In Russia, as you know, there are two Rostovs. One is located northeast of Moscow, and is called Velikiy. The second one in the south is Rostov-on-Don. Both cities are interesting in their own way. But other than the name, there is not much in common between them.
Veliky Rostov is a small and patriarchal settlement, which is a pleasant contrast to the ever-rushing Moscow. All its antiquities can be seen in a few hours.
The southern namesake is a million-plus city with huge residential areas, a lot of cars, and an extensive road network. And a much larger number of temptations.
The first one likes to get lost in the shadow of the second one - just type the name into the search without specifying it. But among knowledgeable people it is even more popular. Of course, this is the city of the “Golden Ring of Russia”. While not claiming to be the capital of the famous tourist route, Yaroslavl need not be afraid. But definitely a settlement with an aura!
What surrounds the Golden Circle
The most prominent landmark is the Rostov Kremlin. Which has long been listed as a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. And he has a good chance of getting there. The international organization is unlikely to take it into account, but
- It was along the covered passages of the Kremlin that the heroes of the cult Soviet comedy “Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession” ran, fleeing from the Streltsy
How to get there
The journey from the capital by private car or excursion bus takes just over 3 hours. A fast train from Moscow to Yaroslavl (departure at 7.35) will cover the distance in 2.5 hours. The Arkhangelsk squad (10.05) will spend ~3'40.
A ticket with meals in a seated carriage costs ~1,500 RUB. It is, of course, better to buy in advance: on the eve of May Day and other holidays, not to mention the New Year holidays, nothing will be in stock.
It’s even more convenient to travel by car! And not because you can get from the capital in just 3-4 hours (215 km). But because, theoretically, you can independently design an interesting excursion route. Including a visit to Pereslavl-Zalessky, an overnight stay in Rostov and a stopover - for a day or two - in Yaroslavl. The distance between the designated cities is literally ridiculous - from 65 to 55 km!
What you can see in Yaroslavl
Cafes and restaurants in Rostov
I described this topic in a separate article: Gastronomic tour of Rostov the Great - creative cafes and restaurants. Here I will only say that you can eat cheaply and very tasty in Rostov. So our short tour of the provincial city of Rostov, which bears the proud title of Great, has ended. Peace and tranquility reign here; it seems that time drags on more sleepily and slowly, especially after the bustle of Moscow.
Please click on one of the buttons to see if you liked the article or not.
Where to stay
You can spend the night in Rostov the Great not only in an ordinary hotel or apartment - the Trinity-Sergius Varnitsky Monastery will also gladly accommodate city guests. However, don’t count on private rooms. And you will have to get to the city center!
But staying at the guest house “On Valakh”, you can walk to the entrance to the local Kremlin in 3-4 minutes. The house is decorated in traditional Russian style and is very well maintained. The rooms have a standard set of amenities and even more: a refrigerator and microwave.
In a beautiful location right on the shore of Lake Nero there is a brand new hotel with the not-so-Russian name Bravis Holiday Park. But those who stayed praise the cleanliness of the rooms and the views from the windows. And the presence of a good restaurant is an important bonus for a traveler who is tired from the road.
Results of the trip
Having driven about 200 more kilometers on the way home, startled by stones flying into the windshield, we find ourselves stuck in the usual holiday traffic jams. However, we were not too upset - the positive emotions we received from the trip were still strong. Two gas stations and almost 600 kilometers traveled fully justify the new impressions of the Russian province.
We touched history and were sincerely happy for small towns where local residents are happy to share their good mood with guests. I wanted to come here again, but already at a time when the Volga will not be so cold, and historical places will begin to be buried in greenery. Then we can walk along the quiet provincial streets and get a completely different impression.
Author: Leonid Dubina
Sights of Rostov
Assumption Cathedral and belfry. Located near the Rostov Kremlin. The cathedral was built in the 16th century on the site of a much older church that burned down. The concept is traditional for the architecture of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality: a five-domed temple, an arcaded pattern of walls.
The belfry is almost two centuries younger, but is known even more. Each of the 13 bells has its own sound, and together they are capable of beating dozens of acoustic pieces. They work together like your orchestra, amazing with the variety of available melodies.
