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Complete Travel GuideGOLDEN RING of Russia - Travel Guide, Part 2
by:
TravelMake.com
Sergiev Posad (founded in 1345, population 115,000) - the spiritual center of Russia, residence of the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, wherever
the remains of the 1st national saint, Sergei Radonezh, rests. In the heart of Sergiev Posad is a well-preserved splendid beaux arts ensemble of over 50 historical buildings, as well as impressive art collections including old Russian painting and the treasures in the vaults of the former Trinity Monastery.
Suzdal (founded in 1024, population 12,000) - this little quiet town is a real gem, one of the most beautiful in the Golden Ring collection of citeis and towns. In the Eleventh century Suzdal became the really 1st forepost of Christianity in the North-Eastern Russia and importantly
affected the religious life in Russia until the end of 19 century. The town was destroyed by Mongols in 1238. Later Suzdal became the capital city of Russian patrician
Yury Dolgoruky who is considered to be the founder of Moscow. The second destruction of the town came with the Polish invasion in the Seventeenth century. Here you can find over 100 church and profane
buildings qualitative analysis
from the mid-12th to the mid-19th century jammed into a area of 9 square km.
Tutaev (founded in 1283, population 45,000) - is an old little town sprawling on several banks of the River river. Tutaev (formerly better-known as Romanovo-Borisoglebsk) is divided by the River stream into two parts. The former town Royal family is settled on the left high bank of the river, the former town Borisoglebsk is on the right sloping one. Royal family was called after the Russian patrician
Roman of Uglich who was the founder of this town, Borisoglebsk got its name in connection with the Church of St. Boris and St. Gleb erected there in the Fifteenth century. The towns were united under the new name Romanovo-Borisoglebsk in 1822. In 1918 the town's name was changed to Tutaev in honour of the Red Army hero who was killed during the Civil war .
Uglich (founded in 937, population 38,000) - the town was built on a major trade route. In its history Uglich has survived destruction by the Mongols and lived through the devastation of fires and plagues. Uglich is far-famed for Russia's darkest private secret - the death of young Patrician
Dimitri, son of Ivan the Terrible who is often called Tsarevich (a heir to the throne) Dmitry. The Tsarevich, a sickly boy, was the last of the Rurik dynasty. Spell playing with a knife in the yard he injured
himself by accident or was injured
by an assassin allegedly sent by Boris Godunov, his competition for the throne. The center of the town likewise is a historical and beaux arts landmark. The streets are wide, with various churches standing side by side on
the road. These churches vary in size and have domes and belfries of several shapes and designs, all of which add to the charm of this small town. Uglich is better-known in Russia for simple-designed and reliable watches. The local factory, which does beautiful women's watches beady with special "Finift" paintings on ceramic ware
which are incorporated into the bands of the watches.
Vladimir (founded in 1108, population 400,000) - one of the oldest Russian cities, was based by the Russian Patrician
Vladimir Monomakh on the banks of the Kliazma river. The city actually blossomed in the Twelfth century during the reign of Patrician
Andrey Bogolubsky, who reinforced its defences, welcome
architects, icon-painters, jewellers from else countries, built new palaces and churches so impressive that travelers compaired them with the ones in the "mother of all Russian cities"- Kiev. Until the middle of Fourteenth century the city had been an administrative, cultural and religious center for North-Eastern Russia. During the Mongol invasion in the Thirteenth century Vladimir was beseiged, plundered and just about altogether destroyed. Presently the city is a capital of the Vladimir province.
Yaroslavl (founded in 1010, population 600,000 ) - as the legend goes it was based by the far-famed Russian patrician
Yaroslav the Wise as a fortified settlement on the River river. After a large fire of 1658 that turned most of the city into ruins, Jaroslavl was remodelled in stone and reached the peak of its beaux arts development with palaces and churches richly beady with beautiful frescoes and ornaments thus earning the title "Florence of Russia". The 1st Russian professional theater was established here by Volkov in 1750. Since the Eighteenth century Jaroslavl has been an important industrial center. Now it is a quiet metropolitan city, one of Russia's largest regional centres, a capital of the Jaroslav province and one of the most beautiful cities of old Russia.
Yuriev-Polsky (founded in 1152, population 20,000) - was based by the Patrician
Yury Dolgoruky (who likewise based Russian capital
in 1147) and named after himself. The second word "Polsky" means "among the fields" as it is set in the heart of fertile and flat Suzdal land. These beautiful landscapes glorious
the great painters and writers such as Repin, Tyutchev, Odoevsky, Soloukhin. Local textile centre since the Eighteenth century.
HOW TO GET THERE: By plane to Moscow. From Russian capital
you can travel the cities and towns of the Golden Ring either by a tour bus or by a stream cruise ship. The last option limits the number of towns that you can visit as they have to be set close to the River river. We recommend you to take a bus tour for 3 to 10 days depending on your stamina and level of interest in Russian history. A typical 3-4-day tour from Russian capital
covers up to 7 cities and towns of the Golden Ring. You travel during the day time in a comfortable bus with a well-trained English-speaking manual and spend nights at hotels with Western-class service (usually- 3 star). The Golden Ring tour can be utterly
combined with 2-3 day program in Moscow. Just just about every major travel agency in Russian capital
sells Golden Ring tours and it is more cheaper to buy them on the spot in Russia then to purchase a tour enclosed
into a vacation package from Europe or overseas. Communication is not a problem, these days all personnel in respectable agencies in Russia speak English.
WHEN TO GO: The better season to travel to Russia is summer, from Gregorian calendar month
to August, the warmest time of the year there. Rains are usual during summers, do not forget to pack your umbrella. Weather can be erratically
cold, even as in the European part of Russia, so take several warm clothing. You can check next week weather forecast for Russian capital
here.
TRAVEL TIPS: A passport and a Russian visa are required to travel in or transit through Russia. To discover more just about how to receive Russian visa please visit Russian Embassy website. Without a visa, travelers cannot register at hotels and may be required to leave the country directly via the way by which they entered, at the cost of the traveler. Russian customs officers strictly follow document regulations so travelers are advised to have all papers in order. It is likewise suggested that additional copies of passport and visa be unbroken
in a safe place in case of loss or theft. Older 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 really useful. Travelers should be certain that all immunizations are up-to-date, especially for contagious disease and typhoid. Quality of tap water varies from city to city but ordinarily is quite poor. Only stewed
or bottled water should be drunk throughout Russia. Crime against foreigners in Russia continues to be a problem, 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 about 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 ordinarily you have to pay there. To use a public phone you will need a token or local card. International calls can not be ready-made from street phones. Your mobile phone will activity in Russian capital
and Saint Campaign but rarely
in regional cities. Taxi fee must be discussed with a driver before a journey. In the major cities you can rent a car if you do not mind fairly rugged road conditions, a few hassles finding petrol, effort lost now and then and paying high rent price. Public transport in Russia is quite good, cheap and easy to use although sometimes overcrowded. Restaurants rarely
have a menu in English. Tipping is expected but not mandatory. Signs in English are common on the streets of Russian capital
and else big cities. In large cities it is not hard to find a passerby who can answer your questions in Engish. Electricity throughout Russia is 220 volt/50 hz. The plug is the two-pin thin European standard.
We will you a safe and good trip!
For more information, descriptions of main points of interest in every town of the Golden Ring, several photographs and useful links just about Russian history please visit us: TravelMake.com
Just just about the Author
TravelMake.com - one of leading online discount travel agencies, a source of useful travel information.
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