Uglich



Uglich (Russian: Углич, OOGH-leech) is a small town in Yaroslavl Oblast of Russia, 240 km north of Moscow. Located at the picturesque bank of the Volga River, Uglich is one of Russia's few historical and well-preserved riverine tourist destinations. The town is often included into the Golden Ring of Russia.

The local population of 32,000 (2018) doubles during the summer when this lovely town hosts weekenders from Moscow and other cities, as well as organized tourist groups brought by buses and ships. Thanks to this popularity, Uglich is changing rapidly from a Russia's usual backwater provincial place into an attractive point with all necessary infrastructure and the potential for further development.

History
Uglich is one of the oldest cities of Russia. According to archeologists, a settlement at the place of the modern kremlin of Uglich existed roughly since the beginning of Christian era. But it is estimated, that the town was founded in 937 AD. However, Uglich was firstly mentioned in chronicles in 1148 AD.

Since 1218 Uglich had been the capital of the small Uglich Princedom until in the beginning of 14th century when the princedom was sold to Muscovia as a part of Russia unification from the feudal fragmentation.



During the period of Ivan The Terrible ruling, Uglich helped this tsar to invade Kazan: the locals built a moveable wooden fortress, which was floated down the Volga river. This fortress also acted as the foundation of Sviyazhsk town near Kazan.

After Ivan The Terrible's death in 1584 his baby son, the crown prince Dmitry was relocated to Uglich with his mother. Seven years after, on May 15, 1591, the most famous event in Uglich's history happened: young Dmitry was killed. This led to a civil disorder in the city. After its suppression 200 citizens were executed to death, and Dmitry's mother was forced to take the vows. Left without a tsar's successor, Russia entered one of the darkest periods of its history, known as The Great Disturbance (Великая смута), which finished in 1613 with Romanov Dynasty accession. As for Prince Dmitry, later he was canonized by Russian Orthodox Church as a saint martyr.

During The Great Disturbance of 17th century Uglich was ruined by Poles, recovering very slowly after that. It is said by historians that before this devastation, being at the top of its flourishing, Uglich had 3 cathedrals, 150 churches, 12 monasteries, and the population of 40,000 (compare to 32,000 in 2018).

Another breakdown of the town emerged by the end of 19th century. The absence of railroad connection made Uglich less interesting for business and development, than neighboring cities, where stations were built.

During the Soviet period Uglich got its industrial component. In 1939 Uglich Dam was built, flooding many neighboring villages and the central part of Kalyazin. A year after the town finally got the railroad connection. During the WWII Uglich was a base for children evacuation from blockade Leningrad.

After the Soviet Union collapse Uglich passed through an industrial decline. In the other hand, the tourist industry of the town started to grow.

Get in
Uglich is located outside of major travel hubs and routes (and this makes this town more charming). The most suitable transit point for reaching the town is Moscow, having also the proximate airports; travel from Saint Petersburg is also possible.

By car
Going to Uglich by car is the most convenient travelling option, particularly if you are familiar with driving in Russia. Take the M8 highway from Moscow, turn to Sergiev Posad and continue with the regional P104 road. The total driving distance from Moscow to Uglich is 240 km.

Another option (especially for those who are visiting other Golden Ring destinations) is to take the M8 highway to Rostov Veliky, turning there left to the P153 road. Longer distance is compensated with a great monastery view at Borisoglebsky (18 km from Rostov Veliky).

Continue driving to the north from Uglich will bring you to Myshkin (30 km), Rybinsk (72 km), Cherepovets (255 km) and, finally, to Saint Petersburg (800 km).

Expect the lack or absence of bilingual signage everywhere and use satellite navigation if possible.

By bus
Bus service to Uglich is relatively frequent and reliable. Most buses stop at the town's central bus station in the downtown (ul. Berggolts, 15A). You can reach the town from the following points:


 * Moscow (from the Central Bus Station at Schelkovskaya metro station, from Aeroport and VDNKh metro stations) - 2-3 times daily in business days, up to 7 times daily in weekends. 5 - 5½ hours.
 * Yaroslavl (from the Bus Station with a stop at Yaroslavl Glavny train station) - 1-2 times per hour, 2½ - 3 hours.
 * Myshkin - 10 times per day, 1 hour.
 * Rostov Veliky - 1 time per day (early morning, with transfer to Yaroslavl), 1½ hours.
 * Rybinsk - 4-5 times per day, 1 hr 40 min.
 * Tver - 2 times per week (Fridays and Sundays).

By train


Uglich train station is located approximately 2 km away from the town center. The rail link to Uglich is a minor and deadlocked one, so do not expect Russia's usual relative conveniency of travelling by trains: here they are slow and irregular.

The town has overnight train connections with Moscow (9 hours) and Saint Petersburg (16 hours). Their schedule depends on season, so check the options carefully in advance. (Only 3rd class is available.)

Adventurous travellers can also use an option of travelling from Saint Petersburg through Bologoye - the midpoint station between Saint Petersburg and Moscow. Trains from Bologoye proceed to Uglich 3 times a week, a ride takes 9 hours.

There is also a local commuter train going to Uglich from Kalyazin (daily June–September, 2-3 times a week off-season).

By boat
As a riverine historical town, Uglich is included into the Volga cruise routes. In the summer the pier of Uglich is quite a busy place supplying the town with new and new portions of tourists. You can buy a cruise tour and join them, but do not expect any regular ship connections to use.

Get around
The major attractions of the town are in its central part, within walking distances between them and accommodation facilities.

Museums




Festivals
Each year Uglich hosts a number of festivals, some of them attract international participants:



Eat
Most restaurants in Uglich expectably offer Russian cuisine. In Saturdays (especially in summer) finding a place to eat can be an issue, as many of them are booked by wedding parties.

Sleep
Uglich offers a good variety of places to stay. If you are going to visit the town in a summer weekend, book your accommodation in advance. English-speaking staff can be available in more expensive hotels only (Moskva, Volgskaya Riviera).

Go next

 * Kalyazin - a town which suffered from Uglich Dam building and is known with a flooded belfry sticking out from the Volga waters.
 * Myshkin - the next old small town down the Volga, 30 km away from Uglich.