Wandering Camera

Album 137
(Translated b
y Maksim Meltser)

 

Novgorod Kremlin construction had begun at 1044.
Initially it was build out of timber and was called “Detinetz” (this name was in use later as well but mostly in relation to the eastern side of Kremlin). By 1490 Kremlin emerged as the structure we see today.

 

Kremlin is so fascinating because it combines buildings and monuments from different epochs – from medieval Russia till XX century.
One of the two lions by the entrance into Historical Museum. They were brought in 1958 from former estate of count Arakcheev in Gruzino (Leningrad district).

This lion is looking at …

.Monument “Russia’s millennium”.

The Monument was installed in 1862 under tzar Alexander the Second. It reflects Russia’s history during 1000 years period (government bureaucrats, military figures, writers, scientists – total of 109 celebrities). One notable exception is tzar Ivan the terrible. It seems that the patrons decided he was not worthy (Particularly his cruel treatment of Novgorod was the reason). Looks like censorship.
The Monument deserves attention but is somewhat cumbersome ( like Catherine the Second monument in front of Alexandreen theatre in S. Petersburg).

Sculptor – M. Mickeshin (assistant: I. Shreder).
 

On the left – with the cross over his head – Grand Prince Vladimir Svyatoslavovich. He installed Christianity in Russia. On the monument woman holds child to be baptized by Prince.

Figure with the shield in the center – Prince Rurick.

On the right holding weapon in the form of Crescent – Grand Prince Dimitry Donskoy (kicking defeated Mongol warrior ).
 

Fragment “Writers and Artists”.

I do not recognize anybody here except Alexander Pushkin. Cannot make any more comments.

By the way During WW2 Germans planned to remove the monument to install it in Insterburg. They dismantled monument and extended railroad tracks to the Monument site. But these plans where disrupted by advance of the Soviet troops in 1944.
 

Fall season in Kremlin…
Sofia Cathedral - the city’s main temple

It is allegedly the oldest remaining stone building in Russia (1045 – 1052).

Dark spot in the center is due to restoration of newly discovered frescos.

As in the previous album I do not mention architects for the only reason that they are unknown. Back then it was not a custom to record architects’ names (in a few cases – first name and name of the customer).
 

Sofia Cathedral’s Magdeburg (Sitgun) gates.

Bronze. Trophy brought from Sweden in 1187. Made in Magdeburg (Germany) in 1152 – 1154.

In album additions you can see larger pictures.
 

Sofia Cathedral. Grand Iconostasis.
Cathedral has been frescoed and decorated with icons in 1052 (but most of frescos were drawn in XIX century).
On the right you can see glassed icon in the frame. People were standing in line to kiss that glass. How sad!

I wonder who is responsible for disinfecting glass? May be God?

Many celebrities were buried in the Cathedral. One of them is Prince Vladimir Yaroslavovich.
Here you can see restoration process (more accurately – study). Purpose of this to see if there are older frescos underneath paint and plaster. A little lower (you cannot see it on the picture) they dig a hole. According to rumors old foundation was found there.
Sofia cathedral bell chamber. 15 – 19 centuries.
Ephimy bells and clock tower. It was built in 1433.

It collapsed in 1671 and the other tower was built on the same spot – with the clock. .

It was also used as watch tower (it is still the tallest building in Novogorod).

The View from Likud hall staircase.

The Hall was initially built in the 15 century completely rebuilt in 17 century. Some time later the Slav-Latin school occupied the hall. Do You remember the movie “Ivan Vasilievich changing occupation ”?

Looks like the place were the movie characters tried to escape guards. But in reality that scene was shot in Rostov the Great.

Feodor Tower. 1484 – 1499.

Extensions at the wall – Mitropolit’s chamber.

As I said before the city had suffered great damage during the WW2. For over a month it was bombed from the air (over 100 bombers daily). After city was occupied most of the buildings where demolished.

On this picture of the Kremlin wall you can see in the distance the memorial called “Eternal Fire of Glory” which was opened in 1965.

Outside of the Kremlin walls.

On the left – Zlatoust tower. Name “Zlatoust” (Chrysostom) came from a church that did not survive to this day. Tower was also called “Devil Tower” and “Prison Tower”. Until 17 century the tower had served as a prison and torture chamber.


 Our Novogorod tour is ending here.
Next album will show pictures of the other ancient Russian town, less famous than Novogorod.

 

 

Share this page via:
Îïóáëèêîâàòü ññûëêó íà ýòó ñòðàíèöó â Facebook Îïóáëèêîâàòü ññûëêó íà ýòó ñòðàíèöó ÂÊîíòàêòå Çàïèñàòü â LiveJournal