Travel along the Golden Ring of Russia. Cities of the Golden Ring of Russia: a brief description of the complete route Golden Ring composition

The Golden Ring is the main tourist route of the country, popular not only among Russian but also among foreign travelers. It includes ancient cities located relatively close to Moscow, in which medieval fortresses, monuments of church and civil architecture of the 12th-19th centuries have been preserved. The route is popular not only because of the unique attractions, but also due to transport accessibility and the convenient location of the Golden Ring cities relative to each other. Traveling along the Golden Ring of Russia allows you to see the oldest and most important monuments of Russian architecture in a short time, and visit those cities where the most important events in Russian history took place.

Cities of the Golden Ring of Russia

The list of Golden Ring cities is controversial. A number of cities are full participants in this “golden” community: , . There remains some doubt: this city cannot compare with the history or number of monuments listed above; it was never a princely capital.

On the other hand, tiny, but very ancient and interesting cities - , younger ones, and a number of others - are rightfully vying for inclusion in the Golden Ring route.

Sometimes cities from the main list are called the Big Ring of Russia, and settlements from the discussion list are called the Small Ring.

Tours and excursions along the Golden Ring

Excursions along the Golden Ring are very popular. Typically, tour operators offer bus tours. The cities are located nearby, so travel usually does not take more than 3-4 hours. This method allows you to see the main attractions in a short time. Typically excursions take from 3 to 7 days: it all depends on the number of cities included in the program.

River cruises along the Golden Ring are especially interesting. , and are located on the banks of the Volga, so it is very convenient to visit them while traveling by boat.

Traveling around the ring of Russia

You can organize a trip to the cities of the Golden Ring yourself. Even in small towns you can always rent a hotel, apartment or guest house. At the same time, there are no problems with transfers: settlements are connected either by rail or bus routes, or by both. In small towns, public transport does not seem to work very well, but this is not necessary: one day is enough to explore all the sights of the city on foot, they are all concentrated in the historical center.

Sights of the Golden Ring

Each of the cities of the Golden Ring can boast a huge number of attractions - ancient churches, monasteries, fortifications and others.

In Vladimir, you should definitely see the Assumption and Demetrius Cathedrals, the Golden Gate, as well as the sights of the Vladimir suburb - the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl and the Bogolyubov Monastery.

There are several monasteries, as well as a nature reserve, an amazing natural monument. So here you can combine cultural and beach holidays.

Among the cities of the Small Ring, one of the most popular is: it is interesting not only for the events that took place here (the mysterious murder of the heir of Ivan the Terrible, the young Tsarevich Dmitry), but also for the temples that have survived to this day. However, if you have free time, it is worth visiting all the cities from the small list given above: each has its own zest and charm, this especially applies to the Volga cities.

Festival of active recreation "Winter Fun" in Uglich

Tourist route of the Golden Ring

The starting point for a trip along the Golden Ring is usually: the capital itself sometimes claims to be included in the “golden” list. Consider a long trip that allows you to see both the “big” and “small” cities of this route.

The first mandatory stop is located approximately 50 kilometers from Moscow. Another 65 kilometers along the M8 highway and you will find yourself in. Here you can stop for the night: even a cursory inspection of the monuments with a walk along the lake shore will take the rest of the day.

From Yaroslavl to only 85 kilometers. So you can spend the night in the Snow Maiden’s homeland, and the next day you can explore the city. From Kostroma to also about 85 kilometers. Even if you don't plan to explore the city, the road to Vladimir still passes through it. You can rent a hotel in Ivanovo, or already in Suzdal: it is located 75 kilometers from Ivanovo, with another 30 kilometers left.

One day is enough to explore tiny Suzdal. Then there are two options: if you want to see and, then immediately from Suzdal you need to make a 70-kilometer detour to visit. If not, then Yuryev-Polsky will be the last point of the route before returning to Moscow from Vladimir.

It makes sense to stay overnight in Vladimir. It will take 1-2 days to explore the city itself.

The most convenient way to travel around the Golden Ring is by car: this allows you to see more. On the other hand, you can travel along the indicated route by bus. Considering that the distances between points on the route do not exceed 90 kilometers, the road will be easily traversed. Traveling without a car will allow you to better feel the atmosphere of each city and get to know it better.

