The time of construction of the Dmitrievsky Cathedral was at the height of the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, when in just a few decades from the backwoods it turned into lands that play a decisive role in the life of the country. The temple was erected at the turn of the 12th and 13th centuries, and only Russian masters took part in its construction, which was especially emphasized in the annals.

Only 40 years after the construction, the temple, like almost all of Vladimir, was destroyed and looted by the Tatars, and after that he survived a few fires . In this state he stayed for a long time, until in 1837, by order of Nicholas I, was not restored by connoisseurs of the Russian style . However, it can not be said that the restoration went to the cathedral for good - on the contrary, thanks to she was almost killed at all . After the work done by the emperors selected by the emperor, the temple finally lost its original appearance and began to fall apart in pieces . From complete destruction it was saved only by a little restoration, which was restored a little later, during which Dmitrievsky cathedral was partially returned to the original form .

The main decoration of the church was the carving, completely covering its upper tier and the drum of the dome. 566 carved stones were used for decorating, forming a bizarre picture in which Christian images coexist with mythological and literary images.

On the columnar belt is a gallery of saints surrounded by images of plants and animals. On the southern facade of the cathedral, the most prominent is the composition, which tells about the ascension of Alexander the Great to heaven. On the northern facade there is a temple builder, Prince Vsevolod the Big Nest, surrounded by his sons.

However, after such an elegant and glamorous exterior view of the cathedral, its interiors are a little disappointing. Unlike all other Vladimir cathedrals, Dmitrievsky inside is decorated very modestly. The few frescoes that survived the fires were subsequently destroyed by restorers, and now the temple meets visitors in almost sterile whiteness.

Dmitrievsky Cathedral in Vladimir

Login in Dmitrievsky Cathedral in Vladimir

Dmitrievsky Cathedral in Vladimir in the evening

Carving on one of the walls, Dmitrievsky Cathedral in Vladimir

Dmitrievsky Cathedral in Vladimir in the winter