Золотое кольцо России
The Golden Ring of Russia
Russia's most famous tourist route: eight ancient towns north-east of Moscow with kremlins, monasteries, and golden-domed churches — from the open-air museum of Suzdal to Volga-side Yaroslavl and the great monastery at Sergiev Posad.
You will practice: Passive and participial constructions (был придуман, расположенный, включен), the relative pronoun который across cases (которые, которого), and к + dative for direction (к северо-востоку от Москвы).
Words to know
Skim these before you read — they carry the story. Tap the star to add one to your saved words.
- кольцоring
- знаменитыйfamous, renowned
- маршрутroute
- древнийancient
- памятникmonument
- кремльkremlin, citadel
- монастырьmonastery
- церковьchurch
- куполdome, cupola
- придуматьto devise, to think up
- неповторимыйunique, inimitable
- зданиеbuilding
- векcentury
- наследиеheritage
- духовныйspiritual
- сувенирsouvenir
- матрёшкаmatryoshka (nesting doll)
Did you get it?
5 quick questions — no grades, just a comprehension check.
1. Where are the Golden Ring towns located?
2. Who devised the route, and when?
3. What is special about Suzdal?
4. What is Sergiev Posad famous for?
5. What can travellers buy as souvenirs?
Too hard? Pick an easier text in the Russian reading library. Understanding most of a text without translations is the goal — struggling through is not.