Discover Uglich: Kremlin, Churches and Museums

• The Palace Chamber is one of Russia’s oldest surviving residential buildings and the oldest surviving architectural monument in the Uglich Kremlin ensemble.
• The Uglich Museum has eight permanent exhibitions as well as temporary exhibitions.
• The “summer cathedral” of the Transfiguration and the “winter cathedral” of the Epiphany flank a shared bell tower; the Epiphany Cathedral is almost a century younger.

The Palace Chamber of the Uglich appanage princes combines its distinctive place in the Kremlin ensemble with exhibitions on the city’s history and art. On the second floor, an exhibition traces Uglich’s history from the city’s founding to the Time of Troubles. The first floor houses the department on the history of the 17th to 19th centuries in two halls.

A dedicated section focuses on Russian ceramic tile art: the “Uglich terracotta, Uglich tiles” department presents more than 400 exhibits on the centuries-long development of this art form. Together, the exhibits cover topics ranging from the city’s history to a long-established craft. The museum’s eight permanent exhibitions and temporary exhibitions add further topics to this picture.

The Transfiguration Cathedral and the Epiphany Cathedral form two wings of an ensemble with a shared bell tower. Their names, “summer cathedral” and “winter cathedral,” help distinguish the two churches; their age difference of almost a century also reflects their different periods of construction.

The Transfiguration Cathedral is Uglich’s main church. It was consecrated in 1706 and is predominantly in the Naryshkin Baroque style, which was popular at the time. Thus, alongside the historical context, a specific architectural style is a key aspect of the church ensemble.

The Museum of Leathercraft dedicates its exhibition to leatherworking, one of the oldest trades practiced by Uglich’s residents. This focus complements the history of the churches and the city with a look at a traditional trade. Uglich can therefore be explored not only through its historic buildings but also through the craft traditions of its residents.

Discover more destinations: Glebovskoye, Morskoye, Lvy, Priluki, Lukino, Svechino, Uleyma.

What connects the Church of Tsarevich Dmitry “on the Blood” with Uglich?

According to tradition, the church stands on the site where the tsarevich died. Its refectory contains a reliquary and a bier associated with the transfer of his relics from Uglich to Moscow from May 29 to June 3, 1606.

What art is exhibited in the Epiphany Cathedral?

The exhibits include portraits from Uglich dating from the 18th to 20th centuries, an exhibition on the iconography of Uglich’s saints, and applied arts. Works of Old Russian and church art from the 15th to 20th centuries are also on display.

What is associated with the Uglich exile bell?

The bell is said to have announced the beginning of the Time of Troubles in Russia with its ringing.

For the broader travel overview: Yaroslavl Oblast.

Useful information for planning your trip:

The Church of the Blood in Uglich: History on the banks of the Volga.