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SUZDAL

 
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Cathedral of Nativity of Virgin in the kremlin, Bishop's palace in center and bell tower on right. The cathedral is the oldest building in the kremlin. The original cathedral was built by Prince Vladimir Monomakh. But the subsequent history is in dispute. The present cathedral was built by his great-grandson, Yuri Vsyevolodovich, in 1222-25. But it too has undergone changes.The current cathedral is 25 meters high but it is believed that Yuri's church was even higher. Yuri's church had 3 domes rather than the present 5. It was rebuilt between 1528 and 1530. Atthat time the cathedral was taken apart down to the lower level of the blind arcading and then rebuilt. And the new building was in brick rather than stone. The cathedral was again restored in the17th century. And in 1719 a great fire melted the domes and roof. The present domes and a new roof replacing the zakomaras date from 1750. The bishop's chamber was built over two and a half centuries begining in the late 15th century. As part of it there is the refectory church of the Annunciation built in 1559. The tall octagonal bell tower with small church and tent-shaped roof was built in 1635. There is a museum in the complex now that has many important icons.

 
     

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