Of the many routes around Russia, tours along the Golden Ring have become especially popular. Even during the Soviet era, even foreign travelers showed interest in this destination - the Golden Ring was called the country’s tourist pride. Today, little has changed, except that the popularity of such tours has increased many times, and the program has expanded significantly.

Cities of the Golden Ring

Gold ring is a term that appeared in 1967. It was introduced by art critic and journalist Yuri Bychkov. In “Soviet Culture” he published essays about the cities of Ancient Rus', uniting them under the general title “Golden Ring”. A series of Golden Ring routes pass through cities that have preserved unique historical monuments, culture and crafts. The composition of the cities of each tour changes, but at the core there are eight main ones.

Kostroma- a city interesting for its monuments of provincial classicism and historical layout. Its main attraction is the Ipatiev Monastery, which is closely connected with key events in Russian history. Kostroma has also become famous for its churches and museums.

Pereslavl-Zalessky- a picturesque city with many museums. Among the most visited are the Historical and Architectural Museum, the Iron Museum, and the Peter I Boat Museum. It is worth visiting the Nikitsky Monastery, the Transfiguration Cathedral and Lake Pleshcheyevo. It is of glacial origin and is recognized as a protected area.

When mentioned Sergiev Posad the image of his shrine - the Trinity-Sergius Lavra - appears before your eyes. Thanks to her, the city attracts not only tourist groups, but also many pilgrims. This is the largest active monastery in Russia, which should be treated with special respect.

Ivanovo- not only the old Russian city. In the past, it was a center of constructivism, so here you can see a record number of buildings in this style. In Ivanovo, the Calico Museum, the Holy Vvedensky Monastery and the unique Church of the Assumption are of interest.

Pearls of the Golden Ring: the main cities of the route

Each of the cities of the Golden Ring is of great importance for the history of Russia. But there are real pearls for which tourists choose this route. The main place in the Golden Ring is reserved for Rostov the Great. Thanks to its abundance of monuments, it was destined to become a Russian center of tourism and pilgrimage.

The heart of the city is the Rostov Kremlin, built in the 17th century. The architectural ensemble unites the Assumption Cathedral and its belfry, the Church of Hodegetria, the Judgment Order, and the Holy Gate. It is impossible to see all the Kremlin buildings in a day. You need to study its architecture, its rich collection of icons and museum collections (exhibitions of Old Russian Art, Art Gallery) for a long time and thoughtfully.

Rostov is also famous for its monasteries. It is worth visiting the Borisoglebsky, Abrahamievo-Epiphany and Spaso-Yakovlevsky monasteries.

Yaroslavl- one of the oldest cities on the Volga, on whose territory there are 150 important architectural monuments. The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery is worthy of attention here. He became famous for the fact that it was in him that “The Tale of Igor’s Campaign” was discovered. The monastery houses rare frescoes from the time of Ivan IV, icons and objects of ancient Russian art.

The peculiarity of Yaroslavl is more than 30 ancient temples and churches. You won’t be able to see everything in a short time, but it’s worth visiting the Church of Elijah the Prophet. The city's rich history is reflected in the collections of its museums. Mainly in the exhibition of the Museum of the History of the City, where you can see ancient icons, ancient household items, coins and archaeological finds.

Vladimir- the city on which the Golden Ring “rests”. He preserved monuments of white stone architecture, examples of which were the magnificent Dmitrievsky and Assumption Cathedrals. It is impossible not to visit the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum with an invaluable collection of Russian crafts, merchant household items and icons.

Suzdal- another city of the Golden Ring and an open-air museum. Its center was the Kremlin, which preserved the ditches of the ancient fortress, several churches and bishops' chambers, in which a collection of jewelry, household items, coins and parts of cathedrals is exhibited.

The Spaso-Evfimievsky Monastery with its intact wall paintings and frescoes is of great interest to tourists. Also in Suzdal you can attend master classes on making clay products, weaving birch bark baskets and preparing traditional dishes.

At different times, many cities sought to become part of the Golden Ring - after all, this could guarantee a stable flow of tourists. Today the most complete list looks like this (with the exception of the main eight): Alexandrov, Bogolyubovo,

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.
Entry of 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 refuge 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 stela “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 Krasnoye 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 greedy 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 current 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 Khan Shah Ali was engaged in the construction. 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.

