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Saint George Cathedral, Yuryev-Polsky, from the east. Photo by Ymblanter on

Top 10 Unknown Facts about Saint George Cathedral (Church)

Saint George Cathedral (Church) is an outstanding monument of ancient Russian architecture constructed between 1230 and 1234, the cathedral was also the last of these churches to be built, completed just three years before the invasion.

Unlike most of the other pre-Mongol Vladimir-Suzdal churches, the St. George Cathedral was not designated as the World Heritage site.The cathedral was designated by the Russian government as an architectural monument of federal significance.

Let’s take a look at some of unknown facts about it;

1. It was founded by Yuri Dolgorukiy, prince of Rostov and Suzdal, in 1152

In the 12th century, the political and cultural center of Rus slowly moved from Kiev to Vladimir. Yuryev-Polsky was founded by Yuri Dolgorukiy, prince of Rostov and Suzdal, in 1152.

The name of the town derives from St. George (Russian Yuri is one of the versions of the name George). Yury Dolgorukiy also built the cathedral consecrated to St. George, which stood inside the fortress. 

2. The Saint George Cathedral (Church) is and was originally built asymmetrically 

Saint George Cathedral, Yuryev-Polsky, from the south. Photo by Ymblanter on

The cathedral is and was originally built asymmetrically. Its main volume is a square supported by four columns in the middle. The columns are square in cross-section. The eastern side is an apse.

During the collapse in the 15th century the northern wall survived the best. All other walls were partially destroyed (the southern wall suffered the most of all), and, in particular, much of the stone carving from the exterior of the cathedral was torn in pieces.

Although at the time the exterior stone carving were considered to be out-of-fashion, Yermolin during the restoration works made attempts to put the stories together.

3. The stone carvings of the St. George Cathedral combine human and animal forms

The stone carvings of the St. George Cathedral combine human and animal forms, performed as reliefs, with floral ornamental motives, carried out in the fine carving techniques. This combination has been known in frescoes of Saint Boris and Saint Gleb Church in Kideksha and of the Nativity Cathedral in Suzdal. 

However, for the sculpture, the combination is unique for Rus. It is thought that the stone carvings were done by two groups of artists. One, consisting of 12 artists, was doing the reliefs, whereas another group of 18-24 was working on the floral ornaments. 

4. There are several hotels and restaurants near the Cathedral

Saint George church at Agios Georgios, Limassol. Photo by Xaris333 on

The Cathedral has several hotels and restaurants near it for those who want accommodation services and quality food.

Some of this hotels include;Ambarkasa – Doma Dlya Otdykha which is 0.18miles away, Pokrovskaya Hotel 0.20 miles, Zavoda Promsvyaz Hotel 0.27 miles, Eco Hotel Zolotoye Koltso 4.29miles and Promsvyaz Hotel 0.27 miles. 

Restaurants near St. George’s Cathedral also include; Cafe Teremok, Cafe Na Naberezhnoi, Evraziya Cafe, Cafe Akvarel and Cafe Favorit Most of the visitors to the Cathedral have had to lodge into different hotels for enough food and water. 

5. It is one of a dozen surviving white-stone churches 

Small church of Agios Georgios at Kastro in Chora of Ios. Photo by Zde on

Saint George Cathedral (Church) in Yuryev-Polsky is one of a dozen surviving white-stone churches which were built in Vladimir-Suzdal Principality in the northeastern Rus prior to the Mongol invasion. 

Unlike most of the other pre-Mongol Vladimir-Suzdal churches, the St. George Cathedral was not designated as the World Heritage site.It is one of the most significant and historical cathedral in Russia as a whole,  having lasted for several of centuries. 

It is among the key monument that shape the history of Russia as it tells more than just stories of the history of Russian wars with Mongol. 

6. The Cathedral was not assigned as a World Heritage site 

Not at all like the vast majority of the other pre-Mongol Vladimir-Suzdal houses of worship, the St. George Cathedral was not assigned as the World Heritage site.The house of God was assigned by the Russian government as a design landmark of administrative noteworthiness.

The house of God is and was initially constructed unevenly. Its primary volume is a square upheld by four sections in the center. The segments are square in cross-segment. The eastern side is an apse.

The stone carvings of the St. George Cathedral join human and creature frames, executed as reliefs, with botanical elaborate thought processes, completed I’m fine cutting procedures. 

7. The St. George’s Cathedral is likened to a museum

The St. George’s Cathedral is likened to a museum in several ways. Inside the the Cathedral, like in a museum: everywhere there are carved stones of the temple and other structures of the same time that survived the restoration.

There is also a preserved shrine – the so-called Svyatoslav’s cross. For visiting St. George’s Cathedral, tourists are charged a small entrance fee.For adults, it is 50 RUB. Photo and video filming is paid separately.

Ordinary tourists, perhaps, can only look around, trying to solve the puzzles of the inherited heritage.

8. There are also several other attractions near it

There are several other historical sites near st. George’s cathedral which are also significant including; Yuryev-Polskiy Kremlin which is just 15ft away, Yuryev-Polsky Museum of History, Architecture and Art which is 0.10 miles away and Shatrovaya Bell Tower which is 241 ft away. 

Other attractions include;Arkhimandritskiy Korpus which is 241ft away, Znamenskaya Church 241 ft, Dvorets Kultury Rossiya 266 ft, Georgiyevskaya Wooden Church 0.1 miles, Pozharnoye Depo 0.2miles, and Monument to Yury Dolgoruky which is 0.3 miles away. 

9. The only thing that cannot be fully appreciated today is the Cathedral’s unique carving

Cathedral_of_Saint_George_(Yuriev_Monastery). Photo by Lodo27 on

The only thing that cannot be fully appreciated today is its unique carving. In the 15th century, the temple suddenly began to collapse, while the walls made of carved stone were badly damaged. The best architects from Moscow were sent to restore the St. George Cathedral.

They saved the temple from destruction, but, apparently, they made mistakes in their work, and the cathedral turned out to be two times lower than it was. In addition, the concept of carving on the walls was almost completely violated.

10.It is the main attraction of Yuriev-Polsky and is the last temple that was built before the mongol invasion

St. George’s Cathedral, apart from the Archangel Michael Monastery, is the main attraction of Yuriev-Polsky. The white-stone church was erected here almost 800 years ago by the grandson of Yuri Dolgoruky – Prince Svyatoslav Vsevolodovich.

St. George’s Cathedral is the last temple (it was founded in 1230), which they managed to build in Russia before the Tatar-Mongol invasion.It is also one of the most significant historical sites in Russia. It also serves as the house of God, where the locals worship.