In the twelfth century, when the Grand Vladimir Prince Vsevolod ruled the Vladimir-Suzdal principality, the principality was at the peak of its development. At this time, the Grand Duke erects a cathedral to glorify Vladimir land. The greatest monument of architecture, history and culture, the Dmitrievsky Cathedral is the true value not only of the city of Vladimir, Russia, this monument is the property of mankind.
Unfortunately, the ancient annals did not keep the exact date of the construction of the cathedral. Scientists believe that the cathedral was built in the period from 1194 to 1997. It was built by Russian masters. In 1237, the cathedral was looted and damaged by the Tatars, after which it burned several more times. In 1839, by the greatest command of Nicholas I, “restoration work” was carried out in the cathedral in order to give the church its original appearance. As a result of this kind of work, Dmitrievsky Cathedral was disfigured to such an extent that it no longer resembled the original version.
The temple was conceived as a church in the palace of Prince Vsevolod. At the same time, several outstanding buildings were built in Vladimir, but among them the Dmitrievsky Cathedral occupies a central and honorable place. Experts consider it a real masterpiece.
Dmitrievsky Cathedral in Vladimir is the embodiment of harmony and measure. Ideal proportions and noble forms make it completely unique. He is beautiful. Every corner of it is imbued with a spirit of solemnity. All the achievements of Russian masters in the technique of engraving, enamel, filigree and, most importantly, wooden carving, found their place in the motives of the cathedral. Its walls are decorated with white stone carvings, so it is often called a stone poem, a stone carpet, a precious casket.
The carvers from Vladimir are considered to be the authors of lace carving, but Bulgarians and Serbs worked next to them, so there are many motifs in white stone carving that were used throughout Europe. 566 carved stones on the facade of the temple represent an original picture of the world, in which the images of Christianity are intertwined with the images of folk mythology. They tried to find the origins of Vladimir temple carving in Kiev, Galich, and searches led researchers to many countries of the world.
On the facade of the Dmitrievsky Cathedral has several large compositions. On the south - "Ascension of Alexander the Great." It would seem that the plot is somewhat unusual for a Christian cathedral, but historians claim that in the Middle Ages this plot was very popular not only in Russia but throughout Europe.
The northern facade is decorated with a composition depicting a scene from the family life of Prince Vsevolod. On this relief, Prince Vsevolod is seated on a throne with a newborn son in his arms, surrounded by other sons. He was the happy father of twelve children.
The main figure in the decoration of Dmitrievsky Cathedral is Tsar David, whose image is located in the center of all three facades.
The interior walls of the cathedral were painted by masters from Greece, who were invited by the Grand Duke. The Greeks created such murals that when you look at them, it is breathtaking. Dmitrievsky Cathedral stores an episode from The Last Judgment. Historians believe that Russian and Greek masters worked on the composition.
Scientists of the whole world consider the Dmitrievsky Cathedral a real work of art. Vladimir, where the monument is located, is rich in historical sights, but the Cathedral of Prince Vsevolod is his snow-white pearl.