Rdeisky Monastery: history, photo, address and reviews of tourists

In the south-west of the Novgorod region, among the vast wasteland, which is occupied by almost impenetrable swamps, is the mysterious Rdeiskoye lake. It is interesting in itself, they say that its waters have a healing effect. But the most amazing thing is that it is located on its shore. An ancient temple, beautiful so far, despite the fact that it has long been abandoned, but not forgotten. Rdeisky monastery is a real mystery of the Russian land. Why is there such a huge temple here, in this impassable wilderness? In fact, today the whole population of the region does not even have 5000 people, and earlier the city of Holm and the nearby region was considered quite rich and crowded, there lived several tens of thousands of people.

A bit of history

The Rdeisky monastery was founded in 1880, with funds allocated by the merchant Mamontov. At this point there was already a wooden church, it was reconstructed and a new monastery was built. Some of the buildings were made of stone, and some were made of wood. The very place where the Rdeisky Monastery was founded is reverent. This is a real place of strength, which is a lot in Russia, there is a junction of tectonic plates. Rudeye Lake is another mystery. If you look from the air, it forms a practically correct eight, a sign of infinity. It is located from north to south, two rings are divided by two promontories, and are connected by a strait, about 200 meters wide.

It was not for nothing that here the temple was once laid. It is washed on three sides by the waters of the lake, and on the fourth side it is hidden from the eyes of others by a marshy swamp. After 1880, around the monastery unfolds construction. A bell tower, barns, stables, warehouses and a wall are being built. But the wooden buildings are dilapidated, and in 1898 the grandiose construction of a stone monastery began. To finish it was ordered tiles from Poland and marble from Italy. The crown of the temple was the iconostasis of Venetian marble, which in its beauty was not even in Moscow. Icons and stained glass windows were made by Moscow masters. The temple was amazing with its beauty. In 1937 Rdeisky monastery was closed and no longer worked. After the war, the surrounding villages were virtually deserted, apparently, so it was no longer taken to restore

Shrines that used to be here

The first monastery was founded on this place in 1666. For all the time of the monastery's existence, spiritual values and relics were accumulated in it, to which parishioners came to worship. Judging by the ancient accounts, there was kept the miraculous icon of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as the icon of Zosima and Savvatiy Solovetsky. They attributed healing properties, but both these icons were lost during the plundering of the monastery.

Particular attention was paid to the parishioners of the cross of the altar silver gilded, chased work, eight-pointed. Its value increased from the enclosed parts of the holy relics and other sacred objects, as evidenced by the inscriptions. The three temple eight-pointed cross is the legacy of the three churches that existed on this site. They were all made of linden wood. More details about this can be found in the program "Russian Footprint". Rdeisky monastery interested the filmmakers, and they embarked on an exciting journey. They showed not only the whole way to the temple, but also its interior decoration, as well as the beauty of the local places.

Rdeisky Monastery, how to get there

Any guide will tell you the address of the monastery: Novgorod Region, Kholmsky District, Rdeisky State Nature Reserve. But getting here is not easy. Once the monks built roads of wood, on which even carriages could ride. Today they have completely gone to the swamp, there is only a direction that can be seen from the air. The swampy marsh stretches for many kilometers, it covers an area of one and a half Moscow. True, there is a variant to get by air, but more often lovers of Russian history prefer to walk.

Not far from the main road is the village of High, now completely deserted. From there, about 16 kilometers along the impenetrable swamp. For an unprepared person this is a ruinous place, apparently because of this there are legends that not all of them allow Rdeisky monastery. How to get to it, the locals willingly tell, but everyone will warn that it is almost impossible, because this place is sacred.

Traveling by local transport

The nearest route passes 12 kilometers from the temple. But this does not stop lovers of antiquity and just believers. In the off-season, when the swamp is particularly difficult to navigate, such travel is not recommended. In the rest of the time it is better to leave the wheeled transport in the city and then go on a caterpillar all-terrain vehicle or a swamp-boat. An expedition to the temple is sometimes sent from the Hill, so you can go on a trip with them. The locals will tell you a lot of interesting stories related to this place. Not everyone knows well the hot areas, but those who grew up here know how to find secret paths and go through the most difficult routes. If you talk to them, they will tell you how during the war the whole area was destroyed and mined by the Germans, only the Rdeisky monastery remained intact. History saved him for descendants who ruthlessly plundered and today continue to destroy the former magnificence. They say that in order for the monastery to reveal its miraculous properties, you need to come on foot. Not everyone will overcome this path from the first time, which serves as a test of strength.

March-throw on foot

There have already been many such trips, examples can be seen in the series of programs from the cycle "My Planet". Rdeisky monastery still worries the minds of people. Why such a beautiful cathedral was built in such a place forgotten by God? But time goes by, and the wonderful creation of human hands is more and more inferior to the onslaught of nature. Although the walls only frame the strength of these places, it will exist without them.

