Rostov Kremlin - the eighth wonder of the world

Hello, dear readers! This article is devoted to the Rostov Kremlin, which without exaggeration can be called the eighth wonder of the world.

On the quiet shore of Lake Nero, the majestic Rostov Kremlin flaunts: snow-white walls, dark green and silver domes, powerful towers are reflected in sky-blue water. The buildings of the Kremlin resemble a fabulous city. A beautiful bell ringing flies above the water surface: the bells in Rostov are very ancient, authentic.

The Rostov Kremlin is beautiful and diverse. On the ancient Cathedral Square rises the Assumption Cathedral of the 16th century. Unfortunately, there are few such old buildings in Russia, but in Rostov they still please the eye. Once on the site of this temple, in 991, a “brave church” was built from “oak trees”, more beautiful than which “was not and will not be.” But time is ruthless to wooden buildings, and the original temple has not survived to this day. In its place is the 16th century Cathedral, a real giant, its height is 60 meters. Inside there is a half-darkness and silence, light penetrates through narrow cracks in the windows, and the impression of the presence of the heavenly world is created. The fresco paintings of the Cathedral have darkened over time, not all icons adorn the iconostasis now, but it is impossible not to feel the power and sanctity of this place.

On Cathedral Square, to the right of the temple - a low belfry with a set of ancient bells. The largest of them “Sysoy” weighs 32 tons, and the smallest “Yasak” – 25 kg. The names of other bells are also unusual: “Hunger”, “Swan”, “Baran”, “Goat”, “Polyeleny”. Rostov bells are solemn and beautiful, not without reason the famous composers Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, Glinka, Rachmaninov and others included them in their musical works. How were these amazing bells created?

“In my courtyard I throw bells, people wonder,” Metropolitan Jonah, the creator of the Rostov Kremlin, liked to sentence. To make the bell sound better, people threw silver coins into the shape, which made the ringing cleaner. But not only: it was necessary to start some rumor, as incredible as possible, which also led to a great sound of the bell. Rostov bells survived many difficult times and survived. Miraculously saved in the time of Peter 1, when the bells were melted into cannons, in the time of Catherine 2, when monasteries were abolished, and in the days of feverishness and God-fighting in the 20-30 years of the XX century. They were saved to stir the hearts and souls of people again and again. Listen to these wonderful notes of eternity!

There used to be a bargain in the square, the veche sat. Perhaps it was in Rostov that the Russian statehood, the customs of people, and the culture of our country were formed, since, along with Kiev and Veliky Novgorod, Rostov is mentioned more than once in ancient chronicles and plays a very important role in the history of our country. The ancient history of Russia comes alive before our eyes, it is enough to walk along the walls of the Rostov Kremlin.

The Kremlin was built like a fortress: there are high walls with three tiers of battle, and powerful towers, but the Rostov Kremlin never knew enemy arrows and guns, was never used to defend the city. On the contrary, at all times he was glad to guests: from the height of the walls, the White Chamber, where they refectored, and the Red Chamber, where sovereigns and sovereigns lived, are clearly visible. And it is no coincidence that over the tents there are two golden symbols: a deer and a snow leopard, a symbol of Rostov and a symbol of the Romanov dynasty. The Rostov Kremlin is also a spiritual fortress - its temples are beautiful and refined: the Church of the Resurrection and the Church of John the Theologian, the Savior Church. Inside - space, aspiration up and bright, elegant frescoes. They depict biblical plots, and the deeds of the Rostov saints, and the Last Judgment and the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord. Intricately and unusually decorated the church of Odigitria, its walls are covered with painting under a diamond rust, and the interior is richly decorated with stucco. In the center of the Kremlin is the Metropolitan Courtyard with a small pond, where swans once swam over the pond over the cherry branches. Metropolitan Jonah himself, the creator of the Kremlin, lived in a building now called the Samuel Corps (named after Samuel Mislavsky). In the House-on-cellars, perhaps, lived Dimitri Rostov, the creator of the famous life stories of saints called Chet-Minei. Saint Demetrius is the only person listed as a saint in the 18th century.

Having made a walk along the walls of the Kremlin, I suggest that you look into the Metropolitan Garden, where you can relax in the shade of apple trees, drink tea with delicious cakes, and at the end of summer admire the rich harvest, for example, cabbage of incredible size. What is the secret to such success? Of course, in the silt, which is rich in Lake Nero. Thanks to this fertilizer, in Rostov grow wonderful vegetables, including onions and green peas, as well as fragrant herbs: mint, basil, oregano, valerian and many others. We took a walk through the monastery garden. The famous St. Sergius of Radonezh was here in ancient times, because in the now defunct Grigorievsky monastery there was a school where the boy Bartholomew (in baptism – Sergius) received knowledge, learned to write and read. The monastery has not survived to this day, in memory of it in the 17th century the Church of Gregory the Theologian was built.

A remarkable view of the Kremlin from the side of Lake Nero: mighty walls, round and square harsh towers, cute heart poppies of churches. The lake itself hides many mysteries, knows many legends and legends. The fairy tale “About Ersha Ershovich” and “According to the pike order” were created in Rostov. Legend has it that Peter 1 decided to create a fun flotilla here, but after an unsuccessful swim in Lake Nero, he in his heart called it a “dirty puddle” and went to Pereslavl-Zalessky to build a fleet on Pleshcheev Lake. Chronicles say that in the waters of Lake Nero, the Rostovs were baptized in 991. At the bottom of the lake are many ancient objects that can help to unlock the mystery of how long people have lived in these parts, perhaps more than 10,000 years? My story about the Rostov Kremlin has come to an end, I invite you to visit this amazing place, it is not in vain that popular wisdom says that “it is better to see once than to hear a hundred times.”