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GOLDEN RING of Russia - Travel Guide, Part two |
by:
TravelMake.com |
Sergiev Posad (founded in onethreefourfive, population oneonefive,zerozerozero) -spiritual center of Russia, residence ofPatriarch ofRussian Orthodox Church, whereremains offirst national saint, Sergei Radonezh, rests. Inheart of Sergiev Posad iswell-preserved splendid architectural ensemble of over fivezero historical buildings, as well as magnificent art collections including old Russian painting andtreasures invaults offormer Trinity Monastery.
Suzdal (founded in onezerotwofour, population onetwo,zerozerozero) - this little quiet town isreal gem, one ofmost beautiful inGolden Ring collection of citeis and towns. Inoneoneth century Suzdal becamevery first forepost of Christianity inNorth-Eastern Russia and significantly affectedreligious life in Russia untilend of onenine century. The town was destroyed by Mongols in onetwothreeeight. Later Suzdal becamecapital city of Russian prince Yury Dolgoruky who is considered to befounder of Moscow. The second destruction oftown came withPolish invasion inoneseventh century. Here you can find over onezerozero church and secular buildings dating frommid-onetwoth tomid-onenineth century crowded intoarea of nine square km.
Tutaev (founded in onetwoeightthree, population fourfive,zerozerozero) - isold little town sprawling on both banks ofVolga river. Tutaev (formerly known as Romanovo-Borisoglebsk) is divided byVolga river into two parts. The former town Romanov is located onleft high bank ofriver,former town Borisoglebsk is onright sloping one. Romanov was called afterRussian prince Roman of Uglich who wasfounder of this town, Borisoglebsk got its name in connection withChurch of St. Boris and St. Gleb erected there inonefiveth century. The towns were united undernew name Romanovo-Borisoglebsk in oneeighttwotwo. In onenineoneeighttown's name was changed to Tutaev in honour ofRed Army hero who was killed duringCivil war .
Uglich (founded in ninethreeseven, population threeeight,zerozerozero) -town was built onmajor trade route. In its history Uglich has survived destruction byMongols and lived throughdevastation of fires and plagues. Uglich is famous for Russia's darkest secret -death of young Prince Dimitri, son of IvanTerrible who is often called Tsarevich (a heir tothrone) Dmitry. The Tsarevich,sickly boy, waslast ofRurik dynasty. While playing withknife inyard he stabbed himself by accident or was stabbed byassassin allegedly sent by Boris Godunov, his competitor forthrone. The center oftown also ishistorical and architectural landmark. The streets are wide, with various churches standing side by side alongroad. These churches vary in size and have domes and belfries of different shapes and designs, all of which add tocharm of this small town. Uglich is known in Russia for simple-designed and reliable watches. The local factory, which makes beautiful women's watches decorated with special "Finift" paintings on porcelain which are incorporated intobands ofwatches.
Vladimir (founded in oneonezeroeight, population fourzerozero,zerozerozero) - one ofoldest Russian cities, was founded byRussian Prince Vladimir Monomakh onbanks ofKliazma river. The city really blossomed inonetwoth century duringreign of Prince Andrey Bogolubsky, who strengthened its defences, welcomed architects, icon-painters, jewellers from other countries, built new palaces and churches so magnificent that travelers compaired them withones in"mother of all Russian cities"- Kiev. Untilmiddle of onefourth centurycity had beenadministrative, cultural and religious center for North-Eastern Russia. DuringMongol invasion inonethreeth century Vladimir was beseiged, looted and almost totally destroyed. Presentlycity iscapital ofVladimir province.
