Russia is extremely rich in sights. The centuries-old history, powerful culture and peculiar cities make up the true glory of the country. To get a general idea of the specifics of Russian culture, it is worth seeing at least the Small Golden Ring of Russia. The list of cities included in the route may vary in different agencies, but traditionally it includes eight of the greatest Russian settlements.
What is the Golden Ring
The Big and Small Golden Ring of Russia are tourist routes in ancient Russian cities. This tourist product appeared in the 60s of the 20th century, when the mass tourism of Soviet citizens across the expanses of the homeland began. The author of the title was journalist Yuri Bychkov, who in 1967 published in the newspaper Sovetskaya Kultura a series of literary and artistic essays on the cities of Ancient Russia. Later, this name was officially assigned to the route through the famous cities.
Route Features
The specificity of the route is that there is no single list of cities included in it, and the exact sequence of their inspection. Differences start at the start. Where does the Small Golden Ring of Russia route start from? St. Petersburg or Moscow are the starting points for the Big Ring. Small usually begins in Sergiev Posad or Vladimir. A feature of the route is also not only the ability to make a circular motion from city to city, but also radial departures from large cities. For example, you can stop in Suzdal and from it go to Kideksha and Yuryev-Polsky. Almost all the famous cities participating in the Golden Ring have such outstanding satellites.
City List
The Small Golden Ring of Russia route, the list of cities of which varies slightly in each agency, traditionally includes eight major ancient Russian capitals. These are Vladimir, Rostov the Great, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Suzdal, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Yaroslavl, Sergiev Posad.
However, the route may additionally include small cities, such as Alexandrov, Bogolyubovo, Ples, Uglich. Some agencies refuse to visit Ivanovo, whose historical and cultural significance is much lower than other capital cities of the Russian principalities. Sometimes routes are built around two or three nearby cities and their environs. For example, in the vicinity of Vladimir there are 23 more cities of significant interest to tourists.
Vladimir
The route Little Golden Ring of Russia, whose cities are the pearls of Russian culture, often starts with Vladimir. It was founded by Grand Duke Vladimir Red Sun in 990. The development of the city is associated with the names of Vladimir Monomakh and Andrei Bogolyubsky. The main attractions that can not be missed are the Golden Gate and the Assumption Cathedral - an outstanding monument of ancient Russian architecture. The temple has preserved several frescoes of Andrei Rublev.
In total, 10 monasteries and churches of different historical periods that make up the pride of Russian culture have been preserved in the city. This is Dmitrievsky Cathedral and the Nativity Monastery, Trinity Old Believer Church and other buildings. Vladimir is interesting in that on its territory there are more than 200 cultural monuments of various values, some of which are included in the UNESCO list. There are many legends about the city; they talk about how the Golden Gate was created, that a ghost lives in the governor’s house, and that not a single successful escape was made from the Vladimir Central. The city captivates with its architecture of different periods and a special atmosphere.
Pereslavl-Zalessky
This ancient Russian city enters the route Little Golden Ring of Russia thanks to ancient monasteries. There are 6 of them in the city, 4 of them are active. The complexes of the monasteries are magnificent examples of ancient Russian temple architecture, on them you can study the history of Russian architecture. The city is located on the shores of Lake Pleshcheyev, which itself is a tourist attraction. It is about 30 thousand years old, its depth is 25 meters, and its area is 50 square meters. km Not far from the city lies the Blue Stone, this boulder weighing 12 tons reflects the sky and is shrouded in a number of secrets and myths. It is interesting that the stone is not covered with snow, next to it is a tree, fulfilling wishes. Legends say that a stone moves in some special direction. The city is fascinating with its measuredness and traditionality of life, here the characteristics of the Russian character are revealed as well as possible.
Suzdal
Another outstanding city that is part of the Small Golden Ring of Russia route is Suzdal. This quiet city has preserved the spirit of Ancient Russia, there are no high-rise buildings and noisy highways, you can wander endlessly through the narrow streets, breathing in "the air of ancient times." The Spaso-Efimievsky monastery is more than 600 years old; on its territory you can see 30 cathedrals of different historical periods.
There are 5 monasteries in Suzdal, an interesting museum of wooden architecture, where you can see the buildings of ancient masters, created without a single nail. Suzdal, which is almost 1000 years old, has many architectural monuments of the 12-19th centuries. Every July a unique and very funny Cucumber Festival takes place here. And the city is a recognized center for the production of mead, there is a factory that produced this drink for the royal table.
Kostroma
A tour of the Small Golden Ring of Russia would be incomplete without a visit to Kostroma. This ancient city on the Volga is considered the birthplace of Ivan Susanin and is proud of its history. Founded by Kostroma in 1152 by Yuri Dolgoruky. The city gained special fame during the Time of Troubles, when the heir to the throne, Mikhail Romanov, was saved from the Poles by Ivan Susanin and hidden in the Ipatiev Monastery. In subsequent years, Kostroma enjoyed the special location of the royal family. Two outstanding monastery complexes have survived in the city: Ipatievsky and Epiphany. Kostroma is considered the birthplace of the Snow Maiden, there is even her tower, which is visited with pleasure by children and adults. Slow walks along the Volga give a special charm to Kostroma; magnificent views of this ancient city open from the ship.
Yaroslavl
The Golden Ring of Russia route (Big and Small) necessarily runs through the ancient city of Yaroslavl. The settlement in this place existed in the Neolithic era. But the formation of the city is associated with the name of Yaroslav the Wise. There is a legend about the appearance of the city - here, allegedly, Prince Yaroslav defeated the bear, in honor of this event, the coat of arms of the city adorns a bear with an ax. Historians doubt this version and say that the city was founded by a completely different prince with the same name. The oldest sight of the city is the Transfiguration Cathedral in the Spassky Monastery, it dates from the beginning of the 16th century. The churches of Elijah the Prophet and John the Baptist are a special pride of the city, they are outstanding examples of the famous Yaroslavl architecture school. The unique Tolgsky Monastery has been operating in the city since the 14th century and is one of the oldest in Russia. Ancient churches and buildings in Yaroslavl are at every step, the city retains the atmosphere of antiquity, many historical films were shot on its streets.
Sergiev Posad
The Small Golden Ring of Russia route often starts from the city of Sergiev Posad, which is located on a convenient route from Moscow. The main attraction of the city is the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - one of the oldest in Russia stavropegic male monasteries. It was founded back in 1337, Ivan the Terrible was baptized here, and the history of the monastery is closely connected with Russian history.
Also, the city is proud of the magnificent old Elias Church, which stands on the banks of the Kelar Pond. Pilgrims are attracted by the miraculous Gethsemane Chernigov monastery, which is not only a masterpiece of ancient Russian architecture, but also a place of prayer and fulfillment of requests for healing. A miracle of nature is the Gremyachiy Klyuch waterfall in the suburb of Sergiev Posad. The city is considered the heart of Russian Orthodoxy, and a special spirit of faith and grace is felt here.
Rostov the Great
Rostov the Great is a real gem of the Small Golden Ring of Russia route. Reviews of tourists visiting this city are filled with enthusiasm and vivid emotions. Indeed, the city has something to show.
Founded by Rostov in 862, it has always played a prominent role in the life of the Russian state. The city has preserved more than 300 historical monuments of different eras. Of particular interest to tourists is a visit to the ancient white-stone Rostov Kremlin. Also, the city continues to operate several of the oldest Russian monasteries. Extraordinary species can be photographed on the shores of Lake Nero, whose age is more than 500 thousand years. From the interesting: in Rostov there is an unusual Museum of jam and the Museum of the Frog Princess.