Yuryev-Polsky: the Center of the Golden Ring of Russia

The tiny town of Yuryev-Polsky is located in the heart of the tourist route of the Golden Ring of Russia. A visit here is a return to the past. The ancient temples and narrow streets of the historical center were designed and built at the beginning of the XII century. The main things to do in a tourist program in this town include getting acquainted with the life in the province, which seems to have lagged behind for half a century from our days; visiting the local stud farm where horses are bred; and admiring the views of the neighborhood from the bell tower of the Monastery of Archangel Michael.

Yuryev-Polsky appeared on the map of Russia in the middle of the 12th century, when Prince Yuri Dolgoruky decided to erect another strong fortress with high earthen ramparts, churches and a monastery a hundred kilometers from Moscow, in Opolye (meaning in the fields). Hence the name Yuryev-Polsky meaning «the town of Yuri in the fields». The convenient location of the town near the trade routes and its proximity to the capital allowed it to get rich, but gradually it lost its transit significance and economic influence. And by the beginning of the twentieth century it had become a provincial historical settlement.

Now there are just over 20 thousand people living in the town. All Yuryev-Polsky can be passed through at a leisurely pace in two hours. The town is engaged in the production of meat and milk, agriculture and horse breeding. The town has the stud farm, where the famous breed of Vladimir heavy haulers is bred.

Visitors are loved and appreciated here: in Yuryev-Polsky there is a small tourist infrastructure, which is, however, «equipped with great love». Local restaurants serve interesting dishes of the Russian rural cuisine: in particular, you should surely try buckwheat prepared in a merchant’s way — porridge simmered in pots with meat, vegetables and spices. It also is impossible to miss trying the many ruddy pies-pies with cabbage filling!

You will enjoy a visit to Yuryev-Polsky at any time of the year. In winter, the New Year is celebrated here on a large scale and then the Baptism of Christ is celebrated in January. People hilariously part with the winter in February burning a giant dummy of Maslenitsa (the Pancake week), and also organizing a pigs’ race! In late summer, in the middle of August — beginning of September, you can participate in the Town Day, be at the fruit and vegetable large-scale fair called «Dary Opolya» meaning «The Gifts of the Fields» or participate in the historical festival «Bogatyrskie Zabavy» (ancient Russian athlete contest), which is held at the Yuryev-Polsky Museum of History, Architecture and Art.

Get directions

You can get to Yuryev-Polsky from Moscow. Daily four buses depart from the bus station near the metro station Schelkovskaya to Yuryev-Polsky. The travel by bus (196 km) will take three hours.