Dmitrov

Dmitrov is a small millennial city located roughly 65 kilometres north of Moscow, with approximately 60,000 inhabitants and a rich history stretching back to its founding in 1154 by Yuri Dolgoruky. The city is named after St. Demetrius, the patron saint of Dolgoruky's son Vsevolod the Big Nest, who was born at the site. During the early 16th century Dmitrov flourished and the Assumption Cathedral in the kremlin was constructed, though the city later declined after seizure by Ivan the Terrible's Oprichnina and devastation during the Time of Troubles.

The city centre is compact and walkable, dominated by the kremlin — an earth rampart with the wooden Nikolskiye gate facing the northwest. Within the kremlin grounds stands the Assumption Cathedral and other religious buildings. The Dmitrov Canal, part of the Moscow-Volga Waterway constructed in the 1930s, passes through the western part of the city and adds a scenic waterfront element. The city is also notable as the home of the anarchist philosopher Peter Kropotkin during his final years (1917-1921).

Dmitrov has a continental climate with cold winters and warm summers, typical of the Moscow region. The city is most pleasant to visit from May through September, when the canal, parks, and kremlin grounds are at their best.

By Plane

Dmitrov is located approximately 40 kilometres north of Sheremetyevo International Airport (SVO), reachable by car in about 45 minutes. Moscow's other airports are further away.

By Train

Dmitrov Central Station is a railway junction on the Savyolovsky branch from Moscow. Commuter trains (elektrichki) run frequently from Moscow's Savyolovsky terminal station, with the journey taking approximately 1 hour. Trains also connect Dmitrov to Sergiev Posad, Dubna, and Taldom. The station is located in the city centre, within easy walking distance of the kremlin and main attractions.

By Car / Road

Driving from Moscow takes approximately 1-1.5 hours via the Dmitrovskoe highway heading north. The road is generally well-maintained. Bus routes connect Dmitrov with Moscow (Altufyevo), Sergiev Posad, Dubna, Taldom, Lobnya, and Laryovo.

Dmitrov's city centre is small and walkable. The kremlin, churches, museums, and main streets are all within a 15-20 minute walk. Local buses connect outlying areas. Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available for trips outside the centre.

The Sts. Boris and Gleb's Monastery — An old male monastery on ul. Minina, 4, featuring a beautiful church dedicated to the first Russian saints Boris and Gleb. Free entry.

Dmitrov Frog Museum — An unusual museum on ul. Kropotkinskaya, 67k1, celebrating the city's wetland surroundings by exhibiting all types of frog-related objects. Open daily 10:00-19:00. Free entry.

The Dmitrov Kremlin Museum / Dmitrov Regional Museum — Located at ul. Zagorskaya, 17, this museum showcases the city's history with exhibitions on the great patriotic wars and the construction of the Moscow channel. Open W-S 09:00-17:00. Admission 150 rubles. Note that despite its name, it is not located inside the Kremlin itself.

The House Museum of P.A. Kropotkin — At ul. Kropotkinskaya, 95, this is the house where the renowned Russian anarchist lived from 1917 until his death in 1921. The upper floor houses a museum of biology and geology. Admission 50 rubles.

The Kremlin — The kremlin itself consists of a several-metre-high earth rampart with the wooden Nikolskiye gate. Within the grounds, the Assumption Cathedral (Uspenskiy sobor) at Istoricheskaya pl. 11 and the Elizabethan Church at Sovetskaya pl. 5 are worth visiting.

Extreme Park (Professionalnaya ul. 25) is a 4,000-square-metre activity park with trampolines, roller skates, and a stage for concerts. Open daily 08:00-22:00. Phone: +7 496 224-35-25.

Ballooning Club Aerowaltz LLC offers hot-air balloon rides departing from Pravonaberezhnaya str. 1B, Dmitrov. Shared flights cost 11,000 rubles. Open M-F 10:00-18:00. Phone: +7 495 505-12-61.

Walk along the Dmitrov Canal and explore the city's parks. In winter, the canal area offers opportunities for cross-country skiing and ice-skating.

The Tsentr shopping mall contains several fast food restaurant chains including McDonald's, KFC, and Kroshka Kartoshka. For more local dining, Pizzeria D'Miro (Sovetskaya ul. 1, phone +7 496 225-47-07) serves pizza and Italian-inspired dishes. Pronto (Professionalnaya ul. 6, str 1, phone +7 967 096-99-06) offers a more varied menu. The Dining Room (Stolovaya) at Torgovaya sq. 1A is a typical Russian self-service canteen with inexpensive, decent meals.

The city has several cafes serving tea, coffee, and Russian beverages. Tap water is generally safe but bottled water is recommended for visitors. Kvas is available from street vendors in summer.

• Budget: Limited hostel options; some guesthouses offer basic accommodation.
• Mid-range: Four Crowns Hotel (Chetyre Korony, Liry Nikol'skoy Ulitsa 7, phone +7 495 222-75-36) and Gostinitsa Kristall (Professionalnaya ul. 28, phone +7 495 286-49-11) offer rooms from approximately 2500-4000 rubles per night.
• Upscale: Hotel Princess Frog (Professionalnaya st. 23, phone +7 495 640-77-38) offers a more distinctive stay.

MegaFon (ul. Zagorskaya 30A-36A, south of the Kremlin) is a long shopping mall in the city centre, open 09:00-21:00 daily. Tsentr (ul. Zagorskaya, 22, southwest of the Kremlin) is another centrally located shopping mall, open 10:00-22:00 daily.

Local markets offer seasonal produce, honey, and traditional Russian food products.

• Moscow — 65 km south, approximately 1-1.5 hours by train. The capital's world-class attractions are easily accessible.
• Sergiyev Posad — 50 km east, approximately 1 hour by car. Home to the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Dubna — 60 km north, a science city on the Volga River with a physics research institute and waterfront promenade.
• Klin — 45 km northwest, the home of Tchaikovsky's house-museum and several historic churches.