14 most picturesque small towns in Russia

Russia is a huge country, spanning 11 time zones on the way from Europe and the Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad to the farthest eastern part of Asia, this vast continent of the country encompasses republics, autonomous states, federal subjects and regions with different cultures, languages and ethnic groups.

This country has come a long way from a small principality located in Moscow, first conquering the Caucasian khanates and then Siberia. Small towns and villages in Russia are characterized by fortresses, churches and monasteries, some of which are made of wood, and all of them are definitely Russian.

There are many candidates for the most picturesque small towns in Russia, tucked away in the hills, located on endless grassy plains and alongside rivers. Below are those that undoubtedly correspond to this list.

14. Sviyazhsk

Sviyazhsk, a charming miniature and picturesque island town, is located at the historic intersection of the Volga and Silk routes; it was a strategic area for Ivan the Terrible, who founded the city in 1551. The fortress was built gradually in pieces, which were rafted down the Volga and Sviyaga rivers, in just 4 weeks. Some of the best examples of Eastern Orthodox frescoes in Russia can be called the pride of the Assumption Cathedral.

13. Uglich

Uglich presumably dates back to 937, although it was first mentioned in 1148. As symbolic for some of the most famous Russian settlements in history, the Kremlin ("castle" or "citadel") is a landmark of Uglich. It was here in 1591 that the 8-year-old son of Ivan the Terrible was found with his throat cut, the cause of his death was an accident. The bells, announcing the sad news, were sent to Tobolsk. The remaining buildings include many churches, one of which is the magnificent White Church of the Assumption, built in 1628.

12. Kirillov

A tourist attraction since Soviet times, the city of Kirillov is very famous for the huge Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, founded in 1397. The city grew up around the monastery itself, which over time encompassed 12 churches and the exquisite Assumption Cathedral, surrounded by three-story fortress walls. An attractive lakeside town surrounded by natural surroundings, not to mention the largest and most important monastery, has been named the North of Russia.

11. Shlisselburg

The city fortress, named Oreshek, was originally built of wood in 1323, destroyed by the Swedish king Magnus IV and rebuilt in 1352 as the mighty impressive stone fortress that is known today in Shlisselburg. The city itself, whose name in German means "key fortress", is located on the banks of the Neva River opposite Oreshka, was founded in 1702 by Peter the Great. The city center is a stunning old town with few 18th century churches.

10. Rostov

The city known as Rostov the Great distinguishes itself from the city of Rostov in the south as a landmark, which is a lovely fortress outside of Moscow. Part of the famous Golden Ring is a heritage and history trail that runs roughly northeast of Moscow. Cities like this are often referred to as open-air museums. Accordingly, Rostov was first mentioned in 862. The Spaso-Yakovlevsky monastery inside the fortress looks especially incredible when viewed from Lake Nero, on the banks of which the city stands.

9. Sortavala

Not far from the border with Finland, Sortavala was founded by the Swedes in 1632 and was part of Finland until World War II. It is the closest city to the stunning Valaam, an island archipelago dotted with historic monasteries in the northern part of Lake Ladoga. Aside from the trivial appeal of these 50 islands, which can be easily reached by ferry, the city is a great place for Karelian culture, which includes delicious food (try the gate cakes) that is always an integral part of the journey.

8. Ostashkov

Ostashkov is considered one of the best provincial cities in Russia, its streets are laid out in accordance with the neoclassical planning of the 18th century by the architect Ivan Starov. Local attractions include a range of churches that range from the Zhitny monastery in the mid-18th century to the beautiful Ascension Church built in 1689 overlooking Lake Seliger. Its buildings and lakeside location make Ostashkov an attractive destination. On the nearby Stolb Island is the famous Nikolovsky Monastery of the 16th century, one of the largest and above all the most important in Russia.

7. Izborsk

This village, located near the Estonian border, is definitely old - in fact, the name Old Izborsk speaks for itself, since it was founded in 862 AD. The ruined stone fortress in the city is the main attraction of this sleepy settlement and includes the 14th century St. Nicholas Church. In Izborsk, in combination with several museums, a historical stop is interesting. To get a glimpse into the rural life of this charming village, it is worth walking the path from the fortress that leads to the tranquil place, Gorodishchenskoye Lake.

6. Svetlogorsk

In 1258, this coastal city, founded by the Sambians, one of the original Prussian tribes, existed earlier in Germany and is known under its German name Rauschen. This city and the entire Kaliningrad region, however, fell into Soviet hands after World War II, but Svetlogorsk was relatively untouched by the war and thus has the charm of Prussian culture. When King Frederick Wilhelm IV of Prussia visited the city in 1840, he ordered the city's seaside promenade to be reconstructed: filled with beautiful old German houses and located in a forested area, Svetlogorsk remains a peaceful, attractive resort.

5. Plyos

The serenity of Plyos was noted by the "mood landscape" artist Isaac Levitan, who often depicted this city in his works. Founded in the 12th century, it was destroyed by the looting of the Mongols in 1238 and then fortified as a border post in Moscow in 1410. The oldest part of the city is located on the Volga on Torgovaya Square, where you can see the walls of the old fort, the beautifully sparkling, recently renovated Church of the Resurrection and old market stalls. The city also has a stunning wooden church that was built in 1699 and of course you will find a museum dedicated to all of the works of Isaac Levitan.

4. Vyatskoe

This village, founded in 1502 three hundred kilometers from Moscow, is officially one of the most beautiful villages in Russia. Investments by businessman Oleg Zharov in 2007 helped to renovate most of the city's buildings. Colorful and unspoiled, tiny Vyatskoye boasts many museums and attractions along its historic streets. In fact, its nickname is “the village that wanted to be a city” due to the amount of things to admire here.

3. Esso

Lovely little Esso was founded by Evenk people who migrated from Sakha in the 19th century. Today it is one of the best places for independent travelers on the remote and wild Kamchatka Peninsula: hiking trails stretch into the surrounding Bystrinsky National Park, where you can ride horses and dog sleds.Hot springs abound as well - they are even used to heat homes. The city has a Bear Museum. This quiet town with wooden cottages, known as "Kamchatka Switzerland", is just as clean, well-groomed and cozy.

2. Kargopol

It was once one of the richest cities in Russia, especially in the middle of the 16th century. It is located on the old Onega trade route between Moscow and the capital of the Arkhangelsk region (the only port for Moscow at the time). Kargopol, first recorded in 1146, is a charmingly sleepy coastal town with apparently more churches than people and dozens of centuries-old unique stone carvings. It borders the Kenozero National Park, a biosphere reserve that can be visited from the city, and includes a historical and cultural complex of wooden churches, as well as stunning lakes and canals.

1. Suzdal

It is one of the oldest most important cities in the history of Russia, dating back to the 11th century. In the XII century, it became the capital of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, and Moscow - only a small dependent city. This now small town has many historical monuments, a couple of them - the medieval Suzdal Kremlin and its Cathedral of the Nativity. With its sparkling green fields and lazy river, Suzdal is a sparkling stone on the famous Golden Ring of Russia, reminiscent of a Russian fairy tale.