The name ‘Golden Ring’ was coined in the late 1960s after a series of articles were written by art critic Yuri Bychkov on the most picturesque cities of Russia. These include Vladimir, Ivanovo, Kostroma, Pereslavl-Zalessky, Suzdal, Sergiev Posad. Rostov, Yaroslavl and Uglich (which was recently added). These cities played an important part in the formation of the Russian Orthodox church.
Each city is a national treasure, a pearl of Russian architecture and architecture waiting to charm you as you explore these beautiful cities.
Yaroslavl
Home to centuries old architectural masterpieces , Yaroslavl is a UNISECO World Heritage Site and also locally known as the capital of the Golden Ring cities. Here, you can tour the city and tour the ex-governor’s mansion.
Rostov
While the official name of the town is Rostov, it is better known to Russians as Rostov Veliky, i.e. Rostov the Great. Indeed,the town with long and amazingly rich history played a significant role in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church. Therefore, the town’s kremlin, includes eleven ornate tower bells, numerous palaces, several small belfries, and the dimunitive baroque Church of Our Lady of Smolensk (1693). All the churches are elaborately painted and decorated.
Kostroma
Everything is unusual in Kostroma that is the central square is called "The Frying-pan" by the locals and the fire observation tower looks more like a church or palace in empire style. The city is justly considered to be the home of the Romanov royal family and the Ipatyev Monastery became the family's sacred place: it was fr om there that Mikhail Romanov was called to take the Russian throne.
Vladimir
Vladimir is a part of the Golden ring of the ancient Russian cities and a significant historical centre. Its three chief monuments among which are, Assumption Cathedral with magnificent Andrei Rublev's frescos, St. Dmitrii Cathedral erected more than 800 years ago and The Golden Gate that survived the Mongol destruction of Vladimir in 1237 are inscribed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List.
Suzdal
The history of the ancient town dates back to at least the year 1024. The former capital of Old Russia now it is the pearl of the Golden Ring. This beautiful town features many fine examples of Russian architecture such as the Transfiguration cathedral, museum of wooden architecture and St. Epiphany monastery. The juxtaposition of stunning medieval architecture with its pastoral setting makes Suzdal the source of inspiration for artists and a lovely place to visit at any time of a year.
Uglich
Uglich of today used to be the seat of princedom back in the 13th century. Uglich is the town where one of the most momentous events of the Russian history took place in the 16th century. It was then that the last member of the Ruirik dynasty, the young Tsarevich Dmitry was murdered. That dreadful event gave rise to what later became known as the time of trouble and only after 15 years the Romanov’s dynasty’s succeeding to the throne. Today’s Uglich does cherish its history and you can still see the relics of the past. That is the Church of St Dmitry on the spilt Blood. Built in 1690 on the spot wh ere Dmitry had been murdered it appears on the horizon with its red walls and blue domes as one sails north on the Volga.