Major Attractions
Museums & Exhibits
Vladimir Regional History Museum
Children's Museum
Art Gallery and the Hall of Pre-Revolutionary Estates
Golden Gates Exhibit
Museum of "Old Vladimir"
Museum of Crystal , Lacquer Miniature Painting, and Embroidery
Assumption and St. Demetrius Cathedrals
Oblast Arts Center: Art Gallery and Gift and Souvenir Exhibition
Oblast House of Folklore
Vladimir Regional History Museum
This museum is one of the oldest in Russia. It was founded by local history professors and research specialists in the mid-19th century. The museum's current home on Bolshaya Moskovskaya just east of Cathedral Square was completed in 1906. It houses both exhibits and an extensive library.
In 1958 this museum became the foundation for the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum Reserve . This organization is responsible for administering museums in Vladimir, Suzdal, and Gus Khrustalny. It is also responsible for research and restoration work.
In 2003, thanks to its dedicated and talented staff, and despite a very limited budget, the museum's exhibits were totally redone. The new exhibits are very attractive—and very informative. There is an ongoing effort to add to and improve the museum's offerings.
Regional History Museum Web site
and the Hall of Pre-Revolutionary Estates
Located a short distance from the History Museum and right next to the St. Demetrius and Assumption Cathedrals, this delightful museum for children—and adults—is located on the first floor of the eighteenth century building that used to house some of the departments of the tsarist guberniya (regional government) administration.
Its entertaining and informative exhibits cover everything from how a "one room school" used to look to a showcase for modern toys from around the world, many of which were donated by Vladimir 's Sister Cities. A guided tour includes several "hands on" opportunities to experience life in old Vladimir.
Art Gallery and the Hall of Pre-Revolutionary Estates
On the second floor of the former guberniya building you will find two exhibits worth seeing.
At the end of the 19th through the beginning of the 20th century the Guberniya Archive Commission collected exhibits considered to be of historical and artistic value. After the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, artwork taken from the estates of the nobility was added. The gallery now includes Russian art from the 18th century to the present, with the most recent work coming from the renowned Vladimir school of landscape painting.
The Hall of Pre-Revolutionary Estates is also on this floor. This is an exhibit of furnishings and other items taken from the mansions of the nobility in the Vladimir region after the 1917 Revolution.
At the top of a steep, narrow staircase in what was once a small church, you will find an historical military exhibit that features the Tatar-Mongol conquest and occupation of Vladimir. This includes a diorama depicting the breaching of Vladimir's defenses in 1238.
There are also weapons and armor from several centuries; information on recipients from Vladimir of the medal, Hero of the Soviet Union, the highest Soviet military award—equivalent to the U.S. Medal of Honor and the British Victoria Cross—and exhibits devoted to the Great Patriotic War (WWII).
If you can handle the stairs, you should see these exhibits!
This small but interesting museum is located in a former nineteenth century water tower. Visitors will see photographs of old Vladimir streets, articles of daily life, examples of room interiors, and examples of tsarist era publications. All this provides a detailed picture of everyday life in old Vladimir.
The observation deck at the top of the tower provides a wonderful view of much of today's Vladimir. The water tower happens to stand close to the spot where the Tartar-Mongols breached Vladimir's defenses in 1238.
If you look down to the west, at the base of the earthen embankment and through the trees you'll see the “back yard” of the American Home.
Museum of Crystal, Lacquer Miniature Painting, & Embroidery
Established in 1974, these exhibits are housed in the red brick Troitskaya (Trinity) Church built in 1913-1916 by the Old Believer Russian Orthodox community. It's located right next to the Golden Gates. Featured are crystal and colored glass produced in the community of Gus Khrustalny and lacquer miniature paintings from the town of Mstyora. Traditional Vladimir-style embroidery is also showcased. Some of the crystal and glass on display was produced more than 250 years ago. There are also examples of contemporary experimental work. The examples of lacquer painting include icons from the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as contemporary icons. Mstyora has once again become a center for the creation of religious art.
In the basement there is a replica of a late 19th early 20th century crystal and glassware shop along side a small gift shop.
Assumption and St. Demetrius Cathedrals
Assumption Cathedral is both a working Church and, along with St. Demetrius Cathedral, a part of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum Reserve
Among other historic items of interest, Assumption Cathedral preserves several original frescos painted by Andrei Rublov and Daniil Chorny. Rublov is considered one of Russia 's greatest religious artists.
St. Demetrius is considered one of the best examples of white stone carving in Russia. It has been likened to a carved icon. After being closed for 30 years for restoration work, the interior of this cathedral was reopened to the public in June 2005.
Oblast Arts Center: Art Gallery, Gift & Souvenir Exhibition
The Oblast (Regional) Arts Center provides the main government-sponsored showcase for local contemporary artists and artisans. An art gallery and a separate exhibit of handicrafts and related items are housed in a remodeled 4 story classical style late 18th century building on Bolshaya Moskovskaya Street conveniently located between the Golden Gates and Assumption Cathedral.
The art gallery, which is to your left on the second floor, regularly features exhibitions by individual members of the Vladimir branch of the Russian Federation Artists' Union. Between 150 and 200 works of art are generally on display. Both serious art collectors and the general public frequent these exhibitions.
Each spring there is a juried exhibit that includes both well-established and new artists.
Additional rooms at the Center are used for “thematic” exhibits. And there is an interesting collection of antique furniture.
The Center also hosts exhibits by artists from other Russian regions.
In addition to the art gallery, the Center provides space for the exhibit and sale of gifts and souvenirs produced in the region: 2nd floor to the right. These include lacquer boxes from Mstyora, glass and crystal from Gus Khrustalny, nickel-silver metal work from Kolchugina, unique birch bark items, exquisite embroidery, wood carvings, and other attractive items produced in the Vladimir region—all reasonably priced.
Located just off of Bolshaya Moskovskaya, around the corner from the Oblast Arts Center, the House of Folklore exhibits and sells items by central Russian artists and craftsmen. Included are clothing, embroidery, lacquer boxes, ceramics, quilts, and hard to find items like reproductions of historic toy soldiers. Everything is priced very reasonably.
There's a 10 ruble entrance fee; 30 rubles for special exhibits.
Special programs can be arranged, such as hands-on presentations by local craftsmen.
OPEN: Tuesday through Saturday 10am - 5pm