Suzdal

There is a small ancient town just 200 kilometers far from Moscow that looks like the October revolution never happened and the future never came. It's name is Suzdal. This town has become a tourist mecca, and that's no surprise: "museum town" and "reserve town" are its official titles. There are only 11 thousand people who live in Suzdal, though 60 times more tourists come every year. One can find about 20 historic monuments on every square kilometer of the town – more than anywhere.

Suzdal became a popular destination when it was included, among other ancient towns, into the famous tourist route called "The Russian Golden Ring". But why did Suzdal particularly become so unique and how did it manage to preserve its original legacy?

The first wooden fortifications of Suzdal are dated back to the X century. The only what is left nowadays are high earthen ramparts, where one can enjoy breathtaking views of the river Kamenka and the later Stone Kremlin with its main attractions - the Nativity of the Virgin Church (XII century) and the bishop's chambers (XVII century).

Having joined the Moscow region, Suzdal lost its political significance, but it still remained one of the major religious centers. This city is still famous for its monasteries. Once there were fifteen of them in Suzdal, but there are only five preserved until now. This number is still quite impressive though, considering the size of the town, which is rather small. The most significant of these monasteries is the majestic Savior-Efimiev monastery (it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List as well as the Suzdal Kreml). This is the only place in Russia where one can listen to the ancient bells ringing every hour (the oldest bell was created 1585).

Honey beer tasting is one of the most popular entertainments among tourists. This drink is an old Russian alcoholic or non-alcoholic honey-based beverage with various additives. Suzdal is considered to be the birthplace of honey beer. One can taste honey beer at a restaurant in old Russian style or right on the main square near the beautiful shopping mall of the beginning of the XIX century. One can also buy souvenirs and pop into a cafe, restaurant or shop there. A store of a modern Suzdal company that produces ceramics in both folk and modern design is worth mentioning separately. The crockery has gained immense popularity even in Moscow.

From the second half of the XIX century Suzdal became a small rural town and freezed in time. The reason is that it was far away from the railway. According to one of the versions, the Suzdal coachmen gave a bribe to Moscow officials so that the modern transport would pass away from their city to save their business.

The flow of time stopped in Suzdal, and it remains this way to this day. But the past is alive there, because it is far more than just ancient buildings - it's the atmosphere, the friendly and merry people who live there, the bells ringing, folk music playing and crafts flourishing. Suzdal is one of the places where one can see and understand the true spirit of Russia.