VIII Международная студенческая научная конференция Студенческий научный форум - 2016
РУССКАЯ КУЛЬТУРА ЧЕРЕЗ ПРИЗМУ ЦЕРКВЕЙ, СОБОРОВ В СВЯТЫЕ ДНИ
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Among many other attractions, the city boasts three World Heritage Sites. These are the Golden Gates, and the white-stone architecture of the Assumption and St. Demetrius Cathedrals. The city offers a vibrant culture featuring many world-class musicians, dancers, artists and artisans. It is also home to several award winning museums and exhibits, art galleries and theatres testifying to the presence of its rich religious and secular historic architecture.
The city has the population of 360,000 people and covers the area of 11,145 hectares.Growing cities in the region other than Vladimir are Kovrov, Murom, Alexandrov and Gus-Krustalny. Vladimir has a millenial history; according to the latest data discovered by the historians and archaeologists, Vladimir was founded in 995. In the early part of Vladimir’s history the city was the capital of Russia. It was a political, cultural and religious centre .
Vladimir is famous for its unique cathedrals dating back to the XII century. Four of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. The city belongs to the so called “Golden Ring” of Russia and, consequently, presents a major international tourist center. The geographical position of Vladimir makes it an attractive place for business development. The city is located in the Central Region of Russia; 180 km east of Moscow. Such prominent scientific-industrial centers as Nizhni-Novgorod, Ivanovo, Yaroslavl and Ryazan are situated not far from Vladimir. The city is linked with them by railways and highways.
Usually the Golden Ring tour buses come to Vladimir through the famous Golden Gate, stop on the main Sobornaya square to decharge their lot of tourists in front of St Dimitry’s and Assumption cathedrals, then they continue their way to the more picturesque Suzdal. But there’s more to Vladimir, than the famous churches and some museums that can tell you a lot about the history of old Russia: the town provides interesting insights on provincial Russian life.
Don’t limit yourself to just a few churches and museums, anyway, for the architecture you can visit the nearby Suzdal. It’s much more interesting to just walk around the main avenue, and see how people look and how they live, take some side streets and stroll along quiet residential areas in the centrum and the outskirts.
A young artist and restaurator, who, being a bit drunk on Saturday night, helps you to find a way to your hotel and talks incessantly, two old women walking around the famous cathedrals, talking about how it was before, and adoring their town, a family having a picnic on a small field overlooking the railway and Klyazma river, young people spending their time drinking beer and vodka next to the one of the main attractions – Water Tower, a street market set up by babushkas selling home-grown veggies, next to ‘Zolotoe Koltso’ hotel in suburbs.
Assumption Cathedral
It was founded by Vladimir prince Andrey Bogolubsky in 1158 on a high hill next to Klyazma river, and was meant to embody the power and importance of Vladimir-Suzdal principality. Called in Russian ‘Uspensky Sobor’, it’s one of the most important and interesting monuments of the ancient Russian architecture. Italian architect Aristotel Fioravanty, who built almost half of Moscow Kremlin, had studied the architecture of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, and built the same kind of cathedral with the same name in Moscow Kremlin.
Andrey Bogolubsky, the founder of the cathedral, gave great importance to the cathedral, so it was painted and decorated very richly inside. Although the cathedral looks very massive from the outside, the interior is made in such way, that you won’t feel the ‘heaviness’ inside.
During the Tartars invasions the cathedral was devastated, and only in the beginning of the 18th century, at the times of Peter the Great, it was restored completely.
The magnificent Assumption Cathedral is what you see first when you enter Cathedral Square-and when you approach the City from the east. The original cathedral, with its paintings on the exterior walls, gilded decorative friezes, and carved reliefs, was destroyed in the tragic fire of 1185. That fire changed the face of the Cathedral, but the restored version remains a wonderful masterpiece.
The Cathedral also survived when after the City's capture by the Mongol-Tartars in 1238 the prince's family was locked inside and the building was once again burned.
