This white-stone temple, which is located in the Russian outback, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Russia. Distinguished by exquisite proportions, it, without a doubt, has become a significant and famous monument of Russian Orthodox architecture. In this article we will talk about the history of the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl. Briefly describing it will not be easy, since it has more than nine and a half centuries. You will learn about its complex fate and how the ancient structure looks today.
Location
In the Suzdal district of the Vladimir region, 1.5 km from the village of Bogolyubovo, a temple rises at the confluence of the Klyazma and Nerl rivers. Cathedral of the Intercession stands on a man-made hill that surrounds a flood meadow. The location of the church is unique to Old Russian religious buildings, since it is located on a hill only six meters high, while most religious buildings in the Middle Ages were built on high ground.
Building history
Who built the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl? As the ancient legend says, during the campaign of the Russian army on the Volga Bulgars, in early August 1164, the icons of the Virgin of Our Lady, the Savior and the Cross began to emit a fiery radiance. In honor of this event, Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky decided to build a temple.
Another version connects the appearance of the building with the death of Prince Andrei's son, Izyaslav. The temple dedicated to the Protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary was intended to become a symbol of special protection of the Vladimir land of the Virgin. For the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl, the place was chosen successfully. In those ancient times, the mouth of the Nerl was a river gate on the trade route along the Oka and Klyazma to the Volga.
Interestingly, the feast of the Intercession was established by Prince Vladimir, without receiving the consent of the Patriarch of Constantinople and the Kiev Metropolitan. The first service was held in the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl in 1165. The temple was built in just a year. In those days it was an unprecedented pace of construction. Unfortunately, history has not preserved the name of the architect of the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl. Russian historian, economist, geographer and statesman V.N. Tatishchev claimed that specialists from Europe were invited to build the church.
The construction artel of Andrey Bogolyubsky adopted the skills of erecting temples of old masters. However, a more perfect style was formed: the composition became more complicated, the proportions became much more harmonious, white-stone, rather complex reliefs of the facades appeared. Therefore, most modern researchers are sure that architects from Europe took part in the construction of the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl.
Initially, it was built as a cathedral, the center of the monastery. Near the temple, household buildings were created, as well as indoor walking galleries. Along with other churches of Prince Andrew - the Gateway of the Robe Deposition of the Assumption and the Assumption - the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl received the Mother of God dedication. After several decades, closed galleries were attached to the temple on three sides - a porch 5.5 meters high.
Pokrovsky monastery
At the temple a monastery soon arose. First, female, and later male. After the establishment of the patriarchate, they began to call it the house patriarchal monastery. In the middle of the XVII century, the monastery received awards for fishing and hayfields. This allowed for serious repair and restoration work in the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl in Vladimir. At this time, the structure was covered with a wooden four-pitched roof. Old galleries were dismantled, and on their base was built a brick southern porch with a vaulted basement. For a long time, the roof remained covered with tesa, and the head - “scales” (wooden ploughshare).
In 1673, upon completion, the temple was consecrated again. For the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl, the year 1784 was decisive, when it could disappear. The abbot of the Bogolyubsky monastery decided to dismantle the church for the sake of the material from which it was supposed to erect a gate. However, the contractor did not agree on the proposed price, and the church survived. At the beginning of the XIX century, the cathedral became part of the Bogolyubov monastery.
Cathedral in Soviet times
Like most churches in Vladimir, including the Assumption, the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl was closed by the Bolsheviks (1923). In the period from 1980 to 1985, a large-scale restoration was carried out in the temple.
Temple today
Today, the Church of the Intercession is not only a center of pilgrimage, but also an object of attention of scientists. They are still interested in the mystery of her unique identity and amazing artistic appearance. Today, the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl in Vladimir belongs to the Orthodox Church and the Vladimir-Suzdal Reserve. The current church is a courtyard of the Mother of God Nativity Monastery. However, services are conducted only on twelfth holidays. Those who wish can also go to the temple on weekdays to examine it and pray. Since 1992, the church was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Architecture
The Church of the Intercession on the Nerl is located in a lowland, which in the spring is flooded with meltwater. The strip foundation was laid at a depth of 1.6 meters, walls with a height of 3.7 meters were erected on it. A hill is strewn around. The base of the church, thus, 5.3 meters goes underground. This technology has been used since ancient times in order to protect the structure from flooding. The building is made in the Byzantine style.
Four pillars divide it inside into nine cells. Almost the square perimeter of the building with a side of 10 meters, and the dome square has sides 3.2 meters long. One-domed Cathedral, crowned with a cross. Despite the fact that the walls of the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl are strictly vertical, it seems that they are narrowing upward. Each semicircular apse has an arched portal.
The facades of the temple are decorated with carved reliefs. The central figure in them is King David the psalmist. He is surrounded by eagles and lions. In addition, women's masks were used in the design of the exterior walls. Specialists note the amazing harmony and strict proportions of the structure, giving the temple lightness and airiness. Traits that determine the appearance of the Intercession Church, it is considered to be aspiration upward and harmony.
