Russia Central

Moscow is a major political, economic, cultural, and scientific centre of Russia and Eastern Europe, as well as the largest city entirely on the European continent. By broader definitions Moscow is among the world's largest cities. Moscow is considered the centre of Russian culture, having served as the home of Russian artists, scientists and sports figures and because of the presence of museums, academic and political institutions and theatres.

Suzdal is one of the oldest Russian towns. Nowadays Suzdal is the smallest of the Russian Golden Ring towns, but a major tourist attraction. Several of its monuments are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The only industry in the town is tourism. Suzdal avoided the industrialisation of the Soviet times and was able to preserve a great number of stunning examples of the Russian architecture of the 13th-19th century. There are 305 monuments and listed buildings in Suzdal, including 30 churches, 14 bell towers and 5 monasteries and convents. 79 of them are federally protected buildings and 167 are regionally protected.

Modern Vladimir is a part of the Golden Ring of the ancient Russian cities and a popular tourist destination. Its three chief monuments, White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, inscribed by UNESCO on the World Heritage List, are the following: The magnificent five-domed Assumption Cathedral, the warrior-like Cathedral of Saint Demetrius and the Golden Gate.

Yaroslavl is one of the eight cities of Russia's Golden Ring. Yaroslavl is situated on the north-eastern side of this 'ring' and is the largest city in its chain. Whilst the city is best known for its architectural merits, it also has a relatively large repertoire of cultural attractions. Despite the effects of the Russian Civil War and a number of air-raids during World War II, the city of Yaroslavl has managed to retain a great deal of its 17th, 18th and 19th century urban substance. This has helped make the city recognizable as a monument to the architectural development and style of the Russian Tsardom. The center of the city has around 140 individual protected architectural monuments.

The central square of Rostov is occupied by the Assumption Cathedral. It is unknown when the present building was erected, the mid-16th century being the most likely date. Lower parts of the cathedral walls are dated to the 12th century. The ponderous bell-tower was constructed mostly in the 17th century. Its bells are among the largest and most famous in Russia - each has its own name. The vicinity of Rostov is rich in old architecture. For example, an old wooden church (1687–1689) may be seen in Ishnya. One of the best preserved monasteries in Russia, named after the saints Boris and Gleb, is situated in Borisoglebsky, about 20 km west of the town.

Pereslavl-Zalessky is located in south of Yaroslavl Oblast, near a border with Moscow Oblast. There is Institute for Program Systems of the Russian Academy of Sciences in the town. The University of Pereslavl is also based in the town. The town is a part of the Golden Ring of Russia. Monuments of church architecture include six architecture complex convents and nine churches. The town has a bewildering array of 'museums' that cater to the tourist trade in the summer, some are quite bizarre, the museum of Cunning and Wit for example. If you can think of it, they have a museum for it in Pereslavl.

Plyos is a town in Privolzhsky District of Ivanovo Oblast, Russia, located on the right bank of the Volga River. It was founded in 12th century. Some years later the Plyos fortress was founded. It was destroyed in 1238 by Mongols. A border post of the Grand Duchy of Moscow was founded in 1410 by Vasily I. It was granted town status in 1925.