The Golden Ring of Russia is a famous tourist route with a length of more than 1000 kilometers, which passes through the ancient cities of Vladimir-Suzdal and Moscow Rus'. The route includes about 20 cities in the Moscow, Ivanovo, Vladimir, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Tver regions. Historical and architectural monuments of the 12th-18th centuries are concentrated here, which constitute a treasury of Russian culture. These unique sights are protected by the Russian state and UNESCO. The term “Golden Ring” was attached to this tourist route in the 60s of the last century. Then journalist Yuri Bychkov wrote a series of essays on the pages of the Soviet Russia newspaper about eight cities northeast of Moscow, which stand out for their rich cultural and historical heritage. Today this phrase, first used in 1967, is widely known in Russia and abroad. The Golden Ring includes eight main cities: Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Rostov Veliky, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Suzdal and Vladimir.

The idea to “ring” ancient Russian cities belongs to the All-Russian Society for the Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments. In 1974, the first guidebook “Around the Golden Ring of Russia” was published.

It will take almost a month to complete the entire route. Therefore, it is better to travel around ancient Russian cities on small tourist routes that take 2-3 days. Moscow will be your starting point. The most convenient way, of course, is to travel in your own car. Then you will not be tied to a tourist group and will be able to visit those cities and towns along the way that are not included in the traditional route. We assure you that these places are no less attractive to tourists. In addition, this way you can fully enjoy the beauty of the Golden Ring.

Travelers are amazed by the very atmosphere of Russian provincial cities, the lack of fuss and the regularity of life. Wonderful nature pacifies with its discreet beauty. The picturesque places of the Volga coast, the Kotorosl River, Lake Pleshcheevo, and Lake Nero are especially attractive. The nature of central Russia is attractive at any time of the year. There is plenty of space on the banks of rivers and lakes for walks and picnics. All stages of the development of ancient Russian architecture are represented in cities and villages: majestic white-stone churches of the 12th-13th centuries, tent-roofed buildings of the 16th century, buildings of the 17th century, creations of architectural and painting schools of Rostov, Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Vladimir.

Numerous historical monuments - fortresses, monasteries and temples, testify to the great importance of each of the cities of the Golden Ring in the ancient and royal periods of history. Each city has its own unique style of ancient architecture. The myriad of Orthodox monasteries, shrines and temples located in this region attracts a large number of pilgrims. And Suzdal and Rostov the Great are real open-air museums. In Suzdal, for example, there are practically no cars. On the streets of the city you will meet mainly pedestrians and horse-drawn carriages. This is a reserve of old, pre-Petrine Rus' with the Kremlin, Pokrovsky and Spaso-Evfimievsky monasteries, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, and a museum of wooden architecture.

In addition to architecture and holy places, during your trip you can get acquainted with the folk crafts of the Russian people. Museums in many cities contain examples of ancient artistic crafts: wood and bone carvings, products of skilled lacemakers and jewelers, lacquer miniatures and enamel painting (enamel) and much more.

Recently, the tourism business has been intensively developing in the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia, so in almost any city you can find excursion services, an acceptable hotel, cafe or restaurant. They say that the best way to understand and experience great Russia, to feel the real Russian soul, is to drive through the historical places of the Golden Ring, see historical monuments with your own eyes, enjoy ancient architecture, art and painting, and see ancient icons of ancient Russian masters.

Since the 1960s, the Golden Ring has been a tourist route through the main cities of the center of the European territory of Russia. A journey through the ancient cities of central Russia, which are of particular interest to tourists because of their important role they once played in the history of the country.

The Golden Ring is a term used to define a tourist route passing through the cities of several regions near Moscow. The author of the term is Yu. Bychkov, who published a series of articles under the general title “Golden Ring”, telling about the ancient cities of the center of the country. It was Bychkov who came up with the idea of a circular route, later implemented under the name “Golden Ring”.

This name was given to the route due to the fact that the settlements included in its composition are located northeast of Moscow and form a semicircle on the map, starting in Sergiev Posad and ending in Vladimir. The epithet “golden” was given for the great contribution of these cities to the culture of the country.

List of cities in the Golden Ring of Russia

There is no strictly defined list of cities in the Golden Ring. Usually there are two route options, differing in the number of participating cities. The classic route includes eight settlements in five regions:

Vladimir and Suzdal (Vladimir region);
Yaroslavl, Rostov and Pereslavl-Zalessky (Yaroslavl region);
Kostroma;
Sergiev Posad (Moscow region);
Ivanovo.

