On a high bank of the river Oka, 137 kilometers south-east from Vladimir, stands ancient Russian town Murom. The population of the city in 1994 made up 145.8 thousand people. The name of the town dates back to the Finno-Ugric tribe "muroma", which probably meant “people on land”. Murom is known as one of the most beautiful towns of the fabulous Golden Ring – Moscow, Yarosalvl, Uglich, Rostov, and Kostroma.

The best way to see the town is from the river, this wonderful view will forever stay in your heart.

Cathedrals

The ancient town of Murom and its fascinating architectural ensembles form an important part of the rich centuries-old history of the city. The significance of cultural and historical heritage of Murom’s architecture cannot be overestimated.

Murom is known for its cathedrals, ancient churches and monasteries. It is still a town of god-fearing people and traditions, as the Orthodox Church is very powerful there and numerous cathedrals of 16-17th centuries are not abandoned.

Old Kozmodemyanskaya Church (16 cetury), Trinity monastery, Spassky Monastery, Blagoveshchensky (Annunciation) Cathedral and other religious buildings have survived to our days, so that we could see their genuine beauty and feel a breath-taking atmosphere of holiness.

Famous people

Murom is a native town of many famous Russian people, among them: one of the best Russian armourers Nikita Davydov, writer Alexander Kazantsev, Academician Ivan Gubkin and many others. The land of Murom was also a home of Nadezhda Gannibal, Alexander Pushkin’s mother.

Besides, Murom once had the honor to meet Peter the Great, Alexander Pushkin, Alexander Griboyedov, Ivan the Terrible and Ivan Krylov.

However, the first person the Russian associate Murom with is Ilya Muromets, a Russian ancient hero of folk tales. Nobody can be sure if this person ever existed, but there is a fact that in 12th century venerable wonder-worker Ilya from Murom became a monk in the monastery of Caves in Kiev. His relics still can be found in the caves of Kiev. That time princes and warriors tended to become monks at the end of their lives, that is why, perhaps, heroic deeds of future monk Ilya served as a basis for the first tales about Ilya Muromets. 1 January the Russian Orthodox Church commemorates venerable Ilya Muromets Pechersky. Today there is a 20-metres monument to the hero standing in Murom.