The largest bell weighs 32 tons, but who weighed it? But you can listen for a long time... Until they invite you back onto the bus. Yes, you may have heard: in the same “Ivan Vasilyevich” Yuri Yakovlev created what melodies!
- Excursion to Rostov the Great and Pereslavl-Zalessky
In atheistic Soviet times, she released the album “Rostov Bells,” which became a hit and was then reissued many times.
Rostov Kremlin
Another prominent landmark of the ancient city. It was originally created as the residence of the metropolitan, which fundamentally distinguishes it from other Russian fortresses. It was built at the end of the 17th century. And although it followed the tradition and looks like a citadel, it never had defensive significance.
This does not spoil it - we agree. Who, really, will count the loopholes and pay attention to other nuances? The Rostov Kremlin looks interesting - it is an example of the peculiar architectural eclecticism of pre-Petrine times. And according to Russians, it is one of the symbols of the country, very recognizable!
In general, the city is like a textbook on the history of Russia. And if you spend a little bit of your time and a little money, it will literally start playing. Scant information from a school textbook is one thing. The story of an erudite man in love with his “small” Motherland is completely different: rostov-velikiy-zhivaya-istoriya-drevnego-goroda.
The Kremlin, by the way, still retains the status of a state museum and is not under the jurisdiction of the Russian Orthodox Church. During the visit, you can explore a number of churches, premises for various purposes, as well as a collection of religious art.
Entrance inside costs 70 RUB, and then everything depends on your interests. The most intense program includes a walk along the walls, visits to churches and the Museum of Church Antiquities - a ticket will cost 220 rubles. By the way: you are allowed to climb and wander along the walls only from May 1 to October 1: www.rostmuseum.ru/posetitelyam/stoimost-biletov/.
A huge collection of painted enamels (more than 3,000 units) was collected by the enamel museum located on the territory of the Kremlin. Rostov enamel is a brand known for more than 250 years, one of the emblems of the city and region.
Dimitriev Monastery
For tourists who are not constrained by time constraints, we recommend taking a look from the inside at the Spaso-Yakovlevsky Dimitriev Monastery of the 14th century. In 1991, the monastery was returned to the church and brought back to normal. Excursions are provided for pilgrimage groups.
Individual visitors can also enter the territory. And they obviously won’t regret it: the monastery is large, beautiful and located in a very good location, right on the shore of Lake Nero. While walking along the walls, you will stop more than once to enjoy the views.
Museum of Rostov Merchants
Located in a cozy mansion on Leninskaya Street, 32 - it’s a 5-7 minute walk from the Kremlin. Inside there is an exhibition dedicated to the local merchant family of the Kekins. But it tells in general about the history, traditions and life of the Rostov merchants.
For some reason the museum is not open on Mondays and Tuesdays... Or is the flow of people too small?
Where to go with children
A snow-white fortress with towers, the Frog Princess, Alyosha Popovich, folk crafts in museum master classes - Rostov the Great takes travelers with children into the world of fairy tales.
The Frog Princess Museum , like many in this city, occupies a merchant's mansion. The plot of the famous fairy tale could well have happened on Rostov soil, because for the indigenous peoples the frog was sacred. In addition to meeting 5,000 frogs of all colors and sizes, young guests will enjoy an interactive game-journey through the fairy tale “The Frog Princess,” where everyone can play the role of a prince or an unusual princess.
Museum “The Frog Princess” Photo: © Maria Penina
At the Compound, Alyosha Popovich and Marya the Mistress will be introduced to the life of the legendary hero, invited to take part in funny competitions and treated to heroic dishes. At master classes at the museum complex, those interested will be taught the secrets of ancient monograms or the patterns of the Rostov whistle.
The Rostov Compound Museum will reveal the history of the past in an accessible and fascinating form . Visitors will learn about the secrets of Lake Nero, ancient rituals, and traditions of celebrating name days. Schoolchildren will be told why the school year began in winter and how the modern ABC differs from the ancient Primer. For the winter holidays, the museum always organizes themed entertainment programs.
Interactive for young tourists Photo: © Svetlana-Bol-Shakova
A couple more places where both children and adults will not get bored, where leisure and lunch are successfully combined.
