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Suzdal is one of the oldest towns of old North-East Russia, Situated at a considerable distance from rail-roads and industrial centres, it has retained intact many works of architecture dating from XIII to XVIII centuries, which form an ensemble inimitable for its beauty and poetic atmosphere.

The oldest building is the big Our Lady's Nativity Cathedral, built in the beginning of XIII century; its upper part was rebuilt in XVI century. From the older times there remain fragments of white stone carvings in the facade and the famous brass gates, ornamented by the technique of "gilding by fire".

After the Tatar-Mongol invasion (1238) the architecture of Suzdal underwent a period of stagnation, but in XVI centry there were erected magnificent monastery ensembles —the variety and originality of their archi¬tecture is amazing. The buildings of that period combine the austerity of forms with the freedom of compositional devices which endows them with a charm all of their own. The Suzdal masters to some extent experienced the influence of Renaissance ideas of the Moscow architecture of XV-XVI centuries, but yet more they owe to the great artistic heritage of old Vladimir architecture, which was to them a classical "norm and unsurpassable paragon" of sorts. Hence the amazing sense of proportion characteristic of the Suzdal masters.

XVII and XVIII centuries were marked by an intensive increase of buildings of a commercial nature, which put forward a number of talented local master buliders, known by their names. Decorative features become more prominent in architecture, especially in belfries, which are crowned by concave mantels, seen nowhere outside Suzdal. But architectural decor never was an aim in itself for Suzdal masters: it is organically blended with architectural forms and only stresses their tectonic clarity.

The peculiar beauty of the Suzdal ensemble consists in the factor of numerous works of architecture being distributed over the town without lopsided concentration in the centre: they form a beautiful unity with the lanscape. Buildings of different periods achieve perfect harmony, forming free and picturesque groups emphasized by the belfriez' verticals. A medium scale is maintained in architecture, which gives the ensemble an intimate air and helps to form a good view of it from nun rous points.

The artistic ideals of the people, formed by many centuries, are expressed in Suzdal architecture with great power and vividness. The Suzdal Regional Museum treasures many fine works of local old art. Here one may see particularly well how are the roots of artistic culture inherited by Moscow.

The folk urge to the ornamental element is still alive in local crafts, in miniature lacquer work and in embroideries.

From year to year Suzdal draws more and more lovers of beauty. The town may be justly called a treasury of national art.