Vladimir

Vladimir Regional History Museum

This museum is one of the oldest in Russia. It was founded by local history professors and research specialists in the mid-19th century. The museum's current home on Bolshaya Moskovskaya just east of Cathedral Square was completed in 1906. It houses both exhibits and an extensive library.In 1958 this museum became the foundation for the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum Reserve. This organization is responsible for administering museums in Vladimir, Suzdal, and Gus Khrustalny. It is also responsible for research and restoration work. In 2003, thanks to its dedicated and talented staff, and despite a very limited budget, the museum's exhibits were totally redone. The new exhibits are very attractive—and very informative. There is an ongoing effort to add to and improve the museum's offerings.

Children's Museum

Located a short distance from the History Museum and right next to the St. Demetrius and Assumption Cathedrals, this delightful museum for children—and adults—is located on the first floor of the eighteenth century building that used to house some of the departments of the tsarist guberniya (regional government) administration. Its entertaining and informative exhibits cover everything from how a "one room school" used to look to a showcase for modern toys from around the world, many of which were donated by Vladimir’s Sister Cities. A guided tour includes several "hands on" opportunities to experience life in old Vladimir.

Museum of "Old Vladimir"

This small but interesting museum is located in a former nineteenth century water tower. Visitors will see photographs of old Vladimir streets, articles of daily life, examples of room interiors, and examples of tsarist era publications. All this provides a detailed picture of everyday life in old Vladimir. The observation deck at the top of the tower provides a wonderful view of much of today's Vladimir. The water tower happens to stand close to the spot where the Tartar-Mongols breached Vladimir's defenses in 1238.

If you look down to the west, at the base of the earthen embankment and through the trees you'll see the “back yard” of the American Home.

Museum of Crystal, Lacquer Miniature Painting, & Embroidery

Established in 1974, these exhibits are housed in the red brick Troitskaya (Trinity) Church built in 1913-1916 by the Old Believer Russian Orthodox community. It's located right next to the Golden Gates. Featured are crystal and colored glass produced in the community of Gus Khrustalny and lacquer miniature paintings from the town of Mstyora. Traditional Vladimir-style embroidery is also showcased. Some of the crystal and glass on display was produced more than 250 years ago. There are also examples of contemporary experimental work. The examples of lacquer painting include icons from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as contemporary icons. Mstyora has once again become a center for the creation of religious art. In the basement there is a replica of a late 19th early 20th century crystal and glassware shop along side a small gift shop.

Oblast Arts Center: Art Gallery, Gift & Souvenir Exhibition

The Oblast (Regional) Arts Center provides the main government-sponsored showcase for local contemporary artists and artisans. An art gallery and a separate exhibit of handicrafts and related items are housed in a remodeled 4 story classical style late 18th century building on Bolshaya Moskovskaya Street conveniently located between the Golden Gates and Assumption Cathedral. The art gallery, which is to your left on the second floor, regularly features exhibitions by individual members of the Vladimir branch of the Russian Federation Artists' Union. Between 150 and 200 works of art are generally on display. Both serious art collectors and the general public frequent these exhibitions. Each spring there is a juried exhibit that includes both well-established and new artists. Additional rooms at the Center are used for “thematic” exhibits. And there is an interesting collection of antique furniture. The Center also hosts exhibits by artists from other Russian regions. In addition to the art gallery, the Center provides space for the exhibit and sale of gifts and souvenirs produced in the region: 2nd floor to the right. These include lacquer boxes from Mstyora, glass and crystal from Gus Khrustalny, nickel-silver metal work from Kolchugina, unique birch bark items, exquisite embroidery, wood carvings, and other attractive items produced in the Vladimir region—all reasonably priced.

Assumption Cathedral

The magnificent Assumption Cathedral is what you see first when you enter Cathedral Square-and when you approach the City from the east. The original cathedral, with its paintings on the exterior walls, gilded decorative friezes, and carved relief, was destroyed in the tragic fire of 1185. That fire changed the face of the Cathedral, but the restored version remains a wonderful masterpiece. Assumption Cathedral, apart from being a solemn witness to these tragic events, has also enjoyed fame in its own right. It was the principal church where the princes of ancient Russ were crowned, both when Vladimir was the Russian capital from 1169 to the middle of the 14th century and then for some time after the political capital was moved to Moscow. Assumption Cathedral was closed for church services by the Communists beginning in 1927. It was allowed to resume religious services in 1944—as part of Staliln's effort to enlist the Orthodox Church's support for the war effort against the Nazis. This magnificent cathedral has recently undergone major renovations. In addition to admiring the beauty of this UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, hopefully you'll be able to attend one of the religious services. This should be an experience you will never forget! Assumption Cathedral is both a working Church and, along with St. Demetrius Cathedral, a part of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum Reserve Among other historic items of interest, Assumption Cathedral preserves several original frescos painted by Andrei Rublov and Daniil Chorny. Rublov is considered one of Russia’s greatest religious artists.

St. Demetrius Cathedral

The Cathedral of St. Demetrius, built by Prince Vsevolod III, is one of the most graceful and beautiful churches in Vladimir. It is like an icon in stone. Beauty and mystery are inseparably united in it, making the Cathedral of St. Demetrius unique among Vladimir's churches. The first mystery of this cathedral involves its "birth." None of the chronicles mention exactly when this royal church was built. However, there are many reports that in 1197 the icon of St. Demetrius of Salonica was brought here from Byzantium, so it is assumed that it was around this date that the cathedral was constructed.

Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky's residence

Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky It was built in 1158-1164 on the bank of the Klyazma river ten kilometers from Vladimir. It looked as a town encircled by earth ramparts, white stone walls and moats. The white stone residence was remarkable for its beauty. The church of the Nativity of the Holy Virgin was connected to the living quarters and the fortress wall by the galleries and towers.Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky The cathedral was decorated with carved relief's, frescoes, copper and gilt details, ceramic floors and stained glass windows. Marble-like painting decorated round columns supporting the vault and the cupola. At the entrance to the cathedral stood a wonderful font under a canopy. The square was paved with white stone slabs.Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky Andrei Bogolyubsky spent here 17 years of his reign and was murdered here in the staircase tower in 1774. This very two-tiered tower and the gallery attached to it are the only fragments that have survived out of the numerous buildings of the royal residence.After the prince's death a monastery has been established in Bogolyubovo. The ancient cathedral crumbled away with age and in the 18th century was replaced with a new one. A hipped roofed belfry was built over the staircase tower.In the 19th century the high above - the-gate church of the Assumption with a bell-tower and the huge 5-domed cathedral were built.The appearance of the ancient cathedral has been reconstructed thanks to the excavations led by N.Voronin in the 20th century.Now there's a convent in Bogolyubovo. Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky's residence - the unique monument of secular architecture - is being used by both the museum of Vladimir and Suzdal and the convent.It's on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.