Rostov the Great is an ancient town, first mentioned in "The Chronicle of Past Times" in 862 a.d.
Rostov did not aspire to political authority, always conducted a trade policy, and collected cultural wealth on huge spaces of Northeast Russia. In Rostov the first Episcopal faculty, the first Uspenski cathedral (991) was based. Rostov was the constant participant of all political events connected to activity of Grand dukes, Tsar Ivan Grozny, Romanov House.
Rostov repeatedly was exposed to invasions, destructions and fires. Last destruction has fallen at the beginning of 17th century when the city practically has been destroyed.

Rostov the Great is located on a motorway of federal value and on a trunk-railway Moscow - Vladivostok. The distance from Moscow makes 200 klms, from Yaroslavl - 60 klms. The distance from Rostov up to the nearest old Russian cities (from the point of view of development of tourist routes) makes: Sergiev Posad - 140 klms, Pereslavl - Zalessky - 70 klms, Uglich - 90 klms, Kostroma - 140 klms, Vladimir - 180 klms, Suzdal - 150 klms. The distance up to Saint Petersburg (through Moscow) is about 900 klms. Rather central arrangement of city in system of historical settlements of the center of Russia causes interest. The nearest international airports are in Moscow and Yaroslavl. The nearest passenger river ports on Volga are in Yaroslavl and Uglich.