Rostov Velikiy

Rostov the Great is located on the northwestern shore of Lake Nero, 53 km from Yaroslavl and 202 km from Moscow. It is one of the oldest cities, part of the Golden Ring of Russia. The distance from Rostov Veliky to nearby ancient cities is: Sergiev Posad - 140 km Pereslavl - 70 km, Uglich - 90 km, Kostroma - 140 km, Vladimir - 180 km, Suzdal - 150 km.

Rostov was founded on land that belonged to the Finno-Ugric tribe Meria. According to legend, it was named after its founder Rost,who gave the city his name. In the annals of 862, the city is referred to as Rostov, and in the 12th century - as Rostov the Great. In 907 and 911, the city soldiers participated in campaigns against Constantinople led by Prince Oleg. And in 991  its inhabitants were baptized. It is in Rostov that the first bishoprics was established, and in 991, the first Cathedral of the Assumption was built.

 Architectural monuments of Rostov became classics not only in Russian, but also in the world art. Rostov Kremlin, Spaso-Jacob and Abraham Epiphany monasteries, the buildings of the former Archbishop's house, city stone and wooden buildings of the XVIII-XX centuries, as well as the location of the city  itself in a picturesque lake basin makes Rostov a real gem of the Golden Ring, one of the major centers of tourism and pilgrimage .

Today Rostov has 323 architectural monuments, about 100 of them are of federal significance.
Rostov Kremlin (House of Bishops), the main attraction of the city of Rostov Veliky, is of world importance. It was built in the 17th century.Kremlin served as the residence of bishops of Rostov - Yaroslavl diocese, so it was called the Metropolitan or Bishop Court Kremlin is separated from the city by high walls with eleven towers. Rostov Kremlin is a grand residence, not adapted to the defense, and the walls define the boundaries of the Archdiocese. 

 Among the main attractions of the city of Rostov Veliky there are numerous monasteries and churches. The oldest monastery in northeastern Russia is Epiphany Abraham's Monastery, founded in the 11th century by Reverend Abraham.Here in 1553-1554, after the capture of Kazan at the behest of Ivan the Terrible, was built Epiphany Cathedral.

In Spaso Yakovlevsky Dimitriev monastery, founded in the 14th century by St. James, are the only relics of the only saint of the18th century - St. Demetrius of Rostov Wonderworker.
In the 14th century were also founded the Christmas and Borisoglebsky monastery. Christmas monastery was given the Church of St. Nicholas Wonderworker on Podozer, built in the 18th century.

Apart from the monuments of religious architecture, you can also see the only partially preserved 17th century stable yard in Russia, the Shopping Arcade - Mytny Dvor and Gostiny  Dvor. It is also interesting to see the gymnasium building, constructed for the money of merchant Kekin.

The famous Rostov chimes played on the Rostov bell tower are recognized part of world culture.