Serpukhov is a cozy town in the Moscow region with a rich history, perfect for a weekend getaway.

The official date of its founding is 1339, when the settlement was mentioned in Ivan Kalita's will. However, archaeologists have found traces of Slavic settlements dating back to the 10th century.

For a long time, Serpukhov was a southern outpost of the Moscow Principality. In the 14th century, an appanage principality was formed here. Prince Vladimir Andreevich the Brave (Dmitry Donskoy's cousin) built a wooden kremlin on Cathedral Hill in 1374 for defense. The Serpukhov militia participated in the Battle of Kulikovo. Later, under Ivan the Terrible, the fortress was rebuilt in white stone. The town also played a role during the Time of Troubles: Boris Godunov's camp was located here, and later Serpukhov became one of the strongholds of Ivan Bolotnikov's army.