SERGIEV POSAD

Sergiev Posad is the town around the Trinity Monastery of St.Sergius. The monastery was established in the 14th century by one of the most honored Russian saints, reverent Sergius of Radonezh. For a long time Sergiev Posad was the spiritual centre of Russia. The architectural ensemble of the monastery reflects all steps of the Russian architecture development. On the same territory there are also a theological seminary and the Art Museum-Reserve displaying the Orthodox history of Russia.

Yaroslavl is a town of trades and crafts, of numerous churches striking your imagination with its original beauty. Of special interest are the Monastery of the Transfiguration of the Saviour, founded in 12th centuty, and the majestic Church of Elijah the Prophet.In August, Yaroslavl holds an annual international festival of choral and bell chime music "Transfiguration" to celebrate the holiday of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Rostov was first mentioned in chronicles in 862. The focal point is its Kremlin, built on the shore of a lake. The white-stone towers of the Rostov Kremlin impressing as they are reflected in the lake's water. while you are visiting this town you have a chance to listen to the chimes of the unique bells of the Assumption Cathedral belfry. Its 15 bells, audible 15 km away, play 4 tunes.

Kostroma is an ancient Russian town on the left bank of the Volga river. It was founded in 1153 by Prince Yury Dolgoruky. The pearl of Kostroma is the ensemble of the Ipatyevsky Monastery with white stone walls and golden cupolas. It was founded in the end of 13th century. The central structure in the monastery is the Troitsky Cathedral built in 1652. Kostroma monuments of 16-17th centuries includes the Bogoyavlensky Monastery and the Church of St.John the Baptist. The Rozhdestvenskaya and the Preobrazhenskaya Churches are situated on the right bank of the Volga river.

Vladimir's one of the oldest and most famous cities of Russia. The city boasts a thousand years of history. According to the latest data discovered by the historians and archaeologists, Vladimir was founded in 995 by Prince Vladimir on the bank of the Klyazma River. Vladimir is famous for its unique cathedrals dating back to the XII century. Four of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Suzdal is one of the oldest Russian cities, first mentioned in the annals in 1024. It is a museum town, where the remarkable architecture is carefully preserved. There are about 300 architectural monuments in Suzdal. Four of them, the Nativity Cathedral (Rozhdestvensky Cathedral) (the 13th-century) that is situated in the Kremlin, the Saint Boris and the Saint Gleb Church (the 12th-century), the ensembles of the Intercession (Pokrovsky) Convent and the Monastery of our Savior and St Euthimius (Spaso-Yevfimiyev Monastery) were included in the list of the World Cultural Heritage of UNESCO.

The town fascinates the modern man by its oldness and gives him an idea of how the Russian town looked like many centuries ago.