Ryazan

Ryazan city

Panorama of the Kremlin Hill from the embankment of the Trubezh River

Ryazan is an ancient city and regional center located in Central Russia and one of the thirty largest cities in the country. Ryazan stands on the right bank of the Oka River and is 190 km away from Moscow. A lot of Russian and foreign tourists come to this city who want to get acquainted with one of the oldest Russian territories, as well as learn more about folk traditions and original crafts - Skopin ceramics, Mikhailov lace, Kadom veniz and vine products that are made in the Shilovsky district of the Ryazan region .

History of the city of Ryazan

According to the results of archaeological excavations, it was found that the first settlements on the site of the ancient city appeared in the Mesolithic era. The Slavs mastered these lands in the 6th-7th centuries. It is known that local residents actively traded with Byzantium, as well as with peoples living in the East and Western Europe.

To protect the overgrown settlements and protect the trading port, a fortified city was needed, so in the 11th century, among the dense forests, the first fortress appeared - Pereyaslavl-Ryazansky. The houses of the new city were close to each other, and its streets were covered with wooden pavements. From the lakes located on the hill, the inhabitants took water during the siege, they hunted in the surrounding forests, and fished on the Oka and its tributaries. Gradually, Pereyaslavl-Ryazansky became one of the most fortified outposts on the watershed of the Oka and Volga.

Monument to Lenin in Ryazan

In those days, the main city of the principality was Ryazan, located 65 km from Pereyaslavl-Ryazansky. In the winter of 1237, the Mongol troops raided Russia and destroyed the princely capital. They burned the ancient city to the ground, so they did not rebuild it. At first, the bishop's chair was transferred to Pereyaslavl-Ryazansky, and from the middle of the 14th century it became the capital of the Ryazan principality.

Post street

During the Patriotic War of 1812, people from the territories occupied by the French were evacuated to Ryazan. Local residents willingly went to the people's militia, and the Ryazan province received about 32 thousand wounded.

During the Great Patriotic War, Ryazan was subjected to massive raids by fascist aircraft. More than 300 bombs were dropped on the city and many buildings were bombed. The offensive of the German troops was stopped just 30 km from Ryazan, near the village of Zakharovo.

In the postwar years, the city turned into a major industrial and cultural center. Several giant factories, large scientific centers and universities were built here. In addition, Ryazan has become the main training center for the country's Airborne Forces.

Ryazan Kremlin

In the 11th century, the fortifications of Pereyaslavl-Ryazansky occupied about 2 hectares and were located on the most elevated part of the right bank of the Oka. When spring floods set in and the rivers Oka, Trubezh and Lybid overflowed, the Kremlin hill turned into an impregnable island.

For a long time the Kremlin in Ryazan was made of wood. Construction of stone began to be carried out here only from the 16th century. Since 1918, the territory of the Kremlin has received the status of a museum, and the old buildings have been restored. During the Great Patriotic War, air defense units were stationed in the Ryazan Kremlin. The architectural complex was lucky - it was practically not damaged by the bombing.

Monument to Evpaty Kolovrat in Ryazan

In the postwar years, the restoration continued. The main difficulties were caused by the strengthening of the foundations of the ancient Assumption Cathedral and the Cathedral bell tower. To carry out complex engineering work, it was necessary to invite specialists from metro construction from Moscow.

Nowadays, the Ryazan Kremlin plays the role of an architectural dominant of the old part of the city. The Assumption Cathedral and the Cathedral Bell Tower rise high, and they can be seen from afar - not only from Ryazan itself, but even from the surrounding villages. The Kremlin Hill is surrounded by the valleys of the Lybed and Trubezh rivers, and on one side it is limited by a man-made moat.

Previously, four gates led to the territory of the Ryazan Kremlin, and 12 towers were located on its walls. Today, along the perimeter of the ancient fortifications, only old earthen ramparts have been preserved. There are several Orthodox churches in the Kremlin. Some of them stand alone, while others are placed inside civil buildings.

Chapel in honor of the 900th anniversary of Ryazan

The central part of the historical and architectural complex is occupied by the five-domed Assumption Cathedral, which today serves as the cathedral church of the Ryazan Metropolis. The walls of the ancient cathedral are decorated with lacy white stone carvings, and inside it is the tallest iconostasis in Russia.

