Vologda Kremlin

About this place

The Vologda Kremlin is a historic architectural ensemble in central Vologda, on the bank of the Vologda River, less than a kilometre from the city centre. It was founded as a fortress in 1567 on the orders of Tsar Ivan IV and served as a defensive stronghold in the 16th and 17th centuries. Work on the stone fortress began in 1566, and the tsar planned to make it a residence, but building stopped a few years later. By the 1820s its walls and towers had been taken down, and today the name «Vologda Kremlin» refers to the fortified 17th-century Bishop's Court complex that stood inside the fortress. The white St Sophia Cathedral with its silver domes stands beside a tall bell tower with a gilded dome, and long white buildings of the Bishop's Court surround a wide square. From the riverbank the whole ensemble is reflected in the water, and from the top of the bell tower there is a view over the city and the river. Walking the square is free, while the museums and the bell tower climb are paid. Summer is the best time to visit, and a morning walk along the riverbank gives the finest view. The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to Russia, and non-Russian bank cards may not work, so read the current advice before you plan.