Major Attractions

Architecture — St. Demetrius Cathedral

The Cathedral of St. Demetrius, built by Prince Vsevolod III, is one of the most graceful and beautiful churches in Vladimir. It is like an icon in stone. Beauty and mystery are inseparably united in it, making the Cathedral of St. Demetrius unique among Vladimir's churches.

The first mystery of this cathedral involves its "birth." None of the chronicles mention exactly when this royal church was built. However, there are many reports that in 1197 the icon of St. Demetrius of Salonica was brought here from Byzantium, so it is assumed that it was around this date that the cathedral was constructed.

The next mystery involves the cathedral itself. Numerous relief images of lions, centaurs, snow leopards and exotic ornaments (over 1000!) are carved on the white-stone walls. The sculptural decor also incorporates subjects from the Bible and Classical mythology. In the central parts of the facades the image of King David is repeated. In medieval times he was associated with the celebration of beauty and harmony in the world. Though all these carved images may seem to be only mere decorations, a valuable garment, they undoubtedly had another function; the function of communicating to people, of inspiring them. Therefore, the question is why so many non-Christian carvings were included. There is no definitive answer to this question. Each of us are free to contemplate the possibilities.

After being closed for 30 years for restoration, St. Demetrius was opened to the public in June 2005. Maybe the answers to its mysteries lie within.