Alexandrov was founded by Tsar Ivan IV, known more commonly as Ivan the Terrible. It is about 20 miles from the religious center, Sergiev Posad, and about 75 miles from Moscow. For several months it was the Russian capital, and the home of the "Ostrinicki" or special police. It is also the place where he killed his son in a fit of rage. After killing his son he walked to Moscow.
It was used by the Romanovs until Peter moved the capital to Saint Petersburg.
Today it is a beautiful complex to visit. The town is small and peaceful. It operates as a museum and includes the bell tower where Ivan himself would ring the bells to call people to service.