Pereslavl-Zalessky is one of the most interesting cities of the Golden Ring , and on our website you will find quite a lot of materials about this city. But until today, unfortunately, there was no article on it that would tell in detail about the sights of Pereslavl with photos and descriptions, and would also provide a map on which they would all be marked - this would greatly facilitate the process of developing a route around the city. We decided to correct this misunderstanding and, within the framework of one post, combine all the sights of the city so that readers would not have the question “What to see in Pereslavl-Zalessky?” But first, just a few words about organizational issues: how to get there and where to stay.
Sights of Pereslavl-Zalessky on the map
Pereslavl-Zalessky is one of the oldest and most picturesque cities included in the Golden Ring of Russia and more than once played a significant role in the history of Ancient Russia, the Principality of Moscow and the Russian Empire at the time of its formation and the struggle for dominance on the shores of the Black and Baltic Seas.
Founded in 1152 by Yuri Dolgoruky, Pereslavl-Zalessky already in the early times of its history was striking in scale - the length of the city defensive rampart exceeded 2.5 km. It was the third largest city of the Old Russian state , second only to Kiev and Smolensk! And in the period from 1267 to 1294 it performed the functions of the capital of North-Eastern Rus', which significantly increased the influence of the city on the cultural life of the region. In 1280, it was here that a council of the leading hierarchs of North-Eastern Rus', Metropolitan Kirill III and Grand Duke Dmitry of Pereyaslavl, met.
The rise of Moscow and the process of beginning to gather Russian lands around it began with the annexation of Pereslavl-Zalessky to the Moscow Principality . According to the will of the last appanage prince of the Pereyaslavl land, Ivan Dmitrievich, all his possessions went to Moscow. The neighbors categorically disagreed with this - especially the Tver princes - who suffered their first defeat in the war for the right to become the capital of the future Russia precisely under the walls of Pereslavl-Zalessky.
Despite the lack of access to the sea, Pereslavl-Zalessky played a vital role in the formation and development of the Russian navy . On Lake Pleshcheyevo, on the shores of which the city is located, the amusing flotilla of Peter I was laid down, which served as the prototype of the future Navy, which entered and still holds its place among the three most formidable naval forces in the world.
Pereslavl-Zalessky is a real religious pearl of the Golden Ring of Russia. There are several ancient Orthodox monasteries , unique churches preserved from the times of Ancient Russia, as well as authentic objects of the pagan cult of the Slavic tribes that once inhabited the coast of Lake Pleshcheyevo.
Sights of Pereslavl-Zalessky with photos, descriptions and addresses
We always knew that there was something to see in Pereslavl, but only while writing this article did we realize how many such places there are. We have been here probably ten times already, but even we still have museums that are worth a look, especially since new ones open almost every year. Before we move on to the museums and monasteries of the city, I would like to say a few words about the main attraction of Pereslavl - Lake Pleshcheyevo National Park.
Lake Pleshcheyevo, Blue Stone and Alexandrova Mountain
It is impossible not to notice the large beautiful lake in Pereslavl; it attracts tourists; the city seems to stretch along its southern shore. It is believed that it was formed more than 30 thousand years ago as a result of glacier retreat and is almost the oldest lake in the European part of Russia. In the lake you can swim, fish, kite ride and just enjoy the wonderful views. For those for whom this is not enough, you can visit the Blue Stone and make a wish or climb Alexander Mountain. We wrote a separate article , which is particularly popular, so we will not repeat it.
Address: Pereslavl-Zalessky city, and you won’t be able to pass by there Opening hours: 24 hours a day
Ticket price: free
Arboretum named after Kharitonov
The Kharitonov Arboretum is not the most popular attraction of Pereslavl-Zalessky; it is not a museum. But it would be wrong to remain silent about it, especially since the Pereslavl arboretum is already more than 50 years old. A quiet and peaceful place with few people, but a lot of mosquitoes. You can not only enjoy nature and rare plants, but also ride a bike. Detailed article about Kharitonov's garden in Pereslavl .
Address: Zhuravleva street, building 1 Opening hours: Monday - Tuesday from 08:00 to 17:00, and on other days from 10:00 to 20:00
Ticket price: 100 rubles
Museums of Pereslavl-Zalessky
There are many museums in Pereslavl, even a lot, and museums for every taste and color, from the original ones, dedicated to the iron and teapot, to quite classic local history ones.
Museum-Reserve Pereslavl-Zalessky
The State Historical, Architectural and Art Museum is one of the largest museums in the city. In addition to the central part, located in the former Goritsky monastery, it has a number of branches, each of which is a separate unique museum that deserves a separate article. The Goritsky Monastery was abolished in 1788 and was empty for a long time, but in the early 1900s the Pereslavl Local History Museum appeared here and it is located here today. The main exhibition of the museum is located on the territory of the monastery, and we talked about it in detail in one of our previous publications .
Address: Museum Lane, building 4 Opening hours: from 9.00 to 17.00 (October-April), from 10.00 to 18.00 (May-September), closed on Mondays. In winter, the Assumption Cathedral and the bell tower are closed for inspection.
Ticket price: 300 rubles for a single ticket for all exhibitions
Botik Museum of Peter I
One of the branches of the museum-reserve is the Botik Museum of Peter the Great. It was built on the very spot where the first Russian emperor once built his amusing flotilla. One of the boats has survived to this day and is the central exhibit of the entire museum. We also have a separate article with photos and a detailed description of the museum.
