Also called Rostov the Great, this ancient Russian city attracts tourists from all over the world. Its charms are in old buildings and fairy-tale views. The town proud of its architecture and historical background lets you feel you are discovering it for yourself, that you are the first one to explore this pearl of the Golden Ring.

The Rostov city is located on the shore of Lake Nero, 53 km away from Yaroslavl, and 202 km away from Moscow, on line М8 “Kholmogory" Moscow — Arkhangelsk. The city has railway and bus terminals operating.

Rostov, one of the oldest cities of Russia, is often called Rostov Veliky (Rostov the Great) to distinguish it from Rostov-on-Don. As a matter of fact, Rostov has never had the name of Great. This legend was started up by romantic regional ethnographers in the 19th century. So far there have not been found any official or private documents, at least of the 18th century, not to mention the 12th century, which would register this name.

Rostov is famous as the main centre for enamel manufacture. It is made by both independent artisans and at the factory «Rostov Enamel».

Rostov is a pearl of the Golden Ring uniting the oldest cities of Russia. The city’s considerable cultural potential has made it one of the largest centres for tourism and pilgrimage. Rostov it is included in the special cooperation program between the Council of Europe and Russia for preservation of historical and cultural heritage.

The remarkable history of Rostov determined its richness in history and culture monuments. One of the major monuments is the landscape of the lake hollow and the adjoining area, which attracted people here throughout millennia and thus abounds with archeology monuments.

Architectural monuments of Rostov, in particular the former Archiereus House of the 17th century, have become classics of not only Russian, but of world art as well. Of great cultural value is the city’s stone and wooden housing of the 18th-20th centuries.

National cultural heritage is the famous Rostov Bell Ringing — a unique set of music pieces of the 17th – 18th centuries, inseparable from the remarkable music instrument — the well-known Rostov Belfry. Each of its 13 bells, from the biggest one, weighing 2 thousand poods (or 32 tons), to the smallest one, has its own special sounding.