Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
HISTORICAL BUILDING
GOLDEN GATE
10am-6pm Fri-
Wed)
Vladimir's Golden Gate - part defensive tower, part triumphal arch - was modelled on a
very similar structure in Kyiv. Originally built by Andrei Bogolyubsky to guard the western
entrance to his city, it was later restored under Catherine the Great. You can climb the nar-
559; adult/child R40/20; 10am-6pm Fri-Wed)
inside. It's a small exhibit, the centrepiece of
which is a diorama of old Vladimir being ravaged by nomadic raiders in 1238 and 1293.
MUSEUM
CRYSTAL, LACQUER MINIATURES AND EMBROIDERY MUSEUM
11am-7pm Wed-Mon)
Housed in the former Old Believers' Trinity Church this museum features the crafts pro-
duced in Gus-Khrustalny and other nearby towns. The shop in the basement has a decent se-
lection of crystal for sale.
EATING & DRINKING
INTERNATIONAL
SALMON & COFFEE
Salmon is yet to be found in the Oka, while coffee is not exactly what medieval princes had
for breakfast. But instead of hinting at the city's past, this DJ cafe serving Asian as well as
European dishes is here to bring a cosmopolitan touch to the ancient town.
Lots of dark wood, dim lights and magenta-coloured metal railings create a cool, in-
triguing atmosphere.
RUSSIAN
PITEYNY DOM KUPTSA ANDREYEVA
mains R250-400; 11am-midnight; )
Merchant Andreyev's Liquor House, as the name translates, makes a half-hearted attempt to
pass off as an old-world Russian
kabak
(pub), but its main virtue is a dozen home-brewed
beers on tap and hearty Russian meals, including all the classics - from
shchi
(cabbage
soup) to bliny.
