The Vladimir region is located in Central Russia between Moscow and
Nizhny Novgorod. Many cities of the region are included in the Golden
Ring.
The region is interesting for numerous monuments of ancient
Russian architecture, picturesque small towns, as well as production and
a rich museum of crystal. There are no famous natural sights in the
vicinity of Vladimir, but the low population density for Central Russia,
the absence of industrial giants and convenient transport links make the
Vladimir Region a great place for small hiking and water trips.
Like other regions of Central Russia, the Vladimir region is located on
the East European Plain and is distinguished by a small elevation
difference. In the north-west of the region, the Klinsko-Dmitrovskaya
ridge passes into the rugged terrain of the Vladimir Opolye, to the
south - into the flat Meshcherskaya lowland, and to the east - into the
low Gorokhovetsky spur and the Oka valley. Typical heights are 100-200
meters above sea level. The geology of the region is just as
unremarkable: peat is mined in the Meshchera swamps, quartz sand is
mined in the vicinity of Gus-Khrustalny, and limestone is mined in the
central part of the region. With the exception of Opole, which is more
like a forest-steppe, the territory of the Vladimir region is occupied
by mixed forests: from the deaf Murom forests of Vladimir Polissya to
the equally deaf, and also swampy thickets of Vladimir Meshchera. The
main river is the Klyazma, which flows through the entire region from
west to east. The shores are flat in places, and in places, on the
contrary, are steep: with cliffs and magnificent panoramas.
The
territory of the Vladimir region was inhabited in prehistoric times. By
the 12th century, the surroundings of Vladimir became the center of the
Vladimir-Suzdal principality and all of northeastern Rus'. At the time
of the Mongol invasion, there were at least seven cities here: Suzdal,
Murom, Vladimir, Yuryev-Polsky, Gorokhovets, as well as the disappeared
Starodub-on-Klyazma and Mstislavl. In the XIV century, the rise of the
Moscow principality takes place, and the Vladimir region forever becomes
a deaf - albeit historical - province. New cities mainly appear along
the Klyazma as the main trade route. Later, the railway and motor roads
to Nizhny Novgorod passed along the same line.
The modern
Vladimir region is a relatively small Russian region (an area of 29
thousand km2) with three large cities: Vladimir (344 thousand people),
Kovrov (148 thousand people) and Murom (118 thousand people). There is a
lot of industry, but it is located quite compactly and is mainly
represented by mechanical engineering (Vladimir, Kovrov, Mur), as well
as a glass factory in Gus-Khrustalny. Although the Vladimir region is
adjacent to Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod, the influence of megacities is
almost not felt here: summer cottages stretch only along the M7 and end
after Vladimir. Then a completely real and at the same time accessible
Russian "outback" begins, disturbed only by the tourist business in the
cities of the Golden Ring and especially in Suzdal, which is perhaps the
most promoted and visited small town in Russia.
Information
✦ Official tourist portal of the
Vladimir region.
Vladimir is a diverse city.
Remarkably located on the high bank of the Klyazma, it greets travelers
with several UNESCO-listed ancient Russian monuments, after which
tourists usually go straight to Bogolyubovo or Suzdal. For those who are
more inquisitive, Vladimir can open up from a completely different side:
a wooden city of the century before last with narrow streets climbing up
the hill and old parish churches hidden in them, including the Knyaginin
Monastery with a wonderful cathedral and frescoes of the 16th-17th
centuries.
Suzdal is known far
beyond the Vladimir region. In Soviet times, it was perhaps the only
city in Russia that was completely dependent on tourism, and since then,
if not the quality, then certainly the number of tourist services
provided has only increased. Suzdal is famous almost exclusively for its
churches and monasteries, of which there are several dozen, and among
them are unique: for example, the pre-Mongolian Nativity Cathedral or
churches of a special Suzdal style, with a concave tent shape. In
addition, in Suzdal there is a museum of wooden architecture, and a few
kilometers from the city, in Kideksha, there is another pre-Mongolian
church, Boris and Gleb.
Yuryev-Polsky
is an exemplary provincial wilderness just 180 km from Moscow. The city
got only one ancient Russian temple, but it was unusual: back in the
15th century, it collapsed and was restored from the available material,
as a result of which it lost half its height and acquired mysterious
relief decorations, which became the first puzzle in Russian history
quite successfully assembled by Moscow masters. Along with the younger
Archangel Michael Monastery (XVII century), Yuryev-Polsky perfectly
preserved the atmosphere of a county town of the century before last,
which became the backdrop for the filming of the Golden Calf movie.
Alexandrov
- the famous settlement of Ivan the Terrible, the historical center of
the oprichnina with architectural monuments of the 16th-17th centuries
Vyazniki is an old merchant town with magnificent panoramas of the
Klyazma
Gorokhovets is a
merchant town that has preserved an integral ensemble of urban
development of the late 17th - early 18th centuries, only slightly
disturbed by later buildings.
Gus-Khrustalny — the
center of crystal production
Murom is
an ancient city with a rich history and architecture, the birthplace of
Ilya Muromets, famous for kalachi
Bogolyubovo is an ancient
village with a large monastery and a magnificent Church of the
Intercession on the Nerl
Kideksha is a small village with the Church
of Boris and Gleb (1152), one of the oldest monuments of pre-Mongolian
architecture.
Kovrov is a city of military
glory, in the historical part of the city the typical architecture of a
county town of the 19th century has been perfectly preserved
Klyazma
town - a village on the site of the ancient city of Starodub-on-Klyazma
Meshchera National Park is a protected forest area on the border of the
Moscow, Vladimir and Ryazan regions
Muromtsevo - manor in the Gothic
style
Mstyora is the center of traditional art crafts
Alexandrova Sloboda is a monastic complex of the 16th–17th centuries,
which arose as the oprichnina capital of Ivan the Terrible
Architecture of the old merchant cities in Gorokhovets and Vyazniki. In
addition to stone buildings, wooden ones, including modern wooden ones,
have been preserved.
Museum of Wooden Architecture in Suzdal: small
by Russian standards, but perhaps the only one in Central Russia
The
Crystal Museum in Gus-Khrustalny contains an impressive collection of
local products exhibited in the former city cathedral
Monuments of
ancient Russian architecture are included in the UNESCO World Heritage
List and are presented in various formats - from the capital's
cathedrals of Vladimir to the clumsy temple in Yuryev-Polsky, the
village church in Kideksha and the magnificent Church of the
Intercession on the Nerl, built in an open field next to Bogolyubovo.
Panoramas of Klyazma: with the flat character of the terrain, they are
no less impressive than ancient Russian architecture. The best viewing
platforms in Vladimir, Vyazniki and Gorokhovets.
