Suzdal

Suzdal - is a small town in Russia, in the Golden Ring area ( a geographic ring of famous historic cities around Moscow) North from Moscow near the town Vladimir.

Suzdal - is a wonderful ancient town with fantastic architectural monuments of the past.

The first written mention of Suzdal dates back to the year of 1024. In the 12th-14th centuries that was one of the most powerful towns of the ancient Rus. In Suzdal, Vladimir and in the neighbouring territories a peculiar school of architecture appeared. The major monuments representing this peculiar architectural style are still with us. The architectural style of Vladimir and Suzdal is characterised by sophisticated proportions (the use of "golden section"), fine design of facades with the arc belt as the necessary element.

One of the latest monuments of the above architectural style, the Church of the Nativity is located in Suzdal, it was built in 1222-1225 but later it was rebuilt and some wall-paintings were added in the 13th, 15th and 17th centuries. The sight of Suzdal strikes by numerous churches and convents. Prince D. Pozharsky is buried in Saviour-Epyphany Convent. The Resurrection Cathedral was built in Suzdal in the 16th century, it was decorated and painted by Guriy Nikitin in. The Monastery of the Deposition of the Robe is famous with its Church over the Gates, while the Monastery of Intercession has its wonderful Church of the Annunciation over the Gates, built in 1518. The historic centre of Suzdal is enveloped by the walls of ancient Kremlin. The museum of wooden architecture and peasant life is located close to the town centre. The branch of Vladimir-Suzdal historic-architectural and arts museum-national park is open in one of the monasteries of Suzdal. The exhibition displays icons, fine pieces of folk art, painting, drawings.
Everywhere around the town there are rising silhouettes of churches and monasteries with golden cupolas in the middle of luxuriant green nature. You'll never forget a scene like that on a warm summer afternoon just before a furious thunderstorm, sun still shining but clouds as black as night raising in the horizon behind the golden coupolas of a monastery and a church bell ringing somewhere.
No doubt, God still loves Suzdal.