Pereslavl-Zalessky, Ancient town in Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia
Pereslavl-Zalessky is a town in the south of Yaroslavl Oblast with several historic monasteries and a small kremlin by Lake Pleshcheyevo. The narrow streets in the center still follow the medieval layout with earthen ramparts that once protected the settlement.
The foundation took place in the 12th century as a new power center in the northeast and later became the birthplace of Alexander Nevsky. After incorporation into the Muscovite state the settlement lost its political role but remained an important religious site.
The name means town beyond the forest and refers to its location in the sparsely populated northeast of medieval Russia. Today you can still see old monasteries and churches with traditional onion domes that draw pilgrims and visitors throughout the year.
The town lies around 140 kilometers northeast of Moscow and works well as a day trip or stopover on the way along the Golden Ring route. In winter it can get very cold so pack warm clothing.
A small museum of irons displays hundreds of old models from across Europe and Russia in a wooden house near the center. By the lakeshore you can still see part of the historic fleet that recalls the early naval history of the country.
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