Moore chaste on the Oak of Crystal

Moore chaste on the Oak of Crystal

If you are thinking about whether to make a trip to the city of Murom, then I, as a true Muromite, will try to dispel your doubts and convince you of the usefulness and necessity of this trip.

Murom, which turned 1152 in 2014, is one of the oldest Russian cities. There is an assumption that its name, which he received in the first millennium, the city owes the name of the people “Muroma”, living at that time on the territory of our region. Murom at the end of the first - beginning of the second millennium was a major trading center of Russia.

Subsequently, being the center of a specific principality, starting from the XIII century, the Murom region was raided by the Mongol-Tatars, during which the city was ruined more than once. In the XV-XVI centuries, the Murom county was part of the "Belt of the Most Holy Mother of God", a boundary that passed along the Oke River.

To protect the border of the Russian state on the left bank of the Oka was built a wooden Kremlin, unfortunately not preserved to this day. Since the end of the XVI century, trade has been restored on the Murom Posad and by the middle of the XVII century it became the center of trade of a vast region. In the XIX century, Murom Christmas Square is built up with merchant houses, which, being monuments of urban planning, still attract the attention of residents and guests of the city. All the centuries Murom with its monasteries and temples was the center of the spiritual life of the region. Nowadays, there are 4 monasteries and about 30 churches in the city. Moore is impossible without the Oka River. Built on the left bank, the city fascinates those who contemplate it from the opposite shore, with majestic heads of temples sheltered among green gardens and wooden buildings. Currently, continuing the glorious traditions of the Muromites, equipping it, protect the monuments of urban planning and architecture of the city.

Among the inhabitants of the region, a special place is occupied by our countryman - the hero Ilia, who became famous in ancient times. In memory of him on the high bank of the Oka in the Oka city park, which is a favorite resting place for residents, in 1999 a monument was erected. Subsequently, two churches were consecrated in honor of St. Elijah Muromets. And in one of the churches of the Transfiguration Monastery, a particle of the relics of this saint, revered as the patron of the Russian army, was laid.

Literally next to the park is one of the squares of the city, previously called Troitskaya. “Like two wings of one bird,” it houses two monasteries. Its former name, the modern square of the Peasant owes the Holy Trinity convent, built on this square in the middle of the XVII century. Since 1992, the cathedral church of the monastery has become the place of the relics of the Murom saints Prince Peter and Princess Fevronia, whose whole life has become an example of an ideal Christian marriage. According to the story, Saints Peter and Febronia happily reigned in Murom and died in the same day. Since then, it is believed that those who fall with prayer to their relics will receive healing from infertility, as well as happiness in family life.

Satisfying your spiritual needs, you can visit the medieval, historical and modern administrative center of the city - the square named after the 1100th anniversary of Murom. Equipped earlier in the XIX century as Christmas Square, it became the intersection of two main streets of the city - Moscow and Christmas, modern Lenin. It is here that most of the buildings that are monuments of urban planning of Murom are located, including the water tower, built in the 60s of the XIX century. Every house in this square is imbued with the spirit of the former owners and still keeps their secrets. As in previous times, the square has a fountain, and it is a place of celebration.

Among the many sculptures placed in the city, the monument, which was opened on July 31, 2013, stands out for its novelty. The opening date was timed to the day of death of Muromets, revered throughout the world as the founder of television - Vladimir Kozmich Zvorykin. On the sculpture, located at Vladimir Zvorykin’s parents’ house, he is depicted in his youth. Fate so that in 1918 the merchant family Zvorykin leaves Russia. Vladimir Zvorykin spent his entire life outside his homeland. There he made a discovery, which put him on a par with world-famous scientists.

In order to get acquainted with the work of another famous Muromite, you need to visit the Murom Historical and Art Museum, in one of the halls of which paintings by academician of painting Ivan Semenovich Kulikov are exhibited. In his paintings, the honored artist depicted the city of Murom and its inhabitants of the early XX century. In many ways, his efforts in 1918 was the basis of the Murom Museum. Currently, the expositions of the museum acquaint us with objects of ancient Russian art and the life of the Murom merchants.

An obvious feature of Murom is expressed in the lines of one of the Murom authors:

Everywhere there are temples and monasteries, shelters of faith and patience.

Walking through the city center, you will find stone temples sheltered next to low brick and wooden houses. Drowning in greenery, the narrow streets of Murom will lead you to the high bank of the Oka. It is here on the crook, looking at the calm waters of the river, that the Murom monasteries stand. And one of the early stone temples of Murom - tent church of Saints Cosmas and Demyan is located near the river itself. Names that feature of our city defined it as a center of pilgrimage.

Along with the day of the city, which Murom, as an ancient city, celebrates traditionally, for us the celebration of the holy Prince Peter and Princess Febronia is significant. According to the established rule, the church celebrates the memory of the monks on July 8. This day is marked by church services and becomes a time of special pilgrimage of Murom. In recent years, on the eve of this day, as a rule, on the next weekend, a fair in honor of Murom saints is organized in the city. All this day on the stage of the central square of Murom perform artists, among the chambers of commerce scurry skomorokhs, and on the embankment of the Oka you can compete with the Murom heroes. The fair ends with a festive evening concert with the participation of pop stars and bright fireworks. In memory of the city you can bring a lot of souvenirs purchased in souvenir shops and the symbol of this celebration is the Russian chamomile flower.

Each city has its own special sign – a symbol. To get acquainted with the symbol of Murom, it is worth looking at the coat of arms of our city, which depicts Murom kalach. Sit, large and grated it is still baked in the Murom monasteries. They were used by kings and queens visiting our city. You will have the opportunity to taste yourself and bring as a gift to your loved ones the symbol of Murom. Honoring the kalach, the Muromites put a monument to him in the center of the city. Next to the sculpture is the entrance to the cafe “Noble Club”, located in the basements of the merchant’s house. Here or in the cafe "Barin", equipped next door in the shopping arcades of Murom, which are an architectural monument, you can satisfy your hunger with Russian food.

After exploring the city, it is time to enjoy the beauty of the Oka River, breathe fresh river air. In the warm season, this will help you water trips on a small boat or on yachts. In winter, they will be completely replaced by a horse walk along the embankment. In the evening you can pass in the cultural and entertainment center "Empire" or in one of the cafes located in the city center. With the onset of darkness, Moore seems to freeze. The walls of the houses, illuminated by lanterns, silently stare at passers-by. The leaves of the trees with their quiet rustling say to you, "Good evening." The domes of churches, standing out on the bright heavenly vault, praise passers-by for good deeds. Quiet streams of fresh air from the Oka affectionately stroke your face, neck, hands. And involuntarily remember the words of Andrei Voznesensky:

A chaste death over the crystal eye.