'''Yuryev-Polsky''' (_______u_r-_Pó_|_____{_y_z) is an ancient town in the northern part of Vladimir Oblast. The town is included in the Golden Ring and preserves a unique white-stone monument, the 13th century Cathedral of St. George.
Understand
Geography
Yuryev-Polsky is located in the field region (''Vladimirskoe Opolye'') on the banks of the tiny river Koloksha, the left tributary of the Klyazma. The land near the town is almost flat. There are no natural fortifications, and the spot is quite unpractical from the medieval point of view. The choice of this location was motivated by the agricultural importance of the region and the huge trading activity during the Middle Ages: the roads from Vladimir, Suzdal, Pereslavl-Zalessky, and Rostov Veliky crossed here. Presently, the town lost its hub position. It stands on a minor railway line, far away from any big roads. Basically, Yuryev-Polsky is located in the geographical center of the Golden Ring, but the lack of transport connections prevents most travellers from visiting the town.
History
Yuryev-Polsky was founded in 1152 by prince Yury Dolgoruky. The name of the town is related to the founder (''Yuryev'') and to the location (''Polsky'' or ''Polskoy'', this means "standing in the field" and has nothing to do with Poland). The town was situated in the agricultural region of Vladimir Fields, at the crossing of several trading roads. This advantageous location led to the rapid development. In 1212, Yuryev-Polsky became the center of the small principality that appeared after the defragmentation of Vladimir-Suzdal state. The importance of the town was emphasized by the construction of the white-stone Cathedral of St. George. However, the decay started already in 1238 when the town was destroyed by Batu Khan. Yuryev-Polsky also suffered from further Mongol invasions in 1382 and 1408. The shift of the capital to Moscow changed the trading activity, and the location of Yuryev-Polsky became less advantageous. Since 14th century, Yuryev-Polsky was considered as a minor settlement on the outskirts of Moscow principality. The town was entrusted to foreign rulers subordinated to Moscow princes. Since 17th century, Yuryev-Polsky is a regular provincial town, standing away from any important roads. The only active road passed from Moscow to Suzdal, but it decayed after the construction of railways, and the town turned to its present, sleepy state. Yuryev-Polsky is recorded in the well-known russian film "Golden culf" (the version of 1968) after the satiric novel by Ilf and Petrov.
Orientation
Yuryev-Polsky has a pretty simple rectangular layout. The river flows from north to south and slightly disturbs the regular arrangement of streets and houses. The road from Vladimir comes from the east, the road to Alexandrov and Moscow goes to the south-west, and the road to Pereslavl-Zalessky leaves the town in the northern direction. The railroad passes along the southern boundary of the town. The historical center is quite compact and located on the left (eastern) bank of the river. The main square is named '''_R___r_u_____{_p__ ___|_____p_t__''' (''Soviet square''). The Trading rows and the monastery of Archangel Michael are found right on this square. The cathedral of St. George is hundred meters away, behind the monastery. The monastery and the cathedral lie within the well-preserved, picturesque ancient ramparts.
Get in
Transport connections to Yuryev-Polsky are rather inconvenient. If you do not have a car, the best starting points are Moscow, Vladimir, Alexandrov, and Ivanovo.
By plane
The nearest international airport is located in Moscow.
By train
Yuryev-Polsky stands on a minor railway line with a very infrequent passenger service. The railway station is located in the southern part of the town, 1.5 km away from the historical center. Despite the low number of trains, the station is open round-the clock, and the waiting room (lounge) is available. Phone number of the train station: +7-(49246)-22-307.
'''From Moscow:''' two long-distance trains every day (to Ivanovo and Kineshma). The trip takes 4 hours. Both trains start from Moscow in the evening and arrive to Yuryev-Polsky in the middle of the night. Alternatively, one can use the indirect connection with a change in Alexandrov. Local trains between Moscow and Alexandrov run every hour, while there is one local train from Alexandrov to Ivanovo (in the afternoon) and two buses running between Alexandrov and Yuryev-Polsky in the morning and in the afternoon. The trip from Alexandrov takes 2 hours, the full trip from Moscow – at least five hours.
'''From Ivanovo:''' two long-distance trains to Moscow (late in the evening) and three local trains during the day. The trip takes 2–2.5 hours.
By bus
The bus station is located next to the railway station, south from the historical center. The station is open from early morning till 17.00 or 18.00. The actual schedule and the time-table can be obtained by calling: +7-(49246)-22-153, 22-373
'''From Moscow:''' 3–4 buses per day. In Moscow, the buses depart from the central bus station (Schelkovskaya metro station). The trip takes four hours.
'''From Vladimir:''' 5–6 buses per day, the trip takes about two hours.