Assumption Cathedral, apart from being a solemn witness to these tragic events, has also enjoyed fame in its own right. It was the principal church where the princes of ancient Rus were crowned, both when Vladimir was the Russian capital from 1169 to the middle of the 14th century and then for some time after the political capital was moved to Moscow.
To host the crowning ceremonies Assumption Cathedral needed to be something special-and it was. The chronicles remarked on the abundant use of gold in the decoration of both the exterior and interior. Also it housed the celebrated miracle-working icon of the Virgin of Vladimir, widely venerated throughout the Russian lands. Of exceptional value are the 15th century frescoes still to be found inside the cathedral. They are the work of Andrei Rublev, one of the most famous of early Russian artists. Splendid altar and iconostasis also adorn the interior of the cathedral.
The only additional changes the cathedral has experienced were the 19th century additions to the ancient building. A classical style bell tower was constructed with a tall golden helmet on the site of an ancient belfry that had been destroyed by lightning. Later, in 1862, the chapel of St. George was built between the bell tower and the cathedral.
Assumption Cathedral was closed for church services by the Communists beginning in 1927. It was allowed to resume religious services in 1944—as part of Staliln's effort to enlist the Orthodox Church's support for the war effort against the Nazis. This magnificent cathedral has recently undergone major renovations. In addition to admiring the beauty of this UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site, hopefully you'll be able to attend one of the religous services. This should be an experience you will never forget!
The Cathedral of St. Demetrius
The Cathedral of St. Demetrius, built by Prince Vsevolod III, is one of the most graceful and beautiful churches in Vladimir. It is like an icon in stone. Beauty and mystery are inseparably united in it, making the Cathedral of St. Demetrius unique among Vladimir's churches.
The walls of the cathedral are decorated with carved reliefs (more than one thousand carved stones). The carving, resembling a precious garment, covers the whole upper tier of the church. The most noticeable relief is that of King David of the Bible, who is seen high in the central zakomaras of all three facades. There is also Alexandre the Great on the southern wall and Old Testament warrior Samson on the western side. Sitting on his throne, prince Vsevolod of Vladimir – the founder of this cathedral – is represented on the northern facade.
The reliefs of the cathedral of St. Demetrius are like mysterious characters, only some symbols are clear to us today, their general intention is scarcely shown through. The cathedral’s interior preserves frescoes of the 12th century. The building seems to be so solid and complete, although it lost its ancient galleries. In 1838 these old structures were mistaken for those of much later date and demolished.
Nowadays, the cathedral is a part of Vladimir-Suzdal museum. The building has been restored more than once, the restoration is still going on. The cathedral of St. Demetrius was inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
The cathedral is one-domed and four-pillared. Originally it was surrounded by galleries with towers that connected it to the prince's palace. They were demolished during the restoration in the 19th century. The church is famous for its white-stone carvings - its walls are decorated with ca. 600 reliefs, depicting saints, mythical and real animals. Most of the reliefs are preserved in their original form, some have been replaced during the restoration of the 19th century. Out of the internal decoration a few fragments of frescoes of the 12th century have survived, particularly fragments of the Last Judgement composition.
Currently, the cathedral is a part of the Vladimir-Suzdal open-air museum.
Spaso-Preobrazhensky Church
Spaso-Preobrazhensky Church belongs to the end of the XVIIIth century but in history as a great number of other churches it had its predecessor. Here in 1164 was built a palace white stone church of Spas, though this church existed only till the fire of 1778 which brought destruction not only to this church but to many others.
This was a temple for trade people. It was erected in the style of old white stone constructions, but nonetheless contained some elements of baroque. Some of the ancient wall paintings inside the church have been preserved.
Now it is a parochial functioning church.
Mikhail Archangel's Church
It is located not a long way from the center and the Golden Gate, near the Hotel Zarya. This church is made from red brick and bears all the features of the Byzantine style.
Mikhail Archangel's Church was built at the end of the XIXth century.In the past it housed a watch exposition but now is a functioning church. Mikhail Archangel’s Church is located not a long way from the center and the golden gate, near the hotel zarya. This church is made from red brick and bears all the features of the byzantine style. Mikhail archangel’s church was built at the end of the xixth century.
