Vologda was first mentioned in the chronicles in 1147. It is one of the oldest cities in Russia, it is situated on picuresque
banks of a quiet river of the same name.
The ancient town of Vologda served as gates to the north and was a big
commercial and trade center.
It also served as an outpost of Moscow in the struggle with foreign
invaders.
Russian tzar Ivan the Terrible liked that place and wanted to make it
his northern residence.
So in 1568 he started to build a Kremlin in Vologda and a big St. Sofia's
Cathedral.
Till the end of the 17th century Vologda had served as a
distant outpost of Russia in the north.
For centuries, Vologda has been famous for its lace making art.
There is a permanent exhibition of Vologda laces and also ancient icons
in the museum of Vologda Kremlin.
Major sights
1. Vologda Kremlin
The whole complex was created during several centuries starting from the 16th century.
At the command of Ivan the Terrible the first walls of the Kremlin were erected in Vologda.
He observed the construction by himself. The modern Kremlin of Vologda is a part of the old Kremlin built by Ivan the Terrible.
Peter the Great visited the Kremlin three times (1693, 1702 and 1724) and during his visits he met with Vologda's bishops.
At present the Kremlin is used by the local historical and architectural museum of Vologda.
2. St. Sofia's Cathedral
It was built in 1568-1570 at the command of Ivan the Terrible.
It was built in accordance with the Church of Assumption in Moscow.
The cathedral was decorated with frescoes by the group of painters from Yaroslavl.
Along the walls of the Cathedral there are tombs of the bishops.
Near the Cathedral there is a bell tower with belfry, where concerts of bell music are held.
The Cathedral and the Bell tower are open for visits only in summer.
3. Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery
Spaso-Prilutsky Monastery of St. Dimitry is one of
the biggest monasteries in the north of Russia.
It is situated in the northeastern part of the city on the left
bank of the Vologda River.
The monastery received its name from the main Spasskaya Church.
Transport:
By train: from Saint-Petersburg (Ladozhsky railway station) to Vologda (about 12 hours),
there are several trains from Moscow to Vologda (about 9 hours).
By car/bus: Vologda is accessible by road, the distance
from Moscow is about 460 km, from Saint-Petersburg is about 655 km, from Petrozavodsk is about 600 km, from Arkhangelsk is 797 km.
|
