The ancient temples of Russia are real "witnesses" of history. Traveling to such places, a person invariably gets into the culture of his country, learns something new for himself and begins to appreciate everything that was created a long time ago. It is not necessary to organize a full-fledged vacation for a tour of ancient temples, if you have only two days off, you can choose one of the six cities offered in today's selection for the trip.
Veliky Novgorod
St. Sophia Cathedral was founded on the site of the 13th main temple in 989 by Yaroslav the Wise, which has been preserved to this day. For the construction, a method common in Ancient Russia was chosen – a cross-domed one.
The interior decoration of the temple was completed in the next century, mosaics and marble were used for decoration, plaster and frescoes were applied to the walls. Fragments of frescoes are still preserved on the walls, you can see them during a visit to the cathedral. The royal prayer chair, installed by order of Ivan the Terrible, has also been preserved.
Voronezh
The Assumption Admiralty Church is located on Sophia Perovskaya Street, 9. The first mention of it appeared in 1594. This is the most famous temple in Voronezh, and if you find yourself in the city, be sure to visit it. At first, the temple was built of wood, but later it was built of stone – it was one of the first stone buildings in Voronezh.
And in order to continue your journey around the city, stop for the night at the Yamskaya Hotel – it was built in the best traditions of gostiny dvor and after reconstruction preserved the "spirit" of the ancient merchant city. We have comfortable rooms for both single travelers and a large family. And also be sure to visit our cafe to try breakfast, lunch or dinner in the Russian tradition.
Karachay-Cherkessia
There is a stone temple not far from Nizhny Arkhyz. The date of construction of the building is not known for certain, but it is believed that the temple appeared before the Baptism of Russia, in the X century. The walls are built of sandstone, and the roof is covered with stone slabs of small thickness.
The architects arranged a baptismal font inside the temple. Remarkably, the temple has never been rebuilt, so now it looks the same as 10 centuries ago.
Kerch
As is the case with many ancient temples, the exact date of construction of the temple in Kerch is also not known. It is believed that it was built in the X century, and amphorae of the VIII century were found in the walls of the temple, the main purpose of which was to amplify sound.
In the XIX century, the temple was completed, the western aisle and a two-tiered bell tower appeared, as well as the northern porch. When you find yourself in this place, pay attention to the stones embedded in the southern wall of the temple – these are the remains of a funerary stele dated to the 5th century BC – they were discovered while digging the foundation for the extension.
Smolensk
The oldest church in Smolensk is considered to be Peter and Paul, it was built under Prince Rostislav Mstislavich, in 1146. Additional rooms and elements were regularly added to the temple, for example, a tent bell tower or the third floor. The main nave was also expanded. Today, during the tour you will be able to see the remains of frescoes from the Middle Ages and colored tiles.
Pskov
The Transfiguration Cathedral was built on the riverbank in the city of Pskov, historians believe that in 1156 the temple was already opened. Interestingly, for the construction of the temple, the architects did not even remove the grass from the field, and the building itself was erected without a foundation. This is due to the fact that the sandstone riverbank is expanding, which could lead to cracks in the foundation. It was decided to strengthen the walls and use rubble stone.
The walls of the temple were painted by the Greek masters of the XII century. Once the frescoes were covered with whitewash, but by a lucky chance it did not destroy them, but on the contrary, allowed the frescoes to be preserved to this day. You will be able to see them once you are in the temple.
And if your vacation lasts only a couple of days and you have already been to the ancient temples of Russia, arrange a short route for a two-day trip.
Veliky Novgorod
St. Sophia Cathedral was founded on the site of the 13th main temple in 989 by Yaroslav the Wise, which has been preserved to this day. For the construction, a method common in Ancient Russia was chosen – a cross-domed one.
The interior decoration of the temple was completed in the next century, mosaics and marble were used for decoration, plaster and frescoes were applied to the walls. Fragments of frescoes are still preserved on the walls, you can see them during a visit to the cathedral. The royal prayer chair, installed by order of Ivan the Terrible, has also been preserved.
Voronezh
The Assumption Admiralty Church is located on Sophia Perovskaya Street, 9. The first mention of it appeared in 1594. This is the most famous temple in Voronezh, and if you find yourself in the city, be sure to visit it. At first, the temple was built of wood, but later it was built of stone – it was one of the first stone buildings in Voronezh.
And in order to continue your journey around the city, stop for the night at the Yamskaya Hotel – it was built in the best traditions of gostiny dvor and after reconstruction preserved the "spirit" of the ancient merchant city. We have comfortable rooms for both single travelers and a large family. And also be sure to visit our cafe to try breakfast, lunch or dinner in the Russian tradition.
Karachay-Cherkessia
There is a stone temple not far from Nizhny Arkhyz. The date of construction of the building is not known for certain, but it is believed that the temple appeared before the Baptism of Russia, in the X century. The walls are built of sandstone, and the roof is covered with stone slabs of small thickness.
The architects arranged a baptismal font inside the temple. Remarkably, the temple has never been rebuilt, so now it looks the same as 10 centuries ago.
Kerch
As is the case with many ancient temples, the exact date of construction of the temple in Kerch is also not known. It is believed that it was built in the X century, and amphorae of the VIII century were found in the walls of the temple, the main purpose of which was to amplify sound.
In the XIX century, the temple was completed, the western aisle and a two-tiered bell tower appeared, as well as the northern porch. When you find yourself in this place, pay attention to the stones embedded in the southern wall of the temple – these are the remains of a funerary stele dated to the 5th century BC – they were discovered while digging the foundation for the extension.
Smolensk
The oldest church in Smolensk is considered to be Peter and Paul, it was built under Prince Rostislav Mstislavich, in 1146. Additional rooms and elements were regularly added to the temple, for example, a tent bell tower or the third floor. The main nave was also expanded. Today, during the tour you will be able to see the remains of frescoes from the Middle Ages and colored tiles.
Pskov
The Transfiguration Cathedral was built on the riverbank in the city of Pskov, historians believe that in 1156 the temple was already opened. Interestingly, for the construction of the temple, the architects did not even remove the grass from the field, and the building itself was erected without a foundation. This is due to the fact that the sandstone riverbank is expanding, which could lead to cracks in the foundation. It was decided to strengthen the walls and use rubble stone.
The walls of the temple were painted by the Greek masters of the XII century. Once the frescoes were covered with whitewash, but by a lucky chance it did not destroy them, but on the contrary, allowed the frescoes to be preserved to this day. You will be able to see them once you are in the temple.
And if your vacation lasts only a couple of days and you have already been to the ancient temples of Russia, arrange a short route for a two-day trip.
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