Vladimir

See also Suzdal

Some numbers

NB. 8-0922-local number if calling from other cities

Train station: 293300, 322802

Bus station: 323790

Taxi: Our taxi – 383838, TaxiPark – 241810, Impulse – 323173, Leader – 321870, Temp – 321835

Local History Museum: 322284, 323561

Golden Gates Exposition (the Mongol invasion): 322559

Drama Theatre: 323092

Puppets Theatre: 324178

Folklore Theatre: 216770, 312977

From our in-house historian

[to be translated soon]

Город основан в 1108 году по указу князя Владимира Мономаха (внука императора Византии и зятя короля Англии Гарольда II). Через 60 лет он стал столицей Суздальского княжества, а в конце XIII и начале XIV века был столицей всей Руси (потом эта роль перешла к Москве). Здесь правил 11 лет Александр Невский, победитель тевтонских рыцарей. Во Владимире работал выдающийся русский иконописец XV века Андрей Рублев (единственный, кого можно поставить в один ряд с живописцами Ренессанса), о котором в 1976 году снял фильм режиссер Тарковский.

В XIX веке владимирский епископ Феофан внезапно оставил кафедру и ушел на 27 лет в монастырский затвор, став Феофаном Затворником, знаменитым переводчиком на русский язык книг греческих отцов Церкви (III-XII веков).

Comment supplied by the famous Vovchik of Ryazan

East from Moscow, 200 or so kilometers. Although the distance may seem small, the Entuziastov highway is often clogged, so plan to need at least two hours to leave Moscow. Vladimir is on your way to Suzdal, a "must see" tourist destination, after which you can easily proceed to Yaroslavl. The region is a mix of pine forests, heavy industry, abandoned villages and overgrowing fields, casinos, and hotels... Muscovites who have moved there feel comfortable. The center of Vladimir has a distinct "old Russian town" look and feel. Vladimir, Shuya, and Kovrovo are leading suppliers of "Russian brides"

Accommodation on your way to Vladimir from Moscow

The distance is short in miles but may take you hours of tiresome driving. After three hours of trying to get out of Moscow and another two of pitch-dark highway I just stopped at a place which remotely looked like it could be a cafe. It turned out to be a cafe, a restaurant, and a hotel run by an Armenian family. Description, picture, and contact details are HERE. And a word of advice: dDo learn to spot places like that, usually unmarked, before embarking on your Russian adventure. Many things you take for granted, like road marking, asphalt that reflects light, or properly adjusted headlights of other cars, are just not the case here, and you may find yourself dangerously warn out after 100 miles of driving. So do learn the knack for finding accommodation when you body demands it, or you will end up spending a night in a ditch. Cheaper but far less comfortable than the least equipped of Russian motels.

Accommodation in Vladimir

U zolotykh vorot / By the Golden Gates, ulitsa Bolshaya Moskovskaya, the city's main drag, no. 17. Small, cozy, located right in the center of things, but expensive, eg. a double room will cost you $70. Tel.: (8-0922) 420823, e-mail: gate48@bk.ru
Zolotoye Koltso / The Golden Ring, ulitsa Tchaikovskogo 27, Tel.: (8-0922) 248807 (reception), (8-0922) 247208 (reservations), e-mail: bron@gold-ring.ru Stayed there with my clients, who paid 1200 ($45) for a double. I stayed in a single for an equivalent of $30 but even cheaper rooms ($20) are there but need to be reserved in advance. A professionally run 3-star hotel. At the time we were there (end of May 2005) they are going through a major renovation and the municipal hot water supply was down - yet they handled the situation admirably. The downside: 40 min. walk to downtown. Attractions include a beer bar stylized after the Brezhnev era, and a "Russian Soul" pub.

Things to see / do

Build 1193-1197 and is famous for its elaborate stone carving which attracts you foreigners. May I humbly suggest that you contemplate the esthetics of pre-Mongol churches that use no beautifications apart from material, proportions, and architectural elements.