Suzdal

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search

This article is about the Russian town. For the fictional character, see The Crime and the Glory of Commander Suzdal.

Coordinates: 56°25′N 40°27′E / 56.417°N 40.45°E / 56.417; 40.45

The Resurrection Cathedral and Market Square, Suzdal

The Holy Gate, Rizopolozhensky Convent, Suzdal

The central arch of the trading stalls, Market Square, Suzdal

St. Euthymius Monastery, Transfiguration Cathedral and Belfry

Suzdal (Russian: Су́здаль) is a town in Vladimir Oblast, Russia, situated north-east of Moscow, 26 kilometers (16 mi) from the city of Vladimir, on the Kamenka River. Population: 11,357 (2002 Census);^[1] 12,063 (1989 Census).^[2]

[edit] History

The history of the town dates back to at least the year 1024. For centuries it functioned as the capital of several Russian principalities. It forms part of the Golden Ring.

After a decline in political importance, the town rose in prominence as a religious center with numerous monasteries and a remarkable ratio of churches to citizens: at one point, forty churches for four hundred families. Today, the town operates as an important tourist center, featuring many fine examples of old Russian architecture — most of them churches and monasteries. Walking through the town one might get the feeling that every third building is a church. Although having over ten thousand residents, Suzdal still retains the look and feel of a small village with streams and meadows everywhere nearby, and chicken and livestock a common sight on the city streets, some of which are unpaved. This juxtaposition of stunning medieval architecture with its pastoral setting lends Suzdal a picturesque charm, and in the summer artists and easels are a common sight.

In March, the Suzdal tourist centre is home to the Open Russian Festival of Animated Film.

The Cathedral of the Nativity in Suzdal is one of the eight White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, a World Heritage Site.

[edit] Monuments

Wooden Church of Saint Nicholas. This church was built in Glotovo Russia in 1766 and was recently moved to Suzdal in 1960 to be part of a museum of wooden architecture. The church is elevated off the ground about a story high from when it was moved across the country. This church is made out of all wood and represents the close relationship between wood and stone architecture and how precise the Russians were while building this back in 1766.
The John Baptist Church. This Baptist church was built in 1720, the same time as Saint Nicholas church was built. The amazing this about this church is the difference between the type of architecture between the two churches that were built in the same time period. Where are the Saint Nicholas church is all wooden the John Baptist Church is made out of white plastered walls with wooden supports. The differences between the arches and textures and overall appearance is truly so different and is defiantly a site to see.
The Saint Alexander Convent. This church was built in 1240 by an unknown architect. It is said that the princesses of Suzdal, Mariya and Agrippina, were buried here in 1300s. The old architecture with new improvements makes this church interesting and different.
Convent of Intercession. The convent was found in 1264. In the center of this beautiful white walled convent is the cathedral of the Intercession; it was an add on built in 1518 by and unknown man. The interior of the cathedral has no paintings of stained glass it is just plan white stone walls all around. The church was and still is one of the richest convents in Russia. The convent is the home of many nuns and is also the burial vault for twenty nuns of noble birth. Connected to the white stoned wall cathedral is an art museum you can tour. There are many beautiful paintings but none in the actual cathedral itself. This building is filled with beautiful arches and art built in the 16th and 17th century is a wonderful place to visit. Plus in the very heart of the convent is a restaurant to feed your appetite after all the site seeing.