Uglich, whose name has been found in chronicles since 937, is most often visited by tourists during cruises along the Volga. But the city deserves a full day with an overnight stay! Uglich is not only architectural monuments, the Kremlin and ancient churches. It is also worth visiting private museums, delicious cheese and traditional Russian cuisine. We tell you in more detail how everything works here.
Contents
- How to get there
- Where to stay
- What to see and do
- Where to eat
- What to bring
How to get
From Moscow
From the capital to Uglich, as to other cities of the Golden Ring, it is most convenient to get by car, stopping at interesting places on the way. You will cover a distance of 235 km without traffic jams in three to four hours. If you do not want to drive, then you can use the train: it departs from the Eastern Railway Station, the journey takes 5 hours and 30 minutes, the ticket price starts from 1503 rubles (runs once a week). You can also get from the capital by bus: about four hours on the way, departure from the Severnye Vorota bus station, tickets from 975 rubles.
If the soul still lies for water travel, then a poetic option to be in Uglich is a cruise along the Volga. There are even direct cruises Moscow — Uglich — Moscow, a three-day trip costing from 9300 rubles.
The Boring Golden Ring
Go on a trip to the most interesting places of the Golden Ring with our travel guide.
From St. Petersburg
From the Northern capital to Uglich — 734 km or about 9-10 hours by car — is a great opportunity to listen to your favorite music, and also look on the way to Veliky Novgorod and Tver. If such a long car trip is not for you, then you can fly to Yaroslavl in an hour, and get from there by regular bus or rented car.
Where to stay
Volzhskaya Riviera Hotel
A pompous mansion with columns and festive chandeliers on the banks of the Volga River. The very heart of the city, the interior is nostalgic. There is a swimming pool, sauna, restaurant with Russian and European cuisine, lobby bar, and rooms are equipped with everything for a comfortable stay. Guests’ Choice 2023.
Voznesenskaya Hotel
Oasis in the center of Uglich: a small cozy hotel, which uses a lot of greenery and paintings in its design. Special attention is paid to young travelers — there is a playground and game rooms on the territory.
Hostel In Uglich
A hostel that is clean, stylish, beautiful and budget friendly. Add to this a central location and a high national rating, and you will get the perfect place to stop in Uglich. If you don’t want to spend money, but at the same time the accommodation should be nice, and even with the opportunity to meet other travelers — you are here.
AZIMUT Hotel Uglich
The hotel is located in the very center with a view of the Volga River, gym, table tennis, indoor pool, massage room and sauna.
Apartment on Yaroslavskoye highway
A great option for those who like to stay not in hotels, but in apartments. You will only need a car — this place is located 1.5 km from the center. Accommodation in a new house, freshly renovated, slippers, toiletries, dishes, tea and coffee are included.
What to see and do
The ancient city on the banks of the Volga is so named due to its location — it is here that the river makes a bend resembling an angle. According to the second version, the word uglich came from coal, which was traded here in the old days. The city is notorious as the site of the assassination of Tsarevich Dmitry on May 15, 1591. Boris Godunov, who had designs on the throne, was suspected of his death.
To get acquainted with this story and generally get into the spirit of the Russian Middle Ages, we suggest starting a walk around the city from the Uglich Kremlin.
Pay attention to the local Kremlin
Once the Kremlin was surrounded by fortress walls on the natural elevation of the Volga River bank. Now you can only see the remains of the former splendor, but other architectural monuments and examples of Russian architecture have been preserved on the territory.
Well, the most famous location is the place of death of Ivan the Terrible’s son, where the church of Dimitri Tsarevich on blood was built in the XVII century. The iconostasis, paintings of the XVIII century and the bell that announced the tragic death have been preserved here.
Visit ancient monasteries and churches
- The Alekseevsky Monastery was built on the site of a pagan sanctuary in 1371. Believers strive for the “Wondrous” Church of the Assumption of the Most HolyThe Virgin of the XVII century, and line up in front of the icon of the Virgin “Goalkeeper of Uglich”.
- The Epiphany Monastery was founded at the end of the 14th century. Today it is a calm and quiet place for walking and thinking about life. There are several churches on the territory.
- The Smolensk Church is especially good — the former Epiphany Cathedral, built under the leadership of Konstantin Ton (the creator of the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow).
It is best to join the tour:
Ride a wooden bicycle
There is simply plenty of space in Uglich for fans of original museums, and one of them is the private museum of unusual bicycles “Samokat”. Here you can learn the history of the bicycle and see a rich collection: from antique forged to modern high-speed two-wheeled horses. You can immediately try out the exhibits you like in action.
Rate prison art
Unexpectedly, there is a museum of prison art “Forbidden Zone” in Uglich, which presents exhibits made by local prisoners. A spiritual guide works here, who interestingly tells about the history of various subjects and the unexpected nuances of prison life. In addition to handicrafts (which, by the way, can be bought), the museum also has such an exposition: a camera with wax figures serving sentences.
Learn the history of vodka
Add a little mysticism to the journey
Another worthy private museum — “Myths and Superstitions of the Russian people” — is located in a wooden house. Dim lights, favorite characters from fairy tales and a guide who masterfully tells stories, myths and horror stories. It’s terribly interesting!
Take part in baking gingerbread
One of the most soulful places in the city is the workshop of the printed gingerbread. Here you can not only taste delicious gingerbread cookies, but also take part in a master class on their manufacture. The studio is located in an old house of the XIX century, everything is very cozy and homely inside.
Learn the basics of hydropower
Take a boat ride along the Volga
It’s cool to wander through the historical streets on foot, but it’s even better to admire them from a boat. As a rule, such boat trips take 30 minutes, include an excursion and the opportunity to enjoy your native Volga.
Try Uglich cheese and sausage
Uglich is famous for its cheeses: they have been produced here using traditional technology since 1939. You can buy a head of cheese directly in the supermarket: look for the following varieties on the shelves: Uglichsky, Etelsky, uleima, Poshekhonsky, Romanier. If you want something more interesting, then go to the cheese tasting at the Garage culinary studio.
Natives of Uglich are often called sausage makers, because back in the XIX century they studied this business from German craftsmen. The most famous product is the Uglitskaya sausage made of beef and lamb with spices, you’ll lick your fingers!
Where to eat
In Uglich, we recommend giving preference to traditional Russian cuisine. We recommend trying it in the restaurant “Gosti” (panoramic view, stylish interior and children’s playground), “Avenue” (the local pike cutlet is simply delicious!) and the Zolotorusskoye cafe.
What to bring
- Ceramics. There is a large selection of ethnic-style products in Uglich, so a new plate or decoration will be an original gift.
- Linen. You can find clothes of excellent quality.
- Watches — wrist, wall-mounted, in the form of rings and pendants. Previously, the famous Chaika factory worked in Uglich, which was famous for its chronometers throughout the country. Today, the Uglich Watch Factory has been opened in the city, continuing the Soviet traditions.
- Cheese and sausage.
Here it is, Uglich, diverse, cozy, delicious and paradoxical. Come by more often!
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