- Main attractions
- Where to go for free
- Entertainment for children
- Suzdal in summer and winter
- Cafes and restaurants
- Souvenirs
Suzdal is a wonderful and very cozy city located 35 km from Vladimir. The city is part of the Golden Ring and itself is a monument of Ancient Russia. There are no high-rise buildings, a large number of cars and industrial enterprises. A typical landscape of Suzdal is narrow green streets, white-stone churches, on the golden domes of which the sun sparkles and the unhurried waters of the river. The air here is always clean and fresh.
There are more than 60 temples and churches in Suzdal, 32 of which are active. By the way, in Yaroslavl there are also 60 churches, but there are 100,000 inhabitants, and in Suzdal there are only 10,000 people. The boundaries of the city have not changed since the 18th century.
Suzdal can be called an exemplary tourist center in the best sense of the word. There are a large number of hotels for different budgets, many are built in the Russian style, a sufficient number of restaurants and cafes with delicious and hearty cuisine. And you don't have to look for sights for a long time - you just need to go outside. All this, coupled with the richest historical heritage, makes Suzdal an ideal place for a trip for a few days.
Getting to Suzdal is not difficult. From Vladimir - only 35 km, the exit to Suzdal is indicated on the Vladimir ring road (it is the M7 Volga highway). On the same road you will reach from Moscow or from the direction of Nizhny Novgorod. There is no railway station in Suzdal, but there is a good bus connection with the Vladimir railway station, where the Lastochka high-speed trains, running between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, stop. You can also get from Moscow by direct bus, which runs several times a day. In general, it is better to come to Suzdal not for one day, but at least for 2-3 days, otherwise you risk not seeing even all the main sights of the city.
Main attractions
If you are just starting to get acquainted with the culture, architecture and history of Ancient Russia, then you will not find a better place in Suzdal. There are restored temples and churches dating back to the pre-Mongol period of the country's history, there is a perfectly preserved Kremlin, five operating monasteries - Spaso-Evfimiev, Deposition of the Robe, Pokrovsky, Aleksandrovsky, Vasilievsky, monuments of wooden architecture, and in addition, traditional Russian festivals are regularly held. Let's talk about the most important sights:
- The Suzdal Kremlin is the heart of the city and the most ancient part of it. The Kremlin is surrounded by a well-preserved earthen rampart, along the top of which there is a path. There are wonderful views of the city from here.
- If the Kremlin is the heart of the city, then the Nativity Cathedral is the heart of the Kremlin. The bishop's court, the cathedral and the cathedral bell tower were built over five centuries from the 13th to the 17th century. The ensemble of the cathedral is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The interior decoration amazes the imagination with its luxury, high iconostasis and unusual bright colors of the frescoes that adorn the walls of the cathedral. It's worth coming here early in the morning to enjoy the interior of the cathedral in silence. On the territory of the Kremlin, you will find the wooden St. Nicholas Church from 1766. It was brought from the Vladimir region, making it the first exhibit of the Museum of Wooden Architecture of Suzdal.
- Ilyinsky meadow is a specially protected natural area opposite the Suzdal Kremlin, surrounded by old churches. According to legend, it was here that Evpatiy Kolovrat fought with the Tatar-Mongols, whose name entered the Russian language as a famous saying.
- The Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery with the Spaso-Preobrazhensky Cathedral, founded in the XIV century, at one time was one of the richest Russian monasteries. One of the folk heroes of Russia, Dmitry Pozharsky, is buried near the walls of the cathedral. On the bell tower of the cathedral there are several bells with a very melodic, what is called "crimson" ringing. Try to get here at the beginning of the hour - the ringer is putting on a small bell concert. The interior of the Transfiguration Cathedral can compete with the cathedral in the Kremlin in terms of richness of decoration. Inside there are frescoes by the Kostroma master Guriy Nikitin. Near the monastery there is an observation deck with beautiful views of the Kamenka River and the Intercession Convent.
- In addition to the above-mentioned Spaso-Efimovsky Monastery, a must-see is the Pokrovsky Monastery, built in the 14th century, but extensively rebuilt in the 17th century by order of Ivan the Terrible. Thanks to the restructuring, the architecture of the monastery looks very unusual - a sophisticated mixture of white-stone Russian architecture and Western European. The Intercession Monastery is famous as a place of exile for objectionable royal wives. The most famous of them was Evdokia Lopukhina - the first wife of Peter I. The first wife of Vasily III, the fifth wife of Ivan the Terrible and the only wife of Vasily Shuisky were also exiled here.
