The miracle of Orthodox architecture

Savior survived, thanks to its monolithic concrete foundation, basement waterproofing, steam heating, unique innovations for St. Petersburg at the end of the XIX century. Alexander III took a responsible approach to the construction of the church in memory of his father killed by terrorists: he held two competitions in which the best Russian and European architects took part. As a result, the project of the architect Alfred Parland and the abbot of the Trinity-Sergius Desert Archimandrite Ignatius (Malyshev) was chosen. This project was approved by the emperor on July 29, 1883, with the condition of its subsequent revision, the project was finally approved only on May 1, 1887. As Prince Miloslavsky said in the famous film, such cases do not solve from the knuckle and you need to consult with friends. The result of four years of meetings was the Temple, which is recognized as a masterpiece of Orthodox architecture.

 

"Savior-on-Blood" is crowned by nine chapters, the highest of which is 81 meters. This number is not accidental - in 1881 Alexander II was killed. The second highest dome is 63 meters, a symbol of the age of the assassinated emperor. All four domes are covered with colored enamel, but with different drawings. Interestingly, the dome is skillfully mounted lightning rod system. Inside the temple, the mosaic almost completely covers the walls, pillars and vaults of the temple, and occupies 7065 square meters. A whole galaxy of artists A. Ryabushkin and N. Koshelev, V. Vasnetsov and N. Kharlamov, M. Nesterov, A. Parland himself and others worked over the sketches of icons for the majestic iconostasis, plafonds of domes and wall kyotes.

 

The Bolsheviks who came to power were skeptical of Spas. Built in memory of Emperor Alexander II, right on the site of his mortal wound at the hands of the terrorist-people's volunteer Ignatius Grinevitsky, the temple did not give rest to the Soviet authorities. The “fathers of the people” were inventive at different times in different ways: they arranged a vegetable store of root vegetables in the “Savior”, a warehouse of scenery of the Small Opera House, even wanted to disassemble for uselessness, but did not have time – the Second World War began. During the blockade, the dead Leningraders were brought to the temple.

 

By 1968, the condition of the cathedral was so deplorable that it was declared an emergency. Director of the Museum "St. Isaac's Cathedral" Georgy Butikov was able to agree on the organization of a branch of the Museum "St. Isaac's Cathedral" in the building of the former Church of the Savior-on-Blood. So managed to save the monument of Orthodox architecture from complete destruction.

 

The first stage of restoration was completed only in 1997. And in the summer, "Savior on Blood" opened to visitors, exactly 90 years after the consecration. Today, restoration work is still underway, because it takes many years to restore the former splendor of mosaic icons, carved vaults. But from Thursday to Tuesday you can see this original Russian church, built on the site of the tragic death of Alexander II. The king, called the peacemaker among the people. After all, it was under him that Russia did not enter into any war, did not become anyone's ally, he abolished serfdom, he equalized the rich and the poor before the courts, he created a network of national schools.

 

 

I invite you to an unusual tour of the Northern capital.

Author - private guide Anna Veliko