In the second route option, Ivanovo is excluded from the list and the following are added:

Ples (Ivanovo region);
Tutaev and Uglich (Yaroslavl region);
Yuryev-Polsky and Alexandrov (Vladimir region).

Recently, Kasimov (Ryazan region) and Kaluga were included in the route. Thus, the number of settlements on the route can vary from 8 to 14-15.

Many other cities in Central Russia, such as Myshkin, Murom, Gorokhovets, Shuya, etc., also apply for inclusion in the route list, since their tourism potential is not inferior to the cities that are part of the Golden Ring. However, there has not yet been an official expansion of the list of cities participating in the route to include these settlements.

Historical heritage of cities in the Golden Ring

All the cities that are part of the traditional Golden Ring are located within the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, and later the Grand Duchy of Vladimir - the center of colonization of the Zalessi lands by the Slavs. The remoteness from the steppe, which for centuries posed a danger, as well as the fertile Suzdal region, led to the fact that from the beginning of the 2nd millennium AD. e. The Rostov-Suzdal, and then the Vladimir-Suzdal principality turned into the powerful Grand Duchy of Vladimir, claiming primacy among the ancient Russian state formations. Historical processes were reflected in the architecture and culture of these lands, which experienced rapid growth.

The position of the principality was not shaken by either the Mongol invasion or the confrontation with the Novgorod Republic and Lithuania. After the capital was gradually moved from Vladimir to Moscow, the name of the state was changed to the Grand Duchy of Moscow. It was in these lands that the Russian people and the state, now called Russia, were formed.

Cities of the former Novgorod Republic, which also played an important role in the history and culture of Rus', united into the Silver Ring of Russia tourist route. It includes the main centers of North-Western Rus', such as Veliky Novgorod, Pskov, Izborsk, Vologda, Staraya Ladoga, Tikhvin and others.

Vladimir region

It was in the Vladimir region that the most important centers of the Grand Duchy of Vladimir were located - Vladimir and Suzdal. Within the region there is a large part of Opole - a fertile piece of land with an area of about 2.1 thousand km 2. It was the presence of fertile soils that attracted agricultural colonists leaving the troubled lands of Southwestern Rus' (modern Ukraine). Population growth due to developed agriculture became one of the main reasons for the subsequent economic and cultural rise of the Grand Duchy of Vladimir.

Vladimir

Since the second half of the 12th century, Vladimir has been the capital of North-Eastern Rus'. Thanks to the ruling princes Andrei Bogolyubsky and Vsevolod III, an ensemble of white stone monuments was created here, which are a UNESCO Heritage List object.

Golden Gate- the oldest architectural monument in Vladimir. Created in the second half of the 12th century under Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. They are the only ones that have survived to the present day from the 7 gates that once surrounded the city. Later, it was rebuilt in the 18th-19th centuries, when a church was built on top of the gate and round towers were added to support the ancient masonry of the main structure.

Assumption Cathedral(second half of the 12th century), built under Andrei Bogolyubsky and rebuilt under Prince Vsevolod III. For several centuries, the Assumption Cathedral became the main temple of the principality and a model for subsequent cathedrals built after the Mongol yoke. The Assumption Cathedral was a tomb for representatives of the grand ducal dynasty and bishops of the city. The interiors of the temple contain frescoes created by Andrei Rublev.

Dmitrievsky Cathedral was built during the reign of Vsevolod the Big Nest at the very end of the 12th century. The walls of the temple are decorated with more than 600 anthropomorphic and zoomorphic reliefs, biblical scenes and images of the grand ducal family. For its carvings, St. Demetrius Cathedral received the nickname “white stone book.”

Near Vladimir, in the town of Bogolyubovo, which once housed the residence of Andrei Bogolyubsky, there is another masterpiece of white-stone Vladimir architecture - the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. In addition, in Bogolyubovo the remains of the chambers of the Grand Duke - the castle of Andrei Bogolyubsky - have been preserved.

Among the monuments of Vladimir that are not considered masterpieces of white stone architecture, one can highlight:

Princess Monastery with the Assumption Cathedral of the 15th century;
Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1649, “Russian patterned” style);
Nikitskaya Church (1760, Baroque style);
the “Old Vladimir” museum, housed in a 19th-century water tower;
Trinity Cathedral, Church of the Holy Rosary and many other buildings.

