Description of the attraction
The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Pyzhy was built in 1657-72. with the money of the archers Bogdanov of the order of the steward Pyzhov.
The church is a striking example of a five-domed posad church decorated with keeled kokoshniks. The temple was built by a ship, i.e. the altar, the refectory and the bell tower are located on the same axis. In addition, the chapels of St. Nikola and Sts. Anthony and Theodosius of the Caves are decorated in the form of two small temples-extensions and their apses form a single line with the apse of the main volume.
The richness of decorative decoration, rare for the 17th century, is very interesting: for example, various carved frames of the windows of the northern facade. The decoration of the western portal of the refectory with garlands of carved archivolts and carved columns is remarkable. The tent-roofed bell tower is in harmony with the temple in proportions and decor. In 1796 the walls of the refectory were painted. The former decoration of the refectory has been lost.
In 1812, the temple was plundered by the French, but the exterior was not damaged. The fence from the side of Bolshaya Ordynka Street was installed, apparently, in the middle of the 19th century.
The ringing of the bells of the Church of St. Nicholas in Pyzhy was considered one of the most euphonious in Moscow. Above the chapters, the original gilded crosses in the form of blossoming trees have survived to this day.
After the revolution, the temple was ravaged, and in 1934 it was completely closed. The church building houses a variety of institutions. The famous icon "Savior the Almighty" entered the Tretyakov Gallery. In July 1991, divine services were resumed in the church.
