Suzdal

Suzdal

In the Vladimir region, on the banks of the Kamenka River, there is a city with a centuries-old history, which is part of the "Golden Ring of Russia". The small but cozy and beautiful city of Suzdal fell in love with people for its unspoilt nature, beautiful historical corners and ancient Russian flavor. Thanks to this, Suzdal received the status of a nature reserve city. Tourists who choose to travel around Russia are attracted by the special atmosphere of the settlement and architectural monuments that have remained unchanged since pre-revolutionary times. 
The first mention of the settlement, located near the Kamenka River, dates back to 1024. The formation of Suzdal is associated with two important events for the city: the uprising of peasant workers and the adoption of Christianity in this territory. At that time, Suzdal belonged to the Principality of Kiev, and after a while the city passed into the possession of Prince Vladimir Monomakh.
Suzdal became one of the first cities of Ancient Russia, where the development of the Christian religion began. Already in the XI century, the first cathedrals and monasteries appeared here, forming the spiritual center of the region. Many temples and monasteries of Suzdal have preserved their historical appearance and interior decoration.
The main building of the city is considered to be the Suzdal Citadel, located in the central part and which became the beginning of the formation of a beautiful settlement. Previously, the Meryansk settlement was located on the site of the Kremlin, but with the coming to power of Vladimir Monomakh, everything changed. In the XI century, the prince erected a fortification here with a temple. For many years, the Kremlin defended the city from enemy attacks and was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt. By the 20th century, the fortress was a ruin that had been restored for a long time, and by the second half of the century, an architectural complex had been formed here, restored literally "piece by piece." Today you can see what the Kremlin looked like before its destruction: its snow-white walls, the main cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin, the bishop's chambers, the Nikolskaya Church from the village of Glotov and the Assumption Church. It is better to visit the citadel with an excursion, where the guide will tell you the detailed history of this majestic place.
The Monastery of the Ordination of the Sacrament in Suzdal. This monastery, located in the center of the city, was built on the initiative of Bishop John in the 13th century. The monastery played an important role in the life of the settlement during the attack of the Tatar-Mongol yoke. He became a haven for the inhabitants of the defeated city and resisted the enemy. Subsequently, widows and young girls who decided to devote their lives to serving God found shelter here. During the Soviet era, the monastery was given to the state for political administration and other institutions. The shrines and valuables of the monastery were looted during the Soviet era. In the 1970s, the revival of the monastery began. It was reconstructed and given to the servants by the end of the 20th century.
On the banks of the Kamenka River is the Pokrovsky Convent, built in the early 16th century. The monastery was built on the site of a former wooden cathedral, built during the reign of Dmitry Konstantinovich. The monastery, built in stone, has retained its original appearance. Previously, former aristocratic women who were tonsured as nuns served here. One of the nuns was St. Sophia of Suzdal, who was the wife of Ruler Basil the Third. The wife of Ivan the Terrible and the daughter of Ivan the Third also found refuge here. 
Opposite the Pokrovskaya Monastery, you can see two beautiful religious buildings. The Peter and Paul Church was built here from the 17th century by the labors of the servants of the monastery, and in the 18th century the church was supplemented by the winter St. Nicholas Church. The Church of Peter and Paul has five chapters, previously it was adjoined by a belfry, which was destroyed. The temple has a laconic appearance, divided into three sections by vertical blades. Between them are windows decorated with architraves. Built in an open meadow away from the central area, the churches form a harmonious picture with the surroundings, reminiscent of ancient Russian times.
Vasilievsky Monastery is the oldest architectural monument, erected in the 13th century. Initially, the building was a fortification, which was transformed into a holy sanctuary, built during the reign of Vladimir Krasnoe Solnyshko. When accepting the Orthodox faith, the prince changed his name and began to be called Vasily. Vasilievsky Cathedral with a cuboid base was built in the 17th century. It was originally designed as a three-domed structure, but then it was decided to build only one dome. Later, a refectory church was built here. From the 16th year of the 20th century until 1923, the monastery operated as a convent. Then, during the church persecution, it was closed and handed over to employees at the end of the last century. Since then, the Vasilievsky Monastery has housed a male community.
The Church of the Tikhvin Icon of the Mother of God. The right bank of the Kamenka River was once the site of the St. Andrew's Monastery. The monastery was destroyed during the attack on the city by Polish-Lithuanian troops. Presumably, at the end of the 17th century, a brick temple of the Tikhvin Icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary was erected here. Unfortunately, it has not been preserved to this day in its full historical appearance — the tent-roofed bell tower of the building was destroyed. Today, the temple is inactive, but it still retains in its upper part the decoration of hewn bricks with semicircular arches and the dome on the drum with kokoshniks.
Next to the Shopping Malls, you can see a church made in the color of typical Suzdal art. The white Jerusalem Entrance Church has five small domes topped with black domes with gilded crosses, and a green roof. Это строение было возведено на месте бывшей деревянной Пятницкой церкви в начале XVIII века. Previously, the temple was fenced off by a fence, which was destroyed in the 30s of the last century. There is also another notable religious building in the central district of the city — the Church of the Sorrow. The temple is a one-story rectangular structure with an apse and an attached bell tower with eight sides. The belfry has a tent in the form of a pipe and decor — cornices with teeth and balusters. The current temple building was erected here on the site of a wooden one in 1750.
The Old Believer Church of Cosmas and Damian. On Korovniki Street, which used to belong to the village of the same name, there is an ancient temple in the Russian Baroque style. The brick building was erected on this site in the 17th century. By the 20th century, the beautiful church was in a deplorable state, and its restoration began only in the 70s. After the completion of the restoration work, the temple began to be classified as an architectural monument. Regular Old Believer services have been held here since 2000.