There are medieval
monasteries and churches in most of the old towns. The best ensembles
have been preserved in Suzdal, Murom and Gorokhovets.
Water trips along the Klyazma are especially popular in the west of
the region, above Vladimir, where the river flows next to the railway.
From the point of view of water tourism, Klyazma is of no interest
(there are only a few simple rifts along its entire length), but it is
good for weekend trips. You can also raft on smaller rivers - the Nerl,
Gus, Sudogda.
Ski resort near Gorokhovets
Routes
The Golden
Ring passes through the cities and villages of the region.
Old
Russian heritage of the Vladimir region: the ring route Vladimir -
Suzdal - Yuryev-Polsky for 3-4 days
On the Vladimir road: from Moscow
to Nizhny Novgorod can be reached in just four hours, but driving with
stops is much more interesting.
By plane
There are no operating airports in the Vladimir region.
The nearest international airports are in Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod.
There is a small regional airport in Ivanovo.
By train
Trains
between Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod pass through Vladimir. Trains from
Moscow to Kazan usually stop in Murom and at the Vekovka station near
Gus-Khrustalny. Finally, some trains coming from Moscow to the north
stop in Aleksandrov.
By bus
Interregional routes from Vladimir
to Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, Ivanovo, Kostroma, Yaroslavl and Ryazan. Two
or three times a week there are direct buses to St. Petersburg, Tolyatti
and some other remote cities.
By car
There are quite a few
roads. The main route from the Moscow and Nizhny Novgorod regions is the
M7 highway, as well as:
Ivanovo region: A113 from Ivanovo (via
Suzdal) and P71 from Shuya via Kovrov
Moscow region: continuation of
the Shchelkovo highway A103 (via Kirzhach, Yuryev-Polsky) and the road
from M8 through Aleksandrov
Nizhny Novgorod region: P72 from Arzamas
(via Murom), P125 from Pavlovo to Murom, as well as the road from
Pavlovo to Gorokhovets.
Ryazan region: P73 from Ryazan (via
Gus-Khrustalny) and P125 from Kasimov to Murom
Yaroslavl region: P74
from Pereslavl-Zalessky (via Yuryev-Polsky)
By train
The road to Nizhny Novgorod: (Moscow) - Petushki -
Vladimir - Kovrov - Vyazniki - Gorokhovets - (Nizhny Novgorod).
Despite the proximity of major cities, commuter trains are relatively
few. Electric trains run 3-4 times a day (between Vladimir and Kovrov -
6 times a day), including two express trains from Vladimir to Moscow and
one to Nizhny Novgorod. In addition to Vladimir, some long-distance
trains make stops in Kovrov and Vyazniki, but usually pass through the
Vladimir region at night.
The road to Kazan: (Moscow) - Vekovka -
Murom - (Arzamas).
Electric trains Cherusti - Vekovka and Vekovka -
Murom 5 times a day. Long-distance trains usually stop in Murom and
Vekovka.
Vladimir - Gus-Khrustalny - Tuma: two suburban trains per
day.
Kovrov - Murom: two direct suburban trains per day, as well as
one or two non-connected trains to the intermediate stations Selivanovo
and Volosataya.
Alexandrov - Kolchugino - Yuryev-Polsky - (Ivanovo):
one suburban train and a daytime train Moscow - Ivanovo (No. 677M / No.
678CH) almost coinciding with it, as well as a night train Moscow -
Kineshma.
By bus
According to Russian tradition, the region is
dominated by radial bus routes. Main directions: Moscow (by filling),
Suzdal (every 20-30 minutes), Murom (every half an hour to an hour),
Gus-Khrustalny (buses every half an hour to an hour, as well as
minibuses by filling). There are fewer buses towards Nizhny Novgorod (on
average once an hour), and half of them go only to Vyazniki. However,
official and semi-official interregional buses that are not marked in
the schedules run in large numbers along the M7 (you should look for
them near bus stations or right on the highway if the route passes
through the city). Hitchhiking is also possible (especially on a paid
basis).
Chord routes are most active in the northwestern part of
the region: from Kolchugino to Alexandrov, Kirzhach and Yuryev-Polsky
(every 1-2 hours). In the south and east of the region, at best, a
couple of buses a day go along the chord roads, and more often there is
no regular service at all.
By car
M7 (Moscow) - Pokrov -
Vladimir - Vyazniki - Gorokhovets - (Nizhny Novgorod). Four-lane
throughout the entire length, except for a fifteen-kilometer two-lane
section of the southern bypass of Vladimir. The asphalt is mostly good,
the road is often repaired. There are many settlements to the west of
Vladimir, and traffic remains active even at night. To the east of
Vladimir, the road runs through sparsely populated areas and is usually
not busy. Traffic police posts: the beginning of the southern bypass of
Vladimir, Seninsky courtyards (turn to Kovrov), Gorokhovets. Gas station
every 10-20 km. There are not very many cafes and motels, but in general
the infrastructure is not bad. When driving in transit, the southern
bypass of Vladimir lengthens the route, but noticeably facilitates the
road: the old, northern bypass has turned into one of the city streets
and is very busy, especially in the daytime.
There are no culinary specifics in the Vladimir region, but there are
many local alcoholic products, among which Suzdal mead is especially
famous - a sweet low-alcohol drink based on honey. Beer is brewed
everywhere: the Starodub (Kovrov) and Maltsov (Gus-Khrustalny) brands
are especially good. Vodka and tinctures are produced by factories in
Vladimir and Aleksandrov.
There are many cafes and restaurants,
and their level generally correlates with potential demand: an excellent
choice and culinary exoticism in Vladimir and Suzdal, several decent
establishments in Alexandrov, Murom and Gorokhovets, and at best one or
two acceptable cafes in other cities. Of the interesting cities, the
least favorable situation with food is in Yuryev-Polsky and
Gus-Khrustalny.
The Vladimir region is quite safe, although away from the tourist spots, you should follow the standard precautions in the evening and at night. When going out into nature, remember about vipers, which are especially numerous in Vladimirskaya Meshchera. Cases of tick-borne encephalitis are rare, but the ticks themselves are very active: especially in late spring and summer.
History of Vladimir Oblast — history of the territory of Vladimir
Oblast of Russia (Rus), in different periods of time.
Vladimir
Oblast, formerly Vladimir Krai, Vladimir land historically belongs to
the Zalesye or Upper Volga region.
The oldest traces of human habitation date back to the Upper
Paleolithic. Upper Paleolithic human sites (about 34 thousand years ago)
found in the Sunghir area indicate that the Vladimir land was inhabited
since ancient times. The Paleolithic samples Sunghir 1, Sunghir 2,
Sunghir 3 and Sunghir 4 (34.6-33.7 thousand years ago) were identified
as having the Y-chromosomal haplogroup C1a2 (subclade C1a2-Y37006* in
Sunghir 4; subclade C1a2-Y37020 in Sunghir 2 and 3). The Sunghir 1
sample was identified as having the mitochondrial haplogroup U8c, while
the others had the mitochondrial haplogroup U2 (subclade U2f2). Also,
the Karacharovskaya site near Murom and the Rusanikha site within the
boundaries of modern Vladimir belong to the Upper Paleolithic.
