GOLDEN RING OF RUSSIA
In the ancient times the Norse people called Russia ‘Gardarike’, which means ‘the country of cities’.
Indeed, Russia had many small towns. Some of them played a significant role in Russian state’s formation and though Moscow was founded much more later then some of these towns, it so happened the towns formed ‘a ring’ around Moscow. We call this ring ‘Golden’ as these towns feature unique monuments of Russian architecture of the 12-18 c.c., including kremlins, monasteries, cathedrals and churches.
These monuments are included into the World Heritage List and are protected by UNESCO.
RUSSIAN GARDARIKE
This tour is designed more for group tourists, as it includes 9 towns that we want to offer you to visit by bus. So, in 9 days/8 nights you will be able to see:
– Sergiev Posad –
(70 km far from Moscow, main Orthodox center of Russia). Sergiev Posad grew in the 15th century around one of the greatest of Russian monasteries, St. Sergius Lavra established by Saint Sergius of Radonezh. Town status was given to Sergiev Posad in 1742.
– Pereslavl-Zalessky –
ancient town, was established by famous Duke Youri Dolgoruky in 1152 on the Plescheevo Lake. Famous Prince Alexander Nevsky who defeated German knights in Chudskoe Lake, was born here. In 17th century Russian Tsar Peter the Great built his first amusing ‘fun flotilla’, his little boat, which was the beginning of Great Russian fleet. Now there is a museum ‘Peter’s little boat’.
– Suzdal –
The history of the town dates back to 1024. Walking through the town one might get the feeling that every third building is a church. Although having over ten thousand residents, Suzdal still retains the look and feel of a small village with streams and meadows everywhere nearby, and chicken and livestock a common sight on the city streets, some of which are unpaved. This juxtaposition of stunning medieval architecture with its pastoral setting lends Suzdal a picturesque charm, and in the summer artists and easels are a common sight.
– Vladimir –
Vladimir was founded in 990 by Kiev Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavich and was fortified by Vladimir Monomakh in 1108.
– Ivanovo –
Ivanovo – is both the youngest and the most industrial of all Golden Ring cities. Previously the city was known as Ivanovo-Voznesensk after the two villages which merged to form the new city in 1871. It is forever connected with its once-booming textile trade which led to the city being known as Bride City and Russian Manchester.
– Kostroma –
was founded in 1213, Kostroma served for great dukes as a retreat, while Moscow was being besieged in 14-15 c.c.
In 1613 Moscow messangers came here to invite boyar Mikhail Romanov to wield the scepter. Thus Mikhail Romanov became the first Romanov as the Tsar of Russia.
– Yaroslavl –
Yaroslavl – the town was founded in 1010 by Prince Yaroslav the Wise, this is the oldest town among the present existing towns on the banks of the Volga river.
– Rostov Veliky – was founded in 862
– Varnitsy –
St.Sergius Trinity Varnitsky Monastery was founded in 1427 on the place where St.Sergius the Radonezh was born, lived with his parents.
In each town we visit all main sightseeings. As pleasant bonus to the program we will show you the town of Kideksha (founded in 1125 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruki, the same one who founded Moscow) and on the road to Vladimir we drop in Bogolyubovo – to visit the Church of Intercession of the Holy Virgin of the Nerli River. There is an opinion that it was built in 1162 by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. It’s a symbol of medieval Russia. It’s included in UNESCO World Heritage List.
We remind you that this is only example of the tour. In any time we may add days and new towns into the itinerary. Want to know details? Contact us!