Although Suzdal is a small city, it has a very rich history and beautiful architecture, which helps you feel the old Russian atmosphere. The city is included in the famous route along the Golden Ring and usually one day is spent here on sightseeing tours. But even this time will not be enough to see all the sights. The city attracts not only adults, but also young travelers. What to see in Suzdal with children, where to go for a walk and what to do on the weekend - more on that in the article below.
About the city
Suzdal is one of the cities of the Vladimir region and is an integral part of the tourist route along the Golden Ring of Russia. It is located just 220 km from Moscow and 35 km from Vladimir, making it an excellent place for weekend tours.
The first settlement on the site where the city of Suzdal grew up arose in the 10-11th century and in the chronicles it was originally called “Suzhdal”. Throughout its long history, the city was the center of the Principality of Rostov-Suzdal (12th century), and in the 13th century it became the capital of the new independent Principality of Suzdal. Since the 16th century, it had the status of oprichnina of I. the Terrible, and later became part of the Moscow province, becoming a province. But all this does not prevent Suzdal from remaining the most recognizable city in Russia.
Vacation with children
Most often, a trip with children to Suzdal is part of a route program along the Golden Ring, where the best examples of ancient Russian architecture are located. The city has more than 2 hundred buildings that are included in the UNESCO world list and which will really be of interest to older schoolchildren. It will take a week or even more to get around them all and find out the history of each. But weekend tours around Suzdal include only the most interesting of them.
If the trip is planned with younger children, it is better to really relax and not saturate the trip with excursions. Walk and explore the ancient city, imagining how people lived here 500-1000 years ago.
The tourist infrastructure in the city is very well developed, there are many excellent hotels for families with children, cozy cafes and restaurants with Russian folk cuisine.
Complex of churches of the Entrance to Jerusalem parish
The first mentions of this complex date back to the seventeenth century. At the moment, it includes two churches: the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker and the Church of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem. Both temples were built in the first decade of the eighteenth century and are similar in many ways.
The buildings are completely typical of the Suzdal architecture format, but, nevertheless, fit perfectly into the citywide panorama. Both churches are summer churches and were built on the site of old churches, the reconstruction of which would have required even more investment.
When is the best time to go
The influx of tourists in a small town with a population of about 10,000 people does not depend on the time of year. There are plenty of people here who want to admire the beauty of the city and architectural monuments both in summer and in winter.
Most tourists gather here during various festivals and holidays; people also come to the city on these days from nearby towns and villages.
If you are planning a trip with children, which involves long walks around the town, it is better to do it in the summer in warm sunny weather. For very young travelers, the transition months - May or September - are more suitable.
It is better to plan a trip to Suzdal on holidays and weekends in advance by reserving available hotel rooms. The number of visitors to the city is also influenced by the weather - the better the weather conditions, the more people want to stroll along the picturesque ancient streets.
Shopping arcades and the Eternal Flame
Shopping arcades are an atmospheric place in a historical sense. They are located on a square paved with cobblestones. An old church rises above the square. The design of the square was developed and implemented at the beginning of the nineteenth century according to the sketches of the architect A. Vershinsky.
It was assumed that shops of merchants from all over the Russian Empire would be located here. However, the expectations were more than justified - the shopping arcades were never empty. Today, the original function of the Trading Rows has been preserved - a kind of sketch in stone on the theme of a provincial town of the nineteenth century.
They sell here mainly various handmade souvenirs, as well as such attributes of visiting Suzdal as mead and kvass. Directly opposite the Trade Rows there is a park where the Eternal Flame burns today.
Things to do
Although there are no typical amusement parks in Suzdal, families with children will never be bored due to the unusual local entertainment. In the summer, city guests are greeted by a large fair, where they hold pillow fights, compete in tug-of-war, and are treated to unusually prepared cucumbers - boiled, stuffed, baked and raw. Yes, all these fun things are happening to celebrate Cucumber Day.
Various festivals are often held in Suzdal. The brightest of them in winter occur during the celebration of Christmas, Maslenitsa and dog sled races. In the summer months, you can plan a trip to the bast festival, patchwork festival, or ax festival. In the fall, the historical festival “Suzdal-grad” is usually held in Suzdal and City Day is celebrated in September.