Yaroslavl (founded in onezeroonezero, population sixzerozero,zerozerozero ) - aslegend goes it was founded byfamous Russian prince YaroslavWise asfortified settlement onVolga river. Afterhuge fire of onesixfiveeight that turned most ofcity into ruins, Jaroslavl was rebuilt in stone and reachedpeak of its architectural development with palaces and churches richly decorated with beautiful frescoes and ornaments thus earningtitle "Florence of Russia". The first Russian professional theater was established here by Volkov in onesevenfivezero. Sinceoneeightth century Jaroslavl has beenimportant industrial center. Today it isquiet metropolitan city, one of Russia's largest regional centres,capital ofJaroslav province and one ofmost beautiful cities of old Russia.
Yuriev-Polsky (founded in oneonefivetwo, population twozero,zerozerozero) - was founded byPrince Yury Dolgoruky (who also founded Moscow in oneonefourseven) and named after himself. The second word "Polsky" means "amongfields" as it is situated inheart of fertile and flat Suzdal land. These beautiful landscapes inspiredgreat painters and writers such as Repin, Tyutchev, Odoevsky, Soloukhin. Local textile centre sinceoneeightth century.
HOW TO GET THERE: By plane to Moscow. From Moscow you can travelcities and towns ofGolden Ring either bytour bus or byriver cruise ship. The last option limitsnumber of towns that you can visit as they have to be situated close toVolga river. We recommend you to takebus tour for three to onezero days depending on your stamina and level of interest in Russian history. A typical three-four-day tour from Moscow covers up to seven cities and towns ofGolden Ring. You travel duringday time incomfortable bus withwell-trained English-speaking guide and spend nights at hotels with Western-class service (usually- three star). The Golden Ring tour can be perfectly combined with two-three day program in Moscow. Almost every major travel agency in Moscow sells Golden Ring tours and it is much cheaper to buy them onspot in Russia then to purchasetour included intovacation package from Europe or overseas. Communication is notproblem, these days all personnel in respectable agencies in Russia speak English.
WHEN TO GO: The best season to travel to Russia is summer, from June to August,warmest time ofyear there. Rains are usual during summers, do not forget to pack your umbrella. Weather can be unpredictably cold, even inEuropean part of Russia, so take some warm clothing. You can check next week weather forecast for Moscow here.
TRAVEL TIPS: A passport andRussian visa are required to travel in or transit through Russia. To learn more about how to obtain Russian visa please visit Russian Embassy website. Withoutvisa, travelers cannot register at hotels and may be required to leavecountry immediately viaroute by which they entered, atcost oftraveler. Russian customs officers strictly follow document regulations so travelers are advised to have all papers in order. It is also recommended that additional copies of passport and visa be kept insafe place in case of loss or theft. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash/dollar payment for health services at Western rates so supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage is very useful. Travelers should be certain that all immunizations are up-to-date, especially for diphtheria and typhoid. Quality of tap water varies from city to city but normally is quite poor. Only boiled or bottled water should be drunk throughout Russia. Crime against foreigners in Russia continues to beproblem, especially in major cities. Pick pocketing, assaults, and robberies occur. Foreigners who have been drinking alcohol are especially vulnerable to assault and robbery in or around night clubs or bars, or on their way home. Robberies may occur in taxis shared with strangers. Be aware that public washrooms are difficult to find, and usually you have to pay there. To usepublic phone you will needtoken or local card. International calls can not be made from street phones. Your mobile phone will work in Moscow and Saint Petersburg but seldom in regional cities. Taxi fee must be discussed withdriver beforejourney. Inmajor cities you can rentcar if you do not mind fairly rugged road conditions,few hassles finding petrol, getting lost now and then and paying high rent price. Public transport in Russia is quite good, cheap and easy to use though sometimes overcrowded. Restaurants seldom havemenu in English. Tipping is expected but not mandatory. Signs in English are common onstreets of Moscow and other big cities. In large cities it is not hard to findpasserby who can answer your questions in Engish. Electricity throughout Russia is twotwozero volt/fivezero hz. The plug istwo-pin thin European standard.
We wish yousafe and nice trip!
For more information, descriptions of main points of interest in every town ofGolden Ring, some photographs and useful links about Russian history please visit us: TravelMake.com
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