General Information

Vladimir 1

The ancient great town Vladimir is situated 45 km to the south from Suzdal. It was founded by Prince Vladimir Monomakh in 1108. In 1157 Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky moved the capital of Vladimir-Suzdal Principality to Vladimir. The capital was moved there, because the sacred icon of Our Lady, which once had been brought from Constantinople, was also moved to Vladimir. The icon got the name of «Our Lady of Vladimir». In the year of 1299 the town also became the residence of the Russian Metropolitan. By the middle of the 14th century Vladimir had lost its political importance and Moscow had become the main political centre of the Russian state. The ancient monuments dated by the 12th century remain in town and its suburbs.
The great Cathedral of Dormition stands in the town centre. It was built in 1158-1160 by the order of Andrei Bogolyubsky. The interior of Cathedral displays the ornaments and wall-paintings which go back to the 12th-13th centuries and the wall-paintings of the 15th century by Andrei Rublev and Daniil Chyorny. The Church of St. Demetrius stands close to the Cathedral. The Church was built in 1194-1197 by the order of Prince Vsevolod Big Nest (1170-1212), who was baptized as Demetrius. The facades of the Church are ornamented by fine white-stone carving.
The Golden Gates (1158-1164) are located close to the town centre. However, the Gates were rebuilt many times. There is also a white-stoned Arc of Triumph with half-encompassed ceiling and the Church over the Gates. The seat of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky was located in a small town Bogolyubovo, which is located close to Vladimir. The remains of Prince Palace, dated by the, the 12th century are still there. There is a church not so far from Bogolyubovo, which is considered a real masterpiece of the ancient Russian architecture. This is the Church of Intercession on Nerly built in 1165 by the order of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. The moderate tracery ornament contribute to the quiet beauty of the Church. The delicate proportions of facades turn us to a romantic story of the old times. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky was one of those, who admired the cult of Our Lady and introduced it actively in Russia. He was the first one, who introduced the Holiday of Intercession of Our Lady (October 14) and in the honour of this holiday the Church was built.
There is a road, which goes to the south-east from the Golden Ring route. It leads to one more small Russian town famous with the fine pieces of glasswork. This is the town called Gus-Khrustalny. It was founded in the middle of 18th century, when the first cut-glass enterprise was built there. The local museum comprises a fine collection of cut-glass pieces and glassworks.
Thus, Vladimir is the final point of the Golden Ring route. The straight highway connects it with the initial point of route, i.e. Moscow.

Suzdal 2

Suzdal, first mentioned in chronicles in 1024, is one of the oldest and the best-preserved Russian towns. The town has lots of splendid architectural monuments of different epochs which preserved its original character and appearance: the Suzdal Kremlin with the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady, the Bishop's Palace (the former residence of the local clerical sovereigns built on the border of the 17th and 18th centuries), Spaso-Yevfimievsky Monastery, the Convent of the Intercession and many others, «The Golden Apple» that is the honorary prize of the International Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers was awarded to Suzdal in 1983 for preservation of its architectural ensemble and for active development of tourism.

Ples, Ivanovo, Shuya 3

There is one more interesting ancient town Ples down the Volga River (68 km from Kostroma). It was founded by Moscow Prince Vasiliy the First, the son of Prince Dmitry Donskoy. The fame to the beauty of Ples was brought by the pictures of I.I. Levitan, the famous Russian landscape painter. The house-museum of I.I. Levitan, the historic-architectural and arts museum-national park with a unique cedar forest are located close to Ples.
The road goes to the south, where, 67 km away from Ples, another town, Ivanovo meets the guests and tourists. Ivanovo, the centre of textile industry of Russia, became the centre of revolutionary movement in Russia in the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th centuries. The local museum displays a collection of paintings by prominent Russian masters.
Away from the Golden Ring and at a distance of 32 km from Ivanovo one may visit an ancient town of Shuya. The remains of ancient ramparts are found there, as well as one of the highest structures of pre-Revolutionary Russia- the bell-tower of 106 meters high. Palekh, the famous centre of varnished miniature, is located 31 km away from Shuya.