In
the Neolithic era, the Volosovo culture tribes (Panfilov site) lived
here, and in the Bronze Age, the Fatyanovo culture cattle breeding
tribes lived here.
The Pozdnyakovo culture, widespread in the Oka
and Klyazma river basins from the middle of the 2nd millennium to the
beginning of the 1st millennium BC, received its name from the village
of Pozdnyakovo.
Archaeological excavations of Murom and other
settlements tell us about the Finno-Ugric roots of these lands. The
territory of the region was inhabited by the Muroma and Merya (ancestors
of the modern Mari). The south of the region was inhabited by the
Meshchera. The earliest lunular temporal rings in the Middle Volga
region, close to the Arefin type, come from burials in ground burial
grounds of the 8th-9th centuries.
Since the 9th century, the
migration of Slavic tribes began from the northwest (from Gardariki),
accompanied by the assimilation of the local Meryan population. The
Slavs moved from the Novgorod land along the rivers, using boats. In
many ways, this migration became possible due to the Volga trade route,
which was mastered by the Varangians. Their advance is recorded by the
appearance of burial mounds and cremation of corpses. These tribes
migrated together with the female population, as evidenced by the
bracelet-shaped temporal rings (a characteristic feature of the
Krivichi). The migration was also peaceful in nature, since no
fortifications were erected around the villages. Unlike the local
tribes, the Slavs made agriculture the basis of their economy. V. M.
Goryunova noted the presence of ceramics from the first half of the 10th
century in Gnezdilovo near Suzdal, similar to the West Slavic ceramics
of the Feldberg and Menkendorf types.
In the village of Kibol
near Suzdal, the oldest cultural layer with molded ceramics dates back
to the end of the 10th century. In Tarbaevo, a silver coin of type I of
Vladimir Svyatoslavich was found, bearing on the front side a bust image
of the prince with a trident above his left shoulder.
The
transformation of the burial rite at the end of the 10th - beginning of
the 11th century indicates the appearance of a new population in the
Lower Oka region. Burials with a syncretic burial rite and inventory are
recorded, demonstrating the processes of assimilation of the local
population and its involvement in the orbit of the Old Russian state.
Under the Kiev prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich, the territory of the
modern Vladimir region became part of the Old Russian state. In 988,
Prince Gleb Vladimirovich was installed as the prince of Murom.
Suzdal became an important Christian center, but the adoption of the new
faith encountered resistance from the local priestly elite, which led to
the anti-Christian uprising of 1024.
According to archaeological
excavations, in the third quarter of the 11th century, a group of
warriors of Scandinavian origin appeared among the inhabitants of
Suzdal. At that time, a noble Varangian, Rostov thousand-man Georgy
Shimonovich (son of Shimon Afrikanovich) lived in Suzdal.
In
1096, Prince Mstislav Vladimirovich, sitting in Suzdal, "dispersed the
squad into the villages." Apparently, these villages were settlements
with burial mounds located near them - Novosyolki (Novosyolka
Nerlskaya), Kideksha, Vasilki (Vasilkovo), Seltso, Ves, Gnezdilovo. In
1097, Mstislav defeated Oleg Svyatoslavich near Suzdal.
In 1108,
Vladimir Monomakh built the city of Vladimir on the Klyazma.
In
1127, the Chernigov prince Yaroslav Svyatoslavich established a separate
state entity in Murom, which formed the basis of the Ryazan land.
The Vladimir Grand Duchy (1157-1362) was formed in connection with
the transfer of the capital of the Rostov-Suzdal Principality to
Vladimir-on-Klyazma by Grand Duke Andrei Bogolyubsky. One of the
masterpieces of ancient Russian architecture, the Assumption Cathedral
and the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, was built in the city.
The cities of Yuryev-Polsky, Gorokhovets, Starodub-on-Klyazma,
Mstislavl, and the princely residences of Kideksha and Bogolyubovo
emerged. A plate with an inscription found in the northern nave of the
Assumption Cathedral dates back to the mid-12th century.
When
settling North-Eastern Rus', part of the Black Klobuks, mainly
Berendeys, moved to the territory of the Vladimir Principality in
Opolye, forming a semi-autonomous state known as the "Berendey Kingdom".
In 1159, the Vladimir Prince Andrei took Volok Lamsky from the
Novgorodians, in 1169, together with the Smolensk and Polovtsians, he
captured Kyiv, but in 1170 he was defeated by the Novgorodians. The
Vladimir land included the territories of the Vologda, Moscow, Tver and
Yaroslavl regions.
In 1176, near Yuryev, an internecine battle
took place between the Vladimirites and the Rostovites at the Lipitsa
and Gza rivers, in which the brother and successor of Andrei
Bogolyubsky, Vsevolod Yuryevich Bolshoe Gnezdo, won. Under the
leadership of Prince Vsevolod, the Vladimirites fought against the Volga
Bulgars, the Mordvins, and the Ryazan Principality. Vsevolod Yuryevich
continued his brother's line of creating cultural values. The St.
Demetrius Cathedral was built under his leadership.
At the
settlement of Chaadaevo-5 near the village of Chaadaevo, styluses
(pencils), parts of book bindings, and more than 10 seals of the
Drogichin type were found. At the Seminskoye settlement, southeast of
the village of Seminskoye (Yuryev-Polsky district), on the left bank of
the Koloksha River, a stylus-pen of type 4 was found. Pottery stamps
with a geometric pattern of "rotating" wheels from the Seminskoye
settlement date back to the 12th - first half of the 13th century. The
Seminskoye burial mound 1 of the 11th-13th centuries, located 2 km
northeast of the village of Novoye, contained a burial with a western
orientation, typical of the Slavs. The burial mound on Puzhalova Gora in
Gorokhovets is known as one of the easternmost burial mound monuments
and marks the eastern edge of the territory of the distribution of the
burial mound rite of medieval Rus' in the 12th century.
The
"Chronicler of Pereyaslavl Suzdal" under the year 1214 mentions a
drought that led to a great famine in North-Eastern Rus', where "much
evil was done".
The internecine Battle of Lipitsa took place in
1216 near Yuryev-Polsky near the Gza River and ended with the victory of
the Smolensk-Novgorod coalition led by Mstislav Mstislavich Udatny, who
supported the claims of Konstantin Vsevolodovich to the Vladimir throne.
