Assumption Cathedral

Top choice


Set dramatically high above the Klyazma River, this simple but majestic piece of pre-Mongol architecture is the legacy of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, the man who began shifting power from Kyiv to northeastern Rus (which eventually evolved into Muscovy). A white-stone version of Kyiv’s brick Byzantine churches, the cathedral was constructed from 1158 to 1160, though it was rebuilt and expanded after a fire in 1185. It was added to Unesco's World Heritage List in 1992.

The seat of the Vladimir and Suzdal diocese, the cathedral has held services for its entire history except from 1927 to 1944. The cool, hushed interior is a riot of gold leaf – the baroque iconostasis was constructed with a donation from Catherine the Great. A few restored 12th-century murals of peacocks and prophets can be seen about halfway up the inner wall of the outer north aisle (originally an outside wall); the real treasures, though, are the Last Judgement frescoes by Andrei Rublyov and Daniil Chyorny, painted in 1408 in the central nave and inner south aisle (under the choir gallery towards the western end).

Comply with the standard church dress code (no shorts for men; covered head and long skirts for women) at all times and be especially mindful of people's sensitivities outside the designated 'tourist time'. Tickets can be purchased at the small kiosk in the courtyard to the right of the cathedral.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Palaty Museum Complex

0.07 MILES

The grand 18th-century court building between the Assumption and St Dmitry Cathedrals – known as Palaty ('chambers') – houses a children’s museum (adult…

2. Sobornaya Ploschad

0.13 MILES

The expanse of 'Cathedral Sq' is at the heart of downtown Vladimir. Its 22m-tall monument was built for the 850th anniversary of the town's founding…

3. Cathedral of St Dmitry

0.13 MILES

Built between 1193 and 1197, this exquisite, Unesco-listed white-stone cathedral represents the epitome of Russian stone carving. The attraction here is…

4. History Museum

0.21 MILES

This museum displays many remains and reproductions of the ornamentation from Vladimir’s two cathedrals as part of an extensive exhibition covering the…

5. Georgievskaya Ulitsa

0.3 MILES

This pedestrian-only street curving southwest from the main strip was lovingly recreated in 2015 as a brick-paved thoroughfare from the old days, dotted…

6. Nativity Monastery

0.36 MILES

Founded in 1192 by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky's successor, Prince Vsevolod III, this monastery was for a while considered the heart of the Russian church;…

7. Old Vladimir Museum

0.42 MILES

This red-brick former water tower contains a multistorey exhibit of everyday objects from Vladimir's history (no English signage); the display of old…

8. Golden Gate

0.47 MILES

In the 1160s Andrei Bogolyubsky built five defensive gates to guard his city; only this former western entrance survives. It was later restored and…