Among the attractions of the ancient city of Tver are unique architectural monuments, a picturesque promenade, museums and theaters. The city, which was once the citadel of a powerful principality, has long turned into a major tourist center. But its main value is Orthodox shrines. This article will focus on the churches of Tver.
The city has about thirty temples and monasteries. Services in the churches of Tver are performed at about the same time. Most of the temples open at eight in the morning. A more detailed schedule is presented below. The most famous churches of Tver:
- Resurrection Cathedral.
- Ascension Cathedral.
- Church of the Protection of the Virgin.
- White Trinity Cathedral.
- Church of St. John the Baptist.
- St. Nicholas Church.
- Cathedral of the Otroch Monastery.
- Grieving Church.
Tver also preserved several ancient chapels. In addition, there are several monasteries on whose territory there are real masterpieces of architecture.
Resurrection Cathedral
This is perhaps the most famous church in Tver. For more than 15 years it has the status of a cathedral. The construction of the temple began in 1913. Its consecration was dedicated to the centenary of the Romanov dynasty.
After the revolution, many Tver churches were closed. Ascension Cathedral was abolished in 1936. The temple was returned to the diocese in the late eighties. Address of the church: Tver, Barrikadnaya street, house 1. The temple is open to all comers from 9:00 to 17:00.
Ascension Cathedral
Several centuries ago, the churches in Tver were mostly wooden. Therefore, they were not preserved. At the beginning of the 17th century, where the Ascension Cathedral is located, there were two small wooden churches. Both of them burned during the Polish intervention. One of them was restored, but ten years later another fire destroyed it. This time they built a stone temple, which is known today as the Ascension Cathedral.
In the early twenties of the last century, church utensils were confiscated. The temple was closed in 1935. In the early seventies, the premises were converted, an exhibition was located here.
Ascension Cathedral opens on weekdays at eight in the morning. At this time, from Monday to Friday, a liturgy is performed. On Saturdays, worship begins at nine. On Sundays - at seven. Church address: Tver, Sovetskaya Street, 26.
Church of the Protection of the Virgin
The temple was built at the end of the XVIII century. It is located on the bend of the Tmaki, where the river turns before flowing into the Volga. Previously, a female monastery stood at this place.
In 1930, the temple was partially destroyed. For a long time it was used as a warehouse. In 1987, restoration work began. Divine services resumed after five years. Temple address: Embankment of the T'maki River, house 1.
White Trinity Cathedral
This church is the oldest building in the city. It was built in 1564 at the expense of the Moscow merchant Tushinsky. The church was originally a three-domed church. In the 17th century it was reconstructed. Later, a chapel was added to the seven-domed temple.
In Soviet times, for 25 years, in Tver the White Trinity Church was the only one operating. The temple is located at 38 Troitskaya Street. The Trinity Church in Tver opens at eight in the morning.
Church of St. John the Baptist
The temple building was erected in the late 18th century. Near the church used to be a cemetery. Now in its place wasteland. When persecution of clergy began in the early twenties of the last century, the abbot of the church was arrested and then shot. The church was closed in the late thirties. In 1997, restoration work began.
Address of the church: Tver, Belyakovsky Lane, house 39/46.
Grieving Church
The temple is located on Volodarsky Street. In the first half of the 18th century there was an almshouse in this part of Tver. There was also a small cemetery where people who spent the last years in this shelter were buried. The exact date of the founding of the church is unknown. However, there is evidence that in the fifties of the 18th century there was already a wooden temple.
The church burned down during a big fire. Then it was rebuilt again, but now made of stone. A refectory and a bell tower were also built nearby. The church was restored more than once. In the first fifty years, little has remained of the original appearance. In 1897, the dome of the temple was gilded at the expense of local residents.
After the revolution, the temple was closed. Like many other churches in Russia, they used it for many years as a warehouse. In 1991, this church in Tver became operational again. Her address: Volodarsky Street, 4.
Cathedral of the Otroch Monastery
Another name for the temple is the Assumption Church. It is located at the place where the monastery once stood, which played an important role in the life of the Principality of Tver. At the beginning of the 13th century, the monastery was looted and burned by the Tatars. Then it was restored. After several decades, the Assumption Church was built on the territory of the monastery. It stood until the beginning of the 18th century, then was disassembled. And in its place a church was erected in the style of Moscow Baroque, which today is one of the sights of Tver.
In Soviet times, the Otroch Monastery was destroyed. In its place, built the River Station. The Assumption Church miraculously survived. In the eighties, the walls housed an exhibition of works by Tver artists. In 1994, the temple was restored. It is located at: Embankment Athanasia Nikitina, house 1.
Church of the Resurrection
This temple is also located on the embankment of Athanasius Nikitin. Nearby is a monument to a Russian traveler. The temple was built in the first half of the 18th century on the site of an old wooden church. Funds for the construction allocated one of the Tver merchants. In the 19th century, a chapel was added to the church. After the revolution, the temple was closed. For many years, a museum was located within its walls. The church was returned to believers in 1996.
Chapel of John of Kronstadt
This small building appeared in Tver in 1913. The chapel was erected in honor of the centenary of the Romanov dynasty. During the years of Soviet rule, many religious buildings were destroyed in Russia. In Tver, almost all the chapels were demolished. This is one of the few surviving to this day. In the Soviet period, a souvenir shop was located here.
The chapel was consecrated again in 1990. And only then it was named after the famous St. Petersburg priest who lived at the turn of the century. The chapel is located at 19 Tchaikovsky Avenue.