Vladimir holds the key to the best of russian creativity, with its world renown stone architecture and awe-inspiring performances. today the city provides an atmosphere that nurtures spiritual values that underlies the work of recognized creative collections, artists, musicians, and writers. from the beautiful carvings and paintings of the assumption cathedral, to the grandeur of the golden gates, vladimir offers a spectacular view of a history rich in culture and traditions.
The Georgy Church
The Georgy Church was founded on old historical places, which once belonged to the prince. The contemporary building of the church was finished in 1796 and is marked by the provincial style of baroque.
But it is not the first church in this place as before here stood a white stone church of 1157 erected by Yury Dolgoruky. That church did not survive and was destroyed in the fire of 1778. The only remaining parts of the ancient church are the foundation and lower parts of the walls.
Nowadays the Georgy Church houses the Theater of Choral Music.
The Trinity Church
Trinity Church It is one of the latest Churches in Vladimir. It was built of local brick in 1913-1916 at the expenses of the old believers community by architect S.M.Zharov. It was sanctified on the 30th of October, 1916. The church is the building made of the red brick in the so-called pseudo-Byzantinesque style.
The building consists of two volumes connected with one another i.e. a church and a bell tower. A high silhouette with a stepped upper part is topped with a helmet-shaped dome, the western part, i.e. the bell tower is a little bit lower. The white stone socle, the outlines of the windows and portals contrast with the dark color of the building.
The church is decorated with the bands. The last service took place in the church in 1928 and the local archival office was placed here. Later on the building was used for different purposes, until the exhibition of the Vladimir-Suzdal museum-reserve was organized here in 1976
On Bolshaya Moskovskaya Street in front of the Golden Gates is located the Trinity Church, probably one of the youngest Vladimir churches as it was founded only in the beginning of the XX century (1913-1916). It was built by local Old Believers and is sometimes called the "Red Church" as it is made of red brick. It is impossible to simply pass by this building; it is so beautiful and harmonious: the builders managed to merge the church and the bell tower.
Thus, the temple has two tops crowned with silver helmet domes. The structure is decorated with elegant straps and curbs as well as the x-type bricklaying. Currently, the church houses the Museum of Crystal, Lacquer Miniatures and Embroidery.
Its high, bright interior proved to be ideally suited to collections of craft items from the Vladimir region - crystal glass from Gus-Khrustalnyi, needlework and painted lacquer boxes from Mstiora. That is why this building is widely known not as a church but as "Museum of Crystal, Lacquered Miniatures and Embroidery."
The Church of St. Nicolas at the Galleys
The Church of St. Nicolas at the Galleys is the smallest in Vladimir and nonetheless a very fascinating one, and its building and its history all present a great interest. The Church was built in 1732-1735 and its construction was sponsored by a rich merchant Ivan Grigoriev Pavlygin.
The Church of St. Nicolas at the Galleys stands at the foot of the hills where a landing platform on Klyazma used to be, it was this landing platform which gave the church the addition "at the Galleys". Galleys were rowing ships used in the old times and as Vladimir was a trading center, they were in abundance here. Moreover St. Nicolas is a patron saint of seamen, that is why the church is called so and is located so close to the river and the landing platform.
The chronicle mentions that already in twelfth century here stood another church also named after St. Nicolas, but it was wooden and was destroyed by time or something more powerful. But the contemporary church is not an exact copy of its predecessor. First of all it is made of stone and is built according to the traditions of its age - XVIIIth century.
A broad band of kokoshniki runs across the top of the facades and the nalichniki are particularly ornate. Adjoined to the northwest corner is an original bell-tower, shaped like a square tower with a high spire, the niches of which are set with green tiles. The ancient internal decor and wall paintings are partially preserved and are open to visitors.
The Church of St. Nicolas at the Galleys is a functioning church.
