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Excursions Moscow offers visitors a chance to experience a land full of rich tradition and culture on the famous "Golden Ring" touring route which visits ancient Russian cities and towns situated to the Northeast of Moscow THE GOLDEN RING OF RUSSIA MUSEUM-ESTATE OF LEO TOLSTOY |
The Golden Ring of Russia TOP
The Golden Ring of Russia is a touring route linking the ancient Russian cities and towns situated to the Northeast of Moscow. The tour takes approximately 10-12 days to complete, and gives a unique opportunity to experience ancient Russian architecture from the 11th-14th centuries. Amidst these handsome structures are a variety of museums displaying fine arts as well as indigenous hand-crafted art, all of which are offset by a breathtaking countryside.
| The Golden Ring begins and finishes in Moscow. All along the route at specified locations, bus, boat and even helicopter excursions are available. The tour itself was established twenty years ago, so those touring will find an excellent level of comfort and service on their journey. The tour begins with one of its brightest highlights, the Sergiev Posad. Here is found the Trinity Sergius Monastery, one of the most famous ancient Russian Monasteries. |  |
It was founded in the 14th century by Sergius of Radonezh. The most notable structures in the large Monastery complex are the Trinity Cathedral, constructed in 1423 with icons by Andrew Rublev and his contemporaries, and the Dukhovskaya Church, or the Church of the Holy Spirit, which was built in 1476. Among the largest architectural monuments in the monastery are the Pyatnitskaya Church, or the Friday Church, the Introduction Church, the Assumption Cathedral and the Saint Sergius Church, which is known for the largest hall built in the 17th century. Also notable are the Tsar's Chambers, the Belfry, a masterpiece by architect Ukhtomsky, and the enormous walls and towers of the fortress. Displaying Russia's richness in culture are the fine arts museums of the Monastery. Within the galleries can be found a collection of religious works, a collection which possesses a unique blend of Russian fine and applied art and handicrafts from the Medieval period.
From Posad the route veers to the east of the main Golden Ring and visits two ancient towns on the territory of the Vladimir region. In the town of Alexandrov during the 16th century, the Tsar, Ivan the Terrible, built his home. This later became the Assumption Monastery. In the monastery one can explore the Trinity Cathedral (1513), the Belfry, the Assumption Church, and the 16th century Church of the Intercession of the Virgin. Once again the protective walls and towers of the fortress are also of much interest.
Yuriyev-Polsky is famous for its St. George Cathedral, which was built during the 13th century. The walls of the cathedral are covered with white-stone carvings that are priceless in artistic and historical value. This relic dates back to the oldest period of ancient Russian architecture; an era referred to as the pre-Mongol-Tartar invasion. Situated nearby is The Archangel Michael Monastery which thrived in the 17-19th centuries. Standing in the shadows of the antiquated St. George, the monastery looks almost modern. After exploring the sites ofYuriyev, the tour curves back towards the main route.
Yury Dolgoruky, who founded Moscow, was also founder of the next town on the tour Pereslavl-Zalessky. This village is the home of one of the oldest standing monuments in Northeast Russia: The Church of the Transfiguration, built in 1152. The Church of Metropolitan Peter is also a point of interest due to its unique marquee roof. The other points of interest include the five Monastery complexes: Goritsky, with its rich fine arts museum, Danilov, Fedorovsky, Nikitsky and Nikolsky. The final attraction in Pereslavl-Zalessky that cannot be missed is the boat museum housing the Grandfather of the Russian Fleet, the vessel once commanded by Peter the Great.
Rostov-the-Great, dates back to the 19th century, and is the oldest town in Northeast Russia. The Assumption Cathedral contains a famous bell loft, under which a visitor has the opportunity to listen to the real bell music of ancient Russia. Rostov is well known for its unique collection of the Archbishop's see: a fairy tale settlement made up of dozens of churches, chambers, and towers beautifully decorated with colored frescoes and tiles. The Church of St. lsidor, Abraham's Monastery, the Monastery of the Savior in Jakovievo and the Monastery of the Savior on the Sands are also of much interest. These monasteries are situated beyond the limits of the Archbishop's see, yet they offer history and art that are worth the excursion. The Monastery of St. Boris and St. Gleb are also located on the outskirts of town.
