the Kostroma province.travel agency in Moscow sells Golden Ring tours
Mstera (founded in 1628, population 6,000) - theand it is much cheaper to buy them on the spot
town takes its name from the little Msterkain Russia then to purchase a tour included into a
River, which flows through it merging with thevacation package from Europe or overseas.
Kliyazma. It is in Vladimir Region, but not far fromCommunication is not a problem, these days all
the border with Ivanovo Region, south of Palekhpersonnel in respectable agencies in Russia speak
and Kholui, in breathtakingly beautiful countryside -English.
the one that forms the backdrop to its paintings.WHEN TO GO: The best season to travel to
Mstera was a respected center of icon productionRussia is summer, from June to August, the
until the trade was banned after the Revolution ofwarmest time of the year there. Rains are usual
1917. Since then its artists has been creatingduring summers, do not forget to pack your
world-famous masterpieces in the form ofumbrella. Weather can be unpredictably cold, even
lacquered miniatures.in the European part of Russia, so take some
Murom (founded 862, population 145,000) - one ofwarm clothing. You can check next week
the oldest Russian cites stretched along the leftweather forecast for Moscow here.
bank of the Oka river. The town's nameTRAVEL TIPS: A passport and a Russian visa are
originates from "muroma", one of the Finno-Ugricrequired to travel in or transit through Russia. To
tribes lived here 15 centuries ago. Every Russianlearn more about how to obtain Russian visa
knows the name Ilya Muromets. He was aplease visit Russian Embassy website. Without a
mythical epic hero defending people of Russia andvisa, travelers cannot register at hotels and may
later became a synonym of superior physical andbe required to leave the country immediately via
spiritual power and integrity, dedicated to thethe route by which they entered, at the cost of
protection of the Homeland. The town survivedthe traveler. Russian customs officers strictly
three Mongol invasions. In the 17th century Muromfollow document regulations so travelers are
became an important centre of various crafts -advised to have all papers in order. It is also
building, painting, sawing.recommended that additional copies of passport
Palekh (founded 1600, population 6,000) - theand visa be kept in a safe place in case of loss or
village is situated about 400km (250 miles) fromtheft. Elderly travelers and those with existing
Moscow in the Ivanovo region. In the 15thhealth problems may be at risk due to inadequate
century it was one of the first centers of iconmedical facilities. Doctors and hospitals often
drawing trade. After the 1917 communist coup,expect immediate cash/dollar payment for health
when the icon business went down, Palekhservices at Western rates so supplemental
masters tried to decorate wooden toys, dishes,medical insurance with specific overseas coverage
porcelain and glass. These days the name ofis very useful. Travelers should be certain that all
Palekh is nearly synonymous with the art ofimmunizations are up-to-date, especially for
Russian lacquer.diphtheria and typhoid. Quality of tap water varies
Pereslavl-Zalesskiy (founded in 1152, populationfrom city to city but normally is quite poor. Only
45,000) - one of the oldest Russian towns, theboiled or bottled water should be drunk
birthplace of the famous Russian prince Alexanderthroughout Russia. Crime against foreigners in
Nevsky, who defeated an army of GermanRussia continues to be a problem, especially in
knights in 1242. Zalessky means "behind themajor cities. Pick pocketing, assaults, and
woods". That is where, behind the dense forests,robberies occur. Foreigners who have been
ancient Slavic tribes retreated seeking refugedrinking alcohol are especially vulnerable to assault
from hostile nomads coming from the South-East.and robbery in or around night clubs or bars, or
Ples (founded in 1410, population 4,000) - this queton their way home. Robberies may occur in taxis
little historical town is located on the bank of theshared with strangers. Be aware that public
mighty and beautiful Volga river. During the reignwashrooms are difficult to find, and usually you
of Ivan the Terrible Ples was one of the largesthave to pay there. To use a public phone you will
river firsh suppliers to the kings' court. In theneed a token or local card. International calls can
18-19th centuries the town became known as anot be made from street phones. Your mobile
popular resort and was often called "Russianphone will work in Moscow and Saint Petersburg
Switzerland" for the beauty of its scenery.but seldom in regional cities. Taxi fee must be
Numerous Russian artists including the famousdiscussed with a driver before a journey.
master of landscapes Levitan used to come hereIn the major cities you can rent a car if you do
to work.not mind fairly rugged road conditions, a few
Rostov Veliky (Rostov the Great, founded in 862,hassles finding petrol, getting lost now and then
population 40,000) - another pearl of ancientand paying high rent price. Public transport in
Russian culture. In old Russia only two townsRussia is quite good, cheap and easy to use
were called veliky (great). One was Novgorod, thethough sometimes overcrowded. Restaurants
famous trade centre of the Russia's north, theseldom have a menu in English. Tipping is
other Rostov. In the 12th century Rostov grewexpected but not mandatory. Signs in English are
to equal Kiev and Novgorod in size andcommon on the streets of Moscow and other big
importance. Modern Rostov is a sleepy old towncities. In large cities it is not hard to find a
with some magnificent buildings next to thepasserby who can answer your questions in
shallow Nero lake.Engish. Electricity throughout Russia is 220 volt/50
Sergiev Posad (founded in 1345, populationhz. The plug is the two-pin thin European standard.
115,000) - the spiritual center of Russia, residenceWe wish you a safe and nice trip!