Perhaps Yaroslav Vsevolodovich owned a helmet and chainmail that he
abandoned when fleeing the site of the Battle of Lipitsa and were found
near the Koloksha River near the village of Lykova.
The medieval
sample Sunghir 6 (a fragment of the lower jaw) found together with the
Paleolithic remains in Sunghir, aged 730-850 years ago, was identified
as having the Y-chromosomal haplogroup I2a1b2 (the "Dinaric" subclade
I2a1b2a1a-CTS10228 (Din)>I2a1b2a1a1a1a3-A16681>A16681*) and the
mitochondrial haplogroup W3a1 (subclade W3a1f*).
The Vladimir land suffered great devastation from the Tatar-Mongol
invasion of the 13th century. In January 1238, the battle of the Ryazan
governor Evpatiy Kolovrat with the Mongols took place on the territory
of the Vladimir region. On February 23, 1238, Vladimir-Zalessky was
captured by the hordes of Batu and burned. Archaeologists found the site
of mass death of townspeople from cold weapons. Traces of ancient
Russian estates with traces of fire were found within a radius of 80
meters from it. A sample of sanitary burials on Zlatovratsky Street in
Vladimir, according to morphological features, does not find analogues
either among the synchronous urban or rural population of neighboring
territories, or among the Krivichi, and, possibly, comes from the
territory of the Upper Dnieper region. In March 1238, a battle on the
Siti River followed, during which the Vladimir prince Yuri Vsevolodovich
died. The Vladimir throne was taken by the brother of the deceased,
Yaroslav Vsevolodovich. In 1243, he went to the Horde to bow to the
Mongol Khan and received from him a label for the reign. Thus, the
Vladimir land became a protectorate of the Golden Horde. In 1257, the
Tatars conducted a census of the population and imposed a tribute on the
population of the region. However, the local population did not
reconcile itself to the yoke and in 1262 raised an anti-Tatar uprising.
Under Yaroslav's son, the famous Alexander Nevsky, the pro-Tatar policy
of the local nobility was continued, which contributed to the
strengthening of the Vladimir principality, but at the same time, its
fragmentation continued. A number of "appanage" principalities emerged
from it, including Moscow and Tver. In 1293, Dudenev's army came to
Vladimir.
In 1274, a church council was held in Vladimir.
In 1299, the residence of the Metropolitan of All Rus' of the
Constantinople Orthodox Church was moved from Kyiv to
Vladimir-on-Klyazma, and in 1325 to Moscow (the transfer of the see was
approved by the Constantinople Patriarchal Synod of 1354).
The
samples from burial 7, excavation 2 (ex.2) in the Patriarchal Garden of
Vladimir by the Klyazma River, dating from the 13th-14th centuries, were
found to have the Y-chromosomal haplogroup
R1a1a1b1a1-M458>R1a1a1b1a1a1c1-L1029 and the mitochondrial haplogroup
H6c1 (sample no. 7). The Y-chromosomal haplogroup I1a2-Z58 was found in
sample no. 26. The most significant concentrations of R1a1a1b1a1-M458
and I1a2-Z58 are observed in the western part of the Slavic area.
In 1362, the Moscow Prince Dmitry Donskoy annexed the Vladimir
Principality to his possessions. The former capital became an ordinary
city of the Moscow State, a city of memories and shrines. In 1380, the
Vladimir army took part in the Battle of Kulikovo under the command of
the Moscow Prince Dmitry. In 1382, the Vladimir land was devastated by
the troops of Tokhtamysh. In the 14th century, the estate of the Horde
governor was located in Vladimir (found in the area of Gagarin Street,
No. 2).
In 1445, having broken the resistance of the Moscow army
in the Battle of Suzdal, the Kazan Tatars of Khan Ulu-Muhammad began to
devastate the region. Before the capture of Kazan, Vladimir and Murom
were part of the outlying territories known as "Kazan Ukraine".
On December 3, 1564, Ivan the Terrible left Moscow on a pilgrimage. By
December 21, the royal cortege arrived at the Trinity-Sergius Monastery,
but after prayers and the traditional service, Ivan IV went not to
Moscow, but to Alexandrov Sloboda. By the autumn of 1565, all the
threads of internal governance converged in Alexandrov Sloboda. Until
1581, Alexandrov Sloboda was the main political and cultural center of
the Russian state, the center of the oprichnina. The tsar and his family
were here during the "pestilence" - the plague that swept through Moscow
in 1568. In 1569, the first printing house in Russia, owned by the first
printer Ivan Fedorov, was moved here from Moscow. In 1571, the royal
bride review took place in Alexandrov Sloboda. Two thousand beauties
came here from all over Rus', from whom Ivan the Terrible chose Marfa
Sobakina as his wife. During the Time of Troubles, the Lithuanian
adventurer Lisovsky supported the Tushino thief and made Suzdal his
residence in 1609-1610. In December 1615, already commissioned by the
Polish hetman Chodkiewicz, Lisovsky again walked through the Vladimir
land, describing an arc around Moscow.
In 1756, a crystal
production plant was opened in the Vladimir city of Gus-Khrustalny.
During the reign of Catherine II, the Vladimir province was created,
headed by Roman Vorontsov.
In 1858, a telegraph station equipped
with a Morse code was opened in the Vladimir region. In 1861, Vladimir
was connected to Moscow by rail, which a year later was extended to
Nizhny Novgorod. In 1896, the first experimental power plant was created
in the workers' settlement of Kolchugino at the copper plant. In 1910, a
telephone exchange was opened. In 1916, construction of a machine gun
factory began in Kovrov.
July 8-10, 1918 - Murom Uprising of
White Guards, organized by the "Union for the Defense of the Motherland
and Freedom".
In 1929, the Vladimir Region became part of the
Ivanovo Industrial Region, and since 1936, the Ivanovo Region.
On August 14, 1944, the Kostroma and Vladimir regions were separated
from the Ivanovo region.
In 1944, regional radio broadcasting
began.
In 1952, trolleybuses appeared in Vladimir.
On July
23, 1961, mass riots began in the city of Aleksandrov - 1,200 people
took to the streets of the city and moved to the city police department
to help two drunk soldiers detained by police officers. The police used
weapons, as a result of which 4 people were killed, 11 were wounded, and
20 people ended up in the dock.
In 1989, regional television
appeared.
After the collapse of the USSR in 1991, criminal groups
(OCG) emerged and became more active in the Vladimir region, consisting
of "sixers", "overseers" and "gray cardinals". Thus, Gus-Khrustalny was
divided between five gangs that collected tribute from entrepreneurs,
threatening reprisals and arson. At the same time, the bandits had their
patrons among the police and local deputies.
In 1992, a Muslim
community consisting of ethnic Tatars was registered in Vladimir.
