Moscow baroque, elegance of style

The basic rule of the appearance of new architectural forms is the reflection of social processes. Of course, the wording is approximate, not specific, but the Moscow Baroque style emerged precisely against the backdrop of the events of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. In Russia at that time, society gravitated toward everything progressive. The spirit of Peter's beginnings touched also architecture. Throughout Russia were built temples, large and small. The merchants built up churches and cathedrals, everyone wanted to leave a memory after themselves.

However, noble noblemen tried not to lag behind. For example, the ancient family of Naryshkins, relatives of Peter the Great on the maternal line, also took up the erection of temples after the long-standing confrontation between the Naryshkins and Miloslavsky ended. In this struggle for influence at the royal court, the Naryshkin family conquered, however, without special consequences for the Miloslavskys family. Nevertheless, there was an occasion for the victorious erection of churches and cathedrals in all estates belonging to the Naryshkin family.

Several temples were built in the style of the West European main architectural order, but significant decorative additions were introduced into the exterior design, which laid the foundation for a new style, called "Naryshkin Baroque" or "Moscow Baroque". The most remarkable example of this style is the Intercession Church in Fili. It does not resemble any temple of that time. The principle of construction is a tiered one: an octagon on a quadrilateral with a vaulted overlap of eight trays.

Above is a bell tower in the shape of an octagonal drum. Belfry is crowned with a faceted head - gilded, with a cross. The lower tier, the fourfold, four round semicircular apses surround it from all sides. Each is crowned with a gilded dome. On the whole circumference of the church there is a gallery-gulbishche. Only this temple deserves a separate characteristic of the style, so unusual architectural decision was applied by the architects. Naryshkinsky Baroque in Moscow also represent the Church of John the Warrior on Yakimanka and the Resurrection Church in Kadashi.

Unlike other architectural directions, the style of barroko due to the concentration of rich exterior design attracts attention, or rather, rivets. It is impossible to tear off the view, I want to examine each line, to understand the play of light and shadows in deep relief elements of the decor. The Moscow Baroque does not contain a single repetitive small architectural form. And although some signs of the Renaissance sometimes slip in the horizontal divisions of the church or cathedral, there is still the impression of complete exclusivity of the building.

Moscow baroque has a rare property: it conquers space. In some incomprehensible way, the visual perception of the church expands to infinity. Around it there can be as many buildings as you like, we look at them, but we do not see anything except the Naryshkin church itself. Particularly impressive is the Temple of the Deposition of the Donskoy. Quite simple architectural forms - a quadrangle with tightly planted five domes, a large refectory and, finally, a bell tower as part of the church. Architecture without excesses, for the Baroque style is even modest, but the church breathes sacredness, and this is an indispensable sign of the Moscow baroque.