A town of two halves on both banks of the Volga: Romanov and Borisoglebsk, merged by an 1822 decree to save money — with 17th-century frescoes and a ferry instead of a bridge.
Tutayev
Tutayev grew from the merger of two settlements: Romanov on the left bank of the Volga (first mentioned in 1238) and the Borisoglebsk sloboda on the right. In 1822 an imperial decree by Alexander I merged them into Romanov-Borisoglebsk 'to save on administration', and the town has lived a 'two-bank' life ever since: the left bank is the Romanov side, the right the Borisoglebsk side. The present name honours Red Army man Ilya Tutayev, killed in 1918. The town's wealth is its 17th-century churches. The Resurrection Cathedral on the Borisoglebsk side was built by Yaroslavl masters in 1678 and painted around 1680; among the frescoes is a unique depiction of the building of the Tower of Babel. On the Romanov side stands the Exaltation of the Cross Cathedral of 1658 with works by the icon-painters of Gury Nikitin. Add the 1912 fire tower, merchant mansions and museums — including one of bell casting. Boris Kustodiev found subjects here for 'The Province' and 'Festivity on the Volga'. There is still no bridge across the Volga: in summer a ferry and river boats operate, in winter an ice crossing or a detour via Yaroslavl; a cable car has been discussed but never built.
How to get there
From Yaroslavl: the right bank via the R151 highway (Yaroslavl–Rybinsk), the left via road 78K-0021; buses 128/161 (left bank), 158/161k (right). Between the banks — the ferry.
Best season
May to September: the ferry runs and the Volga is at its fullest.
Travel tips & stories
The ferry runs in daylight — plan the crossing ahead.
The Resurrection Cathedral is active: dress modestly for the frescoes.
The fire tower and lookouts give the best photos of both banks.
To sync favorites and plans across devices,
Local guides
- TR
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