At the beginning of the 21st century, the Vladimir region
experienced a process of population decline due to low birth rates.
Vladimir Region is located in the center of the European part of Russia in the south of the Volga-Oka interfluve. It borders on the Moscow Region in the west and southwest, on the Yaroslavl and Ivanovo Regions in the north, on the Ryazan Region in the south, and on the Nizhny Novgorod Region in the east. The region occupies the territory between 56°47’ and 55°09’ north latitude and 38°17’ and 42°58’ east longitude. The area of the territory is 29,000 km², stretching 170 km from north to south and 280 km from west to east.
The territory is located in the center of the East European Plain,
the main part of the territory is a gently rolling plain with a general
depression from the Klin-Dmitrov ridge (up to 271 m) in the north,
through Vladimirskoe (Yuryevo) Opolye (up to 236 m), further south to
the Meshchera Lowland (predominant height 120 m) and to the east through
the Oka-Tsninsky rampart (up to 184 m) and the Gorokhovetsky spur
(highest point - 191 m) to the Balakhna Lowland (about 90 m) and the
mouth of the Klyazma (67 m). Due to the steep slopes of the hills, the
region has recreational (winter sports) resources and hydro-accumulation
capabilities.
The main mineral resources of the region are
limestone, peat, construction sand and stones, fireclay and brick clay.
Peat reserves amount to 59 million tons, most of which are located
within the Meshchera Lowland. The total limestone deposits amount to 30
million tons and are located in the Oka-Tsninsky ridge area, where their
thickness reaches 130 meters (Kovrovsky, Vyaznikovsky, Sudogodsky,
Selivanovsky districts).
Quartz sands - clean, fine, almost
without admixtures of clay particles of glacial origin are of federal
importance, in large quantities lie in the southern regions of the
region (Gus-Khrustalny and Melenkovsky districts). Sands are used for
the production of glass and crystal.
The region also has
phosphorites, iron ore, small deposits of gypsum, flux materials and
metallurgical dolomites of local importance.
There are natural
springs of mineral waters in the region.
The climate of the region is moderately continental, with warm summers, moderately cold winters and pronounced transitional seasons. The duration of the period with an average daily temperature below 0 °C is 137 days, the average annual temperature is 5 °C (standard deviation 12 °C), the average January temperature is from −11 °C in the northwest of the region to −12 °C in the southeast, July is about +18 °C. The average annual precipitation is 550-600 mm, the maximum precipitation occurs in the summer. In winter, a stable snow cover is formed, up to 55 cm thick by the end of March (it lasts an average of 144 days). In June 2021, the temperature in Vladimir rose to +35.2 °C for the first time, setting a record for early summer, as in many other places in the region.
The total surface area of surface waters is 32.9 thousand hectares.
The main rivers of the region are the Klyazma and the Oka. Hundreds
of large and small rivers with a total length of over 8.6 thousand km
(their number together with streams reaches 560) flow through the
territory of the region. The Klyazma flows into the Oka on the
south-eastern outskirts along the border with the Nizhny Novgorod
region. The largest tributaries of the Klyazma are: Sherna (with the
tributary Molokcha), Kirzhach (with the tributaries Bolshoi and Maly
Kirzhach), Peksha, Koloksha, Nerl, Sudogda, Uvod, Lukh, Suvorosh, the
tributaries of the Oka: Gus, Unzha and Ushna, near Aleksandrov the Volga
tributary Dubna River originates. The Oka River within the region is
navigable along its entire length (157 km). The rivers of the region
have a flat nature of flow, wide valleys and winding channels. The water
regime of the rivers is characterized by high spring floods, low
summer-autumn low water with isolated floods during periods of heavy
rains, and stable winter low water.
There are about 300 lakes
with a total area of five thousand hectares. The lakes in the Vladimir
region are mainly small floodplain lakes. Most of them are small,
endorheic, and many are overgrown with a peat layer. Numerous oxbow
lakes are scattered along the river valleys. The shape of the lakes can
be different - oval, round, horseshoe-shaped. The outlines of the
coastline are simple, the shores are sandy or swampy.
The origin
of the lakes is different. There are karst lakes and lakes of ancient
alluvial valleys, glacial lakes, floodplain lakes (oxbow lakes). Karst
lakes are located in areas where limestones are distributed. They are
small, have a round shape, steep banks, and a significant depth that
begins from the shore. They are distinguished by the inconsistency of
the water level, which is caused by the influx of groundwater that feeds
them. Their water is highly mineralized, since lime is dissolved in it.
Such lakes are found in the lower reaches of the Klyazma and in the
center of the Vyaznikovsky district (northeast of the region). They are
often connected by underground drains. Such lakes are located in groups.
The largest and deepest of them is Lake Kshara, its depth is 65 meters.
In the Meshchera Lowland and in the northwest of the region there are
lakes of ancient alluvial valleys: Isihra, Svyatoe, etc. In the
Aleksandrovsky and Yuryev-Polsky districts there are small lakes of
glacial origin.
In the system of soil-geographical zoning, the territory of the
Vladimir region belongs to the Central Russian province of sod-podzolic
medium-humus soils.
The region is equally home to:
fertile
dark-colored carbonate and gray forest soils - associated with
broad-leaved forests in Opolye, occupying 417.5 thousand hectares or
14.3% of the total area (Suzdal and Yuryev-Polsky districts, parts of
Aleksandrovsky, Kolchuginsky and Sobinsky districts)
turf alluvial
(floodplain) soils along the banks of the Oka and Klyazma.
sod-podzolic soils formed under coniferous and mixed forests
medium
loamy type (Vyaznikovsky, Muromsky, partially Kovrovsky, Kamensky,
Gorokhovetsky, Selivanovsky, Sobinsky, Kirzhachsky, Aleksandrovsky
districts)
sandy loam and sandy types (Gus-Khrustalny, Melenkovsky,
Petushinsky, Sudogodsky districts, southern parts of Kirzhachsky,
Sobinsky, Muromsky and Selivanovsky districts)
podzolic-bog and bog
soils within the Meshchera lowland and Gorokhovetsky bogs
Insufficient provision of soils with boron and sulfur is noted, 85-98%
of soils are classified as low-zinc.
Land degradation is most
common in the form of water erosion - about 175 thousand hectares of
eroded land and about 700 thousand hectares of erosion-hazardous land.
