Let's take a walk together today through the beautiful city of Uglich, whose sights attract a large number of travelers every day. Over the more than thousand-year history of its existence, many temples, churches, and museums have been built in the city. They are found here literally at every step.
After all, events took place here that had an impact on the history of the people of all of Russia - so you can see a lot in Uglich in one day, and there will be more than enough interesting delicacies for more days.
Some details about the emergence of Uglich
This city was founded in 937 and was originally called Ugliche Pole. In the history of the city of Uglich, which is located in the Yaroslavl region, there is no exact information about where this name came from.
Either because the city is located in a picturesque place where the Volga makes a turn at an angle; either because coal was once burned in this place; or maybe because here, a long time ago, the inhabitants of Uglich were simply called “Ulichi”.
Over time, names and concepts changed, and the city began to be called Uglich.
Where to stay
Accommodation prices are quite low in Uglich, but the place we stayed in was the best in terms of price-quality ratio. This is a hostel where we booked a private room. Apparently it opened recently, because the furniture, showers and all appliances were new. We liked that it was very clean, quiet and cozy, and the best location was in the very center right next to the Volga. Therefore, I share a recommendation: Hostel in Uglich. The most convenient way to book it or choose other options is on Hotellook.
The Kremlin is the pride of the city
What is the city of Uglich famous for? Its most important attraction is the Kremlin, a fortress fortified with ramparts and wooden walls, which became the center around which people began to settle over time, and the city was formed.
But now all that remains of that fortress are memories in historical sources. But there are other historical monuments on the territory of the Kremlin.
Spiritual heritage of our ancestors
For example, the majestic Transfiguration Cathedral with the legendary bell tower, which is very closely connected with the tragic events that occurred here in the 16th century. We are talking about the exiled alarm bell, which announced the death of Tsarevich Dmitry.
The six-tier iconostasis, made in 1860, makes a stunning impression.
Some of the icons that make up it are very old. The Virgin Mary smiles with one of them. But, as I was convinced, this icon is wonderful! In the literal sense of the word - if you move just a little further, the Mother of God will stop smiling and will look calmly and with love. You will learn a lot more amazing and educational things here. Come!
Princely Chambers
And nearby stands the oldest building in Uglich that was preserved almost in its original form from the 17th century - these are the Chambers of the Uglich Princes.
Once upon a time they wanted to dismantle them, but some unknown force did not allow people to do this. Perhaps thanks to this, we can now admire their beauty and, at least roughly, imagine how Tsarevich Dmitry, the illegitimate son of Ivan the Terrible, lived here with his mother.
Church on the Blood and the famous bell
Not far away, on the spot where eight-year-old Dmitry was killed, there is now the Church of Tsarevich Dmitry on Blood. Externally small, but very beautiful, it was built of red brick, the color of which symbolizes the blood of the murdered boy.
The painting on the inside of one of the walls tells the story of the tragedy that happened here - the short life and mysterious death of the royal child.
One of the exhibits of the church-museum is a bell, which, with its alarm ringing, gathered residents of the entire city to the place where Dmitry was found dead. And as an instigator who caused popular unrest, he, by order from Moscow, was thrown to the ground, flogged and sent into Siberian exile.
A stretcher covered with brocade is kept here, on which the body of the prince and other witnesses of those mysterious events were carried to Moscow.
Temples of centuries-old Uglich
Church of Tsarevich Dimitri “on the field”
At the exit from the city in the Rostov direction there is the church of Tsarevich Dimitri “on the field”. There is such a legend associated with her. When the body of the deceased prince was carried to Moscow, they first went along the Moscow road. But at the exit from Uglich, the cart with the body stopped and no one could move it. People prayed for a long time, and finally decided to walk along the Rostov road.
There, not far from the end of the city, the whole procession stopped to give people the opportunity to say goodbye to little Dmitry. And then an amazing event happened - a stream of blood flowed out of the boy’s body. The procession continued, and a chapel was erected at the site of the unusual phenomenon. Then, much later, it was replaced by a one-story church with a refectory and a bell tower.
Inside, paintings from the early 19th century and a carved iconostasis in the shape of a triumphal arch have been preserved.
Now this place has long become a city. The temple is surrounded by residential buildings and buildings. But the name of the church “on the field” remained. Coordinates: 57.51764, 38.32682.
Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist
Another church in memory of a deceased child stands not far from the Resurrection Monastery - the Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist in Uglich. This beautiful, small, like a toy church was built with his own money by one of the richest merchants of Uglich in 1663, Nikifor Chepolosov, in honor of his murdered son.
The boy was killed by the merchant's clerk, and his body was hidden in a swamp under a layer of moss. In the northern aisle, during restoration, much later they found a specially equipped niche where the boy was buried. See more about this temple and its history.
Church of the Archangel Michael
About 8 km from the city, in a dense forest, stands the Church of the Archangel Michael, in a forest. It was once a monastery, but it was closed. Next to the white stone temple there is now a red brick bell tower.
There is also a small pond and a cemetery nearby, where clergy and people who became famous during the defense of the city from Polish invaders during the Time of Troubles are buried.
It’s a pity that we didn’t have time to get to this amazing temple on this trip. Well, this is another reason to return to this place again.
