The land of Suzdal is a place with a long history. There are many white stone churches here, created by the hands of folk craftsmen and unknown talented architects. Today, the Suzdal district houses more than 138 architectural monuments of the 17th through 19th centuries of which five white stone monuments have been included in the World Heritage List in 1992 by the decision of the XVI session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO.
Suzdal is located 38 km from Vladimir and 230 km from Moscow.
The first mention of Suzdal in Russian chronicles dates back to 1024, and as early as at the beginning of the 12th century, Suzdal was mentioned as the centre of the Rostov-Suzdal principality. In the 12th and the first third of the 13th centuries, Suzdal experienced the period of the greatest prosperity in its history. During the period of feudal fragmentation, it became the capital of the principality whose first independent prince was the son of Vladimir Monomakh, Yuri Dolgoruky.
In the XVI century, the historical layout of the city was formed. It consisted of the Kremlin, the posad and the monasteries, surrounded by monastic servants' settlements or slobodas. In 1634, the Crimean Tatars ravaged the city. 10 years after, a fire burned out half of the city, and another 10 years after, the plague kills almost half of the population. However, starting from the middle of the 17th century, the economic prosperity of the city located on trade routes revived.
In the 18th century, Suzdal received a coat of arms (a falcon in a crown). It was made a chief town of its district and, according to a regular development plan, a central street was laid in it (now, Lenin Street), which preserved the outposts of 200 years ago at the exits.
By decree of Catherine II, a state prison is located in the Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery.
In the 20th century, the history of the city saw periods of ups and downs again:
1913 – visit of Nicholas II,
1923 – opening the museum (since 1958, the Vladimir-Suzdal Reserve Museum),
1920–1950 – fighting against religion and the demolition of temples.
The beginning of research and restoration work dates back to the 40s of the 20th century.
Since 1967, by decision of the government, work began to transform Suzdal into a tourist and museum centre; tourist infrastructure was established with the Main Tourist Centre built in the mid-1970s as its first large part.
On 20 August 1974, Suzdal was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honour for its great contribution to the promotion of cultural heritage, the preservation and restoration of monuments of ancient Russian art and architecture, and in connection with its 950th anniversary.
In 1983, Suzdal received Golden Apple, a prestigious award from FIGET (the international federation of journalists writing about tourism);
Suzdal has no equal in terms of the abundance of monuments and the preservation of its original appearance. A large number of monuments of religious and civil architecture of the 13th through 19th centuries are collected here. Remaining within the boundaries of the 18th century, Suzdal was able to preserve its ancient topography, the indescribable flavour of the ancient Russian city, the amazing harmony of the ancient Russian architecture and the environment.
The historical part of Suzdal with the area of 9 square kilometres houses 305 historical and cultural monuments, including 5 monastery ensembles, 30 churches, 14 bell towers, and dozens of magnificent examples of civil buildings. Of these, 79 are monuments of national significance, 167 are those of regional significance, 63 are identified objects, and 4 ensembles are recognised as UNESCO world cultural heritage sites.
Intriguing facts:
- Suzdal is the cinematic capital of the Vladimir region. About 80 films were shot there. Among them are The Marriage of Balzaminov, Andrei Rublev, and The Tsar.
- There are 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Vladimir region. Five of them are located in Suzdal and the Suzdal district.
- The cucumber is one of the city's icons. Perhaps the most popular Suzdal souvenir is cucumber jam. In addition to this, you can find many other unusual delicacies with this vegetable in the museum city. Cucumber is so popular in Suzdal that they even dedicated a holiday to it – the Cucumber Day, which is celebrated annually in July.
- Scientists are still arguing about the origin of the city's name. According to one version, the word 'Suzdal' comes from the ancient Russian verb 'съзьдати' [sez'dati], which means to create, make of clay ('зъдъ' [zd]). It means that the city is 'made of clay' (or brick).
- In the Vasilievsky monastery in the city of Suzdal, the variety of Vasilievskaya cherry was bred (it is classified as one of the famous Vladimir cherry types. This variety was distinguished by its large size, great sweetness and aroma. It is believed that cherry came to Suzdal thanks to Prince Yuri Dolgoruky (there are also versions that it was brought by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky or that it was brought from Mount Athos).
