Istra
The main attraction of Istra is the New Jerusalem Monastery, founded in the 17th century by Patriarch Nikon: the reformer of the Russian church brought biblical names to the Moscow region.
During the construction of the New Jerusalem, the surrounding landscape changed greatly. The historical buildings of the complex have been restored since the 1970s and the work was completed in 2019. In addition, a museum complex was built near the walls of the monastery, which is the largest in the Moscow region. The exhibition includes paintings, graphics, church items and archaeological monuments.
From the Moscow Ring Road to Istra is only 50 km along the Novorizhskoe highway; If the roads are clear, you can get there in less than an hour.
Mojaysk
The name of Mozhaisk was first mentioned in the 13th century chronicles, and 200 years later it became the capital of a tributary principality. A Kremlin was built in the city, first of wood and then of stone. It has not survived to the present day, but the St. Nicholas Cathedral, located in the center of the castle, was built at the beginning of the 19th century by the architect Alexei Bakarev, a student of the famous Matvey Kazakov.
Not far from the city is the ancient Ferapontov monastery with well-preserved walls and temples. Next to the monastery is the house-museum of the artist Sergei Gerasimov, which is a wooden country house with a mezzanine, built at the beginning of the 20th century.
The route from Moscow to Mozhaisk along the Minsk Highway is just over 100 km. And if you go another 14 km west, you can find yourself at the site of the Battle of Borodino in 1812 and visit a museum dedicated to the battle.
Dmitrov
Dmitrov is only seven years younger than Moscow – it was founded in 1154 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. The city was named in honor of his son Vsevolod the Big Nest, who was named Dmitry at baptism. Like other border towns, Dmitrov has its own Kremlin – the walls have survived to this day. Also on its territory is the Assumption Cathedral, which is the main dominant feature of the city.
Historic public buildings and the city prison have also been preserved in the city; it is now a museum and exhibition complex dedicated to the 18th-century history of Dmitrov. The museum displays exhibits collected during ethnographic expeditions: ancient household items and decorative arts.
From Moscow to Dmitrov – 80 km. Sightseeing in the city can be combined with a visit to Moscow ski resorts located in the Dmitrovsky district.
Tarusa
The quiet city on the banks of the Oka is famous not only for its historical crafts (ceramics and embroidery), but also for its history, inextricably linked with the figures of Russian literature and art. In the 1900s, the Tsvetaev family came here every year for the summer. The house, bought by the grandfather of the poet Marina Tsvetaeva in 1899, has been preserved – since 1992 it has housed a museum.
Writer Konstantin Paustovsky spent the summer months in Tarusa; In 2012, the house’s museum was opened here, with restored furniture, manuscripts, photographs and personal belongings. Besides the unforgettable places, Tarusa also stands out for its very beautiful landscapes on the high bank of the Oka River and the large historical buildings of the district town.
On the other bank of the Oka is the estate of the artist Vasily Polenov, which is interesting not only for its heritage but also for its architecture.
You can get to Tarusa from Moscow via the M-2 highway – the city is 130 km from the capital. Along the way, you can look at Serpukhov, explore its historical center and climb the Cathedral Hill, the main observation deck from which a panoramic view opens. The local history and art museum is called “Little Tretyakov Gallery” because of the large number and high artistic level of Russian and Western European artists gathered here.
Rostov Veliky
The well-preserved and carefully restored ensemble of the Rostov Kremlin is well known to every Russian who turns on the TV for the New Year – it was he who played the role of the Moscow Kremlin from the time of Ivan the Terrible in the movie “Ivan Vasilyevich”. Changes His Profession.” In addition to visiting the classic attractions in the city, you can wander around the market square, explore the majestic cathedrals, and visit merchant and folk art museums, where painted spinning wheels, chests, and other household items are displayed.
Rostov is also famous for its enamel – enamel miniature art. There is a factory in the city that produces jewelry and souvenirs using this ancient technique.
It is just over 200 kilometers from Rostov along the Yaroslavskoye Highway; It is better to plan to visit this city with a few days’ reserve. Along the way you can look at Sergiev Posad and Pereslavl-Zalessky.
Moore
The homeland of the epic hero Ilya Muromets is older than Moscow – Murom was founded in 862 and is mentioned in the “Tale of Bygone Years” among the cities subordinate to Prince Rurik after the Varangians were summoned to Russia. The historical appearance of local attractions has been actively restored in recent years – churches and monasteries are being restored, parks and public gardens are being landscaped.
Also in Murom you can see the railway station built in 1912 and the water tower built in the second half of the 19th century, taste local kalachi and drive along the Oka River along the Muromsky Bridge, one of the most beautiful bridges in Russia. .
From Moscow to Murom – 330 km along the M-12 toll highway. It is not possible to visit as a one-day trip either, it is better to plan a trip of several days. On the way you can stop in Vladimir.
Tula
The well-known Tula gingerbread and samovars, the stone Kremlin, which you can walk around without a ticket or pass, as well as a modern fashion district and an interactive machine museum – all this can be seen in Tula. The city was founded in 1146 – a year older than Moscow.
Beginning in the early 18th century and during the reign of Peter I, Tula became an important center for arms production, which remains to this day. Today the Tula Arms Museum is located in a new building in the shape of a hero’s helmet and is one of the ten largest museums in Europe.
The machine tool museum is relatively new, it was opened on the territory of the Oktava factory, which specializes in the production of high-quality studio microphones. The exhibition is dedicated to the history of industrialization.
Not far from Tula is the Yasnaya Polyana estate, a museum reserve, where the writer Leo Tolstoy was born, lived and wrote many of his works, including War and Peace and Anna Karenina.
From Moscow to Tula – less than 200 km south along the M-2 highway. You can deviate from the route and look at the city of science Pushchino and admire the truly modernist architecture of the late Soviet period.