- Next to the Kremlin is the Suzdal Posad, also surrounded by an earthen rampart. There are preserved stone church and civil buildings of the 18th-19th centuries. Pay attention to the high tent bell towers - a distinctive feature of Suzdal architecture. Also, attention is drawn to the large number of "paired" church ensembles - standing next to the winter and summer churches. Take a walk through the Torgovye Ryadi, a white-stone courtyard built in the 19th century, which has been beautifully restored.
- The Suzdal Open Air Museum of Wooden Architecture is another must-see. The museum was founded on the site of the first monastery in Suzdal. Wooden buildings from different parts of the Vladimir region were brought here. Many are built without the use of nails. The everyday life of peasants has been recreated inside the buildings. It will be interesting not only for children, but also for adults.
- Shchurovo settlement is a modern sight, but it takes tourists to the distant past. This place is the scenery built for the filming of Pavel Lungin's film "Tsar", here you can immerse yourself in the life of the village of Ancient Rus. Of course, in some places everything looks like a props, but it can be quite interesting. Especially for children.
Where to go for free
Entrance to all monasteries in Suzdal is free. However, it is worth remembering proper clothing, since the monasteries are active. You can also visit the Museum of Wooden Architecture for free.
Since the whole city is a real open-air museum of the architecture of Ancient Rus, you are guaranteed free walks in the most beautiful places. Do not forget to look at the observation deck to the Spaso-Efimiev Monastery.
Entertainment for children
Children will be interested in visiting the Museum of Wooden Architecture, which has a playground and plenty of space to run. It is also worth visiting the Shchurovo settlement, which has a small stockyard.
In the children's museum center, located in the Bishops' Chambers, children can attend a lesson at a zemstvo school and try to write with a real pen.
It is interesting to come to Suzdal with children for the numerous holidays held in the city. This is Maslenitsa, which is widely celebrated in Russian with festivities and dances. The Suzdal Cucumber Festival, held in August and dedicated to the most famous souvenir of Suzdal. In winter - the holiday "Russian Fairy Tale", and at the Festival of Bast Shoes you can learn not only how to make bast shoes, but also run at speed in them.
Suzdal in summer and winter
Suzdal is an all-season city. In summer, the weather is beautiful and sunny, suitable for hiking and carriage rides. In summer, it is convenient to get to churches and monasteries located far from the city, not all roads have excellent coverage. In summer, the following holidays are held: City Day, Cucumber Day and the Festival of Bell Ringing and Brass Music "Lord's Summer".
In winter, Suzdal has a special spirit - the charm of a real snowy Russian winter. Here you can go sledding from the rampart, ice skating along the frozen river, and sleigh rides on smooth roads. In the midst of frost, the holiday "Russian Fairy Tale" is held here with primordial Russian amusements, outdoor teas and its own special atmosphere.
Cafes and restaurants
Suzdal cafes and restaurants can be roughly divided into three categories: expensive restaurants stylized as boyar chambers with appropriate interiors, dishes and prices; inexpensive, cozy places in which Russian cuisine will be what we love - delicious and satisfying; refectories at monasteries, lunches in which will add a special flavor to your trip.
For example, the refectory on the territory of the Intercession Monastery, where the novices themselves cook. The refectory is located in a spacious log cabin on the territory. Fasting is obligatory, everything is very tasty.
Nice cafe "Balzaminov Dvorik", made in the interiors of the film "The Marriage of Balzaminov", which was filmed in Suzdal. The prices are reasonable, the quality is very good.
An interesting place is the restaurant "Count Suvorov", where dishes are served in accordance with the geography of the commander's campaigns. A very beautiful interior, coupled with an unusual menu, makes the place very popular.
Souvenirs
The most famous souvenir from Suzdal is the local mead. It can be bought and tasted everywhere. There are alcoholic and non-alcoholic. The largest selection of options is in the tasting room in the Trade Rows. This is really one of the most (if not the most) delicious meads in Russia.
Of course, the Suzdal cucumber is another edible souvenir that will be glad to offer you everywhere. Try the cucumber jam.
Numerous souvenir stalls are filled with bells, birch bark and clay products from local producers. In the pottery shop "Dymov Ceramics" you can not only buy the famous Dymkovo toys, but also try to make them yourself.