And again, looking at the chronicles, we see confirmation that this monastery does not immediately admit people to itself. Expeditions more than once went out and endlessly circled the boundless swamp, and did not reach the place. It is necessary to return to the village and take a long way on the caterpillar all-terrain vehicle, if the time of the year allows it to be done. Already at the entrance it is felt that the place is not easy, and any person understands this, no matter how skeptical it may be.

Here, inside the temple, lies another mystery. The altar of any Orthodox church is oriented to the east. But even this rule does not work here. The altar of this monastery is oriented to the north or north-west. This can not be an accident, because chapels and churches have stood here since time immemorial, one in place of the other. And each time the altar repeats the location of its predecessor. Why, no one knows.

Winter road

When the frost and ice bind the marshes, Rdeisky monastery most easily reveals its secrets. How to get there in winter, we'll tell you now. Impenetrable swamps become a convenient route for any type of motor transport. The direction for the traffic will be the summer track from the caterpillar all-terrain vehicle, it is very convenient to go along it, you do not have to collect all the bumps. But each such trip harms a unique biological object. Remember that the swamp after the passage of heavy equipment is restored for many years, and the abundance of tourists just does not leave him a chance. Therefore, it is better to take a wonderful walk, now your feet will not fall into the swamp, and you can go much more fun. If in the summer these 16 kilometers are almost insurmountable, then in winter they can walk briskly for three hours. Best of all, if you choose the time for a trip in late autumn, when the frost has already squeezed the marsh well, but there is still little snow, and the trees have saved some of the foliage. This time of year emphasizes the mystical charm of the abandoned monastery.

Legends associated with this place

They often encourage people to take this journey. Local residents warn: it is not worthwhile to visit Rdeisky monastery for the sake of curiosity. Legends convey many stories about the loss and miraculous return of repentant people. It is much better to meet pilgrims who go for knowledge to feel the history of Russian land and Christianity. You will be pleased to talk about the miraculous healings that have occurred to people after visiting these places. But not only to heal, but also to punish can the sacred forces. According to rumors, everyone who participated in the ruin of the monastery, even just scratching a memorial inscription on the wall, was waiting for misfortune.

Therefore, local residents are very sensitive to their shrine, and every time they visit the temple, they give a donation for its restoration. All of them hope that one day they will return the former greatness of the Rdeisky Monastery. Legends underscore the miraculous salvation of the temple during the Second World War. He suffered, remained without a bell tower, but stood firm, as if some irresistible force took him under his protection. But here the battles fought to match the Stalingrad battles. From the first days of the war, the Germans fought for every bit of this furnace of fire. And even today the Rdeisky Monastery is not at its best. The photo will still remind you of an unusual place that lies beyond time and space. It belongs to the higher powers.

Why should I come here

Indeed, many tourists want to ask this question. For a thoughtful traveler, a visit to the place of such a force can serve as an impetus to a profound change, but those who come to deduce their initials on the wall are difficult to understand. This place is considered a cult place, and the honors rendered to it must be appropriate.

Here live the monks, for whom the beginning of a new life was the Rdeisky monastery. The road to the temple for them is the personification of their path to God. Despite the current state of the temple, they leave no hope of restoring it. Their efforts created a small iconostasis, where you can put a candle. Recently, services have started here.

The current state of the monastery

Today the temple is still beautiful, but coming closer, you see how dilapidated it is. In fact, this is already a ruin with fragments of a stone wall. There is also a monastery cemetery with cast-iron crosses. Once the white, marble-cloistered monastery became almost red, brick. On the inner sides of the wall are still preserved elements of painting, but the domes are in a deplorable state. They have huge holes, the gilding is removed, and the trees grow on the roof. The last paintings and remains of the marble iconostasis are destroyed and taken away by tourists.

Stop in the Hill

Surely, after reading the article, you have firmly decided to visit the Rdea Monastery. The road to the temple can be for you through a real healing and transformation. As the locals say, to get to it, you do not need a map. If necessary, then you yourself will lead you to the place. To start traveling light, you can rent a room or room in the hotel of the Hill. On the way back, it will give the chance to change clothes, wash and go home. The city lost its importance and today does not represent an interest for tourists.

Reviews

Tourists point out that the Rdeisky Monastery is one of the few places on Earth that is endowed with such power. Many talk about their own healings and changes in life. All pilgrims agree that this is a holy place, it will remain so even when the present temple is scattered from time to time. Experienced travelers say that while he lives, it's worth to visit here, to feel the local atmosphere and feel the impermanence of something that is much older and higher than us. Having visited here, I want to believe that a large number of pilgrims, who annually go to these places, will become a new stage in the life of the monastery.