Nikolo-Dvorishchensky Cathedral, Veliky Novgorod: photos and architecture features

Among the monuments of architecture of Ancient Rus a special place is occupied by the temple, built in Novgorod in the XII century and known as the St. Nicholas Cathedral. The history of its creation is briefly described in the surviving manuscript arches, and more detailed information was the result of archaeological works carried out in it. Let us dwell in more detail on this unique witness of antiquity.

The Prince is a favorite of the Novgorodians

According to the ancient Russian script, known as the "Second Novgorod Chronicle", in 1113 the son of Vladimir Monomakh, Prince Mstislav Vladimirovich, on the right bank of the Volkhov was built a stone cathedral in the name of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker.

Incidentally, it should be noted that Prince Mstislav himself, with his good deeds, gained Novgorod's love and universal respect. For the first time on the banks of the Volkhov River, he appeared in 1088 at the age of thirteen, sent there to temporary reign by his grandfather, the Grand Duke of Kiev Vsevolod. The young ruler fell to the heart of the townspeople so much that seven years later they already called him, and then in 1097 Novgorod was finally fixed for the Mstislav decree of the Lyubech congress of princes.

The main veche of Novgorod

The place for building the temple was not chosen by chance. As follows from the same chronicle, a hundred years ago, as a prince of Novgorod, Yaroslav the Wise built his own chambers there. Thus, this site, located opposite the Novgorod Kremlin, called Detinets, received a special status, and the St. Nicholas Cathedral - as it was called in the people, was built as a grand ducal church. It should also be noted that it is one of the oldest temple buildings in Novgorod, second only to St. Sophia Cathedral.

The consecrated Nicholas-Dvorishchensky Cathedral was in 1136, when, after expelling Prince Kievan Vsevolod Mstislavovich, the city's residents founded the Novgorod Republic. It is known that from the beginning of the XIII century the church in the name of St. Nicholas became its main veche cathedral. Until the fall of the republic in 1478 near its entrance was gathered a noisy and raznopolosoe city veche.

The Cathedral Square, which became the arena of political struggle

Since the establishment of the republican form of government in Novgorod, the residence of the prince was moved outside the city and was in the Rurik Settlement. Since that time, having lost the status of the palace grand ducal church, the cathedral is a city and open to all comers.

According to the chronicler, starting from 1228, the Nikolo-Dvorishchensky Cathedral (Veliky Novgorod) witnesses acute political conflicts between representatives of the authorities and the common people. In addition to legitimate gatherings, of which the elected representatives of all strata of society were participants, so-called seditious assemblies gathered near the walls of the cathedral. These days the cathedral square was filled with hundreds dissatisfied with the decisions taken on the square in front of the St. Sophia Cathedral, where the veche bell was also placed.

Disputes between certain areas of the city

The history of ancient Novgorod in the period of its democratic rule also preserved the evidence of the struggle not only between separate groups of the population, divided by social belonging, but also between representatives of five different districts of the city, called "ends". In researchers this phenomenon was called the "intercontinental struggle".

At the western gate of the cathedral was placed the so-called veche, a platform or tribune, designed for the most distinguished and influential participants in the veche, which was considered to be a great honor. In the period of the struggle between the representatives of various districts of the city (1218-1219), when there was no clear delineation of the status of each of the conflicting sides, the Nikolo-Dvorishchensky Cathedral and the adjoining square became the center of violent clashes that sometimes turned into open scuffles.

Under the protection of saving arches

Having the status of a city temple, and, above all, of a holy place, the cathedral, according to the tradition established since ancient times, was a refuge for all who sought salvation from both the authorities and the people's wrath. Many similar examples can be found in written monuments of that time. In particular, one of the chronicles reports that in 1338 from the rebellious crowd of citizens in him escaped the archimandrites Esiph and Lavrenty. The persecutors for a long time watched them at the door of the cathedral, but they did not dare enter inside, which saved the lives of fugitives.

