Suzdal is one of the oldest and most beautiful towns of Russia, first mentioned in chronicles in 1024. Situated among forests and rivers in the ancient land of Vladimir-Suzdal Rus’, it became an important political, торговый, and spiritual center during the Middle Ages. In the twelfth century, under Prince Yuri Dolgorukiy and later under his son Andrei Bogolyubsky, Suzdal flourished as part of the rising northeastern Russian principalities that would eventually form the core of the Russian state. The town became renowned for its monasteries, white-stone churches, and richly decorated cathedrals, many of which survive to this day. Although Suzdal suffered during the Mongol invasions of the thirteenth century and later lost political influence to Moscow, it remained a major center of Orthodox spirituality and traditional Russian culture. Because industrialization largely bypassed the town, Suzdal preserved much of its historic appearance, and today it is regarded as a living museum of ancient Russia and one of the jewels of the famous Golden Ring.
On the Leavetaking of Pascha, we present this collection of photos by our staff, as they meandered around Suzdal in Bright Week.