Suzdal is the oldest city in the region, formerly the capital of North-Eastern Rus' before the founding of Vladimir. The first mention of Suzdal dates back to 999, when it was called the leading city of these lands. Now Suzdal is a unique cultural and historical phenomenon: on the territory of a small town with a population of 10 thousand people there are more than 40 churches, several monasteries, and buildings of civil architecture of past centuries. In total, in Suzdal there are more than 200 architectural monuments of the 13th-19th centuries, protected by the state.

Suzdal Kremlin- the oldest part of the city, its ensemble consists of the Nativity Cathedral (first half of the 13th century) and the Bishops' Chambers (XV-XVIII centuries). The Nativity Cathedral, along with the churches of Vladimir and Bogolyubov, belongs to the category of “White stone monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal”. The oldest part of the cathedral is the lower one, preserved from the moment the temple was built; here, just like on the Dmitrievsky Cathedral, there are carved reliefs.

Bishops' Chambers- a house for the church leaders of Suzdal, now the building houses an exhibition dedicated to the history of the city and the Kremlin. The last object of the Kremlin complex is the 18th-century St. Nicholas Church.

Monastery of Saint Euthymius- the most famous monastery in Suzdal, dating back to the 14th century. The current architectural ensemble was formed in the 16th-17th centuries. The main temple of the monastery is the Transfiguration Cathedral (late 16th century). The entire monastery territory is surrounded by powerful fortress walls, although the monastery was never used as a defensive fortress. The 22-meter entrance tower, facing the city, is decorated with elements of “Russian patterning”.

Deposition of Robe Monastery- the oldest in Suzdal, founded at the beginning of the 13th century. The oldest buildings of the monastery date back to the 16th century, but the most interesting structure of the complex is the Holy Gate, built a century later, made in the form of two hipped towers. The monastery's 72-meter-high Venerable Bell Tower is the tallest building in the city.

Pokrovsky Convent was founded in the middle of the 14th century and for a long time was a place of exile for noble female persons, including the wives of kings, who for various reasons did not suit their crowned spouses. The main buildings of the monastery date back to the 16th-17th centuries.

Ensemble of the Trade Square, which developed in the 18th-19th centuries, with shopping arcades and six churches of the 18th century.

Many churches of Posad, Zarechye and settlements, now included in the city limits of Suzdal. In total there are about 30 separate churches, most of which were built in the 17th-18th centuries.

Museum of Wooden Architecture, consisting of wooden architectural monuments brought from the outskirts of the city, such as the Transfiguration and Resurrection churches, windmills, residential buildings and huts, as well as outbuildings. All samples belong to the monuments of wooden architecture of the 18th-19th centuries.

Yaroslavl region

The Yaroslavl region is the heir to the Yaroslavl principality, which was first an appanage of the Grand Duchy of Vladimir, and in the 15th century annexed to Moscow.

Yaroslavl

Yaroslavl reached its architectural and cultural heyday in the 17th century, when it was the second most populous city in the country. The main monuments of Yaroslavl were erected at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. The entire historical center of the city is included in the UNESCO List as an outstanding architectural ensemble of its time. On an area of approximately 100 hectares there are more than 140 architectural monuments and approximately the same number claim this status.

Spassky Monastery- an ancient and long-defunct monastery, founded in the 11th-12th centuries. The oldest building is the Transfiguration Cathedral with frescoes from the 16th century. The Spassky Monastery went down in Russian history as the place where a masterpiece of ancient Russian architecture was found, The Lay of Igor's Campaign.

C Church of Elijah the Prophet- the most famous temple in Yaroslavl, built in 1650 and famous for its tiles and galleries, as well as frescoes of the regional school of painting.

Church of John the Baptist in Tolchkovo- the apotheosis of the Yaroslavl school of architecture, the temple depicted on the 1000 RUR banknote.

Posad and Sloboda churches, erected in the second half of the 17th century: the temple complex in Korovniki, the churches of St. Nicholas the Ruben, the Savior on the City, Epiphany, St. Nicholas the Mokroy, the temple of the Fedorov Icon and many other religious buildings. The Yaroslavl school of architecture is characterized by green domes and an abundance of tiles decorating the walls of temples.

Buildings of the 18th-19th centuries, among which we can highlight the Church of Peter and Paul (a replica of the Peter and Paul Cathedral of St. Petersburg), monuments of provincial classicism (the Soviet Square ensemble, Gostiny Dvor, Kazan Cathedral) and later buildings (the New Volkov Theater, the Bristol Hotel).