The vegetation of the Vladimir region has changed many times and was
finally formed in the postglacial period. In the composition of modern
vegetation, which has a mixed nature, a large proportion is occupied by
forests. About 300 years ago, forests occupied a continuous massif of
modern Sudogodsky, Muromsky and Melenkovsky districts. At the beginning
of the 21st century, the Vladimir region is one of the most forested in
the Central Federal District. Forests belong to the first and second
groups. The first group is forests of green zones of cities, workers'
settlements, industrial centers and large enterprises, protective strips
along rivers, highways and railways. The second is water protection
forests. The region is located in the zone of mixed forests. The forest
cover of the territory of the Vladimir region is 50.7%. Coniferous
species predominate — about 52% of the area (in the Meshchera Lowland,
in the Zaklyazmensky pine forest and on the Oka-Tsninsky rampart), 35%
of forests are small-leaved (birch and aspen forests), zonal
broad-leaved-spruce forests in moraine landscapes (on the
Klin-Dmitrovskaya ridge, on the Gorokhovetsky spur) occupy about 9%,
broad-leaved forests in Opolye and on the slopes of the indigenous banks
of the Oka and Klyazma. In terms of predominant forest species, pine
ranks first (about 52%), birch ranks second (more than 30%), spruce
ranks third (more than 9%), followed by aspen (more than 5%). The total
forest area of the region is 1.6 million hectares.
The humid
Meshchera is rich in vegetation, here they collect raspberries,
strawberries, currants, especially a lot of blueberries, lingonberries,
viburnum and cranberries, numerous mushrooms and medicinal plants (marsh
wild rosemary, field horsetail, common yarrow, St. John's wort, mint,
nettle, lily of the valley, etc.). The flora of the region includes 1371
species of vascular plants and 230 species of bryophytes. The following
species are listed in the Red Book of Russia among those living in the
region: lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceolus), red helleborine
(Cephalanthera rubra), Baltic dactylorhiza (Dactylorhiza baltica),
Traunsteineri dactylorhiza (Dactylorhiza traunsteineri), leafless
epipogium (Epipogium aphyllum), Liparis loeselii, Neottianthe cucullata,
Orchis militaris, Orchis ustulata, etc. The mycobiota (composition of
fungi) of the region has not been studied.
The modern fauna includes more than 50 species of mammals, including:
elk, wild boar, roe deer, red and sika deer, lynx, wolf, squirrel, hare,
marten, fox, ferret, badger and other fur animals (hunting is open from
October to February), 5 species of reptiles and 10 species of
amphibians. The Russian desman is listed in the Red Book of the Russian
Federation.
There are 216 species of birds in the region,
including: wood grouse, black grouse, hazel grouse, gray partridge,
woodcock, goose, duck, etc. The lesser white-fronted goose, listed in
the Red Book of the Russian Federation, passes through by flight.
Hunting for commercial game animals with licenses and permits is
open during the following periods:
elk, wild boar, red deer, sika
deer (mid-November - mid-January)
hare (October - January)
Hunting for wood grouse, black grouse, woodcock, drake and goose is
permitted for 10 days in April.
The region's water bodies are
also rich in numerous (about 40) species of river and lake fish (loach,
roach, pike, perch, crucian carp, rudd, sterlet is found in the
Klyazma), fishing in the winter (ice fishing). There are several hunting
grounds.
The environmental situation in the Vladimir region is difficult. The
operation of the power plant, heating plants, chemical and
machine-building plants damage water resources and pollute the air. In
particular, the nitrogen dioxide content in the atmosphere of Vladimir
is 13 times higher than normal, and formaldehyde, benzopyrene, and
phenol are present in significant concentrations, which affects the
health of the population. Vladimir is among the hundred most polluted
cities in Russia.
The living environment is worsened by numerous
garbage dumps and waste discharges into water bodies. At the same time,
since 2000, the number of slightly and moderately polluted water bodies
has decreased in the region, but the number of heavily polluted ones has
increased. All districts of the region are characterized by problems
with the quality of drinking water and household waste. As of 2013, 86.3
thousand tons of waste have accumulated in the region. Sources of
radioactive contamination were noted in the Murom, Melenkovsky and
Gorokhovetsky districts. A number of districts of the region have
problems with air pollution.
According to 2014 data, industrial
and housing and communal services wastewater plays a major role in
polluting the region's waters. This is due to insufficient purification.
In total, about 126.556 million m³ of wastewater is discharged into
surface water bodies in the Vladimir Region per year, of which 7.158
million m³ are clean to standard, and 119.398 million m³ are polluted
(inadequately purified - 177.579 million m³, without purification -
1.819 million m³). Three specially protected natural areas (SPNA) of
federal significance have been organized in the Vladimir Region: (the
Meshchera National Park and two nature reserves - Muromsky and
Klyazminsky). Another 119 SPNAs are of regional significance, and 24 are
of local significance. The largest protected area in the region is the
Meshchera National Park, created in 1992, with an area of 118,900
hectares, of which forests occupy 86,643 hectares, meadows - 18,681
hectares, and water bodies - 1,434 hectares. 1,273 plant species have
been registered on its territory, including 56 rare ones, 42 species of
animals, 182 species of birds, and 17 species of fish.
The population of the region is 1,309,942 people (2024). The population density is 45.04 people/km² (2024). Urban population is 79.52% (2022).
The region is characterized by natural population decline. However,
the amount of natural decline tends to decrease.
In 2013, the
natural decline was 7,919 people (15,740 born and 23,659 died).
In 2014, the natural decline was 7,531 people (15,809 born and 23,340
died).
In 2015, the natural decline was 6,903 people (16,214 born
and 23,117 died).
The reasons for the decline are high mortality
and the outflow of the working-age population to more prosperous
neighboring regions.
Gross regional product (GRP): RUB 392 billion (2016).
GRP per
capita: RUB 281,366.90 (2016).
Industry occupies a central place in
the economy. It accounts for about 40% of the GRP structure. Agriculture
is in second place. The share of agriculture in the GRP is 9% (2006)
(12%—2005). Federal transport, represented by several major highways,
has a special influence on development. Federal financing in the
regional budget balance reaches 25% (2006). The regional leadership
supports the development of excursion, historical and ecological
tourism.
Manufacturing industries account for about 90% of the industrial production structure. Among them, the largest share falls on food production.