Cathedral of the Nativity of Ryazan

The oldest building in the Kremlin is the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, built at the beginning of the 15th century. This temple was reconstructed many times, and it acquired its modern look by the end of the 19th century. In the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, you can see the tombs of the princes and princesses who ruled in Ryazan. Monuments of the 17th century on the territory of the Ryazan Kremlin are the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Savior, the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Church of the Epiphany, the Ilyinsky Cathedral, the Church of the Savior on Yar and the Archbishop's House Church.

Church of the Savior on Yar

Today, the Kremlin has six permanent exhibitions. It hosts many exhibitions, animation programs, holidays and festivals. Oleg's palace, the singing and consistory buildings, the Cherni hotel (XVII century), as well as the site of archaeological excavations are available for tourists. In addition, on the territory of the Ryazan Kremlin, you can take a memorable photo in a folk costume.

The museum complex is open to visitors on all days except Mondays from 10.00 to 18.00. The ticket office closes 45 minutes early.

Museums of Ryazan

Ryazan is a city with a long history, so there are many interesting museums here. The main museum center is the territory of the Ryazan Kremlin. The art museum, which bears the name of the famous Russian engraver Ivan Petrovich Pozhalostin, is very popular with tourists. The museum collections are housed in an old building built at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries (Svobody Street, 57). Its halls exhibit rich collections of paintings, graphics, sculptures and applied works made by domestic and Western European artists. The museum is open on any day except Monday, from 11.00 to 19.00.

In the very center of Ryazan there is a small cozy mansion surrounded by an orchard. The estate of academician Ivan Petrovich Pavlov is located on the street named after the famous physiologist (Pavlova street, 25). Here, the furnishings of the Pavlovsk house, the personal belongings of the scientist, his books and manuscripts are exactly preserved. The museum-estate welcomes guests from Tuesday to Friday from 9.00 to 18.00, and on Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00.

There is a museum of travelers in the city, which tells about the expeditions and sports trips of the inhabitants of Ryazan (Lenin St., 35). The visiting card of this museum was the exhibition “Russian America: From Ryazan to Yukon”. The Museum of Travelers is open from Monday to Thursday from 9.00 to 18.00, and on Friday from 9.00 to 17.00. It does not work on Saturdays and Sundays.

Three museums dedicated to military subjects have been created in the regional center. A museum of the history of the Airborne Forces has been opened on Margelov Square, 1, a museum of long-range aviation (Belyakov St.) operates at the Dyagilevo airbase, and a museum of military vehicles is hosted on Military Motorists Street, 12.

Not so long ago, a gingerbread gallery was created in Ryazan and exhibited gingerbread and gingerbread products of various shapes and sizes. The new museum features miniature gingerbread houses, a white-glazed gingerbread village, and gingerbread in the form of animal and flower figurines. Here, not only consider delicious culinary masterpieces, but also taste them. Gallery of gingerbread is located on the street. Freedom, 4, and is open daily from 10.00 to 19.00.

What to see in the vicinity of Ryazan

Excursions to one of the largest ancient Russian cities of the XII-XIII centuries - Old Ryazan are popular from the regional center. The former capital of the Ryazan Principality today has the status of an archaeological reserve and a historical landscape monument. No buildings or streets have been preserved on its territory. The hill fort occupies 60 hectares of a mowed field, and earthen ramparts overgrown with grass rise around it. Below, by the river, stands the small village of Staraya Ryazan, where the old church is located.

From Ryazan it is not difficult to go to Glebovo-Gorodishche - the place where the famous battle on the Vozha River took place, in which the troops of Dmitry Donskoy and Khan Begich took part (1378). The remains of the Slavic settlement are located in a picturesque area and measure 112 m by 85 m. Traces of archaeological excavations are visible on the field, and the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin rises.

Every year in August, a lot of people come to Glebovo-Gorodishche. During the days of the military-historical festival, fencing tournaments, competitions of archers, wrestlers, as well as a re-enactment of a battle on the river are held here. Vozhe. For guests, master classes are held on the technique of swordsmanship, archery and the basics of blacksmithing.

Church of the Assumption of the Virgin in Glebovo-Gorodishche

Not far from Ryazan, in the village of Konstantinovo, on the high right bank of the Oka, there is a museum-reserve of S. A. Yesenin. This place has long become a cult for domestic and foreign tourists. People go to the homeland of the famous Russian poet by cars, buses and cruise tourist ships.

