Suzdal was built on the Kamenka river as a fortress in the the 10th century. It suffered the fate of many other Russian cities when it was conquered and sacked by the Mongol-Tatars during their invasion of Rus in 1238 and again in 1445.

Various ‘Princes’ got permission to rule from the Mongols, for a price.

In the 16th century, it became a religious centre of Russia with 11 monasteries and convents. More attacks in the 17th century, this time by the Polish-Lithuanian Interventionists, Crimean Tatars…and then the plague struck in 1654/55, which decimated half the population.

Economic decline in the 18th/19th centuries. A prison developed at the Spaso-Yevfimiev Monastery was used by Bolsheviks for political prisoners. 

Tourism is the way forward…many annual festivals and events are held attracting a huge number of tourists – Cucumber Day in July; Pancake week with goose fights in February; and the Festival of Mead in September to name a few.

The Cathedral of the Nativity is one of the 8 “White Monuments” of Vladimir and Suzdal, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and one of the more complex monuments of Russian medieval architecture from the 11th century. The Cathedral is surrounded by a ring of earthern walls in an oxbow of the Kamenka river.

Church of the Prophet Elijah  – great views from this site across the Kamenka river to the Cathedral of the Nativity.

Alexandrovsky convent was founded by a heroic military leader, Prince Alexander Nevsky, for women whose men had been killed by the Tatars.

Venerable bell tower –  the observation deck was small, the staircase was narrow; yes a great view, but pity is was dull and grey when I went up (too early) and no photos worth reproducing of my own.

A meal at Gostinyy Dvor restaurant came recommended – had lunch of borsch and beef/pork dumplings – how more Russian can you get??? And delicious fare.
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