Golden Ring of Rusia is ring of few historical towns located to North-East of Moscow.
Exact number of towns varied, but main towns are:
- Vladimir
- Bogolubovo
- Suzdal
- Yuriev-Polskiy
- Murom
- Gorohovetz
- Gus-Crystalny
- Mstera
- Holui
- Paleh
- Ivanovo
- Pless
- Kostroma
- Yaroslavl
- Tutaev
- Rostov Velikiy
- Pereslavl-Zalesski
- Uglich
- Aleksandrov
- Sergiev-Posad
Historically, different Slavic tribes populated this place at 12th century. Most of tribes arrived the place as they escaped from Kiev rus which was attacked by various turk tribes. Nevertheless, over hard to penetrate forest it was hard to attack.
Historically that lands was named as “lands over forests,” that is why in some towns names still part “zalesski” (over forests) remains. Some towns got same names as “native” towns at Kievan rus.
Historically, center of this part of Russia was Vladimir. Vladimir Monomakh was choosen as king of that lands and later his childs was kings.
Nevertheless at 13th century peacefull mongolian invasion interrupted life. After invasion Moscow appeared as center in the region, but not Vladimir.
During invasion majority of towns was fired off and majority of population killed. As a result, remnants of population have begun to build new towns, far away inside forests. One of them was Moscow.
Mongols were brought out of Russia at 14th century, when different Slavic countries united around Moscow and got a victory over Mongols. Moscow reappeared as a center in the region and older towns - as its satellites.