Vladimir, on the Klyazma River in Russia…

Vladimir, on the Klyazma River in Russia about one hundred and thirty miles (two hundred and ten kilometers) east of present Moscow, is founded in 1108, which is the date of the first mention of the city in the Primary Chronicle.

This view attributes the founding of the city, and its name, to Vladimir Monomakh, who had inherited the region as part of the Rostov-Suzdal principality in the eleventh century.

Its foundation is traditionally attributed to Vladimir's desire to distance himself from the ancient centers of boyar power, such as Rostov and Suzdal.

Serving its original purpose as a defensive outpost for the Rostov-Suzdal principality, Vladimir is to have little political or military influence throughout the reign of Vladimir Monomakh (1113–1125), or his son Yuri Dolgoruky ("long arms") (1154–1157).

It will later become the center of Vladimir-Suzdal principality, when Monomakh's son Yury Dolgoruky moves the seat of Great Princes of Russia from Kiev to Vladimir, thus actually transferring the capital of the country and beginning the city's Golden Age, which will last until the Mongol invasion of Russia.

At this time, Vladimir is one of Europe's largest and most beautiful cities, enjoying immense growth and prosperity.

Yuri's sons, Andrew the Pious and Vsevolod the Big Nest, will confirm and enforce Vladimir's status as the capital by moving the seat of the Russian metropolitan from Kiev to Vladimir.