The homeland of heroes and ancient man, a tiled stove that fulfills desires, and stones created by human hands – in the Vladimir region, legends and science have been peacefully side by side for centuries. We offer a selection of the region’s attractions for motorists. Adding geotags to create your own route.
From the center of Moscow to the center of Vladimir is 200 km away. You can go to a neighboring region for a weekend for historical or natural attractions, for curiosity or for a specific purpose. We offer a selection of interesting places in the Vladimir region, without taking into account the popular attractions of the capital of the region or the cities included in the route of the Golden Ring, about which enough has been written.
MUSEUM OF MAN-MADE MINERALS
In Alexandrov, known more for its architectural monuments of the XII-XV centuries, there is an unusual VNIISIMS Man-made Stone Museum (dot on the map). In the last century, an institute for the synthesis of mineral raw materials appeared in the city. In the course of experiments, artificial stones with small defects were often obtained. The staff of the Research Institute began to collect them. The guide will tell you how scientists “tamed” the stones. You need to make an appointment for the tour in advance, by phone.
KOLOKSHANSKY IDOL
Just 5 km from the M-7 highway before reaching Vladimir, on the banks of the Klyazma River is – Kolokshansky idol (point on the map). The art object is a giant sitting in the ground, and only his huge body parts: head, arms and legs are visible to tourists. The author of the monument is unknown. Locals call it the “monument to the drowned”, but the chronicles of the XVI century mention a case when local peasants discovered the remains of a 4-meter giant in a cave on the banks of the Klyazma River, which was later reburied elsewhere. It is possible that the legends about the heroes had a foundation.
THE HOMELAND OF THE HERO
Another Russian hero, this time famous, Ilya Muromets, according to legend, was born in the village of Karacharovo on the banks of the Oka (today it is one of the microdistricts of Murom). Today there is a residential house with a commemorative plaque (dot on the map) on the supposed site of the hut of the winner of the Robber Nightingale and the Filthy Idol, and for tourists the Hut of Ilya Muromets (dot on the map), where excursions are held. Once this place on the outskirts of the village was surrounded by a dense forest, so the locals nicknamed the hero Gushchin. It is said that his descendants with the surname Gushchiny were famous for their unprecedented physical strength.
It is believed that in Murom The Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery (dot on the map) houses a particle of the relics of the hero.
Spaso-Preobrazhensky Monastery in Murom. Photo: ANO “Tourist Information Center of the Vladimir region”
Recently we wrote about traveling by car in the Yaroslavl region, which is also the birthplace of the heroes.
LAKE KOSHCHEI THE IMMORTAL
Another epic hero turned out to be from the Vladimir region – Koschei the Immortal. According to legends, in the area of Lake Kshara (dot on the map) there were bottomless caves where a fabulous villain lived. Surprisingly, the reservoir is actually formed in a fracture of the earth’s crust and sinkholes still occur on the shore, and sinkholes appear at the bottom. The depth of the lake reaches 14 m, which makes it the deepest in the region.
Dawn on Lake Kschara. Photo: SmokyVist, Creative Commons license, Wikimedia Commons
SUNGIR BURIALS
Almost 70 years ago, was discovered in the vicinity of VladimirSungir site of ancient people (dot on the map). The main finds of archaeologists were the burials of a 12-14-year-old boy and a 9-10-year-old girl, who lay with their heads to each other. During the study of the burial made 25-35 thousand years ago, scientists found that children practically did not eat meat, and at the same time they were perfectly developed. Tools from a straightened mammoth tusk were found in the burial, which is a laborious job. The children’s clothes were elaborately decorated, which suggests that the people of the tribe were not at the stage of survival during the Ice Age, but could afford to practice art.
Sungir children. Photo: Vladimir’s website‑The Suzdal Museum‑Reserve
The found ancient artifacts are periodically exhibited in Vladimir‑The Suzdal Museum‑Reserve. The museum’s website also has a virtual exhibition about the Sungir parking lot.
MONASTERY ON THE ISLAND
In the article about traveling by car in the Tver region, we wrote about the Nilo-Stolobensky monastery on an island located on Lake Seliger. Vladimir region has its own “island” monastery – St. Vvedenskaya women’s desert (point on the map).
Holy Vvedenskaya women’s desert. Photo: Tourist Information Center of the Vladimir region
Tourists love the monastery for its atmosphere of seclusion and beautiful nature. The refectory for pilgrims is located in a house on the water, which overlooks Lake Vvedenskoye.
ELEPHANT ON THE TEMPLE OF THE XIII CENTURY
St. George’s Cathedral (dot on the map) in Yuriev-Polsky is considered the last stone temple built in Russia before the arrival of the Tatar‑Mongols. Its facades are covered with human figures and animals, including mystical ones, carved on white stone. One of the walls of the temple is decorated with a small image of an elephant. It is believed that whoever finds it without a clue has the right to make a wish.