Today it is difficult to imagine what the cathedral looked like from the very beginning. As a result of excavations in the fifties of the last century, it was found that it was surrounded on three sides by galleries (today they were replaced by approximate reconstructions). Immediately after completion of construction, the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl was decorated with a helmet-shaped dome, which after restoration (1803) was replaced by a bulbous dome, which has survived to this day. The walls of the church are decorated with white stone carvings, traditional for many religious buildings of that time.
Thread
The exquisite work of stone cutters adorns the facade of the building. She depicts the biblical king David, who, with a psalter in his hands (repeated three times), sits on a throne surrounded by fantastic animals: pigeons and eagles, lions and griffins. In addition, strict girl masks encircle the facades.
While the symbolism of the thread is not decrypted. Researchers suggest that lions represent the symbols of power and authority. The image of a predatory beast that has risen on its hind legs, probably a pardus, can still be seen on the coat of arms of the city of Vladimir. Regarding female faces, scientists agree that this may be the image of Sofia, which symbolizes self-denial and wisdom.
Stone carving is a complex and costly job. Scientists came to the conclusion that, given the technology of the time, if only one person worked on creating stone ornaments for the temple, it would take him at least three thousand days.
Decor and interior decoration
The interior of the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl is ascetically simple. Unfortunately, the frescoes from the walls were destroyed at the end of the 19th century, during the next restoration. Strict vertical cross-shaped columns give the interior a more ecstatic rhythm.
The stream of light pouring from the windows of the drum seems to push apart, making the dome space more spacious. Narrow side naves, whose width is ten times less than the height of the pillars, look like cracks. They seem to duplicate pylons going up. Once upon a time, the floors of the temple were decorated with majolica tiles, and murals were placed on the walls covered with murals. All these unique works were irretrievably lost during an unprofessional restoration (1877).
If you look up from the somewhat shaded lower tier of the temple, you get the feeling that you are in a well. However, the rapid rhythm of the verticals immediately looks to the dome floating in the sun. It can be assumed that our ancestors, falling into this amazing structure and erecting “eyes of sorrow”, felt mystical contact with the Almighty, felt their prayer ascend to the throne of the Most High.
Researchers believe that the vertical tendency of architectural lines in ancient times was not so acutely perceived. The beauty of the icons, the decorativeness of the fresco carpet, the splendor and splendor of church utensils, which Prince Andrei loved to decorate his temples with, attracted the eyes of worshipers and gave a festive elegance to the interior.
Archaeological excavations
In the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl and on its territory at the end of September 1882, archaeological excavations began. The burial places of the sons of Prince Daniil Alexandrovich and Andrei Bogolyubsky - Boris and Izyaslav were discovered. In addition, archaeologists discovered gutters, the foundations of covered galleries, a white stone pavement that covered the temple hill.
The following excavations were carried out at the end of the 20th century, when some details of the temple complex were discovered. Archaeologist N. N. Voronin managed to draw up a plan of the structures surrounding the chapel, and to make several drawings of the general appearance of the temple. Recent research archaeologists made in 2004-2006. Specialists managed to stop soil degradation near the church.
Temple Visit: Useful Tips
Almost 90% of excursions along the Golden Ring of Russia and Vladimir include a visit to the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Nerl. Its description is in all city guides. Trips are carried out by pilgrimage services of the temples of Yaroslavl, Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod. The duration of such trips is one day. The inspection of the church and its surroundings takes two to three hours.
It is advisable to visit the temple in the summer, in the middle of June, since in the spring, when the flood begins, the hill on which the structure is located turns into a real island, which can be reached only by water, by boat.
For trips on a pilgrimage, buses designed for 25 or 50 passengers are used as vehicles. Judging by the reviews, excursions to the temple on the Nerl are interesting not only to believers, but also to atheists.
How to get there on your own?
The church is located on the territory of the reserve "Bogolyubsky meadow", located 1.5 kilometers from the village of Bogolyubovo. To get to the temple, from the city of Vladimir you need to go to the highway leading to Nizhny Novgorod. It should move to the Bogolyubsky monastery. After it will turn right - turn and follow to the train station. You will have to walk from it. From the station, the church is visible. The only road paved with stone leads to it.
Interesting Facts
- In accordance with ancient legends, it is believed that the temple got its name in honor of the Feast of the Intercession. However, modern historians believe that this day began to be celebrated only two centuries after the construction of the cathedral. Accordingly, it is concluded that the temple was not dedicated to the holiday, but to the Virgin Mary.
- According to one legend, white stone for the construction of the complex was taken out of the Bulgarian kingdom, which was conquered by Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky. Studies of the mineralogical composition of the foundation and walls of the building refute this assertion - white stone for construction was mined in the vicinity of Vladimir.