Stair tower with crossing. Christmas Cathedral

The city of Bogolyubov during the reign of Andrei Bogolyubsky played a rather significant role. The residence of the prince was the second most important political center after Vladimir. Here he received his guests from the remote lands and Russian principalities. The prince was killed by the boyars in 1174.

The palace ensemble combines the princely palace and the Christmas Cathedral, connected by towers and arched passages.

Part of the white-stone palace ensemble, built in 1158-1165 by order of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, is the transition and stair tower. The latter served as an entrance from the courtyard to the choirs of the palace cathedral, over it in the XVII century a tent bell tower was built, and at the beginning of the XIX century St. Andrew’s chapel was added, which hid the arch of the transition.

Located between the Christmas Church and the stair tower, the transition consists of two parts. On the lower floor there is a through arch consisting of four pylons, with impostures in the form of a fourth shaft. On the second floor there is a small rectangular room, which is covered with a full vault.