'''From Alexandrov:''' 2 buses per day, the trip takes two hours.
'''From Pereslavl-Zalessky:''' the bus runs three times a week (normally, on weekends). The trip takes about 2 hours.
'''From Suzdal:''' no direct bus connection available. One should either travel via Vladimir or via the village ''Staryi Dvor''. This village stands on the road from Vladimir to Yuryev-Polsky and has three daily buses to Suzdal. The whole trip takes at least three hours.
By car
'''From Moscow:''' 160 km along A103 (via Kirzhach and Kol'chugino). Upon entering the town, pass three or four crossings, turn right, and cross the river (there is no road sign).
'''From Vladimir:''' 70 km along R74. Upon entering the town, you will pass under a railway bridge. Turn left on the next crossing.
'''From Alexandrov:''' 77 km (via Kol'chugino).
'''From Ivanovo:''' via Suzdal or Vladimir only. There is '''no''' adequate road from Yuryev-Polsky to Ivanovo Oblast.
'''From Pereslavl-Zalessky:''' 70 km along R74.
'''From Suzdal:''' 65 km via the villages ''Obraschiha'' or ''Staryi Dvor''.
In Yuryev-Polsky, there is a lot of space for free parking. Note however that in the daytime the central square may be crowded due to the market. Additionally, the street along the monastery of Archangel Michael (towards the cathedral of St. George) is closed for traffic.
Get around
The historical center of Yuryev-Polsky is very small and can be easily explored by foot. The hotels and places to eat are also located nearby, while walking to the train and bus stations should not be diffucult as well. Inside the town, there is a regular (every half-hour) minibus service. Additionally, long-distance buses make a stop in the historical center.
'''Taxi service:'''
'''Pigeon''' (''_C___|___q__''): +7-(49246)-22-018, 33-333; +7-(910)-416-0233; +7-(920)-626-4606; +7-(905)-146-6155.
'''Afterburn''' (''_U_______p_w''): +7-(49246)-21-310, 21-013; +7-(915)-754-9040; +7-(910)-185-0850; +7-(905)-145-7070.
See
Cathedral of St. George. C_u_____s_y_u_r___{_y_z _____q____. __|. 1 _}_p__. One of the most impressive buildings of ancient russian architecture. The cathedral was originally constructed in 1234 in the general style of that period. The appearance of the building was likely similar to that of St. Demetrius cathedral in Vladimir only.
Book store. R___r_u_____{_p__ ___|. 12. 7-(49246)-2-25-90.
Central store. R_____u___}_p___{_u__ "_W_u_~_____p_|___~___z". R___r_u_____{_p__ ___|. 1. 7-(49246)-2-22-89. 9.00–22.00.
Trading rows. S_____s___r___u _____t__. R___r_u_____{_p__ ___|. Lots of small food stores.
Eat
Golden calf. {_p___u "_H___|_______z ___u_|_v_~___{". R___r_u_____{_p__ ___|. 1. 7-(49246)-3-45-34. 2.00–0.00. ain dishes: 100–200 rubles (2008). A cafe with a trace of russian style and rather trivial (but fully eatable and even enjoyable) food. In the evening, loud and troublesome music can not be avoided.
Golden ring. {_p___u "_H___|_______u _{___|______". R___r_u_____{_p__ ___|. 2. 7-(49246)-2-22-20. A cheap and basic cafe on the central square.
Rainbow. x_p_{_________~_p__ "_Q_p_t___s_p". R___r_u_____{_p__ ___|. 5. A canteen on the central square.
Water-colour. {_p___u "_@_{_r_p___u_|__". H_p_r___t___{_p__ ___|. 9. 7-(49246)-2-26-23. An extremely basic cafe.
Zarechye. ______|___r_p__ "_H_p___u_____u". N_p_q_u___u_w_~_p__ ___|. 80. outh from the central square, across the river. 7-(49246)-2-23-74. A cheap canteen attached to the local factory.
Drink
Sky. N_____~___z _{_|___q "Sky". __|. 1 _}_p__, 72. The only night club in the town.
Sleep
Dormitory. O_q___u_w_y___y_u _U_^_K. __|. _Y_y_q_p_~_{___r_p. ast from the central square. 7-(49246)-2-21-16. Dormitory of the college of finances and economics. The rooms are rented in summer only.
Pearl. G_u_}_____w_y_~_p. __|. _Y_y_q_p_~_{___r_p, 72. orth from the main square. 7-(49246)-2-34-55. 00 rubles per person (2008).
