Description of the attraction
The cathedral complex of the Volokolamsk Kremlin, surrounded by high ramparts, is a picturesque and interesting place. One of the cathedrals is a functioning temple, the other houses a local history museum that tells about the history of the city.
The history of Volokolamsk
The first settlements on the territory of the Volokolamsk Kremlin date back to the first millennium BC NS … Representatives of Dyachkov's culture lived here. At the site of their settlement, fragments of characteristic pottery were found. They were ancestors Finno-Ugric … Probably, it was from them that some Finno-Ugric names remained in the vicinity.
Already in the XI century there was an ancient Russian settlement. It was originally called Lamsky Drag or just Drag. There was a trade route “ from the Varangians to the Greeks". It was a land crossing of ships from the tributary of the Volga Lama to the tributary of the Oka Voloshnya. "Lama" is once a Finno-Ugric name, which means a river, flowing water. The port was an important strategic place: whoever controlled it could dictate his will to numerous merchants. According to legend, the city was founded Yaroslav the Wise … It was he who brought the Lamsky Drag here, before that it was located in another place - near the modern village of Starovolotskoye.
The first chronicle records tell of the disputes between the princes for control over this important place. Initially set here wooden fortress … Archaeologists have found the remains of old fortifications: the city was surrounded high shafts with rows of thick pillars stuck there. In some places the shafts reached six meters in height. And now they surround the Kremlin hill, and in the local history museum you can see the alleged model of these wooden fortifications.
The city changes hands many times. It is controlled by either Novgorod or Vladimir princes. In 1178 the Vladimir prince Vsevolod the Big Nest burns it to the ground - the chronicle story speaks about it. Sixty years later, it is already being burned Batu … In the XIII century Volokolamsk was divided by Moscow and Novgorod, then for some time it was controlled by the Lithuanian prince Svidrigailo, then for several years it becomes an independent principality and again loses its independence. During the Time of Troubles, the city was occupied by Poles for two years. During these years Volokolamsk was a stone fortress that protected the Moscow lands from the northwest.
But Volokolamsk is gradually losing its significance. In the 18th century, no one expected any enemies to appear here. Trade routes have shifted and no drag has existed for a long time. Volokolamsk became a provincial county town. At the end of the 18th century, the dilapidated stone Kremlin was dismantled, leaving only high earthen ramparts.
Volokolamsk considers itself more ancient than Moscow: in the annals it begins to be mentioned 12 years earlier.
Resurrection Cathedral
The pearl of the Volokolamsk Kremlin is Resurrection Cathedral … It dates from around 1480. It was built by order of the prince Boris Volotsky, son of the Moscow prince Vasily the Dark … During these years Volokolamsk was independent and was the center of the Volotsk principality. Prince Boris is actively strengthening his possessions, building fortresses and new churches. At the same time Joseph-Volokolamsk Monastery.
The Resurrection Cathedral is white stone, with solid walls and narrow loopholes, it was created so that in case of an attack it would be possible to hide and defend in it. This is a typical four-foot ancient Russian temple, with an altar with three apses. Once it was surrounded by a gallery-gulbisch, but now it is dismantled. Initially, the walls of the cathedral were completed with typical semicircular zakomars, but already at the end of the 17th century, the usual hipped roof was made. In the middle of the 18th century, a new entrance was pierced and a porch was built from the western facade. Fragments of the original 15th-century murals and 19th-century murals have been preserved in the temple.
Bell tower was built in the 18th century. Initially, it stood separately, then it was connected to the temple itself by a covered walkway. The modern five-tiered bell tower was built already in 1880 by the architect N. Markova … He designed it taking into account the appeared Nikolsky Cathedral - it visually connects both temples and is the dominant feature of the entire complex.
The temple operated until 1930. In the 80s of the XX century, its restoration was carried out and the restored building was transferred to the museum, and since 1993 it has been returned to the Church. The parish has officially appeared here since 2000.
Nicholas cathedral
Nikolsky Cathedral was built in 1853-1862 according to the project of the most famous architect of that time - Konstantin Ton … Konstantin Ton is the author of a number of exemplary projects of churches of the Nikolaev period and the favorite architect of the emperor himself. K. Ton set himself the task of creating an architectural style that would reflect the traditions of classicism, and the Russian national identity, and the grandeur of the contemporary Russian Empire. Its most grandiose structure is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. He builds cathedrals in the same Russian-Byzantine style in the provinces: in Krasnoyarsk, in Yelets, in Kostroma. He is responsible for the development of "standard projects" - the samples, according to which the same type of churches were built in different cities, differing from each other only in insignificant details. According to one of these projects, St. Nicholas Cathedral in Volokolamsk was built.
