Assumption Cathedral (aka Dormition Cathedral) is the main temple of Vladimir. It was erected during the reign Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky in 1158. Despite the fact that the great fire of 1185 had changed the face of the Cathedral, it still remained an architectural masterpiece. 50 years after, the temple again survived a fire during Mongol-Tartars invasion. The Cathedral was badly burned but was not totally destroyed.
In 1408, the great Russian icon painter Andrei Rublev adorned the interior of the cathedral with beautiful frescoes, some of which have survived to the present day.
For a long time the temple was the main church of Vladimir principality and was best suited for majestic crowning ceremonies of the princes as both the exterior and interior were richly decorated in gold.
Italian architector Aristotel Fioravanty inspired by the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir and used its image as a prototype for the cathedral with the same name in Moscow Kremlin.
Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir is also known for its icon of Vladimir Mother of God. The icon was donated to Yuri Dolgoruky by the Patriarch of Constantinople. The son of Yuri Dolgoruky, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky brought it to Vladimir’s Cathedral. In 1408, the icon was moved to Moscow; now it is kept in the Tretyakov Gallery.
The cathedral serves as a burial place for Vladimir’s princes including Prince Alexander Bogolyubsky, his son Gleb, Prince Georgy Vsevolodovich and local bishops.
In 1927, the Communists closed the Cathedral for religious services. However, in 1944, the services were resumed as part of Stalin’s effort to enlist the Orthodox Church’s support for the war against the Nazis.
The Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir is part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Entrance Fee: 100-150 rub
Guided tour: 200 rub
Ticket office is opposite the bell tower.
Opening hours:
Open daily from 7.00 to 20.00 except Mondays
Guided tours: daily from 13.00 to 16.45 except Mondays.
Address: 56, Bolshaya Moskovskaya str. (Rus: ул. Большая Московская, 56)
GPS coordinates of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir:
Latitude: 40°24′33″ (40.40917)
Longitude: 56°07′37″ (56.127167)
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