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The town of Uglitch, dating back to the same era as the city of Moscow, hosts the remains of a stone-made palace of a local duke. Sites to be seen include the Chambers of Tsarevich Dmitry (1480), The Transfiguration Cathedral, and the gem of Russia - the three-marquee-roofed Assumption Church (1628). The buildings of the 17th century are truly worth seeing, especially the Resurrection Monastery. |
Yaroslavl, founded in 1010 by Yaroslav the Wise, is a real Russian fine arts reserve. The most ancient buildings of the town are located at the Monastery of the Savior, where the manuscript of The Tale of lgor's Campaign was found. The best monuments in the town are by far the beautiful churches, dating back to the 17th century. Yaroslavl proudly houses over twenty churches, all adorned with delicate stone car vings, tiles and frescoes. Among them are the Church of Iliya the Prophet, the Church of Nicholas and Nadein, the Church of the Nativity of the Volga River, the Epiphany Church, the Church of Nicholas the Wet and the cluster in Korovniky. In Tolchkov, Yaroslavl architecture reaches unsurpassed heights; it contains a magnificent church that supports fifteen domes!
The history of Kostroma is quite different from Yaroslavl. This town is known for its downtown area, dating back to the 18-19th centuries. This area was constructed in the style of Russian Classicism, with its numerous rows of stalls, Gostiny Dvor (the Guest Yard), the fire tower, and the Dvoryanskoye Sobraniye (assembly hall for the aristocracy). The Epiphany Monastery and the Resurrection Church on the Debora are also impressive monuments from the 17th century . The real treasure of Kostroma however, is the lpatiev Monastery. This magnificent building is situated on the outskirts of town and once housed the first Czar of the Romanov dynasty, Michael Fyodorovych.
Contrary to Kostroma, Suzdal is the ancient center of the dukes. It has retained its original design as well as a huge number of medieval monuments, many of which are on the UNESCO list. In the Suzdal Kremlin one should visit the Cathedral of the Nativity and the Metropolitan's Chambers. Architecture from the 16-19th centuries is widely represented by such buildings as the Redemption Monastery, the Monastery of the Intercession of the Virgin, the Monastery of Saint Basil, the Monastery of the Deposition of the Virgin's Robe and the Saint Alexander Monastery. Although all of these monasteries offer a memorable look into the history of Russian culture, this town is ultimately famous for its incredible landscape and panoramic views.
Five km past the town of Suzdal is the village of Kideksha, which hosts a monastery with an ancient cathedral dating back to the 12th century. If the 12th century sparks interest, an area that is famous for its 12th century influence is the capital of a powerful principality, Vladimir. Not to be overlooked is the Cathedral of the Assumption (1160-1185) with frescoes by A. Rublev. The St. Dimitriy Cathedral (1197) is a highlight with its magnificent white stone, high reliefs and the only Golden Gates in the fortification walls of Russia.
| The last excursion on the Golden Ring is the town of Bogolubovo, an ancient residence of Duke Andrew. Here a portion of the Cathedral and a stone tower of the Palace have been preserved. 1.5 km off the town of Bogolubovo stands the Church of the Intercession, built in 1165 and situated on the Neri River. This monument, as well as those is Bogolubovo and Vladimir are regulated by UNESCO. |  |
Museum-Estate of Leo Tolstoy TOP
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Yasnaya
Polyana is a small part of Tula land. Leo Tolstoy was born, lived
and worked here. Yasnaya Polyana is a typical Russian estate of a nobleman that gives a vivid idea of everyday life of its inhabitants and gelps us penetrate into the life and traditions of the epoch that gave birth to this great man. Yasnaya Polyana is also a unique phenomenon of the historical and cultural life of Russia closely connected with the name of the great writer and philosopher of the 19th-20th centuries. |
The centre of this memorial and nature reserve is the house of Leo Tolstoy where the writer lived for almost half a century. It is a unique house because genuine furniture and personal belongings of its inhabitants have been preserved to our days.
| Lovers
of Russian literature will find it interesting to see the study of
the writer where "War and Peace", "Anna Karenina",
chapters from "The Rusurrection" were written. These novels
remain up to date despite almost a century separating us. Visitors
to Yasnaya Polyana can see Tolstoy's library numbering over 22,000
books in 33 languages. The museum boasts of an intersting collection of Russian paintings: Kramskoy, Repin, Ghe, Serov, L.PAsternak. It also possesses sculptures, family portraits, photos, and miniatures. |
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Yasnaya Plyana keeps the traditions and the atmosphere of the past but lives in the present. Visitors can walk about its picturesque parks, enjoy the beauty of linden and birch tree alleys and the mirror-like surface of the ponds. One can acquire the feeling of inner freedom here and fall in love with things dear to Leo Tolstoy.
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The museum arranges visits to Kochakovsky cemetery (family burial ground of the Tolstoys), exhibitions, videofilm demonstrations, equestrian lessons. It is not surprising that a visitor may wish to stay here a few days or come back again to Yasnaya Polyana. Tourism and external relations department of the museum-estate arranges two or more day tours including visits to memorial places of Central Russia, such as Plenovo, Melikhovo, Spasskoye-Lutovinovo, Konstantinovo and others. You will visit unique museums bearing the memory of great writers and painters, walk about beautiful parks and learn new facts about well-known things. |