The Princess' Convent
By the 19th century only two monasteries remained out of a great number that once were the decoration and protection of Vladimir. One of them is the Princess" Convent which was founded in 1200 in the North-Western corner of the city by Maria Shavronova, the wife of Prince Vsevolod III.
Originally the Convent hosted the Assumption Cathedral, but as it was built of bricks it did not survive the Tartar invasion and was destroyed, like many other buildings in Vladimir. It had been restored only at the turn of 15th-16th century and in the 17th century it was painted by an outstanding 17th century artist - Mark Matveev. His frescoes have been preserved and now are to be seen on the walls of the cathedral.
The Princess' monastery was re-instituted in 1992 after being closed in 1923 and the Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-Preserves granted the convent the oldest and the most valuable of its icons, the "God-Loving Mother of God", so you still have a chance of visiting such a marvelous and pacifying place. In order to reach the monastery, it is necessary to turn up from Bolshaya Moscow Street to Devicheskaya Street and then to pass several hundred meters to Lybed.
The Ensemble of the Nativity Monastery
At the end of the even side of Bolshaya Moskovskaya on the edge of the hill in line with principal and the Prince's cathedrals there used to be one more, the white stone cathedral of the Nativity of the Mother of God, a monastery temple. Founded in 1191 by Vsevolod III, the men's Nativity Monastery occupied a leading position in the hierarchy of Russia's religious houses and was known throughout the country. Only in 1561 it ceded its primacy to the Trinity-Sergiyev monastery and in 1720 also to the Alexander Nevsky Monastery.
However, the monastery always remained under the authority and protection of Metropolits and Patriarchs. Starting from the middle of the XVIIIth century it became the residence of bishops of Vladimir.
The most ancient building in the Ensemble of the Nativity Monastery was the Nativity Cathedral. It was, however, completely reconstructed in the mid-nineteenth century and demolished altogether in 1930. Also in the ensemble there are the sacred gate with the Church of the Nativity of Christ (the Cross Church), a tent bell-tower, monks' and archimandrite's cells, services, the fence and towers. The finest extant building in the complex is the eighteenth-century Archbishop's House designed in a restrained baroque manner.
Since 1918 the monastery had been occupied by KGB (former NKVD) and only in 1993 did this institution give up the cloister. After that the monastery started to revive and gain its former positions.
The bishop of Vladimir has returned to the bishop's house.
The Golden gate
Extremely rare monument of the old-russian fortification. It was built in white stone in 1158-1164 by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky of Vladimir and was the main entrance and defensive tower of the new fortress, created by the prince. The fortress had 5 outer gates, but only the Golden Gate could survive.
The Golden Gate is a mighty tower pierced with an archway, 14 meters high and with a cross – piece in the middle of its height. Into this cross-piece the enormous oaken gate covered with gilded copper fitted. In order to defend the approaches to the gate a wooden defensive platform was constructed on the level with the arched cross-piece.
On the top of the tower over the archway there was the tiny church of the Deposition of the Robe of the Holy Virgin. The steps made inside the south wall of the tower led up to the church. Another defensive platform, surrounded by an indented parapet was on the top the tower around the church. Battle tower, triumphant arch and church – all rolled into one in laconic but very impressive architecture of the Golden Gate – the main gate of Vladimir, which became the new capital of the North-Eastern Russia under prince Andrei Bogolyubsky.
Earth ramparts of the city fortress adjoined the Gate on both sides. In 1238 the Golden Gate survived the assault of the mongol-tartar army and was not covered with shame at that. The enemy could get inside the city not through the Gate, but through the breaks they made in wooden walls over the ramparts. Despite numerous fires and wars, dilapidation and several repairs the original appearance of the Golden Gate had been preserved almost without any alteration up to the late 18th – early 19th centuries.
At the end of the 18th century the building was seriously changed. The earth ramparts, which adjoined the Gate were removed; buttresses surrounded by circular bastions were added to four corners of the old tower to reinforce it; the gateway church was built in brick and reconstructed in 1810; the platform around the church was turned into a covered gallery.
