Volga River Cruise
Between Moscow and St. Petersburg
Part 1
Part 1
Our cruise was between Moscow and St. Petersburg
with visits to villages along the way,
including a stop on the Svir River, Europe's largest fresh water lake.
The Volga is the longest river in Europe.
The river flows through central Russia and into the Caspian Sea
and is widely regarded as the national river of Russia.
The river flows through central Russia and into the Caspian Sea
and is widely regarded as the national river of Russia.
Around 200 tributaries join the Volga along its route.
Eleven major cities of Russia, including Moscow,
are based along the drainage basin of the Volga River.
are based along the drainage basin of the Volga River.
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Day 5, August 13 - Uglitch
The famous Golden Ring is an archipelago of important and historic towns surrounding Moscow. Of these, Uglitch is one of the country’s oldest.
Scenic village seen along the Volga River
Ladies singing to greet us.
Sam and Christy gave them a tip in appreciation.
Church of Prince Demitry the Martyr
erected on the site where Dmitri, son of Ivan the Terrible,
was murdered in 1591 by the one who wanted to be the tsar.
Church was built in 1692.
Church was built in 1692.
son of Ivan the Terrible.
the main temple in Uglitch.
Built in the 18th century.
Church of the Transfiguration
As with all Orthodox churches in Russia,
it was converted during the Soviet Era;
it was converted during the Soviet Era;
it was used as a storage facility.
The local population hid most of the Icons
The local population hid most of the Icons
and returned them when the church reopened.
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Day 6: August 14 - Yaroslavl
Yaroslav, a city on the Upper Volga, was founded in 1010 and is one of the oldest cities in central Russia. The international textile trade built its wealth here in the 1600s. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; and the 18th-century architecture is considered the finest in Russia, which was made possible by Catherine the Great's urban planning reforms. .
Yaroslavl
Bordered by the Kotorosl and Volga rivers.
Transfiguration Monastery
Oldest cathedral in the monastery complex,
which was built in 1516.
The three domes are not onion shaped to look like candles,
and we were told that is because there is not so much snow in this area.
Monument to Oath of Dmitry Pozharsky
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Church of Elijah the Prophet
According to legend, the first church in Yaroslavl was
dedicated to St. Elijah as it was on this saint's feast day
that Yaroslavl the Wise killed the bear and conquered the area.
This is a favorite tourist attraction in Yaroslavl.
It was built in 1647 - 1650
and is one of the most complete and best preserved
monuments in Yaraslavl.
over the entrance
Church of Elijah the Prophet.
Church of Elijah the Prophet
This is still an active church, and people stand (not sitting)
for one to four hours during the service.
There is no heating inside, so
the church closes in the winter.
There are three smaller churches attached to it.
Church of Elijah the Prophet.
The most important one is of Elijah the Prophet.
These frescos have never been restored;
washed twice a year to remove the dust.
washed twice a year to remove the dust.
Many in early times were illiterate,
and the frescos served as a Bible to them.
and the frescos served as a Bible to them.
Church of Elijah the Prophet
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The domes are not made of real gold,
but cheaper titanium, which lasts longer.
There has been a church on this site for over 500 years,
but the first one was made of wood and burned down.
The second one was destroyed in Stalin's time.
A rich businessman restored the present cathedral,
which was completed in 2010.
This is still a working church.
It has some icons, but no bell tower
as the bells are on display at the front of the church.
Cathedral of the Assumption
Cathedral of the Assmption
to Russian soldiers who served during World War II.
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Volga Promenade
Sam and Narene
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Yaroslavl Market
Selling fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, and fish.
The next three photos were taken in this market.
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Yaroslavl Art Museum
In the museum you step back in time
greeted to the Governor's House by young women docents
dressed in floor-length gowns.
The furnishings and art in the museum are nice.
dressed in floor-length gowns.
The furnishings and art in the museum are nice.
Chamber music by piano, cello, and violin.
After their performance, several from our tour group
were picked to dance as partners with the performers.
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Our final stop in Yaroslavl was to visit a tent where painted lacquer boxes were shown to appreciate seeing the variety and to buy if desired.
Photo: Painted lacquer boxes
We had purchased one when we lived in Moscow,
but I enjoyed seeing the variety on display,
which our Fun For Less guide verified as being of excellent quality.
but I enjoyed seeing the variety on display,
which our Fun For Less guide verified as being of excellent quality.
I did find jewelry decorated with the Firebird from a Russian fairy tale.
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by this pair of swans created with towels.
Our next blog entry will find us in Goritsy as we continue our Volga River Cruise.
