Vladimir Attractions, Russia

Assumption Cathedral
The magnificent Assumption Cathedral is what you see first when you enter Cathedral Square. It was different when it was built in 1158. Gilded decorative friezes, carved reliefs and multi-colored frescos graced its outer walls. Everything was destroyed in the great fire in 1185. That fire changed the face of the Cathedral, but the Cathedral remained a wonderful masterpiece and still retained its beauty. It survived the next great fire when Mongol-Tatars trapped all the prince's family in the cathedral and set it on fire.
Assumption Cathedral, apart from being a solemn witness to these tragic events, also enjoyed fame and attention. It had been the principal church where princes of ancient Russia were crowned. In those times Vladimir had been the capital of Russia. The Cathedral retained its privileges for a long time after Vladimir lost its power and influence to rulers of Moscow, who took the title of grand-prince.
Coronation ceremonies in the Assumption Cathedral were truly remarkable and outstanding. Historical chronicles remark on the abundant use of gold in decoration of both exterior and interior of the cathedral. Also the Cathedral housed the celebrated, miraculous icon of the Virgin of Vladimir, which is widely venerated throughout Russian lands. Truly beautiful are the 15th century frescoes found inside the Cathedral: "The Last Judgment", "Non-evening Light", and "Abraham's Bosom". These frescoes are the works of Andrei Rublev, one of the most famous of early Russian artists. Splendid altar and iconostasis adorning the interior of the Cathedral are worth visiting.
The Cathedral experienced some changes in the 19th century, with additions to the ancient corpus of the Cathedral. A classical style bell-town was constructed with a tall golden helmet on the site of an ancient bell-fry that had been destroyed by lightning. In 1862, the chapel of St. George was erected between the bell tower and the cathedral.
Assumption Cathedral is today a functioning church. Apart from admiring the beauty of the Cathedral, you can take part in its services. Such an experience you will never forget.

The Golden Gate
The Golden Gate erected in 1164 is one of the most outstanding symbols and was an indispensable part of the ancient city of Vladimir from the very beginning of its history. The Golden Gate was once a formidable fortress, a four-sided tower with great oak doors bound in gilded copper. Vladimir had several gates, but the Golden Gate was the main entrance to the city. Alexander Nevsky and Dmitri Donskoy passed through the Golden Gate to enter Vladimir and become princes of Ancient Russia. The Golden Gate saw glorious Russian troops march through it to deter threats, which Rus faced. The Golden Gate witnessed celebrations and tragedies, festives and destruction. Every time it rose from the ashes having survived the many disasters and catastrophes Vladimir has faced in its long history. Its greatest challenge was the attack by Mongol-Tartars.
Today there are no Mongol-Tartars, and the Golden Gate stands strong and magnificent, reminding us of the great past the town of Vladimir had experienced. It is no longer located on the edge of the city and an entrance to the town. Instead it is the center of the large city and plays a role not of a military guard but of a peaceful observer, who is ready to share with us its successes and tragedies, falls and rises, ups and downs, stories and secrets. The Golden Gate now hosts a museum at its top, which invites everybody and promises an unforgettable visit. To visit a museum you will have to climb a step staircase. The Golden Gate is the most prominent symbol of Vladimir city, and it is unthinkable to consider Vladimir without them.

St. Demetrius Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Demetrius, built under the Prince Vsevolod III, is one of the most graceful and beautiful churches in Vladimir. It is like an icon in stone. It is the most mysterious church you will find in Vladimir; beauty and mystery are inseparably linked in it, which makes the Cathedral of St. Demetrius really special.
The first mystery of the Cathedral is its birth, for no historical chronic mentions the time when this church was founded. However, many report that in 1197 the icon of St. Demetrius of Salonica was brought here from Byzantium.
The next mystery is the Cathedral itself. Numerous relief images of lions, centaurs, snow leopards and exotic ornaments (more than 1000) are covered on its white-stone walls. The sculptural decor incorporates subjects from the Bible and classical Greek mythology. In the central parts of the facades the image of King David is repeated. In medieval times, he was associated with the celebration of beauty and harmony of the world. Though all these relief may seem now only mere decorations, a valuable garment, but they have had another function; of speaking to people, of inspiring them. What is concealed behind this symbolic form will hardly be open to anyone, but it is worth a try. If not the mystery, the beauty will surely penetrate you.
Not all of the mysteries will be revealed because the interior of the Cathedral, where surviving fragments of 12th century frescoes and more are stored, is not open for visitors.
 

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