Today the Golden Gate is a part of the Vladimir and Suzdal museum, in 1992 it was inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
The Golden Gate erected in 1164 is one of the most outstanding symbols and was an indispensable part of the ancient city of Vladimir from the very beginning of its history. The Golden Gate was once a formidable fortress, a four-sided tower with great oak doors bound in gilded copper.
Vladimir had several gates, but the Golden Gate was the main entrance to the city. Alexander Nevsky and Dmitri Donskoy passed through the Golden Gate to enter Vladimir and become princes of Ancient Russia. The Golden Gate saw glorious Russian troops march through it to deter threats, which Rus faced. The Golden Gate witnessed celebrations and tragedies, festives and destruction. Every time it rose from the ashes having survived the many disasters and catastrophes Vladimir has faced in its long history. Its greatest challenge was the attack by Mongol-Tartars.
Today there are no Mongol-Tartars, and the Golden Gate stands strong and magnificent, reminding us of the great past the town of Vladimir had experienced. It is no longer located on the edge of the city and an entrance to the town. Instead it is the center of the large city and plays a role not of a military guard but of a peaceful observer, who is ready to share with us its successes and tragedies, falls and rises, ups and downs, stories and secrets.
The Golden Gate now hosts a museum at its top, which invites everybody and promises an unforgettable visit. To visit a museum you will have to climb a step staircase. The Golden Gate is the most prominent symbol of Vladimir city, and it is unthinkable to consider Vladimir without them.
The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl River
One of the most poetic structures of Ancient Russia is the church of the Intercession, situated in the flooded meadows at the confluence of the Nerl and Klyazma rivers. In spite of the fact that it was built of white stone the shape of the church is graceful and silhouette is elegant. The reliefs – female masks, the frieze and the figure of King David in the center – form the idea of the Intercession of the Virgin.
This church is the masterpiece of white stone traditions of Andrei Bogolyubsky’s reign. The church was reconstructed. Originally it was surrounded with the galleries and the hill it stands on was covered with white stone. As the part of the Bogolyubovo convent it is being used both by the museum and the church. It’s on the World Heritage List of UNESCO.
Nikolo-Kremlevskaya Church
Nikolo-Kremlevskaya Church was built in 1769 when the style of baroque was only penetrating into Vladimir as the church has quite a serene image and a simple decor. There is a belfry attached to the main building of the church.
Now Nikolo-Kremlevskaya Church houses the City Planetarium.
It was founded by Vladimir prince Andrey Bogolubsky in 1158 on a high hill next to Klyazma river, and was meant to embody the power and importance of Vladimir-Suzdal principality.
Called in Russian ‘Uspensky Sobor’, it’s one of the most important and interesting monuments of the ancient Russian architecture. Italian architect Aristotel Fioravanty, who built almost half of Moscow Kremlin, had studied the architecture of the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, and built the same kind of cathedral with the same name in Moscow Kremlin.
Andrey Bogolubsky, the founder of the cathedral, gave great importance to the cathedral, so it was painted and decorated very richly inside. Although the cathedral looks very massive from the outside, the interior is made in such way, that you won’t feel the ‘heaviness’ inside. During the Tartars invasions the cathedral was devastated, and only in the beginning of the 18th century, at the times of Peter the Great, it was restored completely.
The Chambers Building
Located between the Assumtion cathedral and Dmitry’s cathedral, it was built in 1790, as a place for the government of Vladimir region. Now the Chambers host historical, archeological, and art exhibitions, connected with Vladimir region. A historical exhibition is called “The beauty of the old times”, and tells about the history of Vladimir region. The archeological exhibition has interesting things found in archeilogical research near Sungiri town in Vladimir region. The art gallery features Russian art pieces of the 18th-19th centuries and modern art.
The Water Tower
It was first built in the end of the 19th centruy, and completly rebuilt in 1912. The tower is built of red bricks in ‘pseudorussian’ style, it has a form of a cistern and widens on the top. After the restoration works in 1970s, the tower hosts an exhibition called ‘Old Vladimir’, with a great view on the historical centre of the town.