Suzdal Kremlin

Suzdal Kremlin is the heart of the city, its main attraction, annually attracting thousands of tourists from all over Russia. It was from this place, which became a religious and administrative center, that Suzdal began to be built. Erected in the X century, the Kremlin was the residence of princes.

The special charm and uniqueness of the Suzdal Kremlin is that it is harmoniously blended into the surrounding architectural ensemble. The place literally breathes antiquity, and visitors from the first minutes give the impression that they found themselves in the county town of N. Despite the serious age, most of the buildings have been preserved in excellent condition, and they can tell a lot about the old days. The site is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which shows that its cultural significance is recognized internationally.

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Video: Suzdal Kremlin from a bird’s eye view

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The Suzdal Kremlin has a long history: today it is more than a thousand years old. The location of the fortress – the bend of Kamenka – was not chosen by chance: from the north-west the river created an insurmountable water barrier, while from the other sides the artificial moat and wooden fence with a zarorol (a fence with pointed logs) provided protection.

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Like all such structures, the Kremlin was located on a hill. For its construction was formed an earthen rampart, inside which a wooden structure was installed. By the way, it is thanks to this trickery that the embankment is quite well preserved to this day. But the wall surrounding the Kremlin, as well as the two watchtowers, was destroyed by a fire that broke out in 1791.

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‘ Wooden Nikolskaya Church

The main attractions of the Suzdal Kremlin are religious buildings. They were erected at different times and are made in different styles. So, in the 12th century the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin was built, and in the 15th century a complex complex of household buildings was already formed around it. In the 16th century the Church of the Annunciation was erected, in the 17th century – the bell tower, on which later a clock with a chime was installed. One of the last on the territory of the Kremlin appeared wooden St. Nicholas Church – it was moved here from the village of Glotovo in 1961.

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Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin

‘ Interior decoration of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin
‘ View of the Suzdalsky Kremlin across Kamenka

The interior of the temple is no less majestic than its exterior decoration. The walls are covered with frescoes dating back to the 13th century, the ancient iconostases are amazing, and the doorways are decorated with plant ornamentation. The pearl of the cathedral is the golden gate, created by local craftsmen in the 1230s. The copper plates depict Gospel scenes. The gate handles are also unusual – they are two massive rings set in the mouths of lion masks.

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‘ Suzdalsky Kremlin in winter‘
‘ Bell tower of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Suzdal Kremlin

Cathedral Bell Tower

To the south of the Nativity Cathedral is an octagonal bell tower topped with a huge tent. It was once the tallest structure in the entire city. The building communicates with the Metropolitan’s chambers by means of galleries and passages. The latter were badly damaged in the 18th century during a fire, but thanks to the efforts of restorers they were completely restored. The bell tower is also interesting with its 17th century clock, which rings every 15 minutes and every hour.

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Bishops’ Chambers

‘ class=”fancybox” >Hierarch’s Chambers of the Suzdal Kremlin

The Hierarch’s Court is located in the western part of the Suzdal Kremlin. It is a whole architectural complex with residential and household buildings of the 17th century. Worthy of special attention is the Chamber of the Cross, where once gave dinner parties and received high-ranking guests.

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Visiting the Suzdal Kremlin

‘ class=”fancybox” >View of Suzdal from the territory of the Kremlin

The Suzdal Kremlin is open to tourists six days a week – except for Tuesday and the last Friday of each month. It is located at the address: Suzdal, Alexei Lebedev Street, 8. Opening hours – from 10:00 to 18:00, but it is better to come early to see all the sights without rushing. Entrance costs 250 rubles, for children, students and pensioners – 100 rubles, but for a visit to the Nativity Cathedral will have to pay separately (price – 100 rubles). Tickets must be bought in advance at the museum’s central bureau, and you can also book a tour there.

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