Description of the attraction
In 1200-1201, the Assumption Cathedral was built in the center of the courtyard of the Knyagin monastery. The building has not survived, and the current temple was erected on the site of the ancient one at the turn of the XV-XVI centuries. During construction, the remaining parts of the walls of the old building were used.
The modern Assumption Cathedral is a large brick church with 2 aisles, a gallery and a massive dome. The outer walls are completed by zakomars, above which there are 2 tiers of keeled kokoshniks, which have become the base for the light drum.
In the lower area of the cathedral, the border of the transition from the old walls of the ancient temple to the later part is visible. The old brick was thin, made from a mixture of mortar and brick chips. The cathedral was entered through portals, and during the excavations, colored majolica tiles were discovered, with the help of which the floor in the ancient cathedral was laid.
Chroniclers testify that Princess Maria, who founded the monastery, her sister Anna and the daughter of Prince Alexander Nevsky were buried within the walls of the temple in the 13th century. The tombs are located in the outer walls of the side facades. This testifies to the fact that in ancient times, chapels-tombs were adjacent to the eastern corners of the building.
The decoration of the temple is reminiscent of its ancient predecessor, the cross-shaped pillars, semicircles of apses and a small arcosolium in the northern wall. However, the character of the current interior bears the imprint of the border of the XV-XVI centuries. The space of the cathedral is filled with light and spaciousness, the boundless smoothness of the walls creates the impression of a solid space. The arches on which the dome is installed are located in steps in relation to the vaults of the side naves. This is an even better condition for lighting through the drum windows.
Researchers suggest that the builders still tried to reproduce the appearance of the ancient temple, since the features of this building can be traced in the structures of pre-Mongol Rus.
The walls of the temple are entirely covered with fresco painting, cleared by restorers already in the Soviet period. The painting was made in the middle of the 17th century by order of the Russian Patriarch Joseph. Artists from Moscow worked in the cathedral under the guidance of the famous master Mark Matveyev.
In the vault of the altar apse is one of the largest compositions of the painting. It reflects a plot that reveals the main sacrament - the transformation of wine and bread into the blood and flesh of the Savior. Holy gifts are carried by angels. Probably for this reason, the incredible amount of colorful images gave the composition the name of the Great Exit.
On the right and left, on the apse wall, there is a composition on the subject of the Communion of the Apostles by Christ. On the front plane of the altar arch there is a fresco representing a huge picture of the Dormition of the Theotokos. The story of the deeds of the Mother of God is continued in the painting on the southern wall of the cathedral. It is represented by a complex of symbolic images of miracles that are associated with the life path and the posthumous appearances of the Virgin. Scientists noted the presence in the painting of the cathedral walls of images of Vladimir princes, including Andrei Bogolyubsky.
In the corner vaults of the cross, there are large images of Christ, hosts and the Mother of God. But the most vivid impression is made by the scene of the Last Judgment, located on the western wall of the temple. It is done superbly. The artists were able to successfully overcome the complexity of the plot and create a clear, multi-part composition, understandable to the viewer. The composition uses cherry-red, purple-violet, greenish-blue and golden tones. The shapes of the images are refined, the real and fantastic creatures look graceful and fragile. The celestials and humans are somewhat alarmed. Being in harmony with the interior of the cathedral, the painting gives a joyful mood, despite the gloomy nature of the plot.
