Suzdal

St.Euthymius Monastery, Transfiguration Cathedral and Belfry Suzdal (Су́здаль;[1]) is a historic small town in Vladimir Oblast east of Moscow Russia, about 25 km north of Vladimir. It was once the capital of several Russian principalities and has many examples of early Russian architecture. It is probably the most interesting of the Golden Ring cities. Understand History During the time of the Soviet Union, nearly all of Suzdal's economy was planned around its tourist potential. As a result, very few modern buildings were constructed in Suzdal (by law there are no structures more than 2 stories high except cathedrals). Also, a number of wooden structures from other parts of Russia were transported here, and the whole city was converted into an 'open-air museum'. Unfortunately, Suzdal's dependence on tourism also meant its economy came to a standstill when tourists stopped coming after the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The town's tourist trade now appears to be slowly revitalizing itself however, mostly due to an influx of affluent Russian tourists from Moscow and elsewhere. Suzdal retains a rustic old Russian, Soviet-era atmosphere. You will not find any McDonalds restaurants or any trace of Western chain shops or hotels here. Livestock wandering the streets and elderly women washing cloths in the river (and tourists wielding digital cameras) are regular sights in Suzdal. Get in There are no trains to Suzdal, so aside from organized bus tours, the only way to reach the city is by bus or car. There is one daily bus from Moscow's Shelkovskaya bus station. However, a more convenient option is to first visit Vladimir, and then take a bus from there. Buses depart from Vladimir to Suzdal every thirty minutes. Special private tour buses to Vladimir and Suzdal also operate from Kursky Train Station (Metro: Kurskaya). Prices and destinations vary. Trains leave from Moscow to Vladimir from Kurskaya Train Station. Buy tickets at the regional (short-distance) train ticket counter. This is the right wing of the Kurskaya station (Poezda Prigorodnogo Napravleniya - Gorkogo). Tickets cost RUR 260 one way from Moscow to Vladimir. There are several daily departures with the earliest at 8:00am. From Vladimir train station exit and walk 50 meters across the parking lot to the Vladimir Bus Terminal. Purchase a bus ticket at the ticket counter (approximately RUR 60 one-way) and ask for the number of the platform. The tickets have assigned bus seat number, so pay attention, as somebody may take your seat if you do not claim it. The bus ticket is valid up to the bus terminal (avtovokzal), which is located several kilometres outside of the town centre. From there, some of these buses will continue on to the town centre, but separate tickets (RUR 13,50) must be purchased from the bus driver upon arrival in Suzdal. Get around Most of the attractions in Suzdal are located along the Lenin St (ул. Ленина), including the Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery. Local buses ply the small town (RUR 13,50). Notably, the monastery can be accessed from the bus station by line #2, which arrives approximately every half hour. See Antipius and Lazarus Churches Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery, Ul. Lenina. 0900-1800. The Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery is one of the largest and best preserved monasteries in Suzdal. It is very large and houses more than 10 separate museums, including a museum commemorating the GULAG and Russian historical museums. It is just as impressive (perhaps more) than the Moscow Kremlin. One can spend an entire day touring the museums and churches. It is strongly recommended to purchases a single ticket (300 RUR) for all of the constituent museums as the guards strongly enforce admission tickets.  edit Do July 16 - Cucumber Day. A funny holiday, based on the fact that Suzdal's cucumbers have a reputation as the best cucumbers in central Russia. This holiday is celebrated with a folk music festival. Walk on Kamenka River. In winter months, when the river is frozen, do walk the length of the river. This is the lifeline of the city and you will see sleighs being pulled and men ice-fishing in the river. It is a beautiful way to see the city.  edit Carriage/Sleigh Ride. A carriage or sleigh ride through Suzdal is a memorable (though expensive) experience. The young men offering the rides may be found everywhere, and they start their negotiations with very steep prices (RUR 3,000 / .5 hr). You should be able to negotiate down to RUR 500 or thereabouts, depending on the season. Also, shorter rides can be negotiated.  edit Buy Eat Trapeznaya. Located in a room of the refectory of Suzdal's Kremlin, this restaurant features a traditional Russian menu of bliny (pancakes) with caviar, priced much lower than in Moscow. Try their marinated forest mushrooms - they are beautiful and tasty, whether eaten plain or alongside a serving of cold vodka. Korchma. Located on Ulitsa Lenina, this is a nice restaurant in the city center featuring high-quality, traditional Russian food. The local cranberry and groundberry vodka-based liquer -- Susdalskaya Nastoika -- is worth a try.  edit Drink The beverage of choice in Russia is vodka, by far. Suzdal, however, is famous for another drink, medovukha, a Russian type of cider made from honey. Tourists should be wary of purchasing this drink on the streets, though, for counterfeits are common. Ask your guide where you can buy real medovukha. Lodgings Suzdal is unique among Russian cities for its wide variety of choices when it comes to places to stay. There are many small hotels with 5-20 rooms. Advance booking is crucial for those who intend to visit during the New Year holiday season, Independence Day, and during the summer high season. "Tourist" is the largest hotel, with a 3-star rating. It is ideal for backpackers, and features "cottages" with attached garages. Sokol, A large hotel currently under renovation after a fire. Hotel Pushkarskaya Sloboda, ul. Lenina 41, ☎ +7 (49231) 2-33-03 (info@slobodahotel.ru, fax: +7 (49231) 2-33-63), [2]. Prices start at RUR 2,500 for a double or twin room.  edit Goryachie klyuchi aka "Bashenki" [3] Address: ul. Korovniki, 14. Tel. +7 (09231) 28-000, +7 (0922) 42-02-77, fax. +7 (09231) 2-41-01 . A complex of hotels with big wooden rooms and a sauna, situated in a very quiet locale. From here, it takes 20 minutes to walk to the town center, and nearly 40 minutes to walk to the Kremlin. Priced from RUR 10 000.00/room. Vasilyevsky Monastery, Vasilyevsky Street. For those interested in a monastic type of stay, the Vasylyevski Monastery offers rooms priced at RUR 400 per person, or 800 per room. The rooms are comfortable, warm, and clean, but are fairly bare-bones, as guests live alongside resident monks. No telephone, TV, or shared kitchen is provided. Two shared bathrooms are available. Vasilyevski Monastery is located on Vasylyevski Street, the main road leading from the Suzdal bus station to the town centre. It is best to exit at Suzdal Bus Station and walk to the monastery. From the monastery to the town centre is a very pleasant 10 minute walk. Pay for the room inside the church. 400.  edit Get out The Suzdal Bus Terminal is located on Vasylevski Street. It is a 20 minute walk from the city center, or a short taxi ride. Regular buses leave from Suzdal to Vladimir at short intervals (approximately 30 minutes). At least one daily bus to Moscow leaves at 5:15 AM (arrives in Moscow 10:15 AM - Shelkovskaya Metro - east end of blue line). The Suzdal bus station is rather primitive, with minimal snack and toilet facilities available. But, it is a long walk to town, and taxi drivers who charge locals about 5 or 10 rubles to drive there will charge tourists up to 200. But, if you are coming by bus from Vladimir, do not get off there. The same bus will take you on to the center of town, unbeknownst to many visitors. Routes through Suzdal Moscow ← Vladimir ←  S  N  → Ivanovo → Plyos This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!