Kolchuginsky Plant for Processing Non-Ferrous Metals — rolled metal
products, pipes, defense orders
OOO Gusar (Gus-Khrustalny) —
Production of pipeline fittings for the oil and gas complex
Kolchug-Mitsar — tableware and jewelry production
The main centers of mechanical engineering are Vladimir, Kovrov,
Murom, Kolchuginsky district. Significant enterprises:
Vladimir Motor
and Tractor Plant, Vladimir Electric Motor Plant, Elektropribor
Kovrov Mechanical Plant, Kovrovets Excavator Plant, Degtyarev Plant,
Kovrov Electromechanical Plant
Murom Switch Plant, Murom
Machine-Building Plant, Murom Diesel Locomotive Plant
Kolchuginsky
Plant Elektrokabel
Automotive component plants: Avtosvet (Kirzhach)
and OSVAR (Vyazniki), Stakol (Petushki), Avtopribor (Vladimir)
OJSC
Gorokhovets Plant of Lifting and Transport Equipment Elevatormelmash
Selivanovsky Machine-Building Plant
OJSC GMS Household Pumps
(Bavleny)
The most developed industries are dairy processing and confectionery
production
The largest associations of enterprises are Moloko and
Opolye
The largest producer of bakery products in the region is
Vladimirsky Khlebokombinat OJSC
The confectionery factory of the
Kraft Foods concern (a chocolate factory in Pokrov, one of the largest
in Russia, and a biscuit factory in Sobinka)
The confectionery
factory of Ferrero Russia in the village of Vorsha, Sobinsky District
The liquor and vodka factories Vladalko, Aleksandrovsky
The Nestlé
factory for the production of Maggi instant soups in Vyazniki
Glass
industry
Gusevsky Crystal Factory
Gusevsky Glass Factory named
after F.E. Dzerzhinsky
OOO Opytnyy Zavod (Gus-Khrustalny)
OAO
Steklovolokno (Gus-Khrustalny)
ZAO "Symbol" (Kurlovo)
OAO "Krasnoe
Ekho" (settlement Krasnoe Ekho)
OOO "RASKO" (settlement Anopino)
OAO "Rusjam" (Gorokhovets)
OOO "Velikodvorsky Glass Container Plant"
(settlement Velikodvorsky)
The region's natural resources are small. Of local importance are building materials (clays, sands, sand and gravel materials), peat, and sapropel.
As of the end of 2020, five thermal power plants with a total
capacity of 608.9 MW were operating in the Vladimir region. In 2020,
they produced 1931 million kWh of electricity. A special feature of the
region's energy sector is the sharp dominance of one station,
Vladimirskaya TPP-2, which provides 99% of electricity generation.
The region is characterized by a significant electricity deficit,
with 3/4 of the demand covered by the integrated power grid from other
regions of Central Russia through the Vladimir power grids. The largest
facilities are Vladimirskaya TPP-2 with a capacity of 407 MW, and the
Vladimirskaya junction substation of 750 kV with a capacity of 2500 MVA.
It is interesting that in the early 1940s, construction of two
hydroelectric power plants with hydroelectric power plants on the
Klyazma was practically started, which stopped with the beginning of the
war. Several mini-hydroelectric power plants were operating on the Nerl,
near the village of Fineevo on the Kirzhach, and many water mills.
Energy consumption in 1999 was:
Natural gas — 2.6 billion m³
Coal — 323 thousand tons
Petroleum products — 647 thousand tons
Electricity import — 3.9 billion kWh
The rural population as of January 1, 2020 is 292,865 people, 22% of
the total population of the Vladimir region, of which 22 thousand people
work in agriculture.
Specializes in crop production, cattle
breeding and poultry farming. The leading branch of agriculture is dairy
and meat livestock farming.
In 2020, agricultural output in farms
of all categories was 32.8 billion rubles, including livestock farming
18.1 billion rubles, crop production 14.7 billion rubles.
They breed cattle, pigs, sheep, goats. Horse breeding (Vladimir heavy
draft horses).
As of January 1, 2021, the cattle population in
the region amounted to 133.3 thousand heads (-1.4%), including 57.4
thousand cows (-1.3%), 3.0 thousand pigs (+26.0%), 20.9 thousand sheep
and goats (-14.9%), 0.5 thousand horses (+3.0%), 3.609 million poultry
(+3.9%), 11.4 thousand bee colonies (-3.1%).
In 2020, meat
production (in slaughter weight) was 27.3 thousand tons (-18.5%), 587.0
million eggs. (+3.6%), milk production 424.6 thousand tons (+3.6%),
average milk yield in farms of all categories, per cow 7629 kg (+342
kg).
In 2020, the sown area in farms of all categories was 290.2 thousand
hectares, of which: forage crops 187.3 thousand hectares, grains 82.9
thousand hectares, potatoes 10.7 thousand hectares, open-ground
vegetables 4.3 thousand hectares, industrial crops 4.9 thousand
hectares. According to the soil survey, 67% of arable land in the region
belongs to sod-podzolic and 33% to gray forest soils.
The gross
harvest of grain and leguminous crops as of October 8, 2020 amounted to
253.9 thousand tons, with a yield of 31.7 c/ha. 80.2 thousand hectares
have been threshed, which is 94.9% of the sowing area. Including winter
and spring wheat threshed on 43.2 thousand hectares, or 97.8% of the
area of the plan. 150.2 thousand tons of grain were obtained with a
yield of 34.8 c/ha (24.0 c/ha in 2019). Winter and spring barley was
harvested from 16.5 thousand hectares, which is 93.8% of the crops, 45.9
thousand tons were threshed with a yield of 27.7 c/ha (25.7 c/ha in
2019). The potato yield is 171 c/ha, open ground vegetables 155 c/ha,
fodder root crops 165 c/ha.
About 25 specialized enterprises are
engaged in breeding cattle. Several fish farms (the largest of which is
“Vorsha”), numerous apiaries.
Transport accounts for 7% of the region's GRP. In terms of its
contribution to the gross regional product, transport is second only to
industry and agriculture.
The region's economic and geographical
position offers ample opportunities for the development of transport
infrastructure. The region's main freight traffic goes along three of
the four routes of the Trans-Siberian Railway. In addition, part of the
Moscow Ring Railway, the Alexandrov-Ivanovo and Novki-Ivanovo branches,
is in the region. The network of internal railways is also well
developed; the Kovrov-Murom, Vladimir-Tuma branches, and branches to
Sudogda, Raduzhny, Urshelsky (passenger transportation is not carried
out) and Frolishchi. The largest locomotive depots are in Alexandrov,
Vladimir and Murom. Narrow-gauge traffic has been preserved, including
passenger traffic along the Ostrovsky and Baksheevsky, Mezinovsky and
Gusevsky swamps of Meshchera.
The most significant of the
motorways are the M7 "Volga" motorway with a capacity of up to 10
million tons per year (via Pokrov, Petushki, Lakinsk, Vladimir, Vyazniki
and Gorokhovets), the approach from the highway to Ivanovo with a length
of 102 km (via Suzdal), as well as a small section of the A108, P72
"Vladimir - Arzamas" and P125 "Nizhny Novgorod - Kasimov" motorways. The
new P-132 "Golden Ring" motorway unites the route Yaroslavl - Kostroma -
Ivanovo - Vladimir - Gus-Khrustalny - Ryazan - Mikhailov - Tula - Kaluga
- Vyazma - Rzhev - Tver - Uglich - Yaroslavl. It has become the third
federal motorway in the Vladimir region. As of 01.01.2018, 464.9
thousand motor vehicles were registered in the region, including 406.3
thousand passenger cars, 53.4 thousand trucks, 4.2 thousand buses. There
are more than 2,000 organizations and individual entrepreneurs engaged
in the transportation of passengers and goods.
