As a legend has it, Uglich was founded in 947. The chronicles first mentioned it in 1148. In the early 13th century the town was part of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality. In 1218 it became the center of the Uglich Principality, which was annexed by Moscow in the 14th century.
In any historical account of Uglich one will find the mention of a tragedy - the mysterious death of Tsarevich Dmitry, the young son of Tsar Ivan the Terrible, which occurred here in May 1591. The committee of inquiry reported that the death had been caused by an accident. There was, however, another version: that the Tsarevich had been assassinated, allegedly by order of Boris Godunov who had a claim to the throne.
One of the buildings in the Kremlin, a relic of 15th century architecture, is known as the Mansion of Tsarevich Dmitry. Inside the chamber has brickwork facing not covered by whitewash. The walls of the house are adorned by a modest decor in which some details were replaced at the end of the 19th century.
The memorial Church of Dmitry-on-the-Blood, erected in 1692, is a lofty building standing on high ground-work and crowned by five cupolas with slender drums. The bell-tower, which stands near-by, is topped with tent-like roof. Frescoes inside the church date from the end of the 18th century. Here on the western wall one can see composition, which narrate the story of Dmitry's assassination.
The town has a building, which has become its symbol. It is the "Wondrous" Church of the Assumption at the Alexeevsky Monastery dating from 1692. Its three graceful steeples tower over the surrounding buildings by clear-cut angels. The effect of this architectural wonder, austere in decor and compact in volumes, is that of perfect harmony and wholeness.
Two interesting 17th century monuments are located in the western part of Uglich - the Church of the Nativity of St John the Baptist and the Resurrection Monastery. The monastery was started in the 1670s by decree of the Rostov-the-Great Metropolitan Jonah. Its buildings, asymmetrical placed, different in shape and height, stand in a picturesque group.
The 18th century Transfiguration Cathedral and the bell-tower, also standing in the Kremlin, have many features, which make their style, appear more archaic.