Must-See Places Around Moscow

The ancient town 63 kilometers west of Moscow, also known as the Russian Switzerland,  has been a haven for some of Russia most famous artists over the last 150 years. Composer Pyotr Tchaikovsky and singer Fyodor Shalyapin, artists Alexei Savrasov and Konstantin Korovin, and beloved playwright Anton Chekov all frequented the forest-enclosed town located at the intersection of the Moscow and Zhervovka rivers. For those with writer's block, you can try your luck sitting under the same old lime tree where Chekov loved to relax. Zvenigorod's landscape has been preserved almost untouched since the town was founded more than 800 years ago. The white-stone churches, the brick mansions once owned by nobles, the modest, worn wooden homes of town's citizens, and the absence of factories or plants give the feel of a town still living in the 19th century.

Standing on a steep hilltop on the town's western outskirts is the Zvenigorod Kremlin, called Gorodok. Surrounded by deep gullies overgrown with trees and man-made earthen ramparts up to 8 meters high, it still looks like a fortress. As you enter the Kremlin, you will see the white-stone Assumption Cathedral built in 1407 by Grand Duke Yuri Zvenigorodsky, son of Moscow Duke Dmitry Donskoi.

Descending from the Cathedral you will reach the river. It's a 20-minute walk to the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, founded  in 1398. The Monastery's most famous edifice is the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (1405), which is decorated with 17th century paintings. Facing the cathedral is a three-story belfry dating from the 17th century with a picturesque hip-roof and clock-tower, the work of a Dutch craftsman. The monastery's architectural ensemble was completed in the mid 17th century, after Zvenigorod was chosen to become a Tsarist country residence. To accommodate the tsars and their wives, a Palace and Tsarina Mansion were built within the monastery's walls. The construction of the monastery's wall involved 700 workers. The wall is 750 meters long and 3 meters thick. Six of its seven towers have been preserved.

In May 1918, when the Bolsheviks tried to seize the relics of St. Savva, several persons were shot dead. In 1985, the cloister was assigned to the Danilov Monastery in Moscow. St. Savva's relics were returned to the monastery in 1998.

Russia's spiritual epicenter is 90 km (56 miles) north-east of Moscow. For hundreds of years, pilgrims have been flocking to the little town outside Moscow to see the old monasteries and bell towers. You should, too. The town of Sergiev Posad got its name from Saint Serguis, who in the middle of the 14th century founded the largest and one of the most famous Russian monasteries. The Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra is the Vatican of the Russian Orthodox Church. It contains the Theological Seminary, the largest library of religious literature, famous icons, and historical and artistic treasures. The architectural complex of Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra was developed in the course of several centuries. The oldest church on its territory is the Holy Trinity Cathedral famous for its icons painted by the renowned icon painter Andrei Rublev and the 17th century frescoes. The beautiful blue and gold star-spangled domes of St. Sergius monastery dominate the town and the Trinity Monastery remained the center of the Russian Orthodox Church during the Communist rule.

The interiors of the churches are filled with gorgeous artwork. Make sure to pick up one of the long, thin, honey-colored candles when you enter the church; you don't want to feel left out. When you return to the 21st century, check out one of the cafés just across the street from the monastery. You'll find lots of traditional, Russian fare, including some very very strong vodka.

Dmitrov known as the Moscow’s Nohern pearl is just 65 kilometers north of Moscow on the suburban road. The road emerges from the city into open fields surrounded by green forests. Small streams meander between Klin-Dmitrov hills that rise up along both sides of the road. The fields stretch out as far as the horizon. The epic enormity of the landscape reminds one of the town's ancient history.

Dmitrov is one of the oldest cities in Russia. It was formed on the banks of the Yakhroma river by Prince Yuri Dolgorukii in 1154. The town was named in honor of the son of Yuri Dolgoruki, whose second name was Dmitri. Dmitrov finally entered the Moscow county in the 16th century, after a lengthy internal struggle among its princes. The town's development during the 14th through 17th century was helped to a large extent by its geographical position on the crossing of the roads from the center of the country to the north, with rivers leading to Lake Ladoga. At the end of the 17th century, however, the main trade route from Moscow to the north moved and started going through Yaroslavl and Vologda. Dmitrov lost its former importance, but in the middle of the 18th century, it again found itself in the middle of a trade route between Moscow and the new capital, St. Petersburg.

The fate of Dmitrov in the 20th century was tragic. In the 1930s, there was an infamous prison camp here, described by Solzhenitsyn in ‘Gulag Archipelago' — Dmitlag. The prisoners there built a new Moscow-Volga canal, splitting the very heart of the ancient town — its historical part. In the fall of 194, the city walls were witness to fierce fighting against German troops heading for Moscow. It was here that the Russian troops' victory began. The last quarter of the 20th century also left its mark on the city. Coming out of the citycenter, you will find yourself in the middle of industrial buildings. But the ancient heart of the town, albeit hidden by the high-rises, has remained intact.

The 12th century earthen ramparts are visible from afar. Their preservation is in itself unique in Russia — the town is set in an area full of ditches rather than high up like most Russian towns. The ramparts are around 13 meters high.

When passing the ramparts, you enter the Kremlin. Its most remarkable edifice is the Assumption Cathedral built in 1523. An unknown architect made it so elegant and proportional that it sticks out from the row of similar buildings of that time. In its style of architecture, the cathedral is close to the Moscow Kremlin's Archangel Cathedral, but is richer in Russian national features, although it is decorated more modestly. Inside, there is a unique icon set featuring exquisite carvings of the late 17th century. The icons are works of Russian famous icon painters – Andrei Rublyov and Dionisi. In addition to being a functional church, where regular services are held, the cathedral accommodates the Dmitrov History and Regional Studies Museum founded by Russia's distinguished philosopher and anarchist Pyotr Kropotkin. The house where Kropotkin lived has been preserved. It is located not far from the Kremlin and has a memorial plaque on the wall.

This enchanting wooden town sits on the bank of the Kamenka River. It was built by many generations of Russian artisans and is considered to be one of the oldest and the best-preserved Russian towns. No other town possesses as many splendid specimens of the Russian architecture of different epochs whilst retaining its original character and appearance: the Suzdal Kremlin with the beautiful Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady, the Bishop’s Palace, Spaso-Yevfimievsky Monastery, the Convent of the Intercession and many others.

Located 135 mi/220 km northeast of Moscow, Suzdal is one of the oldest towns in Russia, dating from 1024. It's full of onion-domed churches, monasteries and other examples of traditional Russian structures. One monastery in town has rooms available for lodging. The city's Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life is similar to those in Novgorod and Kizhi, with a varied and interesting collection of buildings.

Suzdal is enjoyable in the summer when all the monasteries, churches and wooden houses are lit by the sun, and the river is shining brightly below on the plain. It's lovely in winter, too, when snow blankets the landscape and highlights the features of the buildings.