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Golden Ring 2
GOLDEN RING – ЗОЛОТОЕ КОЛЬЦО
The Golden Ring is a traditional tourist route which comprises several old Russian towns located within 200 km from Moscow. All of them played an important role in shaping early Russian history. Each town is easily accessible by road and has a well developed tourist infrastructure. There is no clearly defined list of towns which comprise the Golden Ring. Big cities like Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Vladimir have dedicated pages in this website. Here I intend to post images of Suzdal. All Gold Ring towns are very photogenic due to high concentration of old churches and monasteries.
suzdal – суздаль
This small town located in Vladimir Oblast was founded in 1024. Suzdal features a whole collection of old churches, cathedrals and monasteries as well as unspoiled countryside setting. The town is a must-see for anyone who takes interest in Russian history. As most ancient Russian towns Suzdal has a kremlin, built in the 11th century. The five dome Nativity of the Virgin Cathedral was built in 1220s. Its blue domes are sprinkled with golden stars and interior walls covered with colourful frescoes painted by local artists in the 13th-17th centuries.
The wooden church was originally built in the nearby village of Glotovo in 1766. In 1960 the church being in poor condition was disassembled and moved to Suzdal for restoration and preservation.
There are several monasteries in Suzdal. The Monastery of Saint Euthimius was founded in the 14th century. It was encompassed with formidable red brick walls and towers in the 17th century. Today the monastery is a museum.
The beginning of the 17th century is known in Russian history as the Time of Trouble. Moscow was occupied by Polish army. The situation was aggravated by feud between Russian nobility. In 1612 prince Dmitry Pozharsky organized a people's volunteer corps in Nizhny Novgorod, lead it to Moscow and drove the Polish invaders from Moscow thus playing a key part in finishing the Time of Trouble. The prince was buried in the monastery. You can also see his statue in Red Square in Moscow.
Inside the monastery. The Annunciation Gate Church.
The late 16th century Transfiguration Cathedral (straight). The 1525 Assumption Church (left). The bell tower with a bell gallery (right).
Every hour on the hour a concert of chimes is given on the bell tower.
The interior of the Transfiguration Cathedral.
Saint Euthimius.
The 1525 Assumption Church houses an exhibition of naïve art: paintings, embroidery, patchwork, etc.
The burial vault of the Pozharsky family.
The monastery used to house a prison for political and religious dissidents. In 1943-46 the entire monastery was a camp for more than 2,500 Italian prisoners of war.
The Intercession Convent was founded in 1364 and served as a place of exile for the unwanted wives of Russian tsars. In 2013 the then Russian President Mr. Putin divorced his wife Lyudmila. Soon after the monastery was thoroughly renovated. New log houses were built inside which implied luxury living conditions. For some time it was rumoured that Lyudmila was occasionally spotted in the monastery premises.
The Intercession Convent as seen from the Saint Euthimius Monastery.
The 1694 Peter & Paul Church faces the entry gate of the Intercession Convent.
The 1518 Intercession Cathedral.
A newly built log house.
Young priests frequent the convent populated by nuns to teach the gospels.
The Monastery of the Deposition of the Holy Robe was founded in 1207. The existing buildings date back to the 16-17th centuries.
The mid-16th century Cathedral of the Deposition of the Holy Robe.
Suzdal is worth visiting not only to see the sights but also to catch a glimpse of provincial life in modern day Russia.
There is so much to see and to picture in Suzdal that Frank and Sigrid Rainer from Livermore, California are shooting right and left.
The Market Square and the 1720 Resurrection Church.
The 1707 Entry to Jerusalem Church.
The 1739 Saint Nicholas Church.
The 1720 John the Baptist Church.
The 1744 Iliya the Prophet Church.
The mid-18th century wooden Transfiguration Church.
The mid-18th century Saint Boris & Gleb Church.
The 17th century Assumption Church.
The 1706 Our Lady Icon of Smolensk.
The 1749 Saint Simenon Church.
The 1769 Archangel Michael Church.
The 1770 Cross & Nicholas Church.
The 1667 Saint Lazarus (center) and the 1745 Saint Antipius Churches (left).
The 1695 Ascension Church in the Alexander Monastery. The Monastery was founded by Prince Alexander Nevsky in 1240.
Suzdal's skyline.
The locals thrive on tourist business judging by many newly built cottages.
Suzdal in winter.
