←In the Footsteps of History

In the Footsteps of History

Photo of route “In the Footsteps of History”
12 points6 km1.5 hours

Belozersk is a town in Vologda Oblast mentioned as far back as the Primary Chronicle. Stroll along its old streets, climb the kremlin rampart, find out how a dugout boat differs from a belozerka, and take in the landscapes loved by Vasily Shukshin. Admire the carved wooden houses, too: this is where Shukshin's film “The Red Snowball Tree” (Kalina Krasnaya) was shot.

Route author

Susanin Team

Things to do

  • 📜 Learn the city's history
  • 🏛️🕰️ Compare the eras

Route points (12)

  1. Belozersk Kremlin — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    Belozersk Kremlin

    🏯 Fortress remains · 🕵️ Urban legend · 📜 Historic site

  2. Transfiguration Cathedral — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    Transfiguration Cathedral

    🕍 Place of worship

  3. Memorial — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    Memorial

    🗿 Monument

  4. Government Offices Building — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    Government Offices Building

    📜 Historic site

  5. Theological School Building — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    Theological School Building

    🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site

  6. Traditional Boats of the Belozersk Region Museum — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    Traditional Boats of the Belozersk Region Museum

    🏛️ Museum

  7. Bridge over the Fortress Moat — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    Bridge over the Fortress Moat

    🌉 Bridge

  8. Chapel of St. Cyril of Novoezersk — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    Chapel of St. Cyril of Novoezersk

    🕍 Place of worship · 🕵️ Urban legend

  9. House of Culture — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    House of Culture

    📜 Historic site · 🏟️ Architectural landmark

  10. Merchant Pozdynin's House — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    Merchant Pozdynin's House

    🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site

  11. Merchant Kalinin's House — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    Merchant Kalinin's House

    🏟️ Architectural landmark · 📜 Historic site

  12. Dormition Cathedral — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

    Dormition Cathedral

    🕍 Place of worship

Dormition Cathedral in Belozersk

Point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

Dormition Cathedral — point on route “In the Footsteps of History”

Point 12

Dormition Cathedral

🕍 Place of worship

Historical Background

The Dormition Cathedral was built in 1552 outside the kremlin. It is one of the oldest examples of the Russian style.

About the Architecture

The domes still have their original decorative elements, hand-carved in stone. The kokoshniks — outer frames of the arched openings shaped like a traditional headdress — have survived, as have the half-columns and even the steel gates. But many details of the interior were lost during the Time of Troubles (1598–1613): the cathedral burned more than once, and horses were kept and fires lit inside.

The Cathedral Today

Despite all these sad events, the cathedral has survived to this day. It was restored in the 1990s with the aim of bringing back its 16th-century appearance. Today the Dormition Cathedral is an active church, just as it was centuries ago. It is a cultural heritage site of federal significance.