Volokolamsk: Kremlin, Churches and City History

• Volokolamsk is in the northwest of Moscow Oblast, about 100 kilometers from the Moscow Ring Road.
• The city is considered the oldest in Moscow Oblast.
• The Volokolamsk Kremlin ensemble includes the Resurrection Cathedral, St. Nicholas Cathedral, and a five-story bell tower with a clock and observation platform.
• The Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Vozmishche is a four-pier brick church.

The Volokolamsk Kremlin ensemble sits on a hill surrounded by earthen ramparts. Its massive walls once protected important structures from enemies. The buildings differ in materials and age: the Resurrection Cathedral was built of white stone in the 15th century; St. Nicholas Cathedral, made of red brick in the 19th century, features white details. The five-story bell tower, dating from the 18th century, has a clock and an observation platform. The ensemble thus brings together different building periods and materials.

The exhibition on Volokolamsk’s history in St. Nicholas Cathedral includes archaeological finds, models of the medieval trade route and the 15th-century city, various weapons, objects from everyday peasant life, and original documents from the 18th and 19th centuries. Its themes range from the city’s early history and trade to everyday life and written records.

The Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God in Vozmishche was built in Volokolamsk in the first half of the 16th century as a three-domed cathedral for the Vozmishche Monastery for Men. It is a four-pier brick church and formerly served as the monastery’s cathedral. The monastery was founded in the early 12th century by Prince Mstislav of Novgorod.

The paintings also reveal different periods: 16th-century paintings survive beneath later murals in parts of the altar and on the pillars. They were partially uncovered in the 1970s. The church’s architecture and paintings each offer a distinct focus on its history.

The Volokolamsk Kremlin Museum and Exhibition Complex organizes tours of the Kremlin museum and grounds, as well as a sightseeing drive around the city. Check current booking details directly with the complex. A walking tour route takes in the Kremlin’s ramparts and cathedrals, the site of the old settlement, and monuments to military history. An observation platform offers views over the city; confirm the tour’s current availability with the provider.

Workshops in painting and traditional crafts are offered at the Volokolamsk Kremlin. Participants can create their own souvenir. The program may vary, so check the Kremlin’s current schedule.

The wider destination of Volokolamsky District offers additional cultural attractions. The Joseph-Volokolamsk Monastery was founded in 1479 by the Orthodox saint Joseph of Volokolamsk in honor of the Dormition of the Mother of God. A 90-minute tour of the monastery introduces its architectural ensemble, including the 17th-century Cathedral of the Dormition. Check the current schedule before planning your visit. The monastery houses Russia’s first Bible Museum. Its collection includes a 1568 Paris Bible and an 18th-century Elizabeth Bible.

The Yaropolets Museum of Local Lore offers tours of its exhibition and the village’s landmarks. The tour “History of the Estates and Their Owners” visits Goncharov Estate, the Church of St. John the Baptist, and Chernyshev Estate in the village of Yaropolets. Goncharov Estate is a cultural heritage site of federal significance. Alexander Pushkin visited it in 1833 and 1834 to visit his mother-in-law. The active Church of St. John the Baptist was built in 1755; check visitor access in advance.

Technology history is also among the themes in the wider destination of Volokolamsky District: the Yaropolets Hydroelectric Power Station is considered the first rural hydroelectric power station. A high bridge spans the overflow, offering a view of the swirling water. Check local conditions before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Dunino, Nazaryevo, Grigorchikovo, Nosovo, Klimovsk, Strekovo, Podmoklovo, Zyuzino.

When was Volokolamsk first mentioned?

The earliest mentions in chronicles date to 1135.

What notable items are in the Volokolamsk Kremlin collection?

They include a 15th-century fresco created by masters of the Dionysius school and seals of the princes of Novgorod dating from the 12th to the 15th century.

Who are the workshops at the Volokolamsk Kremlin for?

The painting and traditional crafts workshops are offered for children and adults.

For the wider travel overview: Moscow.