Consisting of nine halls this museum traces the history of the town from the iron age via jewellery and arrow heads taken from local archaeological digs right through into the medieval era and beyond. There's a wealth of traditional medieval costumes and weaponry and remarkably well preserved religious texts dating from the 16th Century. Photographs and diaromas give insight into the contrasting lifestyles of the local nobility and peasants, while the final part of the exhibition deals with the Soviet destruction and later reconstruction of Suzdal's architectural treasures. The exhibition of old Russian painting focuses on local 15 - 17th Century iconography, while the exhibition 'Suzdal 100 years ago' does not really add anything worthwhile to the experience and is worth skipping. Be sure to buy a guide booklet at the entrance if you would like some English-language explanation of the exhibits.