The Golden Ring

The Golden Ring is the name for a circle of historic towns north-east of Moscow that were centres of the medieval Russian principalities. The best known are Vladimir and Suzdal, whose white limestone monuments UNESCO listed in 1992.

Suzdal is a small, quiet town on the Kamenka river, with an old kremlin, monasteries, churches with star-studded blue domes and an open-air museum of wooden architecture. It lies about 220 km from Moscow, so it can be seen with Vladimir in a long day by private car, or with a night there to enjoy its evening calm.

The Golden Ring suits travellers who want to see rural Russia away from the big cities. It is loveliest in summer and autumn, and in winter when snow covers the churches and wooden houses.