(Source: http://strana.ru/places/21131321)

 In the center of Vladimir, a ten minute walk from the Cathedral of the Assumption hides the Patriarshy Garden. And it is really not easy to find it: only town folks know about this paradise, while tourists usually pass by focusing on the cathedrals and museums. And it’s a pity. Patriarshy Garden is worth seeing only because of its age: as early as 19th century the gardens already existed in this place.

Perhaps, the terrain helps garden to hide: this ravine, which terraces down to Kliazma. So that the garden is not visible from the main streets of Vladimir, located on a hill, but wonderful views open out of it. Until recently this old park, once served as relaxation place for senior clergy, was the station of young naturalists (actually, it were young naturalists who revived the nearly dead garden after the war), that is to say it was not very suitable for the role of a tourist destination. Young naturalists educate themselves in the Patriarshy Garden until today.

But we strongly recommend visiting this place even to tourists, who have little to do with the botany, especially in summer and early autumn. In winter the garden sleeps under the snow. There is no even an inch of empty land. Flowerbeds are followed by greenery beds, the beds by gooseberry and currant bushes. Somewhere in the middle redden the strawberries, gorgeous lilies stretch half a meter up, roses of all colors and tints please the eyes. Right there apple, cherry, pears, cypress and ancient limes trees grow, and hundreds of other plants which names can be told only by botanist. The garden is ideal for romantic walks.

Among riot of colors and fragrances there can be found gazebos and benches; picturesque stairs go up and down; there is a fountain and a small artificial pond with swans. The swans, actually are plastic, and even attached with ropes to the bottom for security reasons, so that no one can inadvertently carry the birds off. These selective precautions look weird: the artificial swans are guarded stricter than fruits and berries, since visitors without a twinge of conscience quietly pick everything that was grown by naturalists and garden employees. We urge people to respect the work of people preserving such beauty for us, and honestly purchase the fruits of Patriarshy Garden. There are all the possibilities for that.

Another undoubted advantage of the Patriarshy Garden is the view over the Cathedral of the Assumption. Photographers looking for rare angles will be satisfied. People who have no camera just will rejoice the way golden domes of the Cathedral combine with the bright red mallow. Patriarshy Garden has a unique collection of plants and trees from around the world.