About the city and the twinning
About Vladimir
Vladimir is a historic city in western Russia and the administrative centre of Vladimir Oblast. It rose to prominence in the 12th century as a centre of the medieval principality of Vladimir-Suzdal. Its historic centre preserves some of the finest examples of the principality’s white-stone architecture, including the Cathedral of the Assumption, the Cathedral of St Demetrius and the Golden Gate. These landmarks form part of the White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1992.
Twinning with Bethlehem
On 15 February 2013, Bethlehem Mayor Vera Baboun and Vladimir Mayor Sergei Sakharov signed a twinning agreement at Bethlehem City Hall, in the presence of Bethlehem Municipal Council members and a Russian delegation. The agreement provides for cooperation in culture, education and the environment, as well as the exchange of information on public administration. At the ceremony, Baboun emphasised the importance of cooperation that would benefit residents of both cities. Sakharov highlighted the connection between Bethlehem’s Christian heritage and Vladimir’s place in the Russian Orthodox tradition.