My Russia #14 - White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal

Suzdal, Vladimir region.

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site of White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal.

Sent by Maria from Yekaterinburg in Sverdlovsk Oblast, Russia.

Suzdal (Russian: Суздаль, IPA: [ˈsuzdəlʲ]) is a town that serves as the administrative center of Suzdalsky District in Vladimir Oblast, Russia, which is located along the Kamenka tributary of the Nerl River, 26 km (16 mi) north of the city of Vladimir. As of the 2021 Census, its population was 9,286.

In the 12th century, Suzdal became the capital of the principality. Currently, Suzdal is the smallest of the Russian Golden Ring towns. It has several sites listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The town's history dates back to 999 and 1024. In 1125 Yury Dolgoruky made Suzdal the capital of the Rostov-Suzdal principality. In 1157, Andrei Bogolyubsky moved the capital from Suzdal to Vladimir, from which time the principality was known as Vladimir-Suzdal. Suzdal was burned and plundered in 1237 during the Mongol-led invasions; however, it remained a trade center afterward due to its location in a fertile wheat-growing area. In 1341, it united with Nizhny Novgorod until both were annexed by Moscow in 1392 (read more).

My Russia - #3 - Gorokhovets

View of the Church of the Resurrection of Christ, in the courtyards of Gorokhovets, Vladimir oblast.

Sent by Alina from Tobolsk in Tyuemen oblast, Russia.

Gorokhovets (Russian: Горохове́ц) is a town and the administrative center of Gorokhovetsky District in Vladimir Oblast, Russia, located on the highway from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod. It also serves as a river port on the Klyazma River.

Population: 12,666 (2021 Census) 14,016 (2010 Census); 14,524 (2002 Census);15,783 (1989 Soviet census).

The name of the town originates from the Russian word "горох" (gorokh, "peas").

Gorokhovets was first mentioned in a 1239 chronicle, when it was sacked by the Mongols. It is believed that a minor fortress had existed there for several preceding decades.

In 1539, the Tatars of Kazan were about to burn it but retreated upon allegedly seeing a ghost in a shape of a gigantic knight with a sword. After that, the mount where the apparition was seen came to be known as Puzhalovo ("frightening one") (read more).