Even on an ordinary summer day, it’s nice to stroll around the town, looking at architectural monuments, go to one of the playgrounds and take a ride along the river. Kamenka on a river bus, seeing the sights from a different angle. In winter, the city enjoys sledding and skiing.
Children of any age will be interested in visiting the “Shchurovoe Settlement” - a wooden fortress-set for the film “The Tsar” by P. Lungin. Now it has turned into an interactive museum dedicated to ancient Russian culture.
Deposition of Robe Monastery
The construction of this temple dates back to the mid-sixteenth century. It can hardly be called a typical building of its time for a number of reasons. The three-domed cathedral itself with three apses is an unusual phenomenon if we talk about the Suzdal type of architecture. The cathedral is classified as a stopless type of structure.
There are no internal supports, which is why the domes crowning the cathedral had to be made lighter by thinning them. The interiors of the Cathedral of the Deposition of the Robe do not correspond to its external outlines, since the zakomaras and shoulder blades that decorate the side facades are false.
The interior design is based mainly on skillful work with tiled inserts, patterned coatings and stone carvings. Throughout its history, the cathedral did not experience any particularly serious reconstruction, but during the Soviet Union, the temple was badly damaged and was closed.
At the moment, restoration work has already been completed, the looted riches of the cathedral, although not in full, have been returned to its ownership.
What to see
The entire town of Suzdal can be called a full-fledged open-air museum. There are new buildings here, but they are simply buried in architectural monuments, which are under the protection of the world organization UNESCO. What will be interesting to see in Suzdal with children?
Children's Museum Center in the Bishop's Chambers of the Suzdal Kremlin
Almost all excursions upon arrival in the city begin from the Suzdal Kremlin. The defensive structure itself was destroyed; several churches on its territory remained intact, incl. and the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary with blue domes.
After walking around the territory of the former Kremlin, you can take your children to the Children's Museum Center in the Bishops' Chambers. It is dedicated to the history of the city of Suzdal. Why is this place so attractive to children? One of his exhibitions is dedicated to the Euphrosyne Fair, where a barrel organ plays, puppeteers perform, show tricks, and there is a paradise with funny images.
Once in the second exhibition of the museum, children will go to the zemstvo school for a lesson in penmanship with pen and ink. And on Christmas Eve, the museum holds master classes on making twisted dolls and teaches carols.
Museum of Wooden Architecture
This museum is located in close proximity to the Suzdal Kremlin. On the excursion, families with children will be able to walk among the log huts, look inside, get acquainted with the life of that time, and visit the ancient church and outbuildings.
All exhibits at the exhibition are real buildings that were brought from the outback of the Vladimir region. In each hut, the interior and life of that time, ancient samovars and patchwork quilts were reproduced. And for young visitors there is even a children’s playground on the museum’s territory.
Monastery of Saint Euthymius
The Spaso-Evfimiev Monastery is included in the list of UNESCO protected sites and operates to this day. This is the most popular of the five monasteries in the small town of Suzdal. The Assumption Refectory Church is considered the oldest building on the territory of the monastery. The approximate period of its construction is the 16th century.
What tourists definitely could not expect on the territory of the ancient monastery was a prison. Yes, it contained persons with clergy rank. In addition to such an unexpected building, the monastery has a whole play town “Spassky Detinets” for the youngest visitors. The tour of the monastery also includes a climb to the belfry, where a schoolchild will even be allowed to ring the bell.
Museum "Shchurovo Settlement" in Suzdal
You can feel like a real resident of an Old Slavonic settlement by taking an excursion to the Shchurovo ancient settlement. Here you can visit a wooden hut, an armory, a forge or a barn, visit a military camp kitchen and a mill, and climb a watchtower.
Children really enjoy the interactive program of the museum, where they can not only watch and listen, but also touch exhibits and take part in archery, bake homemade bread according to an old Russian recipe, and visit and feed pets from the mini-zoo.
This place became a museum after the completion of filming of Ivan Lungin’s film “The Tsar”. And the scenery for the film became an open-air exposition of an old Russian settlement. You can visit the interactive museum on the territory of the AZIMUT hotel for a fee, but admission is free for hotel guests.
