Uglitch (Углич) is a small town in Yaroslavl Province, at Central Russia, 240 km north of Moscow. Located on the picturesque bank of the Volga River, Uglitch is one of Russia's well-preserved historic riverside tourist destinations. The city is part of Golden ring from Russia.
Understand
History
Uglitch is one of the oldest cities in Russia. According to archaeologists, settlements already existed, in the place where the Uglitch Kremlin is now located, approximately since the beginning of the Christian era. It is estimated that the city was founded in 937 AD. However, Uglitch was officially mentioned in the chronicles for the first time in 1148 CE.
From 1218, Uglitch was capital of the principality of the same name, until the early 14th century, when the principality was sold to the Grand Duchy of Muscovy, part of Russia's trajectory from feudal fragmentation to unification.
During the reign of Ivan the Terrible, Uglitch helped the tsar invade Kazan: the villagers built a mobile wooden fortress, which was transported across the Volga River. This fortress also acted as the foundation of Sviyazhsk, a city near Kazan.
After the death of Ivan the Terrible in 1584, their infant son, Prince Dmitry, was transferred to Uglitch with his mother. Seven years later, on May 15, 1591, the most famous event in the history of the Uglich took place: Dmitry turned up dead. This created civil disorder in the city. After her suppression, 200 citizens were executed, and Dmitry's mother was forced to take nun vows. Without a successor tsar, Russia entered one of the darkest periods in its history, known as The Great Trouble (Веlikaя смута, "Time of Troubles"), which ended in 1613 with the rise of the Romanov Dynasty. As for Prince Dmitry, he was later canonized by the Russian Orthodox Church as a holy martyr.
During the great disturbance of the 17th century, Uglitch was ruined by the Poles, only to recover later, very slowly. It is said by historians that, prior to this devastation, at the height of its flowering, Uglitch had three cathedrals, 150 churches, 12 convents, and a population of 40,000 (compare today, less than 35,000).
Another city collapse came in the late 19th century. The absence of a rail link made Uglitch less interesting than neighboring towns, where stations were built, for business and development.
During the Soviet period, Uglitch had its industrial component. In 1939 the Uglich Dam was built, flooding many neighboring villages and in the central part of Kalyazin. A year later, the city finally received a train connection. During World War II, Uglitch was a refuge for children evacuated from the blockade of Leningrad.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Uglich underwent industrial decline. On the other hand, the city's tourist industry started to grow.
To arrive
Uglitch is far from main tourist centers and routes (and that makes it even more charming). The most suitable transit point to reach the city is Moscow, with its nearby airports; arrive via Saint Petersburg it is also possible.
By car
Going to Uglitch by car is a good option, especially if you are familiar with driving in Russia. Take the M8 road from Moscow, turn onto Sergiev Possad and continue with the P104 regional road. The driving distance from Moscow to Uglich is 240 km.
Another option (especially for those visiting other Golden Ring destinations) is to take the M8 road to Rostov, there turning left onto the P153 road. The longer distance is compensated with a beautiful view of the monastery in Borisoglebsky (18 km from Rostov).
Keep driving north from Uglich, and you will come to mishkin (30 km), Rybinsk (72 km), Cherepovets (255 km) and finally to St. Petersburg (800 km).
Expect the lack or absence of bilingual signaling, use a GPS if possible.
By bus
Bus service to Uglitch is relatively frequent and reliable. Most buses stop at the city's central bus station in the city center (ul. Berggolts, 15A). You can reach the city from the following points:
- Moscow (from the Bus Station, Schelkovskaya or VDNKh metro station, and Airport) - 2-3 times a day, on weekdays; up to 7 times a day on weekends. 5-5.5 hours, 550 RUR one way.
- Yaroslavl (from the bus station with a stop at Yaroslavl Glavny train station) - 1-2 times an hour; 2.5 - 3 h.
- mishkin - 10 times a day; 1 h.
- Rostov - 1 time a day (passing through Iaroslavl), 1.5 h.
