Vladimir
Vladimir was founded in 1108 originally as a fortress, as were all of the towns along Russia’s famous Golden Ring.
Soon after it’s founding however, Kiev was sacked and
Vladimir was made the capital of all Rus. Vladimir was lavished with money and artists and artisans were imported from as far away as Western Europe to give the city a splendor worthy of a capital. Thus was established the shortlived “Vladimir-Suzdal School:” a style that helped form the nucleus of principles that would help define Russian art and architecture. The city remained the capital of Rus until the
14th century, when it was usurped by Moscow.
Vladimir remained vital, however, and was made the capital of its region in 1557. Today, Vladimir is best known for three buildings that survive its golden years and for its icons. The buildings include the cathedrals of the Assumption and St. Dmitry and the impressive Golden Gate, which was once the city’s main entrance through its defensive walls.
Eastern Orthodoxy’s most famous icon painters from the
1500’s, Andrey Rubolyov and Danil Chorny, decorated the entire Dormation Cathedral.
Besides these attractions, little else remains of
Vladimir’s ancient buildings. Soviet-era buildings dating from when Vladimir first became a center for the chemical and textile industries (the infamous “white gold” days) now occupy much of the city. www.sras.org
Vladimir
Vladimir was founded in 1108 originally as a fortress, as were all of the towns along Russia’s famous Golden Ring.
Soon after it’s founding however, Kiev was sacked and
Vladimir was made the capital of all Rus. Vladimir was lavished with money and artists and artisans were imported from as far away as Western Europe to give the city a splendor worthy of a capital. Thus was established the shortlived “Vladimir-Suzdal School:” a style that helped form the nucleus of principles that would help define Russian art and architecture. The city remained the capital of Rus until the
14th century, when it was usurped by Moscow.
Vladimir remained vital, however, and was made the capital of its region in 1557. Today, Vladimir is best known for three buildings that survive its golden years and for its icons. The buildings include the cathedrals of the Assumption and St. Dmitry and the impressive Golden Gate, which was once the city’s main entrance through its defensive walls.
Eastern Orthodoxy’s most famous icon painters from the
1500’s, Andrey Rubolyov and Danil Chorny, decorated the entire Dormation Cathedral.
Besides these attractions, little else remains of
Vladimir’s ancient buildings. Soviet-era buildings dating from when Vladimir first became a center for the chemical and textile industries (the infamous “white gold” days) now occupy much of the city. www.sras.org