Small Golden Ring of Russia: a list of cities, attractions and interesting facts

Russia is extremely rich in sights. The centuries-old history, powerful culture and original cities make up the true glory of the country. To get a general idea of the specifics of Russian culture, it is worthwhile to see at least the Little Golden Ring of Russia. The list of cities included in the route may vary in different agencies, but traditionally it includes the eight greatest Russian settlements.

What is the Golden Ring

The Big and Small Golden Ring of Russia is a tourist route through ancient Russian cities. This tourist product appeared in the 60s of the 20th century, when mass tourism of Soviet citizens began in the country's homeland. The author of the title was journalist Yuri Bychkov, who in 1967 published in the newspaper "Soviet Culture" a series of literary and artistic essays on the cities of Ancient Rus. Later this name was officially assigned to the route through the famous cities.

Features of the route

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 from the place of start. Where does the route of the Little Golden Ring of Russia begin? St. Petersburg or Moscow - this is the starting point for the Big Ring. Small usually begins in Sergiev Posad or Vladimir. The peculiarity of the route is not only the possibility to make a circular movement from city to city, but also radial departures from big cities. For example, you can stay in Suzdal and from there you can go to Kideksha and Yuriev-Polsky. Such outstanding satellites are almost all the famous cities participating in the Golden Ring.

List of cities

Route The Little Golden Ring of Russia, whose list of cities is slightly different 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 towns, such as Alexandrov, Bogolyubovo, Ples, Uglich. Some agencies refuse to visit Ivanovo, the historical and cultural significance of which is much lower than other capital cities of Russian principalities. Sometimes the 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 considerable interest for tourists.

Vladimir

Route The Little Golden Ring of Russia, whose cities are the pearls of Russian culture, often begins with Vladimir. It was founded by the Grand Duke Vladimir Krasnoe Solnyshko in 990. The development of the city is associated with the names of Vladimir Monomakh and Andrei Bogolyubsky. The main sights that can not be missed are the Golden Gate and the Assumption Cathedral - an outstanding monument of ancient Russian architecture. Several frescoes by Andrey Rublev have been preserved in the church.

In total, the city has preserved 10 monasteries and churches of different historical periods, which are the pride of Russian culture. This Dmitrievsky Cathedral and the Nativity Monastery, the Trinity Old Believer Church and other structures. Vladimir is interesting because there are more than 200 cultural monuments of different significance on its territory, some of them are listed in UNESCO. There are a lot of legends about the city, they talk about how the Golden Gate was created, that in the governor's house there lives a ghost and that no successful escape from the Vladimir central has been accomplished. The city fascinates with its architecture of different periods and a special atmosphere.

Pereslavl-Zalessky

This ancient Russian city is included in the route Little Golden Ring of Russia thanks to ancient monasteries. There are 6 of them in the city, 4 of them are operating. Complexes of monasteries are magnificent examples of ancient Russian temple architecture, you can learn from them the history of Russian architecture. The city is located on the shores of Pleshcheeva Lake, which itself is a landmark. He is about 30 thousand years old, his depth is 25 meters, and the 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 enveloped in a series of secrets and myths. It is interesting that the stone is not covered with snow, next to it is a tree that fulfills desires. Legends say that the stone moves in some special direction. The city bewitches with its measured and traditional life, the features of the Russian character are revealed here as well as possible.

Suzdal

Another outstanding city, included in the route Maloe Zolotoe Koltso Rossii, is Suzdal. This quiet city has preserved the spirit of Ancient Rus, there are no high-rise buildings and noisy highways, you can wander indefinitely through narrow streets, breathing in "the air of ancient times". Spaso-Efimyevsky Monastery for more than 600 years, on its territory you can see 30 cathedrals of different historical periods.

In Suzdal there are 5 monasteries, the most interesting museum of wooden architecture, in which you can see the buildings of ancient masters created without a single nail. Suzdal, which is almost 1000 years old, stores many architectural monuments of the 12th-19th centuries. Every July there is a unique and very cheerful Cucumber Festival. And the city is a recognized center of production of mead, there is a plant that produced this drink for the royal table.

Kostroma

Tour of the Little Golden Ring of Russia would be incomplete without visiting Kostroma. This ancient city on the Volga is considered the birthplace of Ivan Susanin and is proud of its history. Kostroma was founded in 1152 by Yuri Dolgoruky. The city gained special fame during the Time of Troubles, when heir to the throne Mikhail Romanov was rescued from the Poles by Ivan Susanin and hidden in the Ipatiev Monastery. In subsequent years, Kostroma enjoyed a special arrangement of the royal family. In the city there are two outstanding monastic complexes: Ipatievsky and Bogoyavlensky. Kostroma is considered to be the birthplace of the Snow Maiden, it even has its theater, which children and adults enjoy visiting with pleasure. Special charm of Kostroma is given by unhurried walks along the Volga, from the ship there are magnificent views to this ancient city.

Yaroslavl

Route The Golden Ring of Russia (Big and Small) necessarily passes through the ancient city of Yaroslavl. The settlement in this place existed in the Neolithic period. 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 a bear, in honor of this event the coat of arms is decorated with a bear with an ax. Historians doubt this version and say that the city is 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 back to the beginning of the 16th century. The churches of Elijah the Prophet and John the Baptist constitute an object of special pride of the city, they are outstanding examples of the famous Yaroslavl architectural school. The unique Tolga male monastery has been operating in the city since the 14th century and is one of the oldest in Russia. The ancient churches and buildings in Yaroslavl are at every step, the city preserves the atmosphere of antiquity, in its streets many historical films were shot.

Sergiev Posad

Route The Little Golden Ring of Russia often begins with 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 stauropegic monasteries. It was founded 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 ancient Ilinsk church, which stands on the shore of the Kelar pond. Pilgrims are attracted by the miraculous Gethsemane Chernigov skete, which not only is a masterpiece of ancient Russian architecture, but also a place of prayers and execution of requests for healing. A miracle of nature is the Gremyachy Klyuch waterfall in the suburbs of Sergiev Posad. The city is considered the heart of Russian Orthodoxy, and here there is a special spirit of faith and grace.

Rostov the Great

Rostov the Great is a real pearl of the route of the Little Golden Ring of Russia. Reviews of tourists about visiting this city are filled with enthusiasm and vivid emotions. Indeed, the city has something to show.

Rostov was founded in 862, he always played a prominent role in the life of the Russian state. In the city there are more than 300 historical monuments of different epochs. A special interest among tourists is the visit to the ancient white stone Rostov Kremlin. Several old Russian monasteries continue to operate in the city. Unusual species can be photographed on the shore 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.