'''Kirzhach''' (''_K_y___w_p__'') is a town in the north-western part of Vladimir Oblast. Kirzhach does not fall into the list of the basic attractions of the region. Still, the town has its own charm and deserves a short stroll if you pass by.

Understand

Geography

The town is located on the banks of the river Kirzhach, the left tributary of the Klyazma. Kirzhach is mainly surrounded by forests with few fields and hills. The town stands on the circular railway line that runs around Moscow (Big ring of Moscow railway). The respective circular road A108 is found 10 km to the west, while the radial road from Moscow passes through the town and heads east towards Kol'chugino and Yuryev-Polsky. The population of Kirzhach is 32 thousand (2006).

History

Kirzhach is known since 14th century. Several documents by the Moscow prince Ivan Kalita mention a village on the Kirzhach river and date the town back to around 1330. Yet a more definite identification refers to the foundation date of the Kirzhach monastery (later, a convent). The monastery was established by the spiritual leader Sergius of Radonezh. Initally, the monastery was a skete (an isolated side settlement) of the Trinity lavra of St. Sergius in Sergiev Posad, while the settlement was considered as a village-at-the-monastery (not a town). The advantageous location on the ''Stromyn way'' (_R_______}___~___{_y_z _____p_{__), the road between Moscow and the towns around Vladimir (Suzdal, Yuryev-Polsky), led to the rapid growth of the settlement. Since 1781, Kirzhach was considered a town. The old Stromyn road gradually diminished, but the new connection, the circular railway line around Moscow, appeared as early as 1900–1910. The presence of the railroad caused the development of industry in Kirzhach. Originally, textile production prevalied, but in 20th century other industry appeared (production of engineering tools, car lights, etc.) Still, most of the factories are located in the suburbs, and Kirzhach does not look like a heavy industrialized town.

Orientation

The Kirzhach river flows from north to south and divides the town into two parts. The historical center and the convent are located in the eastern part, close to the river. The western part of the town looks more like a village. Still, the church of St. Nicholas (one of the main sights of Kirzhach), the train station, and the bus station are located in the western part, away from the town center. The railway runs along the western boundary of Kirzhach. The road to Moscow leaves the town in the western direction, the road to Alexandrov goes north, the roads to Vladimir run towards the M7 highway, both south and east, while the eastern road also continues to Kol'chugino and Yuryev-Polsky. The main street in the historical center is '''___|_y___p _C_p_s_p___y_~_p''' (ulitsa Gagarina), while its counterpart on the opposite (western) bank of the river is '''_A___|_____p__ _M_____{___r___{_p__ ___|_y___p''' (Bol'shaya Moskovskaya ulitsa). On the eastern bank, the town extends to the south, far beyond the historical center. These districts are mainly industrial and are of little interest for the traveller.

Get in

By train

The train station is located on the western boundary of the town, in the very end of ''_A___|_____p__ _M_____{___r___{_p__ ___|_y___p''. The station is pretty small and serves local trains only. These trains typically run 6–8 times per day between Alexandrov (the MoscowYaroslavl railroad) and Orehovo-Zuevo (the MoscowVladimir railroad). Two more trains in the evening depart from Alexandrov and terminate at Kirzhach. Getting to Kirzhach by train is generally inconvenient.
  • '''From Moscow:''' take any local train from ''Kursky station'' towards Orehovo-Zuevo, then change to the train in the direction of Alexandrov. Alternatively, take a train to Alexandrov from ''Yaroslavsky station'' and change for a train to Kirzhach or Orehovo-Zuevo. In both cases, the trip will take 3–4 hours. Only in summer and only on weekends, two direct trains run from Moscow (''Kursky station'') to Kirzhach and further to the ''Bel'kovo'' station.
  • '''From Vladimir:''' local trains with a change in Orehovo-Zuevo; two connections available (in the afternoon and in the evening), 3 hours each.
  • By bus

    The bus station is located near the train station, in the end of ''_A___|_____p__ _M_____{___r___{_p__ ___|_y___p''. The station building is open from 4.30 till 18.00. Information: +7-(49237)-21-303. Note that the buses from Moscow to Kol'chugino and to Yuryev-Polsky ''do not make a detour to the bus station'' but rather stop on the main road.
  • '''From Moscow:''' buses to Kirzhach (or to the further destinations, Kol'chugino and Yuryev-Polsky) depart every hour from the main bus terminal at ''Schelkovskaya metro station''. The trip takes 2–2.5 hours.
  • '''From Vladimir:''' one direct bus per day. Alternatively, change in Kol'chugino and expect at least 3 hours for the travel.
  • '''From Alexandrov:''' 5 mini-buses daily.
  • '''From Kol'chugino and Yuryev-Polsky:''' the buses towards Moscow, 3–4 times per day from Yuryev-Polsky (1.5 hours) and every 1.5–2 hours from Kol'chugino (45 minutes).
  • Get around

    See

    Do

    Buy

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    Contact

    Get out