St. George’s Cathedral in Yuriev-Polsky. Photo: Tourist portal of the Vladimir region
VILLAGE OF ICON PAINTERS
Halfway from Vladimir to Nizhny Novgorod there is a village of Mster icon painters. In addition to its type of activity, the village is also known for its architectural attractions. For example, the attention of tourists deserves the house of V. S. Krestyaninov (dot on the map). Unfortunately, only one person is responsible for the restoration of the architectural monument – blogger and photographer Fedor Savintsev. The patron plans to revive the beautiful streets of the village and is actively looking for like-minded people with Boosty.
Krestyaninov House in Mster. Photo: Stormbringerru, Creative Commons license, Wikimedia Commons
DOLOMITE QUARRIES 66 KM FROM VLADIMIR
The former limestone and dolomite quarries have been known to residents of the Vladimir region since the 19th century. Today Dyukinsky quarries (dot on the map) are located on the territory of the Dyukinsky Nature Reserve. Tourists come here with tents (experts advise taking enough water with them), rock climbers and climbers (7 trails of small difficulty are laid here), lovers of botany (in May – June the red book orchid “venus’s slipper” blooms here) and archaeology – here you can find ancient fossils with prints of mollusks and corals over 300 years old million years old.
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BERMUDA TRIANGLE OF VLADIMIR LAND
There is an anomalous zone on the border of the Vladimir region and the Moscow region, the boundaries of which are not precisely defined. Legends about the Shushmore tract have been around for centuries. Fireballs are often seen in this swampy area, and people who come here find it difficult to find their way back. It is said that the center of the Bermuda triangle is a pagan temple.
Shushmore. Photo: Alexey Seregin, Creative Commons license, Wikimedia Commons
METEOR LAKE WITH BAD FAME
Not far from Alexandrov there is another mysterious place on the Vladimir land – the so-called Filthy tub (dot on the map). In ancient times, the lake with an island in the middle was used by shamans of the Finno‑Ugric tribes as a temple for sacrifices. Today, animals try to avoid the place, and the compass needle of rare tourists treacherously freezes in place. Scientists explain the anomalies by the nature of the formation of the reservoir – it is located in a meteorite funnel, which contains deposits of heavy metals.
LANDS OF THE OPRICHNIK IVAN THE TERRIBLE
Fans of “abandoned” and mysterious places will be interested in Veretyevskoye tract (point on the map). There was a village here until the middle of the last century. The ruins of a two-tiered church remind of those times. According to legend, it was built on the site of a former pagan temple dedicated to the goddess Makoshi in order to rid the place of notoriety.
On the one hand, the place has a mystical glory, and on the other – in the photo on the web you can see benches and a picnic campfire. Everyone chooses what is closer to them.
ROADSIDE “GEYSER”
On the highway between Vladimir and Murom, you can find an unusual natural spring – Sudogodsky fountain (dot on the map). An artesian well with a depth of 200 m was drilled here in the 1940s. Over the years, the height of the jet coming out of the ground has become smaller, but the aquifer has not dried up yet.
THE CASTLE NEAR SUDOGDA
The estate of Colonel Khrapovitsky in Muromtsevo (dot on the map) can not be confused with anything. It was built in the style of a medieval castle, and the French baron inspired the owner to do this, who allegedly argued with the colonel that they could not build castles in Russia. Today, the manor house with stables and a luxurious park on the territory of 40 hectares is gradually being destroyed.
Architectural and park complex of the Khrapovitsky estate in Muromtsevo. Photo: Tourist Information Center of the Vladimir region
Judging by the reviews, tourists are very much waiting for the restoration of the object. According to the general opinion, the castle could become the same point of attraction as the Swallow’s nest in the Crimea. In the meantime, the guides show the buildings only from afar. You can buy tickets for the tour on the website of the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve.
THE HOUSE OF THE KING OF PEAS
Another place where you can make a wish in the Vladimir region is considered to be Shorin’s house or, as it is also called, The House of the King of Peas (dot on the map) in Gorokhovets. Inside the fabulous wooden mansion built in 1902, there is a Dutch oven decorated with tiles, which fulfills the wishes of those who touch it.
Shorin’s house in Gorokhovets. Photo: ANO “Tourist Information Center of the Vladimir region”
Today Shorin’s house is a museum with interactive programs for children and with a playground on site. It is better to find out about the events in advance.
WHERE TO STAY IN THE VLADIMIR REGION
A double room in Vladimir at the Greenfeel Vladimir 3* hotel with check-in on November 8 for 2 nights will cost 7.3 thousand rubles. from the tour operator ALEAN.
You can stay at the sanatorium “Russian Forest” on the banks of the Klyazma River 150 km from Moscow with five meals a day and a wellness program with arrival on November 8 for 5 nights for 29 thousand rubles for two with the tour operator “Multitour”.
A 5-day bus excursion tour “Golden Domes of Russia” (hotels with breakfast) with departure on November 6 will cost 57.4 thousand rubles for two from the tour operator “Dolphin”.
Anna Popova
