Suzdal (Суздаль) is a small town on the banks of the river Kamenka. It takes a bus 40 minutes to bring you there from Vladimir. Having been founded in 1024 Suzdal flourished in XII-XIII centuries afterwards it was destroyed by the Tartars and rebuild by the next generations. Nowadays Suzdal is a quaint settlement by the river with 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Check out this map http://goo.gl/FU4qXP.

The Kremlin XI-XII c. (Кремль) Suzdal started its existence here. Unlike other Kremlins this one doesn’t meet you with an impenetrable wall but invites to explore the old buildings which are now museums. (10-18, closed on T and on last Friday every month)

The Cathedral of the Nativity of the Theotokos XIII c. (Богородице-Рождественский собор) has very beautiful frescos and the Golden Gate.

St Basil’s Monastery XVII c. (Васильевский монастырь)

Intercession Convent XIV-XVI c. (Покровский монастырь) is famous for being a place of exile for many women who were unfortunate to be wives and relatives of those in power.

The Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius XIV c. (Спасо-Евфимиев монастырь) The monastery is now a museum so no need to be dressed in trousers and long skirts. Bells ring at 10.30, 12.30, 13.30, 15.00, 16.30. The monastery also served as a prison since 1766, during WWII prisoners of war from Italy, Germany, Romania and Hungary were held captives here. (T-S 10-18, closed on last Thu every month)

The Cloth Hall XIX c. (Торговые ряды, Гостиный двор)

Deposition Convent XIII-XVI c. (Ризоположенский монастырь)

Aleksandrovsky Monastery XIII c. (Александровский монастырь) The monastery was allegedly founded by Aleksander Nevsky.

Museum of Wooden Architecture (Музей деревянного зодчества) (9-17, closed on W and last Friday every month)

Shchurovo Gorodishche – is a reconstruction of a settlement of the early Slavs (open Sat 11-16, S 11-14)

Russia being so big it’s only natural that almost every region has its own food and beverage specialties. When you are in Suzdal don’t forget to drink medovukha (медовуха). It’s an alcoholic drink made of honey, water and yeast. Foreigners say that the taste of medovukha reminds that of beer. But medovukha is certainly better. This drink is sold mostly near the Kremlin and the Cloth Hall. You can also buy medovukha in Vladimir, but it’s a bit more expensive there.

How to get to Suzdal

By bus

You should first get to Vladimir. Then you should buy a ticket at the central bus station to Suzdal (buses depart every 30 min) and find a place where your bus starts from. There are several platforms. You can show your ticket to any driver or passenger and they will show you the platform. And there is always a name of the destination on the windscreen of the bus, so look for ‘Суздаль’. They can sell you a ticket for a bus which passes Suzdal, in that case look for ‘Иваново’ or ‘Ярославль’ signs. Show your ticket to the bus driver and he will say whether you have a ticket for his bus. It takes 40 minutes to get to Suzdal. Buses are very shabby and cost only 70-90 RUB.

By car

You can either get a taxi or drive to Suzdal.

How to get around in Suzdal

If you arrive in Suzdal by bus which has this town as a terminus do not get off. The same bus will take you to the Saviour Monastery of St. Euthymius, only show the name of the place in Russian to the bus driver. The cost of the ticket is 14 RUB. Use this site for public transport http://wikiroutes.info/en/suzdal