Address: Veskovo village Opening hours: May - September 10.00 - 18.00, October - May - 10.00-17.00, ticket office closes half an hour before
Ticket price: 135 rubles for a single ticket (White Palace, Botny House, Rotunda) + photography
Ganshin Estate
20 km from Pereslavl there is another branch of the Pereslavl Museum-Reserve - the Ganshin estate. The museum's exposition tells about the life of the simplest Russian village at the end of the 19th century, but this is not the most interesting thing. The fact is that in 1894, the merchant Alexei Ganshin received from the leader of the world proletariat V.I. Lenin’s manuscript of the book “What are “friends of the people” and how do they fight against the Social Democrats?”, it was in the merchant’s estate that the first two parts of the famous work were illegally printed. Unfortunately, at the beginning of the 20th century, the estate burned down, and with it 30 more houses in the village, and what few tourists can see now is a reconstruction, but a very good one.
© PereslavlFoto, Poznamka / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Address: Gorki village Opening hours: 09:00 17:00, closed Tuesday
Ticket price: 30 rubles + photography
Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral of the 12th century
The Transfiguration Cathedral is located in the very center of the city - on Red Square. This is a unique architectural monument and one of the oldest churches in Russia. It was founded during the time of Yuri Dolgorukov, i.e. in the 12th century. Unfortunately, the temple is currently undergoing restoration and it will be possible to enter it only in 2021; you can only admire it from the outside. have already told the detailed history of the Transfiguration Cathedral in Pereslavl Zalessky . By the way, there are several other interesting churches and ramparts nearby.
Address: Red Square Opening hours: under restoration
Teapot Museum
A small private museum with a unique collection of teapots, which includes more than two hundred pieces. There are copper, brass, and generally unknown alloys, as well as all kinds of jars, barrels, sugar bowls, stands and other devices for storing, brewing and consuming tea, both internally and for compresses. You should definitely take a tour to the Teapot Museum - the amazing interactive program will appeal to both children and adults, and the unusual design of the museum will lift your spirits.
Address: village Veskovo st. Peter the Great, 17 (on the way to Petra Botik) Opening hours: in summer from 10:00-18:00 without lunch and weekends, in winter only on weekends
Ticket price: weekdays - 100 rubles, weekends - 120 rubles
Iron Museum
The Iron Museum is the older brother of the Teapot Museum; they even have something similar in appearance. Such a joyful building and a huge collection dedicated solely to irons. The museum's collection includes more than 130 irons from all over the world. If you come to the museum on the “right day”, when Iron Day is celebrated, you can experience irons in action. In general, a fun time is guaranteed for all visitors.
Address: st. Sovetskaya, 11 Opening hours: any time of the year 10:00-18:00
Ticket price: weekdays - 100 rubles, weekends - 120 rubles
Steam Locomotive Museum
Since we are talking about thematic museums of Pereslavl-Zalessky, it is impossible not to mention the steam locomotive museum. To be fair, it is worth saying that it is located outside the city and getting to it by public transport is not very easy, but the museum is worth it. Shown here are also steam locomotives designed for narrow-gauge railways.
The most amazing thing is that half of the exhibits are still on the move and, with a strong desire and money, any visitor can ride them. A bonus to the steam locomotives is a small exhibition of cars. This, of course, is not the Vadim Zadorozhny museum , but there is something to see. We have more detailed information about the museum and instructions on how to get to it in a separate article dedicated to the steam locomotive museum in Pereslavl-Zalessky.
Address: Talitsa village Opening hours: 10:00-18:00, except Monday and Tuesday
Ticket price: 150 rubles
Museum of Russian Vases
Continuing our study of the thematic museums of Pereslavl-Zalessky, let's take a look at the Museum of Russian Vases. Here you can see a large collection of vases, decanters, jugs and other vessels in which you can place flowers. Here I really want to write that the vases presented in the museum are from all over the world, but this is not so. The museum is dedicated specifically to the Russian vase, which means all the exhibits here are of domestic production. Most of them date back to the time of Tsarist Russia, and some even date back to the 17th century.
Address: st. Kardovskogo, 31 Opening hours: May-August: 11:00-17:00, September-April: on weekends and holidays 11:00-16:00, on weekdays on request
Ticket price: free
Radio Museum
The Radio Museum in Pereslavl-Zalessky is one of the youngest in the city, and we had the opportunity to visit it just a few days after its opening and meet its owner. The museum contains a unique collection of tube radios from all over the world, both foreign and domestic. There are also the first televisions, cameras and video cameras, and a large collection of vinyl records. You should definitely go to the museum with a tour, then you will learn many interesting facts from the life of individual exhibits, and of course the full history of radios. We wrote in detail about this museum in a separate article .
Address: st. Podgornaya, 40 Opening hours: 10.00-18.00, except Monday
Ticket price: 150 rubles
Alexander Nevsky Museum
If you are tired of thematic museums, then you can look into a historical one for a change. Directly opposite the Goritsky Monastery there is a small museum dedicated to Alexander Nevsky, who was born and raised in these places. Alexander Nevsky is perhaps the most famous resident of Pereslavl-Zalessky, so it is not surprising that he was given a separate museum, which displays icons with his image, his orders and medals, and also tells in detail the life story of the Grand Duke.
Address: Museum lane. 9 Opening hours: 10:00-17:00, except Monday
Ticket price: 100 rubles
Fairytale Museum
And again let's return to thematic museums. This time we invite you to visit the fairy tale, or rather to the museum to which it is dedicated. This is exactly the museum in Pereslavl-Zalessky where you can and should come with children, but adults won’t be bored here either. In June 2015, the fairy tale museum expanded and another small exhibition dedicated to Slavic mythology appeared on its territory. In general, the museum feels very much like the Uglich Museum of Myths and Superstitions , but even if you have already been to Uglich, it’s also worth a look here, everything here is somehow more fabulous.