The Wax Museum
In such a small town with a lot of attractions, there was a place for a Wax Museum. His collection includes more than 150 figures in 3 large halls.
At the entrance, guests are greeted by exhibits of Princess Olga, Grand Duke Vladimir, Andrei Rublev, Nestor of Pechersky. In the next room, the great Russian tsars and emperors meet: Ivan the Terrible, Peter I, famous military leaders - heroes of the Patriotic War. And in the last hall there are modern figures and politicians, as well as writers and iconic personalities who have left their mark on the history of Russia. There is also a hall in the basement, but visiting it with children is not advisable, because... there is an exhibition of a torture chamber there.
Rizpolozhensky Monastery
One of five monasteries in Suzdal. This place attracts tourists more because of its beauty. On Fridays and weekends, you are allowed to climb the bell tower of the monastery, which offers stunning views. This is one of the best viewing platforms in Suzdal, which attracts tourists with small children.
Lazarus Church
What to see in Suzdal, besides the Kremlin? It is impossible to ignore other temples of this historical city. At least three dozen churches have survived in Suzdal. And one of the most beautiful is the Church of St. Lazarus, dating back to 1667. Perhaps, in terms of originality and splendor of decor, it has no equal in all of Suzdal! And the bell tower of the Lazarevsky Church can be called the most recognizable in the entire district.
The masterpiece of white stone architecture has five domes, and the cornice of the church is decorated with a belt of tiles. By the way, this technique of decorating Orthodox churches was first used here. Three low apses are attached to the church on the eastern side.
Results
Suzdal is one of the brightest and most memorable points on the tourist route through the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia. It is rarely allocated more than 1-2 days for excursions. There are so many architectural monuments and museums in this town that it would be impossible to get around them even in a week.
Suzdal is a great place for weekend tours, visiting fairs and festivals, and holidays. The town has many attractions with a rich history that will be of interest to older students, and for younger children, walks around the beautiful city and children's entertainment are perfect.
Welcome to Suzdal!
Suzdal is the soul and heart of the Golden Ring of Russia. In this city, every stone has witnessed centuries of history - the history of glorious victories and achievements of the Russian people, whose spirit has been preserved within the walls of Suzdal.
As in all cities of the Russian hinterland, a patriarchal way of life reigns in Suzdal. Walking around the city, it is unrealistic to see multi-story tall buildings: they simply are not built here. There is no shortage of things - narrow quiet streets, rickety wooden houses, from the chimneys of which flow grayish smoke from burning stoves, a huge number of churches and monasteries. Be sure to take a leisurely walk around Suzdal - residents of big cities have long forgotten what a walk is! Not a purposeful step that periodically turns into running, but a smooth, measured “foot by foot” walk. It is not customary to rush in Suzdal: yes, in fact, there is no need. The History itself, which every part of this beautiful city breathes, the atmosphere itself, filled with unhurriedness, creates a unique impression that time has stopped - take advantage of this, look around, slowly passing street after street!
Lovers of antiquity in all its manifestations will definitely be pleased with the Suzdal trade - you can taste real homemade mead or pickles from a barrel right on the winding street. And the youngest tourists will certainly appreciate homemade toys: can anyone in the class (or kindergarten group) boast of a carved wooden horse or luxurious beads?
The city of Suzdal is picturesquely located on the banks of the Kamenka River, along which an important trade route passed many years and centuries ago. The winding river meanders, its numerous bends are surprisingly harmonious and mysterious... You can see proud beautiful boats solemnly cutting through the surface of the water, and cunning merchants rub their hands in anticipation of a successful trade! Today Kamenka no longer brings overseas guests, but the frozen river brings sincere pleasure to children: it’s a pleasure to skate on smooth ice!
Monastery of Saint Euthymius
This monastery is located on the banks of the Kamenka River and was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique architectural monument. The monastery was founded in the middle of the fourteenth century.
The first buildings, unfortunately, have not survived. Only those buildings that date back mainly to the sixteenth century have reached us. The monastery complex includes a number of churches, residential premises, buildings and even the Prison Yard.
In Suzdal, GuruTurizma recommends the following hotels:
