The Assumption Cathedral is rightly considered one of the most important churches of Vladimir, which has long become an obligatory part of the program of any excursion tour. The cathedral was built in the middle of the 12th century under Prince Andrew Bogolyubsky in order to become the main temple of the country in the future. According to the chronicles, the most skillful masters "from all lands," including the Romanesque West, were invited to build in Vladimir. At that time it was quite a daring refusal from the Kiev architectural traditions.

In addition to satisfying the political ambitions of Andrei Bogolyubsky, the Assumption Cathedral had one more purpose. It was built to store the icon of Our Lady of Vladimir, for many centuries considered the patroness of Rus.

According to legend, the icon was painted during the lifetime of the Virgin and was transferred to Constantinople in 450. There she stayed until the XII century, after which she was sent as a gift to the Kiev prince Yury Dolgoruky, the father of Andrei Bogolyubsky. On the way to Vladimir, the icon repeatedly protected Andrei and his companions from various misfortunes, and then the only one survived after the fire arranged in the Assumption Cathedral by Khan Baty.

Two hundred years after this the icon was moved to Moscow and placed in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kremlin to save the city from Tamerlane. Soon after, he retreated - however, many more and more objective explanations can be found.

And, finally, in 1521 the icon, again brought to Moscow - now permanently - rescues it from the invasion of Khan Mahmet's troops. Until the XVII century, the icon was considered the most important shrine of the country. Before her, metropolitans and patriarchs were elected, married to the monarchy and oaths of loyalty were made.

However, although the Assumption Cathedral lost its main decoration, there is still something to admire inside. The walls of the cathedral are covered with fresco paintings, including the recently painted six hundredth century frescoes of the greatest of the ancient Russian painters, Andrei Rublev.

Address: st. Bolshaya Moskovskaya, 56, Vladimir

Beautiful view on Uspensky Cathedral

Assumption Cathedral

Assumption Cathedral in autumn