THE GOLDEN RING OF RUSSIA,
Moscow - Uglich– Moscow,
1-2 Days

YOUR ITINERARY RUNS LIKE THIS

Departure to Uglich with guide. Arrival to Ugllich. A local tradition dates the town's origin back to 937. It was first documented in 1148 as Ugliche Pole (Corner Field). The town's name is thought to allude to the turn the Volga makes nearby.

Uglich had been the seat of a small princedom from 1218 until 1328 when the local princes sold their rights to the great prince of Moscow. As a border town of Muscovy, it was burnt several times by Lithuanians, Tatars and the grand prince of Tver. The modern town did have a famous watch manufacturing plant now closed (see Chaika watches), a railway station, and a hydroelectric power station. Actually, Stalin's decision to create the Uglich Reservoir led to severe flooding of the town's outskirts. Apart from the kremlin, the city centre features other nice samples of old Russian architecture.

Uglich city tour - Particularly notable are the Alexeievsky and Resurrection monasteries. Walking to the bank of the Volga to see the Resurrection Monastery with its huge cathedral, refectory, belfry and summer church. All these buildings stand in a row and date back to 1674-77. Opposite the monastery is the graceful Church of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. It was built in 1689-90 by a local merchant to commemorate the spot where his son had drowned. More old architecture may be seen in the vicinity of Uglich, including the 17th-century Uleima Monastery and a fine church in Divnogorie.

Lunch in a local restorant.

Departure to Moscow (one-day tours).