Heading East and a little South from Moscow along the path of the Volga river, my next stop was Vladimir, Russia'a capital before it became Moscow. You would hardly believe it as it is such a small, quite quiet place compared to other Russian cities. Worth visiting I thought, because it is 'home to two of the most beautiful buildings in Russia' according to the Lonely Planet guide. Founded in 1108 it became capital of Kyivan Rus at a time when Kiev was devastated and around this time the Uspensky Sobor (Assumption Cathedral) was built; a majestic, white stoned, domed cathedral modelled on the style of Kyiv's Byzantine churches. It really is impressive and worth seeing. The second building mentioned is the not quite as impressive Dimitrievsky sobor (St Dimitry cathedral).Above Left: Bell tower & St George's church adjoining the Assumption cathedral.
Vladimir is quite a nice place, though not so much to see other than that mentioned above. But had a bit of nightlife, so I had a bit of a night out my first evening there in a local club to top up on the vodka intake forced upon me by Colin and Mikhael, two carriage companions from Nizhny Novgorod.
Left & Right: Different views of the famous Assumption cathedral, Vladimir
Heading East I had a few hours in Nizhny Novgorod, which did not offer much, a long tram journey to the citadel was my only outing and not really worth it, the main street was quite lively and may have been ok for an evening but alas I was not able to discover if that would be the case.
Left: A matryoshke made of flowers (the best thing i saw in Nizhny Novgorod!!).
Right: St Peter & Pauls colourful cathedral in Kazan.
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