Palekh 4

Palekh is an ancient Russian village that together with the other two villages Mstera and Kholui is the birthplace of world-renowned miniature lacquered boxes that resemble wonderful flowers. The boxes present small masterpieces that are very expressive in their execution. The skills of Palekh craftsmen are transmitted from generation to generation and are zealously kept in secret. One of the most mysterious secrets is the secret of Palekh colors. Palekh craftsmen use only natural ingredients in their paints like egg emulsion.

Kostroma 5

Kostroma is one of the oldest and most beautiful Russian cities founded in the year 1152 by Yuri Dolgoruki. According to legend, an ancestor of the Godunov family, a Tatar noble named Chet sent by the Khan to keep an eye on the area, fell ill in Kostroma. Two saints appeared in a dream and promised him recovery if he became a Christian. So he did and afterward founded a monastery called St. Ipatievsky, after one of the saints in his vision.
In 1600 Godunov exiled Fyodor Nikitich Romanov, then the head of the Romanov family, to St. Ipatievsky Monastery. His son Mikhail was there when he was elected Tsar. The Ipatievsky Monastery presents a 16th–17th century architectural ensemble which is now a museum and sanctuary of the Kostroma region.
Kostroma shopping arcades was one of the largest market centers of the late 18th and early 19th century that was preserved till nowadays.
An unforgettable flavor to the unique setting of old architecture and the picturesque views of Kostroma add its beautiful churches. The Kostroma churches are known for their rich interior decorations and especially for their frescoes.
The Church of Resurrection dates back to the 17th century has a unique iconostasis.
The Cathedral of the Epiphany Monastery is famous for its St.Theodora Virgin icon that is believed to perform miracles.

Yaroslavl 6

In 1010, Yaroslav, son of the Kiev Prince Vladimir (later Yaroslav the Wise) founded a fortress at the place where the Kotorosl River enters the Volga. He named the fortress after himself.
The story goes that a settlement of pagans was located in this place called Medvezhy Ugol (Bears Corner). Its inhabitants were engaged in hunting and fishing. Prince Yaroslav killed their sacred animal a Bear and subjugated the pagans. The legend about this event found its representing in symbol of the city «On a silver shield a bear is represented standing and holding a gold pole-axe in the left paw».
Yaroslavl is a town of trades and crafts, of numerous churches striking your imagination with its original beauty.

Rostov Veliky (Rostov the Great) 7

Rostov Veliky is one of the oldest Russian cities. According to the chronicles Rostov Veliky was founded in the 9th century. In the mid 15th century it became a religious center of Moscow’s principality. The city is famous for its well-preserved ensemble of the Kremlin built in 17th century that was built as the residence of the Rostov Metropolitanate. While visiting the town you have a chance to enjoy the bell ringing of the unique bells of the Assumption Cathedral belfry. This town is also famous for its enamelwork that won lots of prizes on the international exhibitions.

Pereslavl-Zalessky 8

Pereslavl-Zalessky (Pereslavl beyond the wood) is one of the ancient cities of central Russia. Prince Yury Dolgoruky founded the town in 1152. It is located about 130 km North-East of Moscow on the bank of Pleshcheevo Lake. Here, in 1693, young Peter the Great constructed a «funny fleet» which became a prototype of the first Russian fleet on the Baltic Sea. Pereslavl-Zalessky is considered to be the cradle of Russian Naval Fleet. It is here where a parade of the first Russian military flotilla was held in 1692. The pearl of its architecture is the Cathedral of Transfiguration of the Savior, the oldest surviving monument in Central Russia. The town has lots of ancient churches and cathedrals worth your attention.

Sergiev Posad 9

The first settlement arose in this place in the 14th century. The town of Sergiev Posad was named in honor of St. Sergius of Radonezh who was born in the neighboring town of Radonezh and who was the founder of the Trinity Monastery that is now known as the Trinity-Sergius Lavra of the town is the place of the greatest attraction for tourists.
The Trinity Cathedral of this ensemble has a unique iconostasis of Andrey Rublev. The ancient Russian architectural ensemble of the Trinity-Sergius Lavra reflects all the steps of the Russian architecture development.
Sergiev Posad is a spiritual center of Russian orthodoxy. The Assumption Cathedral of this ensemble is a sepulcher of the Russian Patriarchs.
Craft and production shops operate in the town where one can buy famous Matryoshkas (Russian nested dolls).