The period of the decline of the cathedral

In the following centuries, when Novgorod lost its independence and became part of the Moscow Principality, the former veche Nicholas-Dvorishchensky Cathedral was not in the diocesan department, but in the palace. This made it possible to receive certain state subsidies for its maintenance and had a positive effect on the general condition.

This continued until the middle of the XVIII century, when by decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna he was transferred to the jurisdiction of the Novgorod diocese and became a city council without a parish, which could not but affect his financial situation. As a result, due to the lack of funds needed for major repairs, the St. Nicholas Cathedral (Novgorod) by the end of the century became very dilapidated and came to a state of emergency.

Subsequent reconstruction of the cathedral

Only since the period of the reign of Emperor Alexander I, in the life of the cathedral, changes have begun for the better. In 1810, according to the highest order, funds were allocated for its reconstruction, thanks to which it was possible to erect on the western and northern side extensions, which housed: a vestry, warm aisles, a square and a porch. In addition, during the reign of his son - Nicholas I, the floor of the cathedral was lined with cast-iron plates.

In 1913, the Nikolo-Dvorishchensky Cathedral (Novgorod) hosted members of the imperial family. The reason for this event was the eight hundredth anniversary of its foundation and the 300th anniversary of the ruling House of Romanovs. On the eve of the visit of the guests, a wide range of restoration works was carried out in it.

The fate of the temple in the Soviet years

After the October coup, the new authorities did not close the cathedral. This is evidenced by both the documents that have been preserved since that time, as well as the memories of old-timers. The only interference in his life can be considered the resolution of the Novgorod City Executive Committee of 1933, on the basis of which the acting temple became simultaneously a museum. Since that time, excursions have been conducted alongside divine services in its walls.

During the war, Nikolo-Dvorishchensky Cathedral suffered considerable damage. In particular, its roof and upper parts suffered from artillery shelling. In addition, the entire ancient volume from east to west crossed a deep crack that passed through the masonry of walls, arches and vaults. The explosion of the bomb in the western vestibule completely destroyed the roof.

After the war, a number of restoration works were carried out and the Nicholas-Dvorishchensky Cathedral was returned to the faithful, but in 1962 its status as an active church was abolished. Since that time, being under the jurisdiction of the Novgorod Regional Museum, it has become the object of careful study. In the following years, a wide range of archaeological works was produced, which made it possible to form a more complete picture of its history and initial appearance. In the dome of the cathedral a city planetarium was arranged.

Nikolo-Dvorishchensky Cathedral: architectural features

Nowadays, the ancient cathedral, which keeps in memory the history of the independent Novgorod republic, occupies a leading place among other buildings that make up the complex of the Novgorod Torg. Its architectural appearance is extremely laconic and strict.

Nicholas-Dvorishchensky Cathedral, the photo of which is presented in the article, is a five-domed parade building on the east side bounded by three apses - the semicircular ledges of the wall, inside which the altars are placed. Its vaults are supported by six powerful pillars located inside the main building.

With its outlines, the temple suggests that it is related to another masterpiece of ancient Novgorod architecture - the St. Sophia Cathedral. In general, according to art critics, its appearance corresponds to the traditions established in the architecture of Kievan Rus of the XII century. Their continuation became many temple buildings of Novgorod, including Nikolo-Dvorishchensky Cathedral.

The frescos that he painted during his creation were mostly lost, and only a small number of them remained in the form of separate fragments. Among them, you can especially highlight the image of the "Last Judgment", placed on the west wall, "Three Saints" on the south wall, as well as the plot of "Job long-suffering for pestilence", in the central apse.

Modernity

Between 1994 and 1999, when the restructuring opened up new opportunities for preserving the cultural and historical heritage of past centuries, the cathedral was rebuilt. The project of works was made by a group of Novgorod architects under the leadership of GM Stender, and the financing was undertaken by the international non-governmental organization "Hanseatic Union of New Time".