Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Kremlin description and photos - Russia - Golden Ring: Alexandrov (Topic)

Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Kremlin description and photos - Russia - Golden Ring: Alexandrov. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photos and a map showing the nearest significant objects.

Photo and description

In the Vladimir region, in the city of Alexandrov, on the territory of the Alexander Sloboda, there is the Trinity Cathedral, which is one of the oldest cathedrals in this region. In the inner part of the Kremlin, the cathedral is located on the side of the western gate. Trinity Cathedral belongs to the monuments of Vladimir-Suzdal architecture.

A huge cube rests on the four pillars of the cathedral, which has a three-part division of semicircles on four sides. The arched covering has the end in the form of a siege dome, located on a powerful impressive drum. The cathedral is covered on three sides by galleries, which somewhat hide its incredible beauty.

At one time, the Trinity Cathedral had an incredibly bright appearance, because its stones were painted with alternating colors, for example, black, white, yellow, gilded, etc., but a cross was marked on each stone, which referred to the presence of an ornamental belt. Several bright stripes crowned the drum. The walls of the monument were divided by means of an ornamental belt into two tiers, without going over the pilasters. The wall cladding in the interior was decorated in the form of white stone, and the small spaces between the pilasters were decorated with bricks.

The entrance doors consisted of a pair of oak halves, which were lined from the outside with plates made of red copper and decorated with gold designs based on biblical subjects. Previously, it was believed that this technique of performance is very similar to the "Damascus work", but today it has been precisely proven that these two techniques have nothing in common. It is known that gold designs on the doors were especially common in Western Europe.

Under the altar of the Trinity Cathedral there is a basement, in which there are seven tombstones built of white stone. On the gravestones there are inscriptions written in the Slavic language, which indicate the name of the deceased. Under the first tombstone, the builder and confessor of the Assumption Monastery Cornelius, who died in 1681, is buried. Buturlin I.I. is buried here. - General of the times of Peter the Great; There are two graves of unknown origin - some scientists believe that there are burials of two illegitimate daughters of Ivan the Terrible here.

Until the middle of the 17th century, the cathedral was called the Church of the Intercession of the Virgin, which is confirmed by the wall painting, characterized by the Theotokos.

Over the course of five centuries, the cathedral has been altered and rebuilt more than once, while the frescoes themselves have changed. In 1671, icon painters from Rostov were sent to Aleksandrov Sloboda. The faces of all the saints depicted were incredibly expressive: beards and hair were styled in sparse strands, straight folds were visible on the clothes, and the figures themselves seem to be somewhat elongated. Most of the frescoes are shown against a blue background, and the inscriptions themselves are clearly distinguished in whitewash. In the lower part of the pillar, located on the south side, there are no records, but a certain event from the life of the Holy Mother of God is depicted.

In the first years of the 18th century, the middle window was hewn into the cathedral quadrangle, and in 1824 several chapters of a slightly awkward shape were added in the corners. During the period from 1882 to 1889, the Trinity Cathedral was rebuilt again, while large-scale painting work was carried out. Was carried out washing and subsequent amendment of all wall paintings in the temple. During the work behind the iconostasis, previously unknown frescoes were discovered, and in 1887 the old iconostasis was replaced with a new one. The artist Belousov and the archaeologist Filimonov G. were appointed as responsible persons for the execution of all the proper works.

Throughout 1947, state restoration and scientific workshops carried out repair work on a badly dilapidated monument. Four domes were completely dismantled, a blind area was built around the cathedral to drain water, and basements were restored, water heating was installed and the central dome was repaired.

We also recommend reading Shuvalov Palace description and photos - Russia - Saint Petersburg: Saint Petersburg

Topic: Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Kremlin description and photos - Russia - Golden Ring: Alexandrov.