Vladimir
Discover Vladimir
Vladimir (Владимир) is the capital and the largest city of Vladimir Oblast. The city is one of the most visited destinations within the popular Golden Ring circuit, as it preserves several of the finest monuments of white-stone medieval architecture in Russia, along with a number of later buildings from the 16th–20th centuries. Vladimir is in the central part of the Eastern-European plain, on a steep hill beside the Klyazma River. The land to the north from the city is known as Vladimir Fields (Владимирское Ополье), while the land to the south is mainly covered by forests.
What to Experience in Vladimir
Taste of Vladimir...
Beer is probably the only local speciality in Vladimir. Vladimir brewery used to be known for a variety of beer sorts, but the diversity has been substantially reduced, because the brewery joined the brand of "live beer" Fifth Ocean (Пятый океан) – a wheat-free unfiltered beer with a special storage technology that allows to keep fresh unfiltered beer for rather long time. This beer is produced in several breweries and distributed all round the country. In Vladimir, it can be found in SPAR supermarkets. A few filtered lager beers are produced under the general brand Vladimirskoe (Владимирское). They are not very special, but they are local and may be thus expected to be fresh. Here are some post offices in the city centre. The full list of the offices can be found here. From Vladimir, you can easily reach any place in Vladimir Oblast, and the trip should not take more than 3-3.5 hours. Below, the nearest destinations are listed:
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Vladimir into what it is today.
Vladimir was founded in 1108 by Vladimir Monomakh. There is an alternative version that ascribes the foundation of the city to Vladimir the Red Sun in 990. Yet the exact year does not seem to be very important for the average traveler, since the oldest existing monuments date back only to the middle of the 12th century. At that period, the city was rapidly developing due to the activity of Prince Andrey Bogolyubsky who established the capital of North-Eastern Russia in Vladimir. The city's period of greatest importance was probably in the late 12th and early 13th century, up to the Mongol invasion. Several of Russia's greatest architectural monuments were built in Vladimir during that time, including Assumption Cathedral and the Golden Gates, both of which are World Heritage Sites. In 1238, Vladimir was besieged and taken by the Mongol hordes under Batu Khan. The city never recovered fully. Though it remained the pricipality's capital for a century, Vladimir gradually lost its political and cultural significance to Moscow. Until the middle of the 15th century, Vladimir was the capital of North-Eastern Russia, but the actual government worked in Moscow. The transfer of the capital was completed in the 15th century: the Assumption Cathedral in the Moscow Kremlin, modeled after one of the oldest cathedrals in Vladimir, became the state church. The holy icon of Our Lady of Vladimir was also moved to Moscow. Vladimir continued to be a provincial capital....
Location & Landscape
Vladimir is in the central part of the Eastern-European plain, on a steep hill beside the Klyazma River. The land to the north from the city is known as Vladimir Fields (Владимирское Ополье), while the land to the south is mainly covered by forests. Vladimir is somewhat elongated along the river that forms its southern boundary. From the north, the city is bounded by a "semi-circle" road, formerly a part of the M7 highway. Inside the city, small rivers flow into the Klyazma and form deep valleys that were used as fortifications. The inner layout of Vladimir is fairly simple. The main street runs roughly from west to east close to the Klyazma River and passes through the historical centre. Different parts of this street have different names: Московское шоссе (entry from Moscow) – проспект Ленина – улица Студёная гора – Дворянская улица – Большая Московская улица – Большая Нижегородская улица – Добросельская улица (entry from Nizhny Novgorod).
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsVladimir is halfway between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, so you will be able to get in from both cities. It is also possible to visit Vladimir during a trip around the Golden Ring. Vladimir Semyazino airport does not have regular passenger communication. Nearest airports are in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, both receive international flights. From there, you can easily reach Vladimir by train, by bus, or by car. The main station is next to the central bus station and close to the historic centre. Four or five suburban trains per day run to Vladimir from Moscow's Kurskaya Station. The journey takes 2½-3 hr. Buy tickets at the regional (short-distance) train ticket counter in the right wing of the Kurskaya station (Poezda Prigorodnogo Napravleniya - Gorkogo). Tickets cost from 505 руб (June 2019) one way. There are several daily departures with the earliest at 08:00. The 18:00 express is the quickest of these local trains but it has limited seats available....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
The historical centre is easily explored by foot, so the regular traveller is unlikely to use the public transport in Vladimir. Still, there is an extensive network of trolleybuses, buses, and minibuses (marshrutki), serving the whole city. The most useful option is the trolleybus #5 that connects the train station to the historical centre and runs along Bolshaya Moscovksaya Ulitsa. Normally, you have to pay to the driver or to a special lady who sits in the bus and collects the money. These monuments are recognized by UNESCO and included in the World Heritage List. They are essential tourist destinations in Vladimir. There are lots of churches in Vladimir, and you're unlikely to visit all of them. Here are representative examples of various styles: Since the 18th century, Vladimir has been a provincial city, so its secular buildings are rather small and modest. Do not expect to see any masterpieces.
Where to Stay
Here are some post offices in the city centre. The full list of the offices can be found here. From Vladimir, you can easily reach any place in Vladimir Oblast, and the trip should not take more than 3-3.5 hours. Below, the nearest destinations are listed:
Money & Budget
Traditional Russian souvenirs can be found right on the street next to the Golden Gate. It is also possible to find icons and other authentic gifts in the nearby St. Demetrius' Cathedral. Don't miss the shop of local crystalware in the church of St. Trinity. Vladimir has several shopping centres and lots of smaller shops that offer a great variety of food, drinks, clothes, etc. Beer is probably the only local speciality in Vladimir. Vladimir brewery used to be known for a variety of beer sorts, but the diversity has been substantially reduced, because the brewery joined the brand of "live beer" Fifth Ocean (Пятый океан) – a wheat-free unfiltered beer with a special storage technology that allows to keep fresh unfiltered beer for rather long time.
Safety Information
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Vladimir
a large white building with gold domes on top of it
a large white building with gold domes on top of it
a white church with a green roof surrounded by trees
a view of a city with snow on the ground
a body of water with trees and buildings in the background
The Dormition Cathedral in Vladimir, Russia.
White bell tower with black spire and golden dome
Black car puddle Vladimir
low angle photo of skyscraper under cloudy sky
Vladimir, Russia
a large white building with gold domes on top of it
a large white building with gold domes on top of it
a white church with a green roof surrounded by trees