Ancient cathedrals of Rus - photo and description

Stone ancient cathedrals began to build after the proclamation of Christianity state religion of. For the first time they were built in the largest cities - Kiev, Vladimir, as well as Novgorod. Most of the cathedrals survived to this day and are the most important architectural monuments.

Historical reference

The Old Russian state reached its peak during the reign of Vladimir the Great and his son Yaroslav the Wise. In 988, Christianity was proclaimed the state religion. This was of great importance for the further development of feudal relations, the strengthening of the unity of the country, the flowering of cultural life, the expansion of ties with Byzantium and other European powers. After the establishment of Christianity in Russia began to build ancient cathedrals made of stone. The best masters of his time were invited to work, the artistic and technical achievements of the era were used.

The first stone church - Desyatinnaya - was erected in the center of Kiev under Vladimir the Great. During its construction, the prince managed to significantly strengthen the city and expand its territory.

Byzantine style in architecture

The ancient cathedrals of Russia very often in their design resembled Byzantine churches. But soon this artistic model began to acquire national characteristics.

The tithe church was a cross-domed church. The Chernigov Savior-Transfiguration Cathedral, Sophia of Kiev and others had the same form.

Consider the characteristic features of Byzantine churches:

• Cross-domed cathedrals were a building, crowned with a dome, which was strengthened by four columns. They were sometimes joined by two more (to increase the size).
• The ancient cathedrals looked like a pyramid.
• For the construction of temples used special bricks of a certain form - plinfa, which were connected with the help of a pottery.
• Windows, as a rule, had a pair of openings and an arch.
• The main focus was on the interior decoration of the temple. Rich compositions were absent from the outside.

Typical features of Old Russian architecture

Ancient cathedrals of Russia were built according to the Byzantine model. However, over time, the architecture acquired its national features.

• The temples were much more Byzantine. For this purpose, additional galleries were built around the main room.
• Instead of the central columns, large cruciform pillars were used.
• Sometimes plinfa was replaced with a stone.
• The picturesque style of decoration eventually gave way to graphic.
• From the XII century. The towers and galleries were not used and the side naves were not illuminated.

Sophia Cathedral

The ancient cathedral was erected in the period of the heyday of Kievan Rus. In the annals the foundation of Sophia of Kiev is dated 1017 or 1037 gg.

The cathedral was dedicated to the wisdom of the Christian teaching and was called upon to affirm the greatness of the new religion. In the times of Rus there was a cultural and social center of the capital. The cathedral was surrounded by other stone temples, palaces and simple city buildings.

Initially, it was a five-nave cross-domed structure. Outside there were galleries. The walls of the building were erected from red brick and plinth. Sofia Kiev, like other ancient Russian cathedrals, was decorated with various spans and arches. The interior was full of picturesque frescoes and gilded mosaics. This all created the impression of extraordinary splendor and splendor. The Cathedral was painted by some of the most famous Byzantine masters.

Sofia Kievskaya is the only monument of architecture of Ukraine, preserved after the invasion of the Mongols in 1240.

Church of the Intercession of the Virgin

The church, located on the bank of the Nerl River, is one of the most famous monuments of architecture on Suzdal land. The temple was built by Andrei Bogolyubsky in the 12th century. In honor of a new holiday in Russia - the Intercession of the Virgin. Like many other ancient cathedrals of Russia, this church is a cross-dome building on four columns. The building is very light and light. The frescoes of the temple have not survived to this day, since they were destroyed during the reconstruction in the late 19th century.

The Kremlin in Moscow

The Moscow Kremlin is the most famous and old architectural monument in the Russian capital. According to legend, the first wooden fortress was built under Yuri Dolgoruk in the beginning of the XII century. The ancient cathedrals of the Kremlin are the most famous in Russia and still attract tourists with their beauty.

Assumption Cathedral

The first stone cathedral in Moscow is Uspensky. He was elevated by an Italian architect during the reign of Ivan III at the highest point of the Kremlin Hill. In general, the building looks like other ancient cathedrals of Russia: a cross-domed model, six pillars and five chapters. As the basis for the construction and design was taken by the Assumption Church in Vladimir. The walls were erected from iron ties (instead of traditional oak trees), which was an innovation for Russia.

The Assumption Cathedral was designed to emphasize the greatness of the Moscow State and demonstrate its might. Here church cathedrals were held, metropolitans were elected, Russian rulers were crowned for reign.

Blagoveshchensky cathedral

At a time when Moscow was still a small principality, on the site of the Annunciation Church there was an ancient cathedral. In 1484 the construction of a new building began. For his erection, Russian architects from Pskov were invited. In August 1489 a snow-white three-dome temple grew up, surrounded by a large gallery on three sides.
If the Assumption Cathedral was the religious center of the principality, where important spiritual and political ceremonies were held, then Blagoveshchensky was a house royal church. In addition, the state treasury of the great rulers was kept here.

Cathedral of the Archangel

This ancient monument is a shrine-temple, in which the ashes of prominent figures of Russia are kept. Here are buried Ivan Kalita, Dmitry Donskoy, Ivan the Terrible, Vasily the Dark, Vasily Shuisky and others.

The Archangel Cathedral was erected in 1508 by the Italian architect Aleviz. The master arrived in Moscow at the invitation of Ivan III.

It should be noted that the Archangel church is not like other ancient cathedrals located on Red Square. It resembles a secular building, decorated with antique motifs. The Archangel Cathedral is a cross-domed five-domed building with six columns. During its construction, for the first time in the history of Russian architecture, a two-tiered warrant for the decoration of the facade was used.

Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye

The church was erected in 1532 in honor of the birthday of Ivan the Terrible. There was a beautiful building on the banks of the Moskva River. The Church of the Ascension is fundamentally different from other Russian cathedrals. In its form it represents an endless cross and is the first example of tent architecture in Russia.