“Lukova Sloboda” is a cafe-museum dedicated to the history of onions. Don’t worry that the cafe’s menu won’t be to your taste: in addition to onion dishes, there are plenty of other dishes.
“Rostov gingerbread ” is a museum of Rostov gingerbread, a family production that existed in the city at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries. Combining an immersion in history, everyone will be treated to delicious gingerbread and invited to take part in their preparation. On New Year's and Christmas dates, Rostov gingerbread prepares themed excursions and performances for guests.
Showcase of the Alyosha Popovich cafe in Rostov Photo: © Maria Penina
If you continue your journey towards Yaroslavl or, conversely, come from its side, do not miss the Zabava active and family recreation park . It is located at km 244 of the M-8 highway and offers plenty of activities for the whole family in both summer and winter. In the latter case, many attractions are available: an inflatable wheel, sumoball, trampolines, bull rodeo and others, there are places for cheesecake riding, skiing and ice skating. For those who want to experience vivid emotions, there are rope courses and bungee jumping. Shooting range and paintball - for an exciting fight. There is plenty of entertainment here not only on ordinary days: the annual Maslenitsa festivities will be not only fun, but also delicious.
What to see in the area
The wooden church in the village of Bogoslov, located 3 kilometers from the city center, is the only one preserved in the Yaroslavl region. The 17th century is a celebrity of its own: the famous artist Vasily Vereshchagin painted a couple of paintings inside. It seems that Emperor Nicholas II visited the village and church while passing through.
The Church of St. John the Evangelist today is a branch of the Yaroslavl Museum-Reserve and is open to visitors only from May to October. Monday-Tuesday is traditionally a weekend.
Note that just 58 km northeast on the banks of the Volga lies another magnificent Golden Ring city, Yaroslavl. Approximately 130 km along the highway to Kostroma - that's less than 3 hours' drive if by car!
Textile ]Ivanovo[/anchor] is also located at approximately the same distance! “City of Brides” and two wonderful museums: chintz and local history. The first is located in the mansion of local industrialist and philanthropist D.G. Burylin, and the second - in a building specially built by him. Visitors are offered a rich collection of various items.
© Eurotraveler.ru
Where to go from Rostov
Near Rostov the Great there are several other places recognized by thousands of tourists. Estates, monasteries, museums - they all reveal the history of the region in their own way. Some are conveniently located on the Moscow-Yaroslavl road, while others are a little more difficult to get to.
Boris and Gleb Monastery
Borisoglebsky Monastery is a functioning Orthodox monastery. It is located in the center of the village of the same name, 16 km from Rostov on the road to Uglich. The monastery was founded by the monks Theodore and Paul in the second half of the 14th century, and the place was indicated by Sergius of Radonezh. The relics of the founding saints are located on the territory, as are the relics of St. Irinarch the Recluse. At one time, the monastery was a significant and rich spiritual center of the country.
The main part of the monastery buildings dates back to the 16th - 17th centuries. The oldest here is Boris and Gleb Cathedral . One of several domes has been preserved on it. Sretenskaya and Sergius churches are interesting , each of which stands between strong gate towers. The Church of John the Baptist is also noteworthy : the main volume is crowned by a belfry and a trio of thin domes.
Read more: Boris and Gleb Monastery
Sretenskaya Gate Church of the Boris and Gleb Monastery Photo: © Lyudmila_Klyopova
Goden Cross
40 km south of Rostov, in the village of Godenovo, in the Church of St. John Chrysostom, an important Christian shrine is kept - the Godenovo Cross. The cross is made of linden and is a relief painted image of Christ. Its height is about 2 m. There is little information about the origin: according to legend, in 1423 the cross appeared to shepherds in a swamp near Rostov. But its miraculous power is better known - thousands of pilgrims come to worship the shrine, and cities receive copies of it.
Next to the temple, which belongs to the courtyard of the St. Nicholas Convent in Pereslavl-Zalessky, there is a monument to St. Seraphim of Sarov and a monument to the royal martyrs - the family of Nicholas II.
