
ROSTOV VELIKY
Formerly the capital of a mighty Rostov kingdom, today, Rostov is a sleepy town on the banks of the serene lake Nero, and only the add-on 'Veliky' ('the Great') reminds of its one-time glory. The picturesque kremlin with dozens of onion domes of all shapes and sizes made Rostov a perfect historical setting for many famous Soviet films. Outside the holiday season and summer months when the town fills up with Russian tourist groups, and lazy Moscovites in search of a weekend getaway, Rostov stays empty and eerily quiet. Despite its rich historical heritage, Rostov is way less developed than other ancient Russian cities on the famous Golden Ring route. After many centuries, Rostov Kremlin is still the centre of the town life. The main Christmas tree is installed here, and also the ice slide and the ice skating rink where local kids while away their time. In summer, it becomes the arena for many of the festivals and fairs that take place in Rostov. It is also a home to a dozen of museums and churches, restaurants, and even a hotel.
Distance from Moscow: 215km Founded in 862 Population: 30 824 UTC+3
EVENTS IN ROSTOV VELIKY
7-13 March - Shrove Tuesday, or Maslenitsa (Масленица) Celebrations
11 May - Ukha (Russian fish soup) Gastronomy Festival
27-29 May - 'Olden Time Live' ("Живая Старина") Music and Crafts Festival
Mid-July - Hot Air Baloon Festival
10-13, 17-19 July - Rostov Finift (Russian enamel) Festival
14 Aug - Saviour of the Honey Feast Day at the Rostov Kremlin
August - Sarafan Roundelay ("Сарафанный Хоровод") Folklore Festival on Ishnya River
21-23 Aug - Rostov Festival of Medieval Culture
22-23 Aug - Rostov Chess Festival
Last weekend in August - Rostov City Day & Rostov Annual Fair
5 Sep - 'Onion Fair' Gastronomy Festival
10 Nov - St. Dimitry of Rostov Day & Worship Service
TO GET AROUND
Rostov Veliky is a small town, you can easily explore it on foot. The railway and the bus stations are located 15min walk from the Rostov Kremlin, and the museums.
TO GET THERE
The fastest and easiest way to get to Rostov from Moscow is by train. Express trains to Yaroslavl run from Yaroslavsky Railway Station in Moscow 3 times a day, and call at Rostov Veliky. The journey takes around 2h30min.
Tickets can be purchased online on the official RZD website, or at Yaroslavsky station. Most of these express trains have 3 classes: a compartment coach with 2 beds, and a bathroom with toilet and shower in each compartment, 1st class carriages with more comfortable seats, and 2nd class with less comprtable, but still quite ok (and reclining!) seats. Some tickets include meal in price, although you can always buy food and drinks in the restaurant carriage or from the food cart. Paid WiFi is available in all coaches. You'll find a complimentary bag with earplugs and a sleep mask on your set.
Moscow-Rostov Veliky:
train 102Я: 7.35am-10.11am
train 104Я: 2.34pm-5.21pm
train 106Я: 7.05pm-9.41pm
Rostov Veliky-Moscow:
train 101Я: 7.41am-10.21am
train 103Я: 2.34pm-5.13pm
train 105Я: 8.15pm-10.53pm