Vladimir is believed to be founded either in 990 or 1108. In the middle of the 12th Century the town became a capital of the rich Suzdal and Vladimir Principality. Earth ramparts with oak walls were built around the city while the main entrance was protected by the Golden Gates which are still one of the landmarks of Vladimir. The gold-domed Dormition Cathedral was constructed at the same time.
In 1238 Vladimir was captured and burnt by Tatar-Mongol hordes.
In the 14th century the town came under the rule of Moscow. For a long time, it remained a quite provincial town on the road from Moscow to Siberia. Nowadays it has about 360.000 inhabitants.
Vladimir city tourist attractions
Vladimir is famous for its monuments of architecture, representing Vladimir and Suzdal architectural school. The most important architectural monuments include the Golden Gates, the Assumption Cathedral and the Cathedral of St. Demetrius.
Golden Gates
The Golden Gates were built between 1158 and 1164 on the western side of the city, between the earth ramparts and wooden walls which were protecting the city from the enemies.
The Gates survived the Mongol destruction of Vladimir in 1238 and later military attacks. Nowadays it is the only remained example of the ancient Russian city gates. Such gates also existed in the holiest cities of Eastern Orthodoxy - Jerusalem, Constantinople, and Kiev but they were destroyed.
There is a small museum inside the gate-church on the top of the gates devoted to the history of defence of Vladimir. The exposition includes diorama of Vladimir siege by the Mongol horde in 1238, cold weapons and fire arms, weapons of the WW2, photos and private items of Vladimir heroes of the 20th Century.
Opening hours of the Golden Gates (subject to change):
Daily 10:00 - 18:00 except for Thursdays and last Friday of a month.
Dormition Cathedral
The magnificent five-dome Dormition Cathedral was designed as a «sepulchrum» (burial tomb) of grand princes and was dedicated to the holy icon of Vladimir Theotokos, which had been brought as a gift to the city by Andrew the Pious. The Cathedral was constructed in 1158-1160. Already at the end of the 12th century the Dormition Cathedral was rebuilt and expanded. At the same time the interior of the cathedral was painted by famous icon-painters. Later in the 15th century it was repainted by one of the most famous icon-painters - Andrei Rublev. Nowadays we see some fragments of those frescoes, as the cathedral was again repainted in the 19th Century. In 1810 a lofty bell-tower in the neoclassical style was added to the architectural ensemble.
Opening hours of the Dormition Cathedral (subject to change):
Guided excursions are possible daily 13:00 - 16:45 except for Monday. The Cathedral belongs to the Church and is opened from morning till evening.
Cathedral of St. Demetrius
The Cathedral of St. Demetrius was built in 1194-1197 as a private chapel of Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest in the courtyard of his palace and was consecrated in the name of his holy patron, St. Demetrius Solounsky.
The cathedral is famous for its rich white-stone carvings. There are about 600 reliefs of the walls. They represent figures of lions, centaurs, snow-leopards etc. The decorations include figures from the Bible. Above the left window of the north wall one can see a description of Prince Vsevolod himself.
Opening hours of the Cathedral of St. Demetrius (subject to change):
Daily 10:00 - 16:00 (on some days until 17:00) in winter, 11:00 - 17:00 (on some days until 18:00) in summer, closed on Tuesday and last Wednesday of a month. In order to preserve frescoes the Cathedral can be closed on wet days.
Church of the Intercession on the Nerl
The Church on the Nerl River is an outstanding architectural monument representing Vladimir and Suzdal School of cathedral construction. It was built in 1158 and consecrated in Honour of the Holiday of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin.
The exterior of the church is decorated with the stone carvings representing saints and animals, similar to those on the Cathedral of St. Demetrius in Vladimir. Frescoes were lost and currently one can see only a few modern icons inside of the church.
The church is located in 12 km from Vladimir, by the Nerl and Klyazma Rivers and it is not accessible by car. One should cross the railroad and walk about 1 km over the meadow. In spring the path can be flooded. The meadow "Bogolubskiy Lug" is a protected natural area.
Opening hours (subject to change):
The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl is usually open daily with a few exceptions on big church holidays.
