 About 30 years ago some ancient cities of Russia to northeast from Moscow were incorporated into the tourist route, which has received the name " the Gold ring of Russia ". In these territories masterpieces of old russian architecture were kept: church of the Pokrov on Nerlya, Uspensky cathedral in Vladimir with frescos of Andrey Rublev, Kremlins in Rostov and Suzdal, ensembles of monasteries of Kostroma and Yaroslavl. But these are not only reserved places. Cities are also known as the centres of textile and linen manufacture. The people there are very kind and hospitable.
Yaroslavl
Yaroslavl was founded in the beginning of the 11th century by Kiev Prince Yaroslav the Wise as a fortress on the right bank of the Volga river at its confluence with the Kotorosl river. By the middle of the 16th century Yaroslavl was a transit trade point between Moscow and the countries of the East and the West. Main art and historical treasures are concentrated in two museums of the city - The Yaroslavl Museum-Preserve and The Yaroslavl Fine Arts Museum. The Yaroslavl Historic-Architectural Museum-Preserve is situated on the territory of the former Monastery of Transfiguration of the Saviour. The museum possesses rich collections of great historical and artistic value. The collection of the Yaroslavl Fine Arts Museum has more than 55 thousand works. There are also the Museum "Music and Time", The Literature-Memorial Museum-Preserve of N. A. Nekrasov "Karabikha", the Museum of Military Glory. Places of interest: The Transfiguration of the Saviour Monastery (Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery), The Tolga Monastry Ensemble (XVII - XIX cc.), the church ensemble in Korovniki (XVII-XVIII cc.), The Church of St. John the Baptist (XVII-XVIII cc.), the ensemble of the Church of the Nativity of Christ (XVII c.), the Church of the Epiphany.
Rostov Veliky (Rostov the Great)
Rostov is one of the oldest towns of North-East Russ. Since the introduction of the Christianity in Russia and till the late 18th century Rostov was the center of the eparchy. The town was a religious center of Russia. Here is the birthplace of St. Sergy Radonezhsky. Rostov had its own chronicles, big medieval libraries. Places of interest: the architectural ensemble of the Rostov Metropolitan's House, known as the Rostov Kremlin, is a pearl of Old Russian architecture; the St. Jacob's Monastery of our Saviour (XIV c.), a wooden Church of St. John the Divine - the only wooden church left in the Yaroslavl region; the St. Avraamy's Monastery etc. Among the Rostov' museums there are The State Museum-Preserve "The Rostov Kremlin", which was founded in 1883 as a Museum of Church Antiques and now it  occupies the territory of the Kremlin; the Church St. John the Divine-on-the-Ishnya - a branch of the Museum-Preserve, opened from May till October.
Pereslavl-Zalessky
The town was founded in 1152 by the order of Prince Yury Dolgoruky. Pereslavl is well known Russian religious center. The St. Sergy Radonezhsky took holy orders here. Each of the 5 preserve monasteries represents pages of Russian history and culture. Museums: the Pereslavl-Zalessky History and Art Museum-Preserve (XX c.), which has the collections of icons and wooden sculptures from the local monasteries; the Boat of Peter the great Museum-Estate, was opened in 1803; the Transfiguration of the Saviour Cathedral and the History and Ethnigraphy Museum. Places of interest: Lake Plescheyevo is one of the main sights, is famous for its clean waters; the Pereslavl National Park; the Transfiguration of the Saviour Cathedral (XII c.), the Church of St. Peter the Metropolitan; the Giritsky Monastery of the Dormition - the biggest in Pereslavl (XIV c.) the St. Nicetas Monastery; the St. Theodore Monastery (XIV c.); the St. Daniel Monastery; the St. Nickolas Monastery in Rybnaya Sloboda.
Vladimir
The town is founded in 1108 by the Prince Vladimir Monomakh as a fortress. In XII-XIV cc. the town was a cultural and religious center of North-Eastern Russ. Vladimir is recognized by the UNESCO as one of the most valuable treasures of the international heritage. Museums: all the museums of the town are part of the State Vladimir-Suzdal art and architectural Museum-Preserve; you can visit Military-historical exposition; Crystal exposition; Exposition of Lacquer miniature; Embroidery exposition etc. Places of interest: Uspensky Cathedral is a worldwide famous architectural monument; Dmitrievsky Cathedral is one of the most beautiful and original cathedrals of the Ancient Russ; Golden Ring - the only preserving monument of the military-engineering architecture of Ancient Russ.
Kostroma
Kostroma was founded by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky in the middle of the 12th century. At the time the town was situated on a famous trade route From the Variags to the Greeks. Museums: State Historic-architectural Museum-Preserve "Ipatiev monastery", including Architectural-ethnographical museum is one of the biggest museums in Russia; you can also visit the Wooden Architecture Museum. Places of interest: the Ipatiev Monastery - the pearl of Kostroma - was founded in the 14th century; Troitsky Cathedral; The Church of Revival on the Debra; Bogoyavlensky Monastery.
Suzdal
Suzdal is situated on the bank of th e Kamenka river, was built by several generations of Russian artisans. Nowadays Suzdal is the Town-museum with more than 200 historical and architectural monument. Museums: the Museum of the wooden architecture and peasant life is created on the place of the former Dmitrievsky Monastery, wooden building were brought here from different districts of Vladimir region. Places of interest: Suzdal starts with the Kremlin, Bishops Chambers (XV-XVII cc.), Savior-Yevfimiev Monastery (XIV cent.), Nikolskaya Church etc.
Sergiev Posad
This town is a capital of Russian Orthodoxy thank to the Trinity-Sergius Monastery. Museums: among the town's museums are The Historic and Arts Museum-Preserve, opened in 1920; The Museum of Toys; Church archaeological room; Sacristy etc. Places of interest: The most famous ensemble of Sergiev Posad is Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra, which includes well-known architectural monuments of XV-XIX cc.: Troitsky Cathedral - the most ancient building in Lavra's ensemble; Uspensky Cathedral with the grave of the Tsar Boris Godunov; Nadkladeznaya Chapel (XVI cent.)
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Pearls of Russia 