The Moscow Kremlin is the most valuable architectural ensemble not only in Russia, but throughout Europe. It is located on the banks of the Moskva River, in the very center of the Russian capital. The main cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin is called the Assumption Cathedral. It is about him that will be discussed in our article.
Assumption Cathedral - the main cathedral of the Kremlin
In any country, they try to carefully protect monuments that have historical and cultural significance. Many of them are still in operation today. The Assumption Church, the main cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin, is no exception.
As far back as 1326, the first stone building of the majestic cathedral was erected on Moscow Square. The construction was carried out under the supervision of Metropolitan St. Peter on the orders of Prince John Kalita. There is a version that a wooden church was previously located at the site of the foundation.
The main cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin - what is it, and what does it look like today? More on that later.
Laying and construction of the shrine
The Main Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlincalled Uspensky. The construction of this temple was a significant event, because Moscow was proclaimed the capital city. According to historical records and memoirs of the clergy, it becomes known that the Assumption Cathedral is the first stone church in Moscow, which became the main temple of Russia, thereby taking a step higher than the Vladimir Church.
In 1327, when construction was completed and divine services began to be held in the cathedral, Metropolitan Peter left this sinful world and rested in the temple building on the north side. The burial place is near the altar.
Church rebuilding
Thus, the Assumption Church became the main cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin. Already in the second half of the 15th century, Ivan Vasilyevich, the Russian prince, who controlled all the principalities, started the restructuring of the Assumption Cathedral, thereby creating a new residence.
By 1472, the parsing of the temple was completed. For the construction of a new, more majestic building of the cathedral, the well-known architects Myshkin and Krivtsov were invited. But the temple was not destined to stand for long, and it collapsed. The construction did not end there, although a similar incident could lead to some thoughts. The prince hires the best Italian architect, Aristotle Fiorovanti.
The construction of the new building lasted four years, using drawings of the Vladimir Cathedral. And since 1479, one of the greatest monuments was erected on Moscow SquareChristianity, which became the decoration of the Kremlin. The consecration of the temple, and this procedure is simply necessary for such buildings, was handled by the new metropolitan - Gerontius of Moscow, after which, in memory of the first saint, the relics of Peter were returned to the territory of the temple.
But even after that, the temple was not left alone, and continued to be haunted by destruction. In 1812, when the Patriotic War was in full swing, the cathedral was thoroughly plundered by Napoleon's soldiers. Partially managed to return the stolen back, and a chandelier was made of silver, which adorned the center of the temple.
The fate of the shrine in the XIX-XX centuries
The main cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin is the greatest architectural monument of European scale. However, time did not spare this building, over time it began to gradually collapse.
Restoration work began in the second half of the 19th - first half of the 20th century. First of all, specialists began to restore the altar area, as a result of which frescoes dating back to the 15th-16th centuries were discovered. The restoration of the building was carried out over several decades and was completed in 1906.
In 1917, after the sad events of the October Revolution, the cathedral was turned into a museum, which acquired the appearance of an ensemble, which was characterized by the complete preservation of the interior. At that time, all the paintings and icons were open to the public. In Soviet times, restoration work was not carried out in the Assumption Cathedral. And since 1990, chants resounded within the walls of the temple, andservices resumed.
The Main Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin: features of architecture
The attracted Italian architect completely reproduced the image of the Vladimir Assumption Cathedral. That is, the building was a cross-domed church, but, in turn, the architect made some adjustments that significantly removed it from the prototype. The cathedral was built of white stone and was a monolithic structure. The chroniclers described the temple as "a single stone" from which a majestic church loomed.
The temple was pompous, solemn and spacious, its vault was supported by round pillars. The building was created so spacious that it looked more like a palace hall. Even by today's standards, the Assumption Cathedral on Kremlin Square is considered the most valuable building, and the execution style is painstaking and complex. It is worth noting that almost all the churches of Russia were built in the image of the cathedral in Moscow until the 17th century.
Description of the appearance of the building
As mentioned above, the main cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin is a monolithic structure, which is divided into 12 squares of the same size by round pillars-columns.
On the smooth outer walls of the temple, only a belt-arcature stands out, as well as narrow elongated windows. The main cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin is five-domed. From the south and north, the apses of the building are covered with pylons.
The interior of the cathedral: paintings and frescoes
The interior design was also done by the best craftsmen of that time. The work was simply magnificent and breathtaking, and even today some fragments remain on the altar barrier. The most ancient frescoes dated 1481 depict ascetic monks. In addition, the fresco "Forty Martyrs of Sebaste", the famous "Adoration of the Magi" and other works of fine art are of great historical importance.
The next paintings found date back to 1513-1515. If you look at the vault of the temple, you can see the image of the sky, supported by pillars with martyrs painted on them. This combination is filled with symbolism, because as the pillars hold the vault, so the martyrs support the faith in Christ.
The overall layout of the murals of the Assumption Cathedral was carefully thought out and built. In addition, the images on the lower tier of the walls of the cathedral of the seven Ecumenical temples are the most amazing. And, according to tradition, the western wall is decorated with the Last Judgment composition.
In conclusion…
The main cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin is the Assumption - a majestic architectural monument of the XIV-XV centuries. The temple impresses numerous tourists and travelers not only with its architecture, but also with its wonderful, unique interior decoration.
