Russia – 2 The Golden Ring of Russia – 2009 Last Updated: April 11, 2022
Besides Moscow and Saint Peterburg there is much more to Russia –
A Journey on Trans Siberian train going to Kamchatka, land of bears remains a distant dream.
Our travel agent recommended to see Russia’s Golden Ring.
I had never heard about this before – my ignorance of history. This route passes through many medieval Russian cities, lying on the north-eastern side of Moscow.
The Golden Ring is a collection of historic Russian cities, northeast of Moscow and southeast of Saint Petersburg. This is a well-known tourist route, which came into existence in the 1960s. Picturesque churches, golden domes, ancient history, nature.
The Golden Ring
The Golden Ring is a string of provincial towns and cities, some dating back to at least the 10th century. The towns of the Golden Ring are living museums – you can feel the history in the air as you explore the ancient forts, gaze up at towering monasteries, and admire the magnificent cathedrals that have helped several historic precincts in this region UNESCO World Heritage status.
The last city he visited was Yaroslavl, so his route took the form of a ring. Later he published his travel notes under the name “The Golden Ring.”
Actually there is no official list of which cities make up the Golden Ring, with the exception of the eight principal cities of Yaroslavl, Kostroma, Ivanovo, Suzdal, Vladimir, Sergiev Posad, Pereslavl-Zalessky, and Rostov Veliky.
Yaroslavl
The city located on the Volga River some 150 miles northeast of Moscow. Founded in the early 11th century by Yaroslav the Wise – one of the greatest rulers of medieval Rus – by the 13th century, the settlement already had stone churches within monasteries, unusual during a time when most buildings were made of logs. Look at the Church of John the Baptist at Tolchkovo and its magnificent frescoes. The city center is small enough to visit all the main attractions on foot.
Vladimir
Prince Vladimir Monomach founded Vladimir in 1108 as a defensive outpost. Although the Russian capital moved to Moscow in the 14th century, Vladimir played an important role throughout Russia’s history. Today it’s one of the main stops on the Golden Ring, a rough circle of Russia’s most beautiful cities.
Suzdal
Suzdal is only 137 miles from Moscow. The first record of Suzdal in the chronicles dates back to 1024. In its day, Suzdal was the spiritual center of Old Russia, and this is evident even now. Over an area of 3.5 square miles there are five monasteries, some 30 churches and chapels, and 14 bell towers: More cultural artifacts per square foot than anywhere else in the world, with the possible exception of Old Jerusalem.
Rostov the Great
Rostov the Great is one of the most ancient Russia’s cities. It was first mentioned in the Primary Chronicle for the year 862. To distinguish the town from Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia, it also goes by the name Rostov Veliky, i.e. Rostov the Great.
The main landmark of Rostov is its Kremlin, which has remained mostly unchanged over the centuries..
Sergiev Posad
Sergiyev Posad is the closest to Moscow of all the ancient towns on the Golden Ring with a long history that dates back to the 14th century.