HISTORY OF ROSTOV THE GREAT

Rostov the Great is an ancient town, first mentioned in "The Chronicle of Past Times" in 862 a.d.

Rostov did not aspire to political authority, always conducted a trade policy, and collected cultural wealth on huge spaces of Northeast Russia. In Rostov the first Episcopal faculty, the first Uspenski cathedral (991) was based. Rostov was the constant participant of all political events connected to activity of Grand dukes, Tsar Ivan Grozny, Romanov House.

Rostov repeatedly was exposed to invasions, destructions and fires. Last destruction has fallen at the beginning of 17th century when the city practically has been destroyed.

Since 17th century in Rostov began intensive construction of the temples, monasteries, public and residential buildings which are kept up to now. The most significant from them are:

ENSEMBLES

• Rostov Kremlin;

• Spaso - Yakovlevsky monastery;

• Avraamievsky monastery;

• Varnizky monastery - native land of Sergey Radonegskogo;

• Christmas monastery;

• Wooden church of St.John Bogoslova.

Spaso - Yakovlevsky monastery

There are 323 monuments of architecture nowadays in Rostov among which about 100 have federal value, and the ensemble of Rostov Kremlin has world value.

Marking a significant amount of historical, cultural monuments on the territory of Yaroslavl region (more than 3600), including more than 2700 monuments of architecture, it is necessary to underline that the potential of Rostov and the Rostov area in a historical and cultural heritage of area makes 17 %. 117 rural settlements of the area (from 879 of the region) are historical (13 %). And our district (from 17 areas of the region) is one of the richest in Russia by quantity of historical and cultural monuments.

In turn, the historical center of Rostov has 12 % of 43 % of historical and cultural potential, it has rather favorable micro relief and has kept a unique historical complex of fortifications of XVII century and territory of an esplanade. Also it has a convenient (historically developed) configuration and an output on water area of lake Nero (about 1200 meters of quay).

Across Rostov there is a set of proceedings, nevertheless it is impossible to tell, that its heritage and the richest history is full investigated. One of such objects which demanding special attention, is the cultural layer of the town, ÕI-XIII the centuries, which can be compared only with Novgorod.

Important element of culture of Rostov the Great were crafts. The main of them are: the well-known enamel - the Rostov enamel and black - polished ceramics.

The museum of church antiquities was opened on the territory of Rostov Kremlin in 1883 by the public of the town, is also the heritage of Rostov reflecting a life and spiritual predilections of its inhabitants.

During the times presence of powerful cultural potential and affinity to capital, involved a plenty of pilgrims to Rostov. Among them there were members of Romanov family, the well-known art workers of Russia (N.Rerih, F.Shaljapin, K.Korovin and many others).

Having visited the State museum (Rostov Kremlin - especially valuable monument of Russian people) is possible to know a lot about culture and history of Rostov.

Rostov the Great is one of few towns of Russia, kept as complete town-planning formation with its picturesque architectural and natural landscape. It has served as the reason of that the town was included in a number of Federal programs: " Revival and development of small cities of Russia ", " the Golden Ring of Russia ", in the target program " Development and preservation of culture and art of the Russian Federation ", " Preservation and development of architecture of historical cities ". Since 1997 together with the Council of Europe the project of development of the program of complex revival of small historical town - " the Strategic plan of development of Rostov the Great" is conducted.

Rostov the Great is the applicant for inclusion in the List of the World Heritage of UNESCO, and in 1999 (New York) has come in the program of 100 monuments requiring for rescue, carried out by "Fund of world monuments ". Rostov is included in the project of the Council of Europe " the European territories of crafts - the Rostov enamel-Limoges enamel (France) ".

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