- Rybinsk - 4-5 times a day; 1 hour 40 min.
- TV - 2 times a week (Fridays and Sundays).
By train
Uglitch train station is about 2 km from the city centre. The rail link from Uglitch is a minor and dead-end, so don't expect the usual Russian convenience of traveling by train: here they are slow and bumpy.
The city has overnight train connections with Moscow (9 hours) and St. Petersburg (16 hours). Your schedule depends on the season, check your options carefully in advance. A one-way ticket from Moscow costs 470 rubles (only class 3 is available).
Adventurous travelers can also use an option to travel from St. Petersburg via Bologoye - a station midway between St. Petersburg and Moscow. Trains from Bologoye run to Uglich 3 times a week, a tour takes 9 hours.
There is also a local train, going to Uglitch from Kalyazin (daily June to September, 2-3 times a week out of season).
Of boat
As a historic riverside town, Uglitch is included on the Volga cruise routes. In summer, the Uglitch pier is a very busy place, providing new tourists to the city. You can buy a cruise tour and join them, but don't expect any regular river transport services.
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The main attractions of the city are in its central part, within walking distance between them and the accommodation options.
Look
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museums
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- , ul. Spasskaya, 33 (downtown, near the dam), ☎ 7 (48532) 2-40-66. Opened in 2006, this is one of Russia's most exciting technical museums. It has 11 rooms on 3 floors full of interactive exhibition dedicated to the dam, hydraulic engineering, electricity, hydropower, and its history in Russia. The museum also contains many items of machinery and equipment such as hydro generators, turbines, gateways etc definitely. Entry 100 RUR, English tour 250-350 RUR.
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Knife
Buy
- . Uglich was known in the Soviet Union as a watchmaking center. Millions wore watches from the local Chayka brand. Now, the producer has moved to the premium segment, specializing in silver and gold watches. You can find these souvenirs in local Uglich shops at very hefty prices. Prices from 9500 to 50000 RUR.
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With the
drink and go out
- (алере), 8 Uspenskaya Square (Volgskaya Riviera hotel lobby). 12AM - 12PM.
sleep
Uglich offers a good range of places to stay. If you are going to visit the city on a summer weekend, book your accommodation in advance. English speaking staff may only be available at more expensive hotels (Moskva, Volgskaya Riviera).
Economic
- (ler), Selivanovsky pereulok, 9, ☎ 7 (48532) 5-73-83; 7 (910) 968-11-11, email: [email protected]. Mini-hotel with 12 rooms. Single from 1200 RUR, double from 1500 RUR.
- (Успенская), Uspenskaya Square, 3, ☎ 7 (48532) 5-18-70; 7 (903) 638-34-24, fax: 7 (48532) 2-39-01, email: [email protected]. Good location (next to Kremlin entrance) and price. Single from 900 RUR, double from 1300 RUR.
Medium
- (айка), Zavodskoy proezd, 1A, ☎ 7 (48532) 5-18-18, fax: 7 (48532) 5-18-14. a little off center
- (Москва), ul. Ostrovsky, 7, ☎ 7 (48532) 4-14-15. Check in: 2PM, Check-out: 12AM. Managed by the Hotel Intourist Group, this is one of the best places to stay in Uglich. Excellent location (on the banks of the Volga river, in the center of the city), 2-3 special suites, a restaurant with a terrace and a swimming pool. Bike rental also available. Single from 2250 RUR, double from 2500 RUR. Winter discounts.
waste
- (Волжская Ривьера), 8 Uspenskaya Square, ☎ 7 (48532) 9-19-00; 7 (495) 764-77-40. This 4-star hotel is the most comfortable and expensive in Uglich. It is classically designed and ideally located, high up on the Volga bank, in close proximity to the Kremlin. There are 80 rooms (from standard to suite), a restaurant, a lobby bar and a fitness center with swimming pool. Single from 2600 RUR, double from 3120 RUR.
Leave
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