Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda (today Aleksandrov) is a provincial city, the administrative center of the Aleksandrovsky district of the Vladimir region. It is located near Moscow, only 110 km. The once famous river Seraya flows through the city. The history of this settlement goes back centuries, the first mention of it dates back to the XIV century, then its name sounded like the Great settlement.
History
Alexander's settlement is inextricably linked with the name of Ivan the Terrible, one of the most controversial rulers in Russia. But even his father, Prince Vasily III, decided to create the Russian Versailles, and, fascinated by the beauty of nature and the richness of the hunting grounds of these places, he chose Sloboda. The best Russian and Italian masters came here, they erected the Kremlin, a suburban palace and the Intercession Church. After the death of his parents, Ivan the Terrible ascended the throne , who treated these places in a special way, and in the middle of the 16th century he unexpectedly moved here from Moscow along with selected boyars and for a long time ruled the country from here.
Not only luxurious buildings owe their fame to the Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda. The museum-reserve carefully preserves the way of royal life; moreover, theatrical performances about the life of the past era are specially recreated for guests. You do not just look at the beautiful exhibition, but try on yourself the features of the palace life of the times of Ivan the Terrible. For history buffs, these walls will become a real storehouse of information.
Alexander Kremlin
It is also here, it is a fact, because the Alexander Sloboda for 18 years was the capital of a great state. She recently celebrated her anniversary, exactly 500 years have passed since the founding of the city, for five centuries the mysterious white stone Kremlin has been looking down from the hill above the river. In 1921, a museum was opened here, and in 1994 transformed into a reserve. He offers you to plunge into the past, to get in touch with an amazing history and a rich cultural heritage.
The architectural and temple ensemble
Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda offers to see the wonderful creation of architects and icon painters who lived and worked here for many years. The magnificent Kremlin, made in the style of Moscow court architecture of the 15th century, has become a complex combining the traditions of Suzdal and Italian architecture of the Renaissance.
The architectural complex includes unique architectural monuments of the 16th century. Again, ancient temples, you grimace. But you will be wrong. It is truly fascinating and bewitching.
- The central place is reserved for the palace church of the royal residence, today it is called the Trinity Cathedral. This is the most magnificent building, which is always of interest to tourists. A powerful, solid, almost cubic shape, but at the same time an incredibly elegant white stone work of art, completely covered with fresco painting, telling about the life of the Virgin.
- Pokrovskaya Church is another tent-shaped monument of the 16th century. It was used for long and solitary prayers of the sovereign. Until 1990, we did not know all the splendor that these walls hide. Only when it was noticed that they were covered by later layers, a unique carved decoration was revealed under them. This is the only plot-painted tent in Russia.
- The crucifixion church bell tower is the crown of the ensemble. A style that is completely atypical for Russian architecture, a mighty and sky-high building is a fifty-meter pillar crowned with a tent.
- Another building of the 16th century is the Assumption Church. A small building, sophisticated and refined. As in all other buildings, there are spacious white stone cellars with carved arches.
All these buildings are not separate, but look like a surprisingly harmonious complex in which each building is in its place, complements and decorates the rest. Unity is also emphasized by high walls with four corner towers, built here in the 17th century. The loopholes here act as decorative elements, because they did not carry the defensive function of the wall, but only protected the monastery from worldly fuss.
Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda - Museum-Reserve
It welcomes a variety of guests. Excursions are divided into entertaining and educational, for adults and children. Groups of schoolchildren are often brought here to conduct an unusual history lesson. The first tour in the Sloboda sightseeing tour includes an acquaintance with a unique palace and temple ensemble.
The journey begins with the royal chambers. The guide will tell the story of the reign of Ivan the Terrible, and his achievements and bright mind, which were combined with severe temper and cruelty. The narrative will not be boring, because visitors can view rare exhibits in interesting exhibits: “Sovereign's Court in the Alexander Sloboda”, “Regal Persons”, “Czar’s Dining Room”, “Tsar Ivan the Terrible in Painting”, “Treasures of Three Centuries” , "Morals of our antiquity," "In a peasant's hut."
