Church of Joachim and Anna description and photo - Russia - North-West: Pskov (Topic)

Church of Joachim and Anna description and photos - Russia - North-West: Pskov. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photos and a map showing the nearest significant objects.

Photo and description

The Church of Joachim and Anna is located on the old Uspenskaya street, located near the fifth fortress wall of the city of Pskov. Even in ancient times, there was a girl's Yakimansky monastery, which has been known since the 14th century. The main temple of the monastery was dedicated to the parents of the Mother of God - Anna and Joachim. At the moment, the church has been placed in the hands of the Teachers' Seminary.

The exact time of the founding of the church of Joachim and Anna is unknown, but judging by the architectural component, as well as by the unprecedented dilapidation, to which church came to the time of its last restoration, carried out during 1896-1897, it has enough a significant number of years. Chronicle sources mention the church only once, when in 1544 there was an unexpected fire in it.

The church has three semicircular altar apses, the cornices of which are beautifully decorated with triangles and squares. In the unusually simple, but colorful decor, one can notice one feature that is not reflected in any way on other Pskov churches: the bricks that make up the composition of the picture are slightly chipped towards the outer ends of their ribs, which is why the triangular depressions are connected in the form of a cone in depth, and into the outer side expand. It is this effect that gives an extraordinary charm to the overall pattern, which looks so light and airy.

In the south side there is a chapel consecrated in the name of the Holy Prophet Naum, and on the north side there is an extension that does not have an altar part. On the west side, there is a vestibule, which is connected to the side parts, namely the northern extension and the southern aisle. The porch has a small porch, which until the last renovation was an absolutely typical Pskov porch, located on low and thick pillars. Today, to no small chagrin, the side porches were laid and turned into walls, which is why the old type of building was completely distorted and lost. A two-span belfry stands on the wall of the vestibule. The church has a stone drum with narrow windows and unusual decorations. On top of it there is a deaf small drum, which has a head in the form of an onion with a figured cross.

The covering of the narthex is decorated with one vault, and the main temple has box vaults located below the supporting arches. The support pillars, three in number, are made semicircular, and the two pillars on the east side have rounding only from the side of the altar. A wide span was used to connect the vestibule and the main church. The span took on its present form in the period 1896-1897, and before that time a rather narrow passage existed in its place. It was at the same time that the earth was stretched by 1 arshin, and the floor was slightly lowered, due to which a rather high salt was formed. In addition, the church windows were significantly expanded, and before that time they looked just slit-like. On the west side, there are choirs, and in the right aisle, instead of a vault, an ordinary ceiling is mounted. In the southern part of the aisle there are two deep niches with strangleholds. The annex on the left side is now a gatehouse.

After the revolution passed, the church of Joachim and Anna was closed. Global restoration work was carried out in the church in 1949, at the same time, the previously located ancient drum was put in place, the head also acquired its original appearance, the side walls of the porch were completely cleaned, the four-slope covering was replaced with the original eight-slope one.

Not so long ago, the temple was renovated, as a result of which the interior revealed the exceptional beauty of clean whitewashed walls and all structures. The only thing that is regrettable is the bright spot of religious modern painting, which contrasts completely tasteless with the majestic antiquity of the walls.

We also recommend reading Pauline Church on Skalka (Kosciol na Skalce) description and photos - Poland: Krakow

Topic: Church of Joachim and Anna description and photo - Russia - North-West: Pskov.