During our tour from St. Petersburg to Moscow we travelled on to the River Sheksna, arriving at Goritsy in the afternoon. We had time to visit the Nunnery of the Resurrection on the banks of the river, and then a bus ride to the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery and its museum containing numerous icons; tools, instruments and a curious weighing machine. Photographs of 19th century life adorn the walls.
Our visit to Irma was early in the morning ready for a conducted walk along a path by the river to visit a dacha. The wealthier Russians built these dwellings for their visits to the country. Here they had the space to grow vegetables and fruit, which would be impossible in the cities. No dwelling was complete without a samovar. Several are a sign of prosperity. Our tour guide introduced our hostess who served us with tea from her samovar with plates of bleoni cucumber, blackcurrant jam, blueberries and generous helpings of vodka.
The return to the boat gave us an opportunity to visit some stalls by the roadside. Out of the city the prices were reasonable for the hand painted and carved lacquer boxes, dolls, birch wood trays and many utensils for the kitchen. A barbecue of pork, salad and white wine had been organised on the quay alongside the ship. Late arrivals sat on tree trunks. Our Russian singer and accompanists again entertained us from a dais on the quay.
Yaroslavl at the junction of the rivers Volga and Kotorosl was named after Yaroslavl the Wise who ruled over the area from 988 to 1010. Wooden palings dating back to the ninth century have been found. The prosperity of the region reached its peak in the 16th to 17th century. Merchants from England, Germany and Holland bought cloth, leather goods and silverware. The wealth was used to commission the building of many of the churches. The Cathedral of the Configuration contains some of the finest 16th century frescoes. It was worth climbing up the Bell Tower for a view over the woods and the River Volga. In the evening we were again entertained to a concert of Russian music. A seven-piece band of five balalaikas, accordion and percussion gave a lively rendering.
A diversion down a branch of the River Volga brought us to Kostroma. It was founded in 1152 by Yuri Dolgoruky when he colonised the river valley. Sacked by the tartars in the 13th century, largely destroyed by fire in 1733 it was then rebuilt under Catharine the Great. It was industrialised by Stalin in the 1920s and 30s.
Derrick Grover has travelled extensively. In addition to his various published articles. He is also an experienced photographer and supplies high quality images to support his writing.
More information on The Russian river cruise at http://www.travoto.com/russia.htm
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