Yuryev-Polsky Historical, Architectural and Art Museum

About museum

Yuryev-Polsky is one of the oldest towns in Vladimir Oblast, founded by Yuri Dolgoruky as a fortress-town. On its territory is the Mikhailo-Archangel Monastery, founded in the 13th century by the holy pious Prince Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich. The St. George Cathedral has been preserved here — a masterpiece of Vladimir-Suzdal Rus architecture. The cathedral's façades amaze with their decorative ornamentation: everything is covered with white-stone carving. They depict biblical scenes, mythical animals, sirin birds, lions with protruding tongues, centaurs and dragons. Inside is a collection of white carved stones, the most famous of which is the Svyatoslav Cross, on which it is written: 'This life-giving cross was made by Prince Svyatoslav in the year 1224.'