This is a one-domed cathedral, created with an orientation towards ancient Russian architecture. It was built in memory of the soldiers who died in the Crimean War of 1853-1853.
The cathedral was closed during the Soviet era. Almost nothing has survived from its former decoration. In 1941, the head of the temple collapsed. And those premises that were suitable for use, in the last years of the war, were placed in a camp for German prisoners of war.
The cathedral was restored in the 70s of the XX century. The restoration was supervised by an architect Yu. D. Belyaev … The dome was restored, although, of course, no cross was placed on it. After restoration, the cathedral housed Museum.
In the 1880s, the entire complex was enclosed brick fence with gate and corner turrets … The fence did not pass along the borders of the former fortress, but inside it. It was badly damaged during the war and was restored in the 80s of the XX century under the direction of the architect N. B. Pankova. The gate turrets were not restored, but the corner turrets were restored. Now in the southeastern turret is arranged chapel of the Annunciation.
Museum
Volokolamsk Historical and Architectural Museum still occupies the building of St. Nicholas Cathedral. The exposition is located on two floors. As in any self-respecting museum of local lore of the Moscow region, there is a mammoth here - or rather, its tusk. The first part of the exposition is occupied by models and installations telling about the life of the most ancient people in these territories. One of the installations tells in detail how the portage was arranged, the other - about how the city looked in the XII century. It's very good here archaeological collection: The settlement of the Volokolamsk Kremlin was excavated in Soviet times in sufficient detail, it has been well studied, and many finds from these excavations can be seen in museum showcases.
The exposition presents reconstruction of a rich princely costume: this is Prince Svyatoslav with his bride, the daughter of Andrei Bogolyubsky.
A separate exposition is dedicated to the life and everyday life of the Volokolamsk district in the 17th-19th centuries. it reconstruction of a peasant dwelling, richly carved wooden platbands, peasant and bourgeois costumes, a collection of kerosene lamps.
And finally, several rooms are dedicated to the heroic defenders of the city during Great Patriotic War … In the fall of 1941, Rokossovsky's 16th Army defended the capital. The Germans were advancing from the west through the Volokolamsk region. In October, after stubborn battles, Volokolamsk was occupied by the Germans, and the front line moved almost close to Moscow. It was in seven kilometers near Volokolamsk that the famous battle of 28 Panfilov's men took place, when in November 1941 28 people held their position for four hours and destroyed eighteen enemy tanks. The modern memorial complex in honor of the Panfilov heroes at the battle site is also under the jurisdiction of the Volokolamsk Museum of Local Lore. And the exposition of the Nikolsky Cathedral presents dioramas dedicated to the liberation of Volokolamsk on December 20, 1941 from the Nazi invaders.
The museum has temporary exhibitions in a separate room. The bell tower is arranged observation deckfrom which you can see the whole city. You can climb it.
Church of the Nativity of Christ
There is another church not far from the prefabricated Kremlin complex. This is the Church of the Nativity of Christ. She is known since XV century … The current building was built in 1776 with merchant donations. Names of benefactors are known - Volokolamsk tradesman Kalinin and a Moscow merchant Petrov … In 1835 the merchants Ivan Bozhanov and Ivan Smirdin donate for an extension to the church refectory. At the very beginning of the 20th century, a bell tower appeared near the temple. It was built by an architect V. Zhigarlovich.
In Soviet times, the temple lost its architectural appearance - the upper tiers of the bell tower and the top of the dome were destroyed, the building turned out to be one-story and it was occupied by various city institutions. Now the temple has been handed over to believers, the dome over it has been restored. In front of the temple is now installed monument to st. Prince Vladimir - the baptist of Russia.
On a note
- Location: Moscow region, Volokolamsk, st. Gorval, 1.
- How to get there: by electric train in the direction of Riga to the station "Volokolamsk", then by buses No. 5, 28 to the stop "Gorod".
- Official site
- The cost of visiting the museum exposition: adult - 200 rubles, retirement - 100 rubles, school - 50 rubles. The entrance to the bell tower is paid separately. The entrance to the territory of the cathedral complex is free.
- Museum working hours: 10: 00-18: 00.
