Suzdal

Suzdal, first mentioned in chronicles in 1024, is considered to be one of the oldest and the best preserved Russian towns. No other town possesses so many splendid specimens of Russian architecture of different periods whilst retaining its original character and appearance: the Suzdal Kremlin with the sublime Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady (13-16th century), the Bishop’s Palace (former residence of local clerical sovereigns built on the border of the 17th and 18th centuries), Spaso-Yevfimievsky Monastery (16-17th century), where one can enjoy live bell music, the Convent of the Intercession (16-18th century), museum of wooden architecture* in the open air with church and civil structures of the 18th –19th century and many others. Some people name Suzdal “the most Russian city”.
Golden Apple that is the honorary prize of the International Federation of Travel Journalists and Writers was awarded to Suzdal in 1983 for preserving and restoring the cultural monuments and using them in the interests of tourism. Suzdal is an important tourist center. There are no industries and railway and there thousands of historical monuments, which make Suzdal a museum city.

* In winter months a wonderful display of the Golden Treasury museum may be suggested instead of the Wooden Architecture Museum.