Rostov the Great

Rostov the Great

The first mention of Rostov the Great is found in the chronicles of 862. Even then, the city was a center of culture and commerce. Since 989, Yaroslav the Wise ruled Rostov for more than twenty years, and under him the city became a significant principality of Ancient Russia. In subsequent years, the Rostov princes were Yuri Dolgoruky and Vladimir Monomakh. It was from Rostov the Great that the famous voivode Alyosha Popovich, who became the prototype of the mighty Russian hero, came from.
The Rostov Kremlin, the former residence of the metropolitan, has now become a large-scale museum complex. The ensemble includes three parts: the territory of the Assumption Cathedral, the bishop's courtyard, and the Metropolitan garden.
The Kremlin's calling card is the Assumption Cathedral, the oldest stone building in the city, dating from 1508-1512, and the belfry, which has preserved 15 unique bells. Rostov chimes were admired by tsars, famous composers, singers and film directors at various times. You can still listen to the famous bells today.
The imperial mansions and the house Church of St. John the Theologian of the 17th century are familiar to many from the film "Ivan Vasilyevich changes his profession." The plot takes place in old Moscow, but the Rostov Kremlin was chosen for filming.
The Metropolitan Garden adjoins the bishop's court from Lake Nero. Passing through a narrow arch, you will find yourself among apple, pear and cherry trees. There is a pond with carp nearby. In summer, it is especially good here: sitting in the shade of fruit trees, you can taste fragrant tea made from garden herbs.
A new exhibition space, the Konyushenny Dvor, is located not far from the central entrance to the Kremlin. This historical site, which was used for many years as barracks, warehouses, shopping malls, has been restored almost from ruins. During the reconstruction, we tried to preserve the appearance of the 17th-century building as much as possible.
It is no coincidence that the city appeared on the shores of Nero. In addition to its natural beauty, the largest lake in the Yaroslavl region has been famous for its abundance of fish since ancient times.
You won't be able to swim here: the bottom is too muddy. But taking a boat ride on the waters or even taking a guided tour is a real pleasure.
An interesting fact: according to scientists, the lake appeared long before the Ice Age, whereas most lakes in Russia, on the contrary, were formed as a result of filling the lowlands with meltwater. 
Folklorists claim that it was here that Emelya caught the pike, and now the festival "At the behest of the Pike" is held annually in Rostov.
The Spaso-Yakovlevsky Dimitrievsky Monastery is picturesquely located on the shore of Lake Nero.
The first mention of the monastery dates back to the 14th century, initially the monastery had only wooden buildings. He went through difficult times twice: he was ruined during the invasion of Rostov by the Tatar Khan Edigey in 1408, and two hundred years later during the Polish-Lithuanian intervention.
The post-revolutionary years were also difficult: military and commercial warehouses, housing for townspeople and a hospital for wounded soldiers were located on the territory of the monastery. Fortunately, the architectural ensemble of the Yakovlevsky Monastery was not affected. 
In 1991, the entire complex was transferred to the Russian Orthodox Church. Today, two temples have been opened on the territory, divine services are being held and active restoration work is underway.
Another important attraction of Rostov the Great. The monastery is located in the village of Varnitsy, one and a half kilometers from the city. You can get there by car or bus from Kolkhoznaya Square.
This place is known primarily thanks to Sergius of Radonezh. The revered saint lived in Varnitsy from birth to the age of 15. St. Sergius came from a respected boyar family, but during the period of civil strife and severe Horde oppression, together with other boyars, they had to leave Rostov. Ivan Kalita's squad forcibly beat out tribute, and evicted all dissatisfied residents of Rostov. This is how the family of St. Sergius ended up in Radonezh.
It is curious that later the word of Sergius of Radonezh became decisive in the struggle against the Tatar-Mongol yoke. It was he who gave Dmitry Donskoy his blessing for the Battle of Kulikovo, which was the first step towards overthrowing the Golden Horde.
In 1427, a holy monastery was founded here. The monastery experienced various events, much was destroyed, but in 1995 the Trinity-Sergius Lavra took the shrine under its protection. The renaissance period began: an Orthodox gymnasium named after him was even opened in Varnitskaya Sloboda. St. Sergius of Radonezh.
If you are traveling with children, take a look at the modern interactive museum on Leninskaya Street. Here you can see 6,500 frogs, visit the Koshcheev kingdom and taste bread from Vasilisa the Wise's oven.
Once in Rostov the Great, be sure to visit this amazing place. Just 35 kilometers from the city is the greatest shrine of Russia — the miraculous Godenovsky Cross.
A crucifixion as tall as a man appeared to shepherds in the swamps in the remote Rostov forests near the village of Godenovo in the XV century. The Life-giving Cross is located in the church of St. Nicholas. St. John Chrysostom and is available for daily visits by pilgrims.