Cathedral of Saint Demetrius
Дмитриевский собор · 블라디미르
cathedral in the ancient Russian city of Vladimir
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Cathedral of Saint Demetrius2:02
Welcome to the Cathedral of Saint Demetrius, one of the most sublime and enigmatic monuments of ancient Russian architecture. Located in the historic city of Vladimir, this cathedral was commissioned in the late 1190s by Grand…
Listen in the app2The Facade Carvings and King David1:45
As we examine the central portions of the facade, the most prominent figure we encounter is King David. He is depicted on all three sides of the cathedral, seated on a throne, playing a psaltery. …
Listen in the app3Vsevolod and His Family: The Northern Facade1:35
Moving to the northern facade, we find a relief that is unique in ancient Russian art: a depiction of Grand Prince Vsevolod himself, surrounded by his sons. The prince is shown seated on a throne, with a small child on his…
Listen in the app4The Interior Space and the Last Judgment1:35
Stepping inside the cathedral, we are struck by the contrast between the highly decorated exterior and the stark, intimate interior. The space is a classic cross-in-square design, with four central pillars supporting a single…
Listen in the app5The Lost Galleries and 19th-Century Restoration1:44
To understand the current appearance of the cathedral, we must discuss what is missing. Originally, the cathedral was surrounded by low side-galleries and connected to the prince’s palace by a stone walkway leading to the…
Listen in the app6Agricultural and Folk Symbols in Stone1:39
Returning to the exterior, let us look at the recurring agricultural and folk motifs that populate the lower bands of the carving. One of the most common symbols is the 'kri-na'—a stylized lily or sprout that looks like the…
Listen in the app7The White Stone and Engineering Challenges1:41
Finally, we must consider the material itself: the white limestone. This stone was not local to Vladimir; it had to be quarried and transported, likely from the Kama River region or the Moscow area, representing a massive…
Listen in the app8Final Reflections1:24
As we conclude our tour of the Cathedral of Saint Demetrius, we are left with a sense of wonder at this 'poem in stone.' It is a building that has stood for over eight centuries, witnessing the Mongol invasion, the rise of the…
Listen in the app
What is Cathedral of Saint Demetrius?
Cathedral of Saint Demetrius is a place in 블라디미르 with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | 블라디미르 |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Total length | 13 min 25 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 56.1292, 40.4109 |
| Last updated |
_par_le_baron_de_Baye_en_1895%2C_donateur_-_btv1b105129761_(43_of_68).jpg){kind=link}