Yesenin Museum in the village of Konstantinovo

In the village, the house where Yesenin grew up, the old church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God, the house of the local priest Father John and the building of the zemstvo elementary school have been preserved. Tourists can visit the literary museum of the poet and the museum exposition dedicated to Yesenin's poem "Anna Snegina". The museum of "one poem" occupies a house with a mezzanine, which was owned by a local landowner L. I. Kashina.

Transport

It is convenient to travel around Ryazan by buses, trolleybuses and fixed-route taxis. Passengers pay for their journey in cash and with the help of electronic tickets. In the warm season, river buses run from the Kremlin pier, which serve river excursion routes. In addition, tourists who come to Ryazan can always use taxi services or rent bicycles.

The fare in the city is fixed, and tariff zones are established on Solotchinsk and suburban directions. When planning a trip around Ryazan by public transport, you should keep in mind that this is a large city, and the problem of traffic jams is quite acute in it.

Ryazan from a bird's eye view

Souvenirs

The Ryazan land is famous for its original crafts, so travelers are happy to purchase products of local craftsmen as souvenirs. In the regional center you can buy beautiful Skopin ceramics. These are dishes and toys made in the small town of Skopin, which is located 100 km from Ryazan. Skopinsky ceramics are distinguished by complex molding and expressive forms. Potters from Skopin know how to make figured vessels and glazed crafts in the form of fabulous lions, dragons, fish, centaurs and Ospreys.

In the ancient Ryazan city of Mikhailov, lace-making is developed. Local craftswomen know the secrets of making complex colored lace and use an original geometric ornament with ancient symbols of the sun and water. The works of Mikhailov's lacemakers can be bought in Ryazan, however, they are not cheap.

Souvenirs from Ryazan

In the regional center they also sell products of embroiderers from the city of Kadom - the famous "Kadom veniz". This craft developed thanks to Peter I. The Russian emperor ordered that embroiderers from Venice be brought to the Kadom Monastery, and they taught local nuns fine needlework. Today, souvenir shops in Ryazan sell Kadom tablecloths, towels, napkins, collars and other souvenirs.

In the Shilovsky district of the Ryazan region, they have long mastered the technique of wicker weaving. Vine crafts are very popular among tourists, as they are very beautiful and practical. Wicker furniture and kitchen utensils are sold in almost all souvenir shops of the regional center.

Souvenirs associated with Sergei Yesenin are in great demand among travelers coming to Ryazan. Ryazan is the birthplace of the poet, so collections of his poems, Yesenin's portraits and photo albums of natural attractions are brought from here.

How to get there

Ryazan is located 190 km southeast of Moscow. You can drive to the city along Novoryazanskoye highway in 2.5-3 hours.

Ryazan is also reached by rail. Electric trains and express trains of superior comfort "Sergey Yesenin" go here from the capital. Three express trains depart daily from the Kazansky railway station of the capital, and they reach Ryazan in 2 hours and 45 minutes.

Long-distance trains pass through the city. Two Ryazan railway stations stand in the center of the city. Through "Ryazan-1" (st. Vokzalnaya, 26A) trains run to Saransk, Penza, the cities of Central Asia and the Southern Urals. And through "Ryazan-2" (Dimitrova street, 1) trains go to Samara and to the southern regions of Russia.

Many Ryazan residents and guests of the city come to Ryazan by regular buses. Comfortable buses depart every half an hour from the Moscow metro station Kotelniki and Kazansky railway station. They reach Ryazan in 3 hours.

Ryazan from above

Since the Oka River flows through the city, it is not difficult to sail here by river transport. Routes of popular tourist cruises "Moscow Around the World", "Moscow - Konstantinovo" and "Moscow - Kasimov - Ryazan" are laid through Ryazan.

Cuisine and restaurants of Ryazan

In such a large city as Ryazan, there simply cannot be a real abundance of cafes and restaurants. And all of them offer local residents and guests a wide range of dishes. There are cafes that specialize only in European, Russian or Japanese cuisine, there are those that offer their visitors a completely eclectic (but so appetizing!) menu, and there are a lot of those where an extremely original design of the halls is added to delicious food.