The population of Suzdal is about 11000 inhabitants. It is surrounded by fields and meadows which have been used from the ancient times for haymaking, cattle grazing and growing vegetables. The town is particularly famous for the cucumbers and a special holiday, the Cucumber Day is celebrated in the middle of July.
The wetlands and meadows along the Kamenka River right by the Kremlin are protected by the State and belong to the Nature Reserve "Ilyinskiy Lug" (the Elijah meadow). It is a beautiful natural area with many species of plants, birds and insects.
Tourist attractions of Suzdal
Famous for its numerous churches and monasteries and the feel of the good, old Russia, Suzdal is a very popular tourist destination. Among the best places to see in Suzdal are the Kremlin, Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius, the Intercession Convent and the Museum of wooden architecture.
Suzdal Kremlin
The Kremlin (fortress) is located in the curve of the Kamenka River which protected it from the enemies. The ancient Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin (12th - 16th Centuries) is the heart of the Kremlin. It is the oldest preserved building in the town. The Cathedral has beautiful frescoes of the 15th - 17th Centuries, "Golden" Gates of the 13th Century, tombs, icons, chandeliers and a huge copper lamp.
Archbishop's Chambers (15-18th Centuries) are located nearby featuring living rooms, refectory and a huge Cross Chamber which was used for receptions. Nowadays the Archbishop's Chambers host a museum and one of the best Suzdal restaurants.
A wooden Nikolskaya Church (1766) can be observed in the western part of the Kremlin. Originally there was another church there but it burnt down in the 17th Century. The present church was taken from the village of Glotovo situated not far from Suzdal.
Opening hours (subject to change):
Daily 10:00 - 18:00 except for Tuesday and last Friday of a month.
Suzdal Posad
Posad is a part of Suzdal where merchants and craftsmen lived. The central part of Posad is occupied by Torgovaya Ploschad (Trade Square) with the pillared Trading Arcades built in 1806-1811. As centuries ago the building of the trading arcades hosts shops and cafes. Local vendors sell souvenirs, valenki (felt boots) and beautiful handmade blankets on Torgovaya Ploschad.
The architectural ensemble of Posad includes numerous churches of the 17th-18th centuries.
In the winter time horse sled tours are offered by the buildings of the trading arcades and Pyatnitskaya church and one can have a merry ride along the streets of ancient Suzdal. Local cafes serve numerous types of medovukha (honey ale) and kvass traditional non-alcoholic drink.
Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius
The monastery was founded in 1352 as a fortress to protect the town from enemies. Initially it was wooden but it was burnt in the 17th century during the Polish invasion. Later stone walls 1160 meters long with 12 towers were constructed.
The Cathedral of the Transfiguration of the Saviour is the heart building of the Monastery. Its interior contains frescoes dating back to 1689. The tomb of Dmitry Pozharsky, one the leaders of the Russian militia army and hero of the liberation war of the 17th century, lies by the cathedral wall. Pozharsky family was one of the biggest sponsors of the Monastery.
In the second half of the 18th century at the command of Catherine II the first prison was established in the monastery. Originally it was created to house religious dissidents, but in the Soviet times it was also used for all kinds of prisoners till 1939. The prison now houses a museum devoted to the military history of the monastery.
Opening hours (subject to change):
Daily 10:00 - 18:00 except for Monday and last Thursday of a month.
Intercession Convent
The Intercession Convent (Pokrovsky) is located in the northern part of the town, over the river from the Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius. There is a legend that the Convent and the Monastery were connected by an underpass but it has not been found so far.
The Convent was founded in 1364 and as the other Suzdal monasteries it was wooden. The present appearance of the Convent dates back to the 16th century. That time it became the exile place for ladies of noble origin including the first wife of the Tzar Vasiliy III and the first wife of Peter the Great. Throughout the history of the convent the Russian tzars donated a lot of money and it became one of the biggest and richest convents in Russia.
The main architectural monument is the golden domed Intercession Cathedral built in 1510-1514. The cathedral looks massive, stands on high basement floor and is surrounded with a two-level open gallery.
The Convent was closed in 1923. In the middle of the 20th century the convent became a museum. In 1992 part of the convent was returned to the church but some buildings still house the exhibitions of the local museum.
Monastery of the Deposition of the Robe
The Monastery of the Deposition of the Robe (Rizopolozhensky Monastery) was founded in 1207. Initially it was wooden and the first stone constructions appeared in the 16th century. One of the earliest presently remaining buildings is Rizopolozhensky Cathedral (1520-1560). Among the interesting sights of the Monastery is the two-pavilion Holy Gates (1688).
Suzdal Museum of Wooden Architecture
The Museum of Wooden Architecture and Peasant Life was established in the 1960's. It was erected on the bank of the river Kamenka on the place of the former Dimitrovskiy Monastery. Wooden structures from the villages around Suzdal and Vladimir were brought there. Nowadays the museum represents churches, chapels, windmills and houses dating back to the 18th-19th centuries. One can get acquainted with the life style of the rural area of Russia in those days. The main sight of the museum is the three-level wooden church of Transfiguration, built in 1756.
During the holidays the museum is a place of celebration full of people wearing traditional clothes, dancing and singing.
Opening hours (subject to change):
Daily 09:00 - 16:00 in the winter time, 09:00 - 19:00 summer time, closed on Wednesday and last Tuesday of a month.
