The history of the town goes back over one thousand years. The town was founded in 990s by Prince Vladimir on the bank of the river Klyazma. For a long time the town was no different from other fortified settlements and did not attract the attention of the chroniclers. The rise of Vladimir began under Andrey Bogolyubsky, the son of Yuri Dolgoruky who founded Moscow. He moved the administrative center of the principality from nearby Suzdal, the original capital, to Vladimir.

The main entrance into Vladimir was the western gate, called in accordance with ancient tradition the Golden Gate. It now stands in the middle of the road and has become a sort of emblem of the city. Dating from 1163, the gate is of exceptional interest as an extremely rare surviving example of mediaeval engineering. It took the form of a four-sided tower with a high arched passage-way and a fighting platform above. In the center of the platform stood the small Church of the Deposition of the Robe. The passageway could be closed by great oak doors bound with gilded copper. By this "triumphal arch" the citizens swore fealty to the prince, welcomed honored guests and saw their men off to war. At times of conflict the gate-tower turned into an inaccessible fortress. Today only the arch remains from the original structure; all the rest is 18th century additions.

The most important architectural monuments are concentrated on the small plateau between the Klyazma and Lybed rivers, on the territory of the old city in the Cathedral Square.

This is the location of the chief place of worship in the city - the Dormition Cathedral (1158-60), a classic work of early Russian architecture that served as a model for the Bolognese architect Aristotile Fiorovanti when he created the cathedral of the same name in the Moscow Kremlin.

The cathedral was more than just a setting for services and preaching. In its chronicles were written and the first library in the city appeared. Of the exceptional artistic value are the 15th century frescoes still to be found inside the cathedral. They are the work of Andrey Rublev, one of the greatest Early Russian artists. Besides, foe a long time this cathedral was where the rulers of Moscow formally assumed the title of grand prince. The Dormition Cathedral is still a functioning church today.

Standing slightly to the east of the Dormition Cathedral is the Cathedral of St.Demetrius of Salonica (1194-97). Actually it is a small building but exudes a sense of monumental grandeur. What sets the Cathedral of St.Demetrius apart from the other buildings of its time is its extremely rich white-stone carvings. One can look with long fascination at the relief images of lions, centaurs, snow-leopards and exotic ornament. The sculptural decor also incorporates subjects from the Bible and Classical mythology. Inside there are surviving fragments of the 12th century frescoes executed by Byzantine and Russian artists.