The very name of the city shows its great role in the history of Russia. Mentioned firstly in 862, it reached flourishing as the capital of the principality of the same name by the early 13th century. Though destroyed several times by the Tatar hordes, the city restored to life persistently, staying one of the most beautiful cities of the medieval Russia.

The city of many architectural masterpieces, Rostov is known most for the church bells of unique size and sounding.