Rostov Veliky

Rostov, or Rostov the Great, is the oldest city of the Golden Ring. Rostov was first mentioned in 862, and later it became one of the main centers of North-Eastern Rus'. Now the city is a decoration of the Golden Ring and is famous primarily for the Rostov Kremlin.

Rostov Kremlin- the residence of the city's metropolitans, built in the second half of the 17th century by order of Metropolitan Jonah Sysoevich and located on the shore of Lake Nero. The Kremlin is a complex of buildings for religious and economic purposes, surrounded by a high defensive wall with 11 towers. The oldest building in the Kremlin is the Assumption Cathedral of the early 16th century, built even before the construction of the Kremlin complex. The famous belfry of the cathedral, on which 15 bells are located, was erected already under Ion Sysoevich. In total, there are 5 temples on the territory of the Kremlin, as well as administrative buildings. There is a metropolitan garden inside the complex. The ensemble of the Rostov Kremlin is considered one of the most perfect architectural monuments of the 17th century in Russia.

Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery was founded at the end of the 14th century, but its architectural ensemble was finally formed only in the 19th century. The oldest building on the territory of the monastery is the Conception Cathedral in the “Russian patterned” style, erected at the end of the 17th century. A century later, a stone fence and bell tower were built, and in the 19th century the Demetrius Cathedral and St. Yakovlev Church were added.

Trinity-Sergius Varnitsky Monastery located a few kilometers from Rostov, founded in the 15th century at the birthplace of Sergius of Radonezh. During the Soviet era, the monastery was almost completely destroyed; restoration and construction of churches and fraternal buildings took place in our time.

Pereslavl-Zalessky

Pereslavl-Zalessky is another pearl of the Golden Ring. The small town (40 thousand inhabitants) has a whole range of attractions: there are 6 monasteries, a dozen churches, and several unusual museums. The main asset of Pereslavl-Zalessky is the Transfiguration Cathedral, the oldest temple in North-Eastern Rus' and another monument of white-stone architecture of the Vladimir Principality. The cathedral was erected in the middle of the 12th century on the territory of the Pereslavl Kremlin, from which a complex of ditches and earthen embankments was preserved, and the wooden walls were dismantled.

The Transfiguration Cathedral is famous for its 12th-century wall graffiti, which describes the murder of Andrei Bogolyubsky and lists the names of the killers.

Nikitsky Monastery Pereslavl-Zalessky is one of the oldest monasteries in the country. The founding date of the monastery is considered to be 1010, when the first Russian saint, Prince Boris, founded a church on the shore of Lake Pleshcheevo, which formed the basis of the monastery. The main architectural complex of the monastery was formed by the 18th century, however, construction continued here later, for example, the Gate Bell Tower was erected.

Vladimir Cathedral and Alexander Nevsky Temple, built in the 40s of the XVIII century in the provincial baroque style, are distinguished by the great influence on their architecture of traditional Yaroslavl architecture. An unusual duo of churches, left over from the abolished Bogoroditsko-Sretensky Novodevichy Convent, is located on Red Square of Pereslavl-Zalessky.

Pereslavl-Zalessky is characterized by unusual museums that impress tourists who visit them. The Teapot Museum, the Iron Museum or the Museum of Cunning and Ingenuity amaze not so much with their extensive exhibitions, but with their creative approach to their design and creative guides, who do not at all resemble the usual museum workers.

Kostroma

Kostroma is the only city in the region of the same name that is part of the route. Kostroma is a medium-sized settlement located 80 km from Yaroslavl. The city was founded in 1152 by Yuri Dolgoruky. Now Kostroma is one of the main centers of tourism in the Upper Volga.

Ipatiev Monastery- the main attraction of Kostroma, which was important during the Time of Troubles and in 1612 was the place of residence of Mikhail Romanov, the future tsar and founder of the royal dynasty. In the monastery, which received the nickname “the cradle of the Romanovs,” one can particularly highlight the Chambers of the Romanov Boyars, in which the future monarch lived, as well as the Trinity Cathedral (1650).

Shopping arcades in Kostroma- the largest of the surviving complexes in Russia, massively built in the second half of the 18th century under Catherine II. Kostroma shopping arcades were built after a fire in 1773, which destroyed wooden shops in the city center. The shopping arcades still perform their function, and their complex is an example of the civil architecture of Catherine’s times.