Pokrovskaya. P___{_____r___{_p__. B_|_p_t_y_}_y_____{_p__ ___|. 22_p. 7-(49246)-2-24-17. rev-hotel@yandex.ru. ttp://urev-hotel.ypcity.ru. ouble room: from 1500 rubles (2008). A nice mini-hotel located next to the main square. The rooms are modern and fully equipped. Breakfast is not served, unguarded parking is available near the entrance. The hotel occupies the third floor of an old building without an elevator.
Promsvyaz. C_______y_~_y___p _x_p_r___t_p "_P_____}___r___x__". __|. _H_p_r___t___{_p__, 1_p. outh from the main square. 7-(49246)-2-27-31. A recently renovated guest house of the factory, located close to the bus and train stations.
Yuryevskaya. ______u_r___{_p__. R___r_u_____{_p__ ___|. 7-(49246)-2-28-44. os-yurevskaya@yandex.ru. ouble room: 1800 rubles (2008). A modern mini-hotel located in the very center of the town. The rooms are fully equipped and even air-conditioned. However, breakfast is not served, and the lack of an elevator makes visitors to climb up to the fourth floor. Unguarded parking is available near the entrance.
Contact
Post office
The postal code of Yuryev-Polsky is 6018**.
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<listing name="Post office # 2" alt="601802" directions="" address="___u__. _B___{_x_p_|___~___z, 3" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></listing>
<listing name="Post office # 3" alt="601803" directions="" address="___|. 1 _}_p__, 74" phone="" email="" fax="" url="" hours="" price=""></listing>
Internet access
Internet access is announced in the central post office (_R___r_u_____{_p__ ___|. 1a). However, this part of the post office is permanently closed (2008). Most likely, there is no public internet access in Yuryev-Polsky.
Get out
'''Gorodische''' (_C_______t_y___u) – a village, lying 10 km north from Yuryev-Polsky. The spot of the ancient town ''Mstislavl'' that vanished in 14th century. The remains of the town are ramparts surrounded by water (former ditch). The land near Mstislavl was the place for the battle of Lipitsa (1216), one of the largest battles during the intestine wars in early 13th century.
* ''Get in:'' buses to ''Shordoga'' or ''Podolets'' (normally, twice a day).
'''Luchki''' (_L_____{_y) – a village, located 30 km north from Yuryev-Polsky. In the beginning of 20th century, the russian merchant Pervushin built a factory for dextrine production here. The factory building is a nice example of industrial architecture from early 20th century, while old wooden houses are remarkable for their fine carvings.
* ''Get in:'' local buses twice a week.
'''Nebyloe''' (_N_u_q___|___u) – a village that lies 30 km south-east from Yuryev-Polsky (the road to Vladimir) and hosts the ''monastery of the Assumption'' (_R_r______-_T_____u_~___{_y_z _K_______}_y_~ _}___~_p__________). The monastery was founded in late 15th century, while the stone buildings were constructed in 17th century (russian style). These buildings were partially or fully destroyed during the Soviet period. Presently, one can see three recently renovated churches, although none of them are really impressive.
* ''Get in:'' buses to Vladimir.
'''Sima''' (_R_y_}_p) – a village, located 20 km north from Yuryev-Polsky (the road to Pereslavl-Zalessky). The estate of ''Golitsyn'' family where Bagration, a famous military leader of the war of 1812, spent last months of his life. Presently, one can see the main house (classicism style), the remains of the park, and a small museum of Bagration. In the village, there is a small church of St. Dmitry (1775, russian style).
* ''Get in:'' buses to Pereslavl-Zalessky, ''Luchki'', or ''Spasskoe'' (normally, 2-3 times a day).
'''Varvarino''' (_B_p___r_p___y_~__) – an estate of Mit'kov family, 8 km south-east from Yuryev-Polsky. Several buildings in classicism style from late 18th century.
* ''Get in:'' by car or by foot.
'''General remark:''' there are few local buses in Yuryev-Polsky, and their schedule is somewhat irregular and intricate. If you want to visit the neighboring villages, it is certainly advisable to hire a taxi.
Further destinations
'''Vladimir''' – the center of the region and the ancient city. Vladimir preserves several finest 12th century monuments of white-stone architecture and a number of later buildings, along with numerous options for accommodation, eating, and entertainment.
'''Alexandrov''' – an old town with a monastery from 16th century, the country residence of russian princes during the Middle Ages.
'''Kirzhach''' – a small and lovely town notable for its 16th century monastery and a nice location on the steep bank of the river.
'''Pereslavl-Zalessky''' – one of the ancient towns of the Golden Ring. Numerous old churches and monasteries and the picturesque location near the lake.
'''Suzdal''' – another popular town of the Golden Ring. Suzdal is entirely touristy place, a kind of stark russian history.
'''Teykovo''' – a town in the neighboring Ivanovo Oblast. Teykovo presents a vast choice of secular and industrial architecture from early 20th century.