Golden Ring

with Explora Mundi

Golden Ring

The Golden Ring is a very popular tourist circuit in Russia, which comprises some old cities with unmissable attractions, which are really worth the trip. It comprises the cities of Sergiev Posad (Moscow Oblast), Vladimir (Vladimir Oblast), Ivanovo (Ivanovo Oblast), Kostroma (Kostroma Oblast), Tver (Tver Oblast), Iaroslav (Yaroslavl Oblast). Of these cities, Sergiev Posad is the closest to Moscow, only 70 km away.

History and Arts

History since medieval times, arts, nature and gastronomy are part of the Golden Ring Circuit, an advisable and unmissable tour especially for history and arts lovers. The excursion complete (and original) comprises the cities of Sergiev Posad, Vladimir, Ivanovo, Kostroma, Tver and Iaroslav, briefly described below. Also included are the cities of Suzdal, Pereslavl-Zalessky and Rostov Veliky, coming soon.

In this itinerary, the visitor will discover places of great natural beauty, with beautiful churches and orthodox cathedrals, as well as several other monuments. And especially, will take a long journey through Rus Kievan, medieval Russia, where tzars, princes, Russians, Mongols and others have fought bloody fights for control of the region and even dominance over Moscow.

If we had to choose just one city to visit, we would undoubtedly choose Vladimir, for the beauty of its attractions but, above all, for the richness of its history and icons. And, if time is the determining factor, Sergiev Posad is the option that imposes itself.

Sergiev Posad

History, arts, and authentic Russian cuisine can be enjoyed at Sergiev Posad, in the Moscow oblast, which is only 70 km from the capital of Russia. Considered the Russian Orthodox Mecca, the main tourist attraction of Sergiev Posad is the famous Trinity of St. Sergius Lavra, a monastery founded in half from the 16th century, declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. In the center of the monastery, the Cathedral of All Saints and its blue domes, besides being a sacred place, enchants visitors.

The Cathedral of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, was built in the 16th century, and is worth a visit.

Vladimir

The city of Vladimir (Vladimir oblast), the Jewel of the Golden Ring, which was once the capital of the Kievan Rus precursor of present-day Russia, was founded by Prince Vladimir Monomach in the 12th century (1106). In this important historic city considered one of the most beautiful in the Golden Ring, which portrays medieval Russia, the highlight is the Cathedral of the Dormition of the Mother of God. There are three monuments of great beauty registered by UNESCO World Heritage: the Cathedral of Saint Demetrius (Vladimir's postcard), the Golden Gates and Suzdal. Other attractions that make the trip worthwhile: the Uspensky Cathedral and the icons painted by Andrei Rublev, the church of the Holy Trinity, the Convent of the Nativity of Mother of God, the church of São Jorge the Victorious.
In Uspensky Cathedral are some of the most famous Russian icons: Vladimir's Mother of God, who was brought from Constantinople in 1155.
Vladimir is 176 km from Moscow.

Ivanovo

The city of Ivanovo - in the oblast of the same name, located 300 km northeast of Moscow - was founded in the 17th century. The city is also known as the City of Brides and the Capital of Textiles. In addition to hosting one of the largest military air transport bases in Russia, it was in Ivanovo that the well-known French writer Nathalie Sarraute was born. Until the early 1930s, its official name was Ivanovo-Voznesensk, Voznesensk comes from a a textile industry. Ivanovo is also said to be Manchester of Russia. When one of the several strikes that took place in the city in 1905, first revolution in Russia, the 1905 Revolution, being the first Soviet also created in the city.

Ivanovo is crossed by the Volga River. Ivanovo's main tourist attractions include the Transfiguration Cathedral, the Dormition Church and the Shchudrovskaya Palatka.

Kostroma

The city of Kostroma, founded in 1152, located in the Kostroma Oblast, is km from Moscow. On the banks of the Volga River, the city has about 275,000 population. The Trinidad Cathedral, at the Ipatiev Monastery, is the most important monument in the city. However, there are many other attractions in the surrounding cities, such as the city of Bui.

Another unmissable attraction is the Bogoyavlensko Anastasiin Cathedral with icons inside which are also considered miraculous.

Tver

The city of Tver, in the oblast of the same name, was founded in the 12th century and today has just over 400 thousand inhabitants. Tver, which is 184 km northwest of Moscow, it is located at the confluence of the Volga and Tvertsa rivers. For some decades, under the Soviet communism, was called Kalinin. Among the city's attractions, the highlights are the Palace of Journey of the Empress, the White Church of the Trinity (1564) and its Cathedral of the Ascension.

"Grand Prince Boris of Tver sent one of his men, Afanasiy Nikitin, in search of gold and diamonds even to India. A Journey Beyond the Three Seas, Nikitin's diary describing his journey between 1466 and 1477 is probably India's first description in the first person made by a European, and constitutes the first non-religious Russian literary text. The city inaugurated a monument to Nikitin on the bank of the Volga in 1955 "[Wikipedia].

Iaroslav

The historic city of Iaroslav (600,000 inhabitants), home to the oblast of the same name, is located 260 km northeast of Moscow, at the confluence of the Volga River with the Kotorosl River. The city was founded by Yaroslav the Wise, prince of the "Kievan Rus". Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Historic Center of Yaroslav holds precise treasures of Russian religious architecture, such as the Cathedral of Ascension, the Church of Epiphany, of the Prophet Elijah, the Tower of the Volga and that of the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery.

Russia's Regions

The country's territory is divided in 85 administrative entities (oblasts, republics, krais, federal cities, among other) which are included in eight federal districts. Among the entities we highlight: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Krasnodar, Ekaterinburg, Rostov on Don, Ufa, Kazan, Nijni Novgorod, Tcheliabinsk, Tiumen, Samara, Saratov, Kemerovo, Novosibirsk, Krasnoiarsk, Stavropol, Barnaul, Makhatchkala, Perm and Volgograd, among the most important.

Russia's Main Cities

The 10 main cities in Russia are:

1. Moscow, the capital
2. Saint Petersburg
3. Krasnodar
4. Ekaterinburg
5. Rostov-on-Don
6. Kazan
7. Volgograd
8. Perm
9. Nijni Novgorod
10. Samara

Russia's Main Tourist Destinations

Important tourist destination in the world, Russia welcomes about 25 million visitors every year. Tourism represents about 6% of the country's GDP. Moscow is one of the most visited cities in Europe and the world . The 10 main tourist destinations in Russia are:

1. Moscow, the capital
2. Saint Petersburg
3. Golden Ring
4. Volgograd
5. Kazan
6. Ekaterinburg
7. Rostov-on-Don
8. Perm
9. Nijni Novgorod
10. Samara

Best Trips Selection

To discover and experience Russia's best destinations: attractions and destinations carefully chosen to make your trip unforgettable. To learn more: Russia's Destinations.

To rent a car

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