The Cathedral of the Assumption on Gorodok in Zvenigorod is a four-pillared, single-domed church built of white stone in the period from the end of the 14th to the beginning of the 15th century. It is a monument of early Moscow architecture. Inside the church there are frescoes, the authorship of which is attributed to Andrei Rublev. This unique cathedral, the history of its construction, interior decoration and interesting facts will be discussed later in the article.
History of the Cathedral
The Assumption Cathedral in Zvenigorod (built in 1399) was erected on the territory of the fortress of Grand Duke Yuri Zvenigorodsky. To this day, high bulk earthen ramparts surrounding the hill, on which the city was erected, have been preserved.
The mention of Zvenigorod was first recorded in the charter of Prince Ivan Kalita dated 1339, however, archaeological research suggests that this fortress city existed here much longerearlier as an outpost guarding the Rostov-Suzdal Principality.
And the Assumption Cathedral in Zvenigorod was erected on the territory of the fortress that protected the city itself from numerous invaders. The construction of the temple was started by decree of Prince Yuri Dmitrievich, son of Dmitry Donskoy. For the construction of the church, craftsmen were called from Moscow, who shortly before that built the Church of the Nativity of the Mother of God on Senya (it is believed that the Cathedral of Our Lady was erected in honor of the victory in the Battle of Kulikovo).
Cathedral architecture
Assumption Cathedral in Zvenigorod has a focus on the style of architecture inherent in the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality, which was widespread at that time. Surprising and interesting is the fact that this cathedral is one of the four temples that has been preserved in its original form. Moreover, this church was built the very first of all surviving.
The cathedral is not a very large four-pillar cruciform temple, which has a single-domed top. The east side of the church has three apses (lowered, semi-circular ledges adjacent to the main building). The facades of the temple on the north and south sides are traditionally divided into three parts, which end with semicircular architectural elements - spindles.
Facade of the Cathedral
The facade of the Assumption Cathedral in Zvenigorod is made in the form of the so-called blades (lizen, which do not have capitals and bases). The walls of the temple are decorated with graceful vertical rods. Along the top of the façadea beautiful floral ornament that separates the upper and lower parts of the building.
In the central facade parts of the cathedral there are perspective portals adjacent to elongated windows. These architectural techniques were characteristic of most cathedrals of that time, but today the temple has changed somewhat due to repairs carried out in later times.
The cathedral was built on a fairly high basement (the so-called lower floor, the prototype of the foundation). Then the building narrows upward, which visually gives it harmony and elegance. Due to the complex roof construction, the cathedral acquired its own visual peculiarity, which was not typical for temples of that time.
It is worth noting that the internal and external supporting pillars do not correspond to each other, which was also not typical for most temple buildings of the XIV-XV centuries.
Frescoes of the Cathedral
In the Assumption Cathedral in Zvenigorod there are unique frescoes, some of them attributed to the brush of Andrei Rublev himself. Unfortunately, the works have been preserved in fragments, nevertheless, the gamut of tones and saturation of colors make it possible to speak of the Rublev school.
The original fragments that were found inside the dome, on the pylons and one of the walls of the church, date back to the beginning of the 15th century. The frescoes in the dome depict forefathers and biblical prophets. The technique of execution is distinguished by the grandeur and dynamism of the figures, emphasized by transparent colors, as well as the airiness of the draperies.
In the Assumption Cathedral inZvenigorod is best preserved frescoes, which are on the pylons. They depict half-figures of the martyrs and healers Laurus and Florus. There is also an image of an angel who bestows the monastic charter on St. Pachomius. On the adjacent pylon there is a fresco with St. Barlaam talking with his disciple Joasaph, who was converted to Christianity.
Cathedral now
The most famous ancient icons of Russia, which are attributed to the brush of A. Rublev, are directly connected with this temple. During the restoration of the cathedral at the beginning of the 20th century, three icons were discovered - the Archangel Michael, the Almighty Savior and the Apostle Paul. Today they are in the Tretyakov Gallery, and anyone can see them.
All the icons found in this church are masterpieces of ancient Russian and world icon painting. The elegance of the image, the plasticity and tenderness of forms, the ease of writing frescoes and icons amaze with their splendor.
Today you can see these masterpieces by visiting the temple. The schedule of the Assumption Cathedral (Zvenigorod) is as follows: it is open daily from 9:30 to 16:00. The exception is the all-night vigil. It starts at 4:00 pm and lasts about three hours, and on major Christian holidays it can continue until the morning.
Anyone can visit this unique cathedral, which has preserved the bewitching works of the great Russian icon painters. These magnificent icons and frescoes have not left anyone indifferent.