Here you can see a lot of interesting things - this is the decoration of past eras, dishes and household items, clothes and jewelry. Before you appear old books, amazing works of icon painting, precious fabrics and Russian chintz. The royal throne and the tower clock crown the collection. The days on them were divided into daytime and night hours, and their duration varied depending on the time of year.
Museum "Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda" is one of the largest and most interesting in Russia. Time flies by unnoticed. What is worth visiting the “dining room”, who did not dream of being at the king’s feast in childhood? Particular attention was then paid to the interior decoration of the room. Floors, walls, windows and tables were covered by all kinds of bedspreads, drapes and cloaks. The room looked like a lace casket. This splendor was complemented by sets of gold and silver utensils.
A large number of precious metal products were collected, each of which is a work of art. These are bowls in the form of fruits of apples, pears or pineapples with intricate legs, unique goblets depicting animals and birds. For example, the presented vessel “owl” is made of coconut shell, thin carving depicts silver feathers, legs, tail and head. The guide will tell you the rules of court etiquette of bygone times. This can be seen today by visiting the museum "Alexandrovskaya Sloboda". Excursions are so saturated that pages of history come to life before your eyes. Do not miss the opportunity to stay in the past.
But the king was famous not only for his brilliant mind, love for magnificent feasts and exceptional god-fearing. Going down into the gloomy cellars, you will understand why the name "bloodthirsty Alexandrovskaya Sloboda" existed. Ivan the Terrible was quick to reprisal, and the most insignificant misconduct could lead a man into the hands of executioners. Wax figures make the torture cellar terribly realistic.
Interactive excursions
This is the most interesting thing the museum has to offer. Do not just look at some objects neatly laid out on shelves and listen to the guide’s stories, but immerse yourself in the past era and feel it. About 30 journeys into the past can be made at the Aleksandrovskaya Sloboda Museum. A map of the area, a detailed scenario, clothing and household items are provided by employees. This is similar to a theatrical production in which each participant of the excursion will play one of the roles.
Alexander Museum of Art “Visiting a Merchant ”
The old mansion of the merchant Pervushin, built in the neoclassical style, and the adjacent park is one of the most beautiful places in the city. Today there are open exhibits reflecting the life of the merchants of the past era. The theatrical program will allow you not only to see the estate from the inside, but also to live there for several bright moments. You will be met by the owner of the mansion Alexey Pervushin and his family. Over a cup of fragrant tea, you will learn about the life of a secular society, the latest in fashion, watch the “home theater” and pass a session of ancient fortune telling.
Visiting the maid
We are so used to using modern household appliances (automatic washing and dishwasher, microwave, iron, vacuum cleaner) that we can hardly imagine our life without them. However, the servants of the gentlemen who lived in the past centuries had to prepare and clean, to maintain in perfect condition complex outfits, and all this by hand. The maid will teach you to inflate a samovar, iron clothes using a ruble (a wooden board with transverse grooves), clean table silver and even weave bast shoes.
Ancient holidays
Here, on the estate, recreate the program of celebrating various significant days, in compliance with all the canons and rites. You will be surprised to know how many of the traditions of our ancestors are lost today. For example, wide Maslenitsa is a whole week that is full of holiday activities. Games, ceremonies, round dances, ditties, delicious pancakes - you will become a participant in a grand event.
A separate word about the newlyweds. Want to celebrate a traditional Russian wedding at a merchant compound, according to all the canons? Then come here on your wedding day. You are guaranteed a lot of fun and great photos. Queen Elizabeth Petrovna herself will call in to congratulate the young.
Charming collection
If you like shiny pebbles, then they will delight you. The bewitching and magical world of stone has always been a mystery to man. Change the lighting, and flickering flashes rise from the heart of the dark piece, as if a living being were awakening. Here, in an old manor, you can enjoy a collection of semiprecious stones, minerals and rocks. An experienced guide will talk about the healing and magical properties of each of them.
How to get to Alexandrovskaya Sloboda
If your path lies through Moscow, you will need to drive about 100 km along the highway towards Vladimir, and you will open the Alexander's settlement. Nizhny Novgorod and Ivanovo are also connected to the museum-city by a good track, which is easily accessible by car or sightseeing bus. Another option is any intercity transport. At any time of the year you will find Alexandrovskaya Sloboda. How to get there - you decide, based on the starting point and the remoteness of your village.