To the north-east of Moscow, on the shore of a small lake Nero, is the wonderful city of Rostov the Great. And the territory, and the number of people it is small, but its glory rattles throughout Russia. He is a real pearl of the Golden Ring, along with Uglich, Sergiev Posad, Suzdal and Pereyaslav-Zalessky. Attractions of Great Rostov can be viewed as a group excursion, or independently. This is a very ancient city. Once there lived the Finno-Ugric tribe Merya. There is a legend that the city was founded by its leader Rosti, who named the settlement his own name.
These are all legends, and the documents mention Rostov in 862 for the first time. At the beginning of the tenth century the city squad headed by Prince Oleg took part in the campaign against Tsargrad. In 991, by decree "from above", a voluntary baptism of Rostov residents was voluntary and compulsory. According to legend, John the Evangelist appeared in the city and broke a stone idol of Veles with a rod. Immediately the construction of the Abraham's Epiphany Monastery began, the oldest building in the city. Already in the XII century, the settlement was called Rostov the Great. The sights, the photos of which were replicated by postcards and posters, are very recognizable. But the local Kremlin has become famous also for the fact that the cult comedy film "Ivan Vasilievich changes his profession" was shot here.
A lonely tourist should not be afraid that he will be lost or lose something in this small city. The map of Rostov the Great with sights is available in almost every hotel. Begin to get acquainted with the city from his Kremlin. Now it is called the Bishop's House, but earlier all the population lived inside its walls. True, the present residence of the bishop really was built in the XVII century. The metropolitan fenced off citizens with fortress walls and 11 towers. The gates of this fortress inside the city are preserved - the Gate Church of St. John the Theologian and the Church of the Resurrection.
In the small territory of the Kremlin there are such sights of the Great Rostov as a belfry with thirteen bells (the largest of them weighs two tons) and the Assumption Cathedral - a majestic building, a post It was built on the site of the church of the 10th century. The city is famous for its monasteries and ancient churches. Among the most famous can be called the Epiphany Cathedral, built on the orders of Ivan the Terrible after the capture of Kazan, the Savior-Yakovlevsky Monastery with the relics of Dmitry the Miracle-Worker, the Borisoglebskaya and Christmas monasteries.
The sights of Greater Rostov are not limited to sacral buildings. In general, there are 320 architectural monuments, one hundred of them - of federal significance. The secular architecture of Russian antiquity is represented in the trading rows. They are divided into Seating and Mytny Dvory. The stable yard of the XVII century has survived, it is interesting to build a gymnasium for boys. If you come to Rostov in the summer, be sure to take a boat trip to Nero. From the water surface of the lake offers an amazing view of the city.
On the second day, continue to inspect the sights of the Great Rostov, starting with the museum of enamel. Here is the largest collection of these miniatures in Russia. If you have time, look in the art gallery "Horse" and the museum of Russian life.