Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir

Dormition Cathedral is a unique monument of white-stone architecture of pre-Mongol times. It was built in 1158-1160 under Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky in the center of the city. The Dormition Cathedral was conceived as a cathedral, the main temple of all Russia. The temple was erected by masters of all Russian lands and foreigners.

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General information

‘ class=”fancybox” >Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir

The vaults of the temple are supported by six pillars, and a gilded helmet crowns the head, which is elevated almost 5 meters higher than Kiev Sophia. In 1161 Greek isographers painted the walls of the cathedral, and three years later the Wonderworking Icon of the Mother of God was transferred to it. Since then, the image has been called the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.

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After the fire of 1185, which destroyed many buildings, the Dormition Cathedral was reconstructed. The old temple was inside the built from the south, north and west of the buildings The new cathedral became more spacious, five-domed, with a gilded central and silvered side domes. The temple preserved fragments of frescoes of both unknown masters of the middle of the XII century and Andrei Rublev, who painted the cathedral in 1408.

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Currently, the Assumption Cathedral is used by the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve and the Russian Orthodox Church. It is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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Interesting facts

  • Restorers of the 19th and 20th centuries restored the architectural forms of the Cathedral of the Assumption.
  • Between 1 927 and 1944, the cathedral was closed for divine service.
  • The Dormition Cathedral of 1,158-1,160 surpassed the Sophia Cathedrals of Kiev and Novgorod in height. Its height was 32.3 m.
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  • In 1185, by the decision of Vladimir Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest, the Dormition Cathedral was significantly expanded. Side galleries were added to it, and also the altar part of the cathedral was enlarged.
    • In the northern gallery of the Assumption Cathedral are buried its builders – Princes Andrei Bogolyubsky and Vsevolod the Big Nest...
  • Currently, the Assumption Cathedral is the main cathedral of the Vladimir diocese. It is used for regular services, and the rest of the time it is open as a museum exposition.
    • The original frescoes of the Assumption Cathedral have not survived to this day.
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