Vladimir – Suzdal – Sergiev Posad (500 km) – a part of the “Golden Ring of Russia” traveling route. Vladimir and Suzdal were the successors of Kiev and the predecessors of Moscow as the capital cities.
Sophisticated architecture of the Moscow Kremlin could be considered as the succession of the 12th century Vladimir – Suzdal monumental art. Moscow as the heart of the Russian statehood has its religious and cultural roots in the very essence of Vladimir – Suzdal principality. Visiting Vladimir and Suzdal can give the flavor to the Moscow artistic shapes, can give deep understanding of Russian historical background.
Moscow – Vladimir: Gorkovskoe highway is the former Vladimir Highway – merchant’s road to Nizhnyi Novgorod Fair and prisoner’s path to an exile.
The way to Vladimir – Suzdal – Sergiev Posad goes through Yuriev-Polsky and Alexandrov small historical towns. We travel by car (VW Minivan with Wi-fi).
The town of Vladimir (founded in 1108) was the 12th century political center of North-Eastern Russia. Authentic Assumption and Dmitrievsky Cathedrals, the Golden Gate of the town, part of the earthen rampart of the old city wall are preserved since than.
19th century provincial period is traced by streets in the down town.
Panoramic view from the high bank over the Klyazma river shows typical endless forests and vastness of the Central Russia.
The town of Suzdal (founded in 1024) (in 20 km from Vladimir) as the residence of the Prince of Vladimir in the 12th century had it’s own Kremlin. Today it’s preserved to the look of the 16th – 18th centuries. It’s surrounded with a high earthen rampart – with a wide path to walk on the top.
The Museum of Wooden architecture shows cathedrals, windmills, peasant houses under the open air.
Trading stalls (early 19th century) in the down town offer all the variety of traditional local souvenirs (Russian not China produced).
The Intercession convent founded in the 14th century, is preserved to the architectural look of the 16th century. Nowadays it is an operating monastery with a crypt of Russian ex-Tsarinas, widows of the Tsars and noble women in the basement of the main cathedral.
The Spasso-Yevfimievsky monastery founded in the mid 14th century, preserved as the 16th – 17th centuries stony fortress is a historical, architectural and art museum.
Dozens of 16th – 19th century churches all around 15 square km of the Suzdal’s grounds.
Sergiev Posad (founded in 1340) is the town founded around the largest and most influential monastery of Russia in the 14th century.
Sergiev Posad – Moscow: Yaroslavl highway is the pilgrimage road to the Trinity monastery since the 14th century up to nowadays.
Guide + driver service for a group of 1-4 / 5-7 people:
Sergiev Posad (one town)
1 day tour – 23 500 rub / 27 000 rub;
Vlaimir-Suzdal (two towns)
1 day tour (Friday preferably) – 36 000 rub / 40 000 rub;
2 days tour* (Friday – Saturday preferably) – 43 000 rub / 49 000 rub;
Vlaimir – Suzdal – Sergiev Posad (three towns)
2 days tour* (Friday – Saturday preferably) – 53 000 rub / 57 000 rub;
* with stay overnight in the “Russian village” hotel complex: 2 single rooms for guide and driver + hotel accommodation for the group is paid additionally.
Vladimir-Suzdal-Bogoliubovo Museum
Suzdal open air Museum of wooden architecture
High season: daily 9 am – 7 pm, Wednesday 9 am – 12 pm; 400 rub/adult.