Vladimir

Vladimir is over one thousand years old. It was founded by Vladimir, Prince of Kiev, on the high bank of the Klyazma river at the end of the 10th century. At the beginning of the 12th century the city was fortified by Prince Vladimir Monomakh. At the middle of the 12th century Vladimir became the capital of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality and of the North-Eastern Russia.

White-stone monuments of the 12th century - the Golden Gate, the main cathedral, royal and monastery churches were worthy representation of the principle Russian city which served a bridge between Kiev (the former capital) and Moscow (the would be capital).

Andrei Bogolyubsky's younger brother Vsevolod the Big Nest preserved and added to the magnificence of the city. He constructed the Kremlin with the Cathedral of St. Demetrius, the Nativity Monastery with the white-stone Nativity Cathedral, the Princess’ Convent and he rebuilt the most sacred church of the principality - the Assumption Cathedral.

The Mongol invasion of the 13th century undermined the might of Vladimir: stone buildings were no longer constructed, many handicrafts were forgotten, the city was desolated. In 1263, Alexander Nevsky, Prince of Vladimir (grandson of Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest) died. He was known as a hero of the battle on the Chudskoye (Peipus) Lake, a clever diplomat and field commander. His remains had been kept in the Nativity Monastery in Vladimir for 460 years before they were moved to St. Petersburg.

After the raise of Moscow Vladimir was subordinated to the new capital. At the turn of the 16th century stone construction was resumed. This period is represented by one of the most poetic creations - the Assumption Cathedral of the Princess’ Convent. In the 16th – 18th centuries the city exceeded its old boundaries; a number of settlements appeared around the old fortress. In the 17th century a lovely church of the Assumption of the Mother of God was built. And in the 18th century a big number of stone parish churches were constructed which replaced the wooden ones.

In 1778 the province of Vladimir was established. Vladimir became the center of the province. The city plan of 1781 envisaged the extension of the territory, the regular layout, secular stone building.

In 1785–1790, the building for local administration was constructed. In the main street called Bolshaya (Nevsky prospect of Vladimir) a number of privately owned stone houses appeared. The whole block was taken up by the Gostiny Dvor (commercial center). The post-office was built next to the Golden Gate. At the eastern bounds the alms-house was constructed; in front of the administration building - the Nobles' Club and the classical school for boys; next to the Cathedral of St. Demetrius the Governor's house appeared. Little by little Vladimir was turning into a beautiful, well-built city and at the same time it didn't lose its historical face.

In 1860, the water-running system was built, in 1887 – the telephone appeared, in 1909 - the electric power station and in 1838 the highway Moscow - Nizhni Novgorod were constructed. In 1861 the railway went via Vladimir. At the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century several interesting buildings were constructed in Vladimir, which especially decorated the city - the Church of Archangel Michael (1893), the city bank (1896), the Historical Museum (1901), the City Club (1905), the technical high school (1907), the City Hall (1907), the old believer's Trinity Church (1916).

The 20th century had greatly changed the face of Vladimir. In the 1930s the first industrial enterprises were built: the chemical and machine building plants. The local factories manufacture tractors, electrical motors, automobile instruments, electrical equipment. After the war buses and trolleys appeared in the city. The city grew on all the sides. The population of Vladimir is about 340 thousand.

Today Vladimir is the center of the region. There are two universities in the city, Drama and Puppet theatres, a concert hall.

The most important cultural institution is the Museum of Vladimir and Suzdal with two branches in Suzdal and Gus-Khrustalny.