The lake, which is almost never calm, has always been the place, where ancient people built their houses. The lake’s name is Plesheevo (Russian “plesk” means “splash”), and in 1152 Yuri Dolgorukiy ordered to found a new city on its shores and called it Pereslavl-Zalessky. New city was situated on trade crossroads 100 km far from the Russian capital.
In ancient Russian language city’s name means “adopting glory”, and the town in fact was rich and famous for being the birthplace of world-known prince Alexander Nevsky. Centuries have passed, and grateful citizens opened a monument to the eminent warlord on town’s Red Square. In 1302 Pereslavl-Zalessky becomes part of the Moscow County, and during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the tsar considers the town to be a strategic point of his plan of moving the capital from Moscow to Vologda. The Nikitsky convent, located near the road to Vologda is rebuilt in 1561-1564 and turns into an unassailable fortress.
In the beginning of XVII century Polish and Lithuanian interventionists invade Pereslavl, and only in 1609 troops of Skopin-Shuisky make the town free again. Together with Minin and Pozharsky Pereslavl citizens form an army and participate in returning Moscow its freedom.
Pereslavl’s life becomes enormously active with building the “amusement fleet”, which Peter the Great starts in 1688 on the Plesheevo Lake, thus laying a basis for the Russian Navy on the Baltic Sea. Carpenters, blacksmiths, lumber-men and carvers arrive to the town from all around Russia, thus having a great impact on handicrafts’ development.
Between 1688 and 1693 about one hundred ships are set on water in Pereslavl, including several frigates, 30-cannoned “Mars” and “Anna” among them. First Russian shipbuilders and military sailors are trained in this small town.
Pereslavl citizens still remember the history of building the “amusement fleet”, having opened a museum “Botik (Boat)”, demonstrating the only Peter’s boat “Fortune”, remained intact. All other boats were burnt down during a great fire in the 18th century. In 1803 the “Fortune” boat was placed in a special dock, now hosting exhibition of one of the first Russian provincial museums.
In the beginning of the 18th century Pereslavl-Zalessky is a district centre of Moscow County, and in the end of the same century it moves under the patronage of Vladimir County. Compared with other towns, including Vladimir, Pereslavl-Zalessky leaves them behind in size, population and number of buildings. The town is the most important settlement for trade and industry activities in Vladimir County. First Russian textile manufacturies are established in its areas. Pereslavl merchants provide money for building new churches as well. At the end of 19th century the town and its district have about 25 monasteries and 50 churches.
In 1903 Russian emperor Nikolay II visits the town and finds it to be a perfect place for the ceremony of 300 anniversary of the Romanov Dynasty (Russian tsar family), which is celebrated in 1913.