It is no coincidence that central Russia is considered the center of Orthodoxy. In this area, people are more religious and, accordingly, there are more temples. No exception is the ancient Russian city of Pskov. The city has about 40 churches! There is no doubt that any Orthodox pilgrim should visit Pskov.
History of Pskov churches
The ancient Russian city of Pskov began its history in the Middle Ages. Then the first Christian churches began to be built. Moreover, the city itself was built around the temple - Trinity.
According to legend, the holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga in 957 put an end to that place and ordered the church to be built. There and now stands the Holy Trinity Cathedral - the heart of Pskov and the highest point of the city. In those days, the temple was an iconic place where the veche was assembled, it was decided which prince would rule the city and so on.
Architecture of Pskov Temples
Having been in the city for the first time, one cannot fail to notice that most of the temples built in the Middle Ages are somewhat similar. This is no coincidence, because in Pskov a special architectural style of churches has developed.
The architecture of the Pskov churches is distinguished by its simplicity and modesty, without unnecessary decorations, everything is strict and concise. This simplicity shows the greatness of Orthodoxy.
The overall style consists of the following details:
- Must be whitewashed walls of the temple.
- The church is most often single-headed (one dome).
- This is a tall and narrow temple rising to the skies.
- There is a characteristic belfry, which is located separately from the temple or on the slope of the church.
- Particularly noteworthy is the porch of the temple. It always stands out with a special look - columns, arched entrance.
How to recognize a Pskov temple? Many scientists claim that it looks like a chest, unlike the Moscow church, which looks like a cake.
The location of the churches of Pskov
Most of the churches are located in the old city center. They are located along Sovetskaya and Leon Pozemsky streets. You can find the addresses of the Pskov churches in any guidebook - be it a navigator or a paper map. Here are just a few of them:
- Church of the Resurrection of Christ from the Herd - st. Leon Pozemsky, 51;
- Cathedral of the Nativity of John the Baptist - ul. Maxim Gorky, 1 A;
- Peter and Paul Church with Buoy - st. Karl Marx (Novgorod), d.2;
- Vasily Church on Gorka - Oktyabrsky Ave (Sergievskaya (formerly Trupekhovskaya) St.), 5;
- Church of the Holy Great Martyr Anastasia of the Uzoreshitelnitsa - Oktyabrsky Prospekt (Sergievskaya (formerly Trupekhovskaya) St.), 9;
- Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker from Torg - st. Nekrasova (Governor's), d. 35;
- Pentecostal Temple at Spassky Compound - ul. Children's (Spasskaya), d. 3.
Even the modern buildings of the city cannot drown out the greatness of the temples. On the contrary, they combine perfectly.
The churches of Pskov are like islands of peace in a bustling city. When you enter the temple, you hear silence, and serenity in your heart. The churches are located so that once inside, you feel that you are in a completely different world - the spiritual one.
Pskov is truly a true Russian city that preserves the spirit of Orthodoxy.