Established on banks of the river Trubezh by the grandson of Prince Yaroslav Mudry, Ryazan was mentioned in historical records as early as 1095. Initially called Pereyaslavl-Ryazansky, the city, located 200 km southeast of Moscow, served as a frontier outpost for the Murom-Ryazan principality and successfully protected Russian territories from numerous nomadic attacks over the years. But trouble came in 1237 when, after desperate fighting, the horde led by Khan Batyi wiped out the city, leaving not a single stone standing. The place where old Ryazan stood is located 50 km to the south of the present city, and archeologists are still discovering interesting artifacts there.

Over the next 300 years, Ryazan was several times destroyed and burned down by internecine wars and Tatar invasions. Finally, when things had calmed down by the mid-17th century, the city lost its importance as a frontier outpost. By the 19th century, Ryazan had become a typical central Russian provincial town; however, in the 20th century it developed into a major center of industry and culture.

Ryazan’s streets have been trod by many famous people, including biologist Ivan Pavlov, poet Yakov Polonsky, writer Saltykov-Shchedrin, singer Alexander Pirogov, founder of aeronautics Konstantin Tsiolkovsky and biologist Ivan Michyurin. Notably, dissident writer Alexander Solzhenitsyn spent a number of years in Ryazan. In the city’s older section, the 18th-19th century marketplace, the old mansions formerly owned by merchants and, of course, the Kremlin are all worth a visit.

Ryazan’s Kremlin is perched on the bank of the Trubezh River and surrounded by parks and gardens. In May, the area around the Kremlin is permanently filled with the sounds of nightingales. Fragments of the earthen bulwark built in the 11th century line the Kremlin, although its tallest edifice, the bell tower, was erected in the 19th century. Beside the bell tower is the monumental Assumption Cathedral, built from 1693-99 by Moscow architect Yakov Bukhvostov. To the north is the 14th-century Nativity Church, while adjacent to the surrounding wall stands the miniature Archangel Church, built from the 15th-17th centuries.

Other architectural highlights of the Kremlin include the 17th-century Archbishop’s Chambers, which feature an unusual Polish-Ukrainian style, and the Dukhovskaya Church, also from the 17th century, with its southern Russian design. The beautiful three-domed 17th-century Epiphany Church, the 18th-century Transfiguration Church, a hotel for pilgrims (18th century) and a VIP guest house (19th century) all also stand on the Kremlin grounds.

Two notable sights for visitors are located near Ryazan: Konstantinovo and the Ioanno-Bogoslov Monastery. For poetry-lovers, a must-see is the village of Konstantinovo, where Russia’s celebrated poet Sergei Yesenin was born. The village is located 43 km north of Ryazan and is accessible by bus. For tourists, the village has a small hotel and a cafe.
Yesenin spent his early years in Konstantinovo and wrote some of his famous poems there. The house where the poet’s family lived currently houses the Sergei Yesenin State Memorial Museum.

For church fans, 40 km north of the city is the famous Ioanno-Bogoslov Monastery, one of Russia’s major ecclesiastical centers. To get there, take a bus from the city’s central bus terminal to the village of Poshchyupovo. If you just want to stay in Ryazan, spring is the perfect time. The landscapes of Ryazan and its environs are exceptionally beautiful. The high banks of the Oka River and the boundless forests are a favorite for locals and tourists alike. A convenient place to stay in Ryazan is the Pervomaiskaya Hotel, which is located close to the railway station at 56 Pervomaisky Prospekt. The other three central hotels — Zvezda, Moskva and Priokskaya — are located not far from the Ryazan Kremlin. All of them have restaurants and cafes.

If you go

By elektrichka or bus:

To get to Ryazan, you can take an elektrichka from the Kazan Railway Station or a regular bus from the Central Bus Terminus located near the Shchyolkovskaya metro station.

By car:

Alternatively, you can go by car from Moscow on Ryazanskoye Shosse, marked M5 on road maps.