Sergiev Posad

Sergiev Posad is the only city in the Moscow region that is part of the route and one of the key points of travel along the Golden Ring. Sergiev Posad is known far beyond the country's borders for its main asset - the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, one of two laurels in Russia.

The main spiritual center of the country was founded by Sergius of Radonezh in 1337, when the monk settled in a monastery on Mount Makovets. Now the Lavra is the largest monastic complex in the country, behind the walls of which there are more than 50 buildings, from a typical representative of ancient Russian architecture, the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the 15th century, to baroque buildings of the 18th century - the Smolensk Church and the Main Bell Tower. Now the Trinity-Sergius Lavra is included in the UNESCO heritage list as an outstanding example of an architectural ensemble.

Ivanovo is the most unusual city included in the Golden Ring route. The settlement received urban status only in 1871, and before that time the large villages of Ivanovo and Voznesenskoye were located here. Now the former Ivanovo-Voznesensk, which dropped the second part of its name under the USSR, is a reserve of constructivist architecture, which is not at all similar to the architecture of other cities of the Golden Ring. Among the main examples of the avant-garde architectural style are the “Horseshoe House”, “Collective House”, and “Ship House”. Ivanovo is also famous for its museums, a significant part of which are dedicated to revolutionary themes (“Ivanovo - the city of the first Soviet”) and light industry, which was the reason for the city’s economic takeoff in the 19th-20th centuries.

Expanded list of cities of the Golden Ring of Russia

The expanded list of cities participating in the Golden Ring route also includes:

Uglich (Yaroslavl region), which went down in history as the place of death of the last descendant of the Rurik dynasty, Tsarevich Dmitry. In Uglich you can see the ensemble of the Uglich Kremlin, the main buildings of which are in one way or another connected with the last Rurikovich: this is the Church of Demetrius on Blood, the Tsarevich’s Chambers and the Transfiguration Cathedral. Among other attractions of the city, one can note the Alekseevsky Monastery complex with one of the masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture, the Marvelous Church.

Tutaev (formerly Romanov-Borisoglebsk), Yaroslavl region. The city, divided into two parts by the Volga and without bridges across the river, is known not only for the complex of churches on the Romanovskaya (left bank) side, but also for one of the most impressive churches of the 17th century - the Resurrection Cathedral on the Borisoglebskaya (right bank) side.

The tiny town of Ples (less than 2 thousand inhabitants) is located in the Ivanovo region. Plyos, lying on the high bank of the Volga, has a complex of churches from the 17th-19th centuries, but it is famous primarily for its landscapes, which have attracted painters for a long time. It was in Plyos that the outstanding artist I. Levitan created many of his canvases, and in the city itself there is a house-museum of the artist, which displays many of Levitan’s works painted in Plyos.

Yuriev-Polsky (Vladimir region), founded by Yuri Dolgoruky in 1152. The landmark of the city is the St. George Cathedral of 1230 - the last temple of North-Eastern Rus', built before the Mongol invasion. Another popular site of Yuryev-Polsky is the Mikhailo-Arkhangelsky Monastery, destroyed by Batu’s troops shortly after its founding. The current monastery complex was rebuilt in the 17th-18th centuries.

Alexandrov, Vladimir region, better known in history as Alexandrovskaya Sloboda - the center of decision-making and residence of Ivan the Terrible during the oprichnina. For 17 years, the Alexander Kremlin was the de facto capital of the state. From the time of Ivan the Terrible, the Trinity Cathedral and the Church of the Intercession have reached our time, but most of the fortress was destroyed by the Poles during the Time of Troubles. Since the mid-17th century, the Assumption Monastery has been located on the territory of the Alexander Kremlin.

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New cities included in the Golden Ring were Kasimov, Ryazan region (in 2015) and Kaluga (in 2016). Kasimov is one of the most unusual cities in Russia, for two centuries it was part of the vassal kingdom of Kasimov, ruled by the Tatar khans. Of great interest is the combination of Muslim heritage (Khan Mosque, tomb of Shah Ali Khan) and Orthodox architecture (Ascension Cathedral, Annunciation and Assumption churches).

Kaluga stands out for its architectural sights, created mainly in the 18th century. Among them are the Great Stone Bridge, built during the time of Catherine II and representing a 160-meter viaduct, as well as several temples: the Church of St. George at the Top, the Nikolo-Kozinskaya Church, the Trinity Cathedral and a masterpiece of provincial baroque, the Church of Cosmas and Damian.

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