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Vyazniki (English) Вязники (Russian)
-  Town[citation needed]  -
Location of Vladimir Oblast in Russia
Vyazniki Location of Vyazniki in Vladimir Oblast
Coordinates: 56°14′N 42°10′E / 56.233°N 42.167°E / 56.233; 42.167Coordinates: 56°14′N 42°10′E / 56.233°N 42.167°E / 56.233; 42.167
Administrative status
Country	Russia
Federal subject	Vladimir Oblast
Statistics
Population (2010 Census, preliminary)	41,252 inhabitants[1]
Population (2002 Census)	40,398 inhabitants[2]
Time zone	MSK (UTC+04:00)[3]
Founded	1608[4]

Vyazniki (Russian: Вязники) is a town in Vladimir Oblast, Russia. The town was formed in 1802 by merging the derelict fortress of Yaropolch with the merchant Vyazniki sloboda. Population: 41,252 (2010 Census preliminary results);^[1] 40,398 (2002 Census);^[2] 45,438 (1989 Census).^[5]

The strategic height overlooking the Klyazma River was of great importance for defending approaches to the medieval Russian capital of Vladimir. Naturally, a fortress was established there some time in the 12th century, most likely in the 1130s. The Yaropolk fortress took its name from one prince named Yaropolk. It was situated about halfway between the nearest Klyazma ports: Starodub-on-the-Klyazma and Gorokhovets.

After the Mongols destroyed the fortress in the 13th century, Yaropolk was next documented in the 1389 treaty between Vasily I and his uncle Vladimir the Bold. According to the 1672 population audit, Yaropolk had as little as 133 inhabitants. Annihilated by fire in 1703, the old settlement came to be dominated by the merchant sloboda of Vyazniki, situated slightly downhill and attested since the 14th century. In 1778, Vyazniki was granted town status.

The most notable landmark is the Annunciation church, constructed between 1682 and 1689. About 30 kilometers (19 mi) from the town is the settlement of Mstyora, a prominent center of Russian folk arts and crafts.

Nowadays Vyazniki is one of the centers of the flax industry of Russia.

Photos[link]

• 

  Annunciation church

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  Trinity Church

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  Vozdvizhenskaya Church

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  Chapel at Sobornaya Square

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  Town Museum

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  Tower of Senkov Mansion

References[link]

v t e Cities and towns in Vladimir Oblast Administrative center: Vladimir Alexandrov Gorokhovets Gus-Khrustalny Kameshkovo Karabanovo Kirzhach Kolchugino Kosteryovo Kovrov Kurlovo Lakinsk Melenki Murom Petushki Pokrov Raduzhny Sobinka Strunino Sudogda Suzdal Vladimir Vyazniki Yuryev-Polsky