One of the real pearls of the Golden Ring - the most popular tourist route in Russia - is the city of Vladimir. Here, architectural masterpieces of past centuries coexist with modern buildings, the beauty of nature adjusts to a lyrical mood, and the uniqueness of local attractions regularly attracts crowds of guests.
Architectural landmarks
One of the main architectural masterpieces of Vladimir is the Golden Gate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They were built in 1164. Their main goal used to be the defense of the city. But they also had a decorative role: they were the majestic front entrance to the richest part of Vladimir. Now the Golden Gate belongs to the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve, and inside it there is an exposition dedicated to the military history of the city.
Another object that attracts attention is the old water tower on Kozlovy Val. Now it houses a museum dedicated to the provincial past of the pre-revolutionary city. Also interesting is the observation deck, or rather, the view of Vladimir that opens from it. To get to it, you will have to overcome the spiral staircase of the tower.
Also interesting from the architectural point of view is the building of the former City Duma, and now the House of Friendship, the Noble Assembly, where the House of Officers is now located, the building of the city bank, the building of public places where the expositions of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve are now located, the Real School on Nikitskaya, and also the Trinity Old Believer Church, where the Crystal Museum is now located. Many buildings of Vladimir have a long history, which attracts the attention of the residents of Vladimir and guests of the city.
Walk around Vladimir
In addition to interesting architecture, Vladimir boasts numerous places for walking and recreation. One of these places is the historical center of the city - Cathedral Square. There are many architectural sights of the city, as well as several monuments: a monument dedicated to the 850th anniversary of Vladimir, a monument to V. Lenin, A. Rublev, Vladimir Krasnoe Solnyshko.
After visiting the central attractions, you can walk in the Lipki Park, which is named so because of the numerous linden trees, and the park named after V. A. S. Pushkin, where there is an observation deck from where you can see the beauty of Vladimir and its environs. These islets of nature in the city center are popular with tourists and residents alike.
Also interesting is the Theater Square, which is to be visited by those who decided to visit the Crystal Museum and see the main symbol of the city - the Golden Gate. The name of the square was not given by chance: the regional drama theater is also located here.
One of the most beautiful places in the city is the Patriarch's Gardens. Here, on 3 hectares of land, various fruit trees, shrubs, wild and medicinal plants, berries, etc. are planted. The multi-level garden was created in the tradition of French park architecture.
To get to know Vladimir better, you need to visit Central Park, where there is entertainment for adults and children. Young people will surely enjoy Komsomolsky Square, where in the evenings a particularly romantic atmosphere is created thanks to fountains, lanterns and cozy benches.
Famous cathedrals and monasteries
Vladimir is famous for its numerous religious sites. Local monasteries, temples and churches are famous all over the world. One of these monuments of white-stone architecture is the Assumption Cathedral, where frescoes by Andrei Rublev have been preserved. The Assumption Cathedral was once the main cathedral in Vladimir-Suzdal Russia, where people were married to the great reign. This temple became a model for many later built cathedrals.
Another famous object is Dmitrievsky or Dmitrovsky Cathedral. It is famous for its white stone carvings, and many of the reliefs have survived almost in their original form. Now the cathedral belongs to the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve, it houses museum expositions.
Remarkable in Vladimir is the Rozhdestvensky Monastery, where the Metropolitanate was located until the XIV century. Then it was the spiritual center of medieval Russia. The main temple of the monastery - the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, was built in 2004, since the ancient temple has not survived.
When examining Vladimir, you should definitely go outside the city to the village of Bogolyubovo, not far from which one of the most beautiful churches in Russia is located - the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. It is also listed as a World Heritage Site. It is remarkable not only its appearance, but also its location - in the lowland, on the river "arrow", in the former place of the confluence of the Nerl into the Klyazma. In the same village of Bogolyubovo, you can see the Holy Bogolyubsky Monastery and stroll through the picturesque countryside.