The passenger
service infrastructure consists of 4 bus stations, 7 bus stations, 8
stopping points with ticket sales for travel on buses, as well as 136
railway stations and 30 railway stations, Semyazino airport.
The
annual volume of bus and trolleybus transportation is 122 million
passengers, with buses transporting 93 million people, and trolleybuses
- 29 million passengers. The passenger transport route network consists
of 513 bus and 22 trolleybus routes. It is worth noting the developed
trolleybus systems of Vladimir and Kovrov.
From 2015 to 2018, the
size of the railway communication remains stable. The volume of
passenger transportation in 2017 compared to 2016 increased by 10% and
amounted to 12.2 million people.
In second place in terms of
volume is pipeline transport:
Two lines of the Nizhny Novgorod-Ryazan
oil pipeline and two lines of Nizhny Novgorod-Yaroslavl (in total at
least 45 million tons/year), providing transit of West Siberian and
Volga-Ural oil to the Moscow, Yaroslavl, Ryazan and Kirishi oil
refineries, and to the port of Primorsk for export (OJSC AK Transneft).
The Gorky-Center (Nizhny Novgorod-KS Murom) and Pochinki-Yaroslavl,
Pochinki-Gryazovets, Nizhny Novgorod-Shchyolkovo gas pipelines with
branches to Ivanovo and the southern regions of the region, total
transit of over 6 billion m³/year. PAO Gazprom
Product pipeline
(MNPP) Kstovo-Ryazan (at least 2 million tons/year, mainly diesel fuel)
with branches to Sudogda and Vyazniki. A pumping station with oil
storage facilities in the village of Vtorovo, the next stage of the
Vtorovo-Primorsk pipeline is under construction (current capacity of 8.4
million tons of diesel fuel per year), it is planned to increase the
capacity of the tanks to 80 thousand m³, and the capacity of the entire
unit to 24.6 million tons/year (the Sever project of OAO Transneft).
Main power transmission lines: 750 kV power line Kalinin NPP <=
Vladimirskaya PS, 2x500 kV power line Zhigulevskaya HPP — Moscow, 500 kV
power line Kostromskaya GRES — Moscow, 500 kV power line Kostromskaya
GRES — Vladimirskaya PS. For domestic consumption alone (excluding
transit), more than 4 billion kWh/year is transferred to the region
(which is equivalent to about 0.7 million tons/year of fuel oil for a
typical power plant).
More than 30 organizations are engaged in scientific research in this
area. Among them:
NIKTI of tractor and combine engines
OOO NII
Stekla
VNIKiPTI of organic fertilizers and peat
VNII of animal
protection
VNII of mineral raw materials synthesis
VNII of
veterinary virology and microbiology (Volginsky)
OAO NIPKiTI of
electrical engineering
FKP State laser testing ground "Raduga" (ZATO
Raduzhny)
OAO VNII Signal
OAO NIPTI Mikron
GNU Vladimir
Research Institute of Agriculture of the Russian Agricultural Academy
The largest representatives of the education system:
Vladimir
State University
Vladimir State Humanitarian University (reorganized
in 2011)
Kovrov State Technological Academy
Vladimir Law Institute
of the Ministry of Justice
There are correctional and educational
institutions and labor institutions in the region, including several for
adolescents and young people.
Regional scientific library
Regional drama theatre
Puppet theatre
Vladimir regional philharmonic society
Regional palace of culture
and art
Kinomax-Burevestnik
RusKino (Vladimir)
Saturn (Aleksandrov)
Oktyabr (Murom)
A number of annual international festivals are held
in the region: animation film festival (Suzdal), Bike-blues festival,
Jazz-MOST festival, World of Guitar festival.
Embroidery,
jewelry, lacquer miniature (Mstera settlement) are developed among the
arts and crafts.
The main religion practiced is Orthodox
Christianity, which has deep historical roots. There are many active
monasteries, churches and chapels with significant parishes, the main
regulatory structure is the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Vladimir
Region is one of 15 regions in which the subject Fundamentals of
Orthodox Culture was introduced as a regional component of education on
September 1, 2006.
All the routes of the "Golden Ring of Russia" pass through the
Vladimir Region. In 2009, 1.8 million tourists visited the Vladimir
Region. At that time, the authorities reported that the annual growth of
tourist flow was 5%, the hotel stock amounted to 8,600 beds.
The
main objects of tourist interest are the ancient Russian cities of
Alexandrov, Vladimir, Gorokhovets, Kideksha, Murom, Yuryev-Polsky,
Gus-Khrustalny with architectural, historical, cultural and religious
monuments. The largest number of tourists visit Suzdal; Among them are
many Orthodox pilgrims, who are attracted here by numerous monasteries:
Aleksandrovsky, Pokrovsky, Spaso-Evfimiev and Rizopolozhensky. The
Church of the Intercession on the Nerl in Bogolyubovo is world famous.
More and more tourists visit the historical prison "Vladimir Central".
The largest nature conservation site - the Meshchera National Park -
is a popular place for tourism and recreation: kayaking, skiing, hiking
and cycling, hunting, fishing, relaxing by the water, picking mushrooms
and berries. No less popular among canoeists are the rivers of the
northwest of the region (Kirzhach, Peksha, Koloksha). More and more
tourists visit the remote lakes of the Kshchara Park. Tourist and sports
navigation is developed on the Oka and Klyazma.
Summer cottages
and garden plots are developing near large cities. The territories close
to Moscow in the west of the region are especially densely developed by
gardeners.
Vladimir and Kirzhach are famous for cross-country skiing; these
cities host annual ski marathons that attract a large number of athletes
from other regions.
Professional football clubs: Torpedo-Vladimir
and Murom. The first of them uses the Vladimir Torpedo stadium with a
capacity of 18,000 people.
Hockey club Vladimir.
Full-football
club Prince Vladimir.
Futsal clubs: Alpha (twice won the Russian
Futsal Cup), Matador (twice won the Russian Futsal Championship; in the
2019/2020 season, it won the Russian Futsal Cup).
Rugby club Vladimir
Lions.
Student basketball team VLGU (plays in the ASB).
Kovrov has
a well-developed motorcycling sport, and there is a motorbike club
called "Kovrovets".
Snowboarding center in the village of Snovitsy in
the Suzdal district.
Ski resort "Puzhalova Gora" in Gorokhovets
Parachuting is practiced at the airfields of Kirzhach, Aleksandrov and
Semyazino.
Paintball and karting are popular in the region.
Auto
trials in the swamps of the region.
Diving in the deep lakes of the
Balakhna lowland.