Vladimir was one of the country’s medieval capitals (in the 12th and 13th centuries), with significant buildings surviving from this time.  It’s original purpose was as a defensive outpost for the Rostov-Suzdal region.  It had a “Golden Age”, between 1108 and 1237, during which time it enjoyed immense growth and prosperity. Scores of Russian, German and Georgian masons worked on Vladimir’s white stone Cathedrals, monasteries, towers and palaces. Vladimir was besieged by Mongols in 1238 under Batu Khan and never fully recovered – Moscow superceded Vladimir in the 14th century as the seat of the “Grand Prince”.

The magnificent 5-domed Assumption Cathedral was designed as a sepulchur of grand princes, built in a 4 year period in the 12th century, and painted (icons and frescos) by the great Andrei Rublev and Daniil Chyorny in the 13th century.

The Cathedral of St Demetrius was built as a private chapel of Vsevolod the Big Nest (who was the Grand Prince of Vladimir during the “Golden Age” and reigned for over 30 years), in the courtyard of his palace.

The Golden Gate was initially a tower over the city’s main gate; then was topped with a barbican church – the structure survived the Mongol destruction of the city in 1238. But had deteriorated by the 18th century, so Catherine the Great ordered the vaults and barbican be demolished. The two flanking round towers were constructed to reinforce the structure and a new barbican was built.

St Nicholas Galeyskaya church has frescos dating back to the 12th century, and a spring theme happening around the church and altar, a member of the congregation explained to me. Lovely pink chrysanthenums in the little church garden as well.