Description of the attraction
A fortress has existed on the Velikaya River since antiquity. It was called the Island because it really was on the island. The time of its foundation is unknown. The Island was first mentioned in the chronicles in 1341 when describing the battle with the Livonians. However, it is likely that it existed long before this mention, possibly already in the 13th century. At that time, it was of great strategic importance, since it was located on the southern border of the Pskov land. Researchers suggest that the fortress was originally built of wood. In the middle of the 14th century, a stone fortress was built, one of the largest in Ancient Russia. It had five towers and a zhaub. St. Nicholas Church was also built in it. Only fragments of fortifications have survived to our time, including the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. Almost nothing is known about its creators, except for the names that have come down to us - Zakhari, Nikolai, Maria.
The Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker is the most ancient temple that has survived on the territory of the ancient settlement. It was founded, according to some sources, in 1542, according to others - in 1543. A distinctive feature of this temple is that the altar part faces north, and not traditionally east. There are two versions that explain this location of the altar. According to the first of them, the temple is parallel to the road that passes through the island, which should justify such a location. According to the second version, the inhabitants of the Island considered Pskov to be their main city, which was located to the north of the settlement. As a sign of obedience to Pskov, the church is turned not to the east, but to the north. However, none of these versions provides a clear justification for such a location.
The architectural image of the temple is typical for all ancient Pskov churches. It originally had a cubic shape and one chapter. The temple played the role of an architectural dominant for the city, which set the tone for all buildings around. Chetverik had a cross-domed structure with four pillars and three apses. From the side of the altar and the deacon, the vaults are lowered. The roof covering the quadrangle was eight-pitched. There is no decor on the facades from the west and east. Other facades are decorated, but strictly and restrained, like the entire structure of the temple.
In the second half of the 16th century, a side chapel in honor of the Transfiguration of the Lord was added to the main church, and in the 17th century - a narthex on the south side near the main entrance. Later, a bell tower of the 19th century (1801) and a small church with a narthex and a baptismal church were added, which was first dismantled and then rebuilt in the 60s of the 20th century. At this time, restoration work was carried out. The restoration was carried out by specialists from the Pskov scientific restoration workshops. At the same time, a bulbous head and a metal cross were installed.
Of the interior decoration of the temple, of interest is the frieze, which consists of ceramic slabs covered with green glaze. This is a kind of tape-inscription, which was made during the construction of the temple. On it were written the names of Prince Ivan Vasilyevich, church elders and benefactors who helped the construction. These slabs resemble ceramides in the caves of the Pskov-Pechersky Monastery. Unfortunately, not all samples of this unique creation have come down to us, many of them have disappeared.
No less interesting is the fact that earlier the icon "Descent into Hell" was located in the iconostasis of the temple. Now it is in the State Russian Museum. The iconostasis of the main church dates back to the late 18th - early 19th centuries. It consists of three tiers and has strict forms. Its modest decoration is an applied carving with floral ornaments.
The bell tower has three tiers and is adjacent to the church from the narthex side. A metal dome with a spire and a cross is installed on top of the bell tower.
During the Second World War, the temple was severely damaged. After the end of the war in 1946-1947, the main elements of the temple were restored.
