Uglich

by Kristina Brazhnikova

Name: Kristina Brazhnikova

Age: 28

Profession: Photographer

City: Voronezh

How long have you been doing photography? What style or genre most interests you?

My first attempts at photography were when I was 16, when I tried to shoot landscapes on a compact film camera nicknamed a мыльница. When I was a student, I studied in a photo studio, and since 2010 I have been earning money from my photography. In 2013 I began to work as a photojournalist. This is the style I most enjoy, along with documentary photography.

Can you give us a short description of your city? Where is it located? What is it famous for?

Uglich is a small, but miraculous ancient town on the Volga River. It's about a 3-4 hour drive from Moscow. There are many churches and wooden homes here. In the summer, cruise ships with tourists traveling down the Volga stop here daily. The town left its mark in Russian history in that Uglich is where Tsarevich Dmitry, the last of the Ryurikid dynasty, was murdered. The Time of Troubles followed, at the end of which the throne was transferred to the Romanovs.

What is something about your city that only locals would know?

I don't live in Uglich, I only traveled here twice for Russia's largest photo festival. But I can say that they sell some of the tastiest dairy products here. Other than that, you can travel to Uglich from several cities in Tver Oblast along a picturesque single-track rail line that runs through the forest.

Which places or sites are a must for someone to see if they visit your city?

The beautiful Volga embankment; the multitude of ancient churches; the Uglich hydroelectric station – one of the oldest in Russia. There is a beautiful view from the top of it out over the reservoir. This tiny town also has 12 museums, for instance the Museum of the History of Russian Vodka, the Museum of City Life, or the Rooster Park Museum.

Your website: kristinabrazhnikova.com

Your Instagram: @kristina.brazhnikova

Uglich is a small and cozy town on the Volga river in Yaroslavl region. It's a touristy place, a lot of people include it (unnoficially) in the Golden Ring - a group of ancient Russia towns to northeast of Moscow. Every day (in the summer) you can see at least one cruise ship with tourists docked at the wharf. They come in the morning and leave at sunset. Kristina Brazhnikova / @kristina.brazhnikova
If you walk along the quay you will definitely see this proud woman in the incredible dress. Her name is Christina and everyone in Uglich knows her. She sews all her clothes herself and likes to attract attention and to pose for photographers and tourists. Christina says that she is waiting for Prince Harry, who will one day arrive on a cruise ship to marry her. Katya Bogachevskaya / @fotografikaspb
In the park next to the quaу there is small market specially set up for tourists. You can buy magnets, toys, antiques and different souvenirs. Some of them are locally made, but others are made in China, so you can find them in other Russian cities too.
Kristina Brazhnikova / @kristina.brazhnikova
The cheapest hotel in Uglich will cost you 350 rubles (about 5 euro) per night. For this price you get a bed, linen, towel and a shared shower. Lowly, but acceptable.
Lena Balakireva / @smilemelater
Uglich has its own Kremlin. You won't see a big wall, only two churches, a Duke's chamber and parliament. You can make out the traces of a moat, so it looks like Uglich Kremlin was on an island, surrounded by two small rivers and the Volga. In the photo you can see the Church of Prince Dmitry on Spilled Blood. It was built on the place where Prince Dmitry was murdered (or died of an epileptic fit) 1591. He was the last in Ryurikid dynasty, so his death led to the Time of Troubles.
Katerina Novikova / @katerina_novikova

Everyday Russia

Uglich

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