Alexandrovskaya Sloboda entered history thanks to Tsar Ivan the Terrible, although its history began a bit earlier. Its construction is associated with Tsar Vasily III, who in 1505 founded a palace here, serving as a country residence modeled after popular European residences of that time.

In 1564, Ivan the Terrible moved here, and Alexandrovskaya Sloboda became the capital of Russia and the center of the Oprichnina for 17 years. Before the move, the tsar prayed for a long time in Moscow churches, then ordered the collection of church treasures and the state treasury, and for the boyars to bring their families. Together with the army, they set off for Alexandrovskaya Sloboda. Ivan the Terrible, by his own words, arrived here to "listen to God's instructions."

The tsar created a "monastic brotherhood," which included all his oprichniki, and he himself became the abbot. He rang the bells, served prayers, and expressed a desire to become a monk. Special monastic clothing was made for the brotherhood from coarse fabric, under which they wore rich garments. However, the brotherhood did not last long, and in 1570-1571 many of its members were executed by the tsar's order.

The monastic brotherhood became one of the manifestations of the Oprichnina, which was Ivan the Terrible's personal domain, separated from the rest of the country with its own army. This period was accompanied by repressions, confiscation of property, and mass executions of the nobility.

From Alexandrovskaya Sloboda, Ivan the Terrible governed Moscow Russia, received foreign ambassadors, and sent troops on campaigns. Here his son Ivan Ivanovich died, allegedly killed by the tsar himself, although historians do not find credible evidence for this.

After the Time of Troubles, a period of civil war and crisis from 1598 to 1613, Fyodor Mikhailovich, the first of the Romanov dynasty, ascended the throne, and Alexandrovskaya Sloboda lost its significance. Under Alexei Mikhailovich, the father of Peter I, local merchants were allowed to organize a women's monastery for those affected by the Troubles. Thus, in 1650, the Holy Assumption Monastery was established.

Alexandrovskaya Sloboda became a place of exile for Peter I, who forcibly made his half-sister Marfa and his first wife Yevdokiya nuns.

In 1923, the monastery was closed, and its valuables were transferred to the museum-reserve. The area began to be called the village of "Zarya," and gardens and housing were placed in the cathedral. In the 1970s, a planetarium was organized here.

In the 1990s, the monastery was revived and continues to operate today. The nuns engage in artistic crafts, including gold embroidery production.

The State Historical-Architectural and Art Museum-Reserve "Alexandrovskaya Sloboda" was founded in 1919 and has significantly developed over a hundred years. Initially, it was subordinate to the Historical Museum of Moscow, and since 1974, to the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Reserve. Gaining federal status in 1994 allowed for the transformation of the Alexandrovsky Kremlin and saved it from destruction. Restoration work was carried out on all 14 monument sites, and outstanding architects of that time, who worked on the Moscow Kremlin, participated in creating the ensemble.

Today, the museum is known far beyond the Vladimir and Moscow regions and is part of the tourist route "Golden Ring." It is visited by more than 500,000 people a year, hosts over 20 interactive programs, and international scientific conferences. An important event is the historical and cultural festival "Alexandrovskaya Sloboda," which has been held for over 16 years.