Read more: Church of St. John Chrysostom
Goden Cross in the Church of St. John Chrysostom Photo: © Lyudmila_Klyopova
Museum-estate of the Leontiev nobles
The Voronino estate is the estate of the Leontyev nobles, located 20 km west of Rostov. In the period from 1760 to 1917. it belonged to several representatives of the clan. Currently, its restoration is being carried out by a direct descendant. The manor house, family crypt, manor park with ponds have been put in order, and the restoration of the bell tower is next.
Tourists come to stroll through the park, feel the tranquility of the outback, visit museum exhibitions dedicated to the Leontiev and Suvorov family, and see a model of the original estate. Guest houses have been built for visitors and there is a restaurant. In winter, skates and skis are available for rent, and entertainment for the whole family is organized during the holidays.
Read more: Leontiev Estate Museum
Manor house of the Leontyev estate Photo: © maximy4
Baklushi Museum and Jam Library
Another place where the whole family is worth going is the Baklusha Museum and the Jam Library, located near the village of Semibratovo on the Yaroslavskoye Highway. “Getting caught up” is not as easy as it seems. Wooden spoons, although simple, have their own secrets, and certain customs and activities are associated with them. The guides will tell you about this as they walk you through the halls with painted spoons, and those who wish will be able to personally decorate the wooden blank.
The jam library, located right there, received special recognition from visitors to the tourist complex. It stores hundreds of jars of delicious delicacies and hundreds of jam recipes. Visitors will be told about the most unusual types of jam, reminded of those that have distinguished themselves in history and literature, and will also draw parallels with products from other countries. Of course, guests here will not be left without a tasting and the opportunity to purchase a jar of jam to take with them.
Read more: Baklushi Museum and Jam Library
Museum-Estate of N. A. Nekrasov
On the way to Yaroslavl, in the village of Karabikha near the Yaroslavskoye Highway, there is the museum-estate of Nikolai Alekseevich Nekrasov, an outstanding Russian writer, known primarily for the lines “Who lives well in Rus'.” In the period from 1862 to 1875. within the walls of the estate, as part of this poem, “Frost, Red Nose”, “Grandfather Mazai and the Hares”, “Russian Women” and other works were written that emphasized his creative line.
After the Great Patriotic War in the late 1940s. the estate becomes a museum, the first exhibitions are opened, but the reconstruction of some objects is still ongoing. Visitors to the estate are introduced to the life and work of the writer in Karabikha, and are invited to admire the landscaped Upper and Lower parks; entrance to their territory, by the way, is free from November to April. The museum-reserve also conducts lectures and interactive classes dedicated to the work of the poet, and organizes festive festivities for the New Year, Christmas, and Maslenitsa.
Read more: Museum-Estate of N. A. Nekrasov
In the estate of N. A. Nekrasov Photo: © Irina Lebedeva
Yaroslavl
The regional center, Yaroslavl, can easily fit into the route around Rostov. The capital of the Golden Ring of Russia and one of the ancient cities of the country offers a lot of options for cultural recreation and entertainment. Among the most notable attractions of the city are the Volzhskaya Embankment with Strelka Park, the monument to Yaroslav the Wise, the Church of Elijah the Prophet, the Yaroslavl Art Museum and the Golden Ring show model. In winter, it hosts the “Main Maslenitsa of the country.”
What to see in winter in Yaroslavl
Andropova Street in Yaroslavl Photo: © dualia1
Excursions
Rostov the Great can be the sole purpose of travel or be included in excursions and tours along the Golden Ring. Thus, on a one-day excursion it is often presented with its closest neighbors - Yaroslavl and Pereslavl-Zalessky.
Excursions around Rostov in winter generally do not differ in content from summer ones, because their main goal is to get acquainted with the Rostov Kremlin , the Assumption Cathedral , and the Varnitsky Monastery , founded in the small homeland of Sergius of Radonezh. But many museums on New Year's and Christmas dates consecrate their theme in the light of holiday traditions. Museum of Rostov Merchants , for example, allows you to travel back more than a hundred years ago and find out how these holidays were held before, how they were prepared for them and how they were celebrated in merchant families.
Excursions around Rostov the Great on Experts Tourist. RU
