The Golden Ring of Russia could be defined as a group of small cities running through ancient Russian towns which have preserved their unique historical and cultural heritage. It is one of the most popular and visited routes in the Russian provinces.
These ancient towns, which had also played a significant role in the formation of the Russian Orthodox Church, preserved the memory of the most important and significant events in the Russian history.
The towns have been called "open air museums" and feature unique monuments of the Russian architecture of the 12th - 18th centuries, including kremlins, monasteries, cathedrals, and churches.
The Golden Ring has got its name because all of the towns build a symbolic circle in which each town is remarkable for its rich history and attractions, and together they constitute the treasury of the Russian culture, a visual encyclopedia of ancient architecture.