Rostov Veliky (, , ) is a town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, one of the oldest in the country and a tourist center of the Golden Ring. It is located on the shores of Lake Nero, northeast of Moscow. Population:

The name of the town was officially changed from Rostov to Rostov Veliky on 8 January 2025. The name of the town railway station is Rostov Yaroslavsky, due to its location in Yaroslavl Oblast.

Name

The name Rostov is associated with the given name Rostislav. The town was historically known as Rostov Veliky ('Rostov the Great'). It was given the title in the 12th century as it was the center of a principality. However, by the 17th century, it became known simply as Rostov as its importance had declined. Its status as a religious center was diminished as the see was transferred to Yaroslavl in 1788. or . The Scythians also settled there. These different ethnic groups, such as the Vikings, Scyths, Slavs and Finns, were likely the ancestors of many of today's people in that region. The town was first mentioned in sources under the year 862 as an already important settlement; by the end of the 10th century, Rostov became the center of the Principality of Rostov ruled by Yaroslav the Wise, later becoming the nucleus of Rostov-Suzdal, a prominent Russian principality. It was finally incorporated into the Grand Principality of Moscow in 1474. In 1788, the see was transferred to Yaroslavl and Rostov lost its religious authority.

Administrative and municipal status

thumb|The [[Rostov Kremlin during spring]]

Within the framework of administrative divisions, Rostov serves as the administrative center of Rostovsky District, even though it is not a part of it. As an administrative division, it is incorporated separately as the town of oblast significance of Rostov—an administrative unit with the status equal to that of the districts.

Main sights

thumb|right|Definitive stamp of Russia showing Rostov Kremlin.

The architecture of the city shows many examples of early Russian Orthodox architecture. The central town square of Rostov is occupied by the Assumption Cathedral. It is unknown when the present building was erected, the mid-16th century being the most likely date. Lower parts of the cathedral walls are dated to the 12th century. The ponderous bell tower was constructed mostly in the 17th century. Its bells are among the largest and most famous in Russia - each has its own name. The largest bell, cast in 1688, weighs . It is named Sysoy to honor the city's founding father. The church is home to the incorrupt body of Saint .

An area situated between the cathedral square and the lake was chosen by Iona Sysoevich as a place for his fairy-tale residence. All the construction works were carried out between 1667 and 1694. Major buildings include the ornate Savior Church-na-Senyakh (1675), the sombre Church of St. Gregory (1670), and the barbican churches of St. John the Apostle (1683) and of the Resurrection of Christ (1670). The residence, often erroneously called kremlin, also includes eleven ornate tower bells, numerous palaces, several small belfries, and the diminutive baroque Church of Our Lady of Smolensk (1693). All the churches are elaborately painted and decorated.

The cathedral and four tall kremlin churches with their silver "blind" domes were imitated throughout the city. This is particularly evident in the Savior-on-the-Market church and the cathedral church of the Nativity convent, both dating from the 17th century and situated near the kremlin walls. The oldest church within the town center was consecrated to St. Isidore the Blessed in 1565. According to legend, Ivan the Terrible had the architect executed, because his church was so much smaller than its predecessor.

The kremlin is flanked by two monasteries, both facing the Lake Nero. To the right from the kremlin stands the Abraham Monastery, founded in the 11th century and one of the oldest in Russia. Its cathedral, commissioned by Ivan the Terrible in 1553 to commemorate the conquest of Kazan, inspired numerous churches in the region, particularly in Yaroslavl.

Spaso-Yakovlevsky Monastery, situated to the left from the Kremlin on the town's outskirts, has been venerated as the shrine of St. Dmitry of Rostov. Most of the monastery structures were built in the late 18th and early 19th centuries in the fine neoclassical style. There are also two 17th-century churches: the Conception of St. Anna, and the Transfiguration of Our Savior. Unlike most other churches in the town, the monastery belongs to the Russian Orthodox Church and houses a theological seminary.

<gallery>

File:Успенский собор в Ростове Великом.jpg|Cathedral of the Dormition of the Theotokos

File:RostovKremlin 5911.JPG|The citadel of Rostov seen from Lake Nero

File:RostovKremlin.jpeg|Rostov Kremlin in summer (1911)

File:Rostov (Kremlin) (8).JPG|The courtyard in the kremlin

File:Озеро Неро на закате 2.jpg|Lake Nero

</gallery>

Surroundings

thumb|[[Ishnya Church (1687–1689)]]

The vicinity of Rostov is rich in old architecture. For example, an old wooden church (1687–1689) may be seen in Ishnya. One of the best preserved monasteries in Russia, named after the saints Boris and Gleb, is situated in Borisoglebsky, about west of the town. The monastery was favored by Ivan the Terrible, who personally supervised the construction of towered walls and bell-tower around an even more ancient cathedral. The only addition made to the monastery after Ivan's death is a barbican church, commissioned by the metropolitan Iona Sysoyevich.

Twin towns/sister cities

  • Jämsä, Finland
  • Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States

Films

  • Peter I () (1937), by Vladimir Petov
  • Ivan Vasilievich: Back to the Future (, Ivan Vasilievich Changes His Profession) (1973), by Leonid Gaidai

Notable people

  • Dmitry Borisovich (1253–1294), Russian nobleman
  • Konstantin of Rostov (1186–1218), the eldest son of Vsevolod the Big Nest and Maria Shvarnovna
  • Vasilko Konstantinovich (1209–1238), the first prince of Rostov
  • Demetrius of Rostov (1651–1709), archbishop
  • Olena Kryvytska (born 1987), Ukrainian fencer
  • Lev Naumov (1925–2005), Russian classical pianist, composer and educator
  • Yuri Alexandrovich Bilibin (1901–1952), geologist
  • Aleksandr Safoshkin (born 1976) Russian gymnast

References

Notes

Sources

Further reading

  • Website of Rostov Kremlin
  • Landmarks of Rostov ()
  • More landmarks of Rostov ()
  • The Monastery of Sts Boris and Gleb ()
  • Interior view of the Rostov Kremlin
  • Moonlight view of the Yakovlevsky Monastery from the Lake Nero
  • The orthodox newspaper of Rostov Veliky
  • Rostov the Great