Style and architecture of Russian churches

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

When Christianity was adopted in Rome in the 4th century AD, and the persecution of its representatives ended, the architecture of churches began to develop. In many ways, this process was influenced by the division of the Roman Empire into two parts - Western and Byzantine. This influenced the development of church art. In the West, the basilica has become widespread. In the East, the Byzantine style of church architecture gained popularity. The latter is reflected in religious buildings in Russia.

Types of Orthodox churches

There were several types of church architecture in Russia. The temple in the form of a cross was built as a symbol of the fact that the Cross of Christ is the church foundation. It was thanks to him that people were delivered from the power of the devilish forces.

If the architecture of cathedrals and churches is represented by a circular shape, this symbolizes the infinity of the existence of the Church.

When the temple is erected in the form of an eight-pointed star, it personifies the Star of Bethlehem, which led the Magi to the place where Jesus was born. The architecture of churches of this type is a symbol of the fact that human historyis calculated in seven long periods, and the eighth is eternity, the Kingdom of Heaven. This idea originated in Byzantium.

Often the architecture of Russian churches included buildings in the form of ships. This is the oldest version of the temple. Such a building contains the idea that the temple saves believers, like a ship, from worldly waves.

Besides this, the architecture of the Orthodox Church is often a mixture of these types. Religious buildings combine circular, cross and rectangular elements.

Byzantine traditions

In the East in the 5th-8th centuries, the Byzantine style was popular in the architecture of temples and churches. Byzantine traditions extended to worship as well. It was here that the foundations of the Orthodox faith were born.

Religious buildings here were different, but in Orthodoxy each temple reflected a certain creed. In any architecture of the church, certain conditions were observed. For example, each temple remained two- or three-part. For the most part, the Byzantine style of church architecture was manifested in the rectangular shape of buildings, figured roofs, vaulted ceilings with arches, pillars. It was reminiscent of the interior view of the church in the catacombs. This style also passed into the Russian architecture of the church, saturated with additional characteristic features.

The light of Jesus was depicted in the middle of the dome. Of course, the similarity of such buildings to the catacombs is only general.

Sometimes churches - architectural monuments - have several domes at once. Orthodox places of worship always have crosses on their domes. By the time of the adoption of Orthodoxy in Russia in Byzantium, the cross-domed church was gaining popularity. He combined all the achievements in Orthodox architecture that were available at that time.

Cross-domed churches in Russia

This type of church was also formed in Byzantium. Subsequently, he began to dominate - this happened in the 9th century, and then was taken over by the rest of the Orthodox states. Some of the most famous Russian churches - architectural monuments - were built in this style. These include St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, St. Sophia of Novgorod, Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir. All of them copy St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople.

For the most part, Russian history of architecture is based on churches. And the cross-domed structures are in the first roles here. Not all variations of this style were common in Russia. However, many examples of ancient buildings are of the cross-domed type.

A construction of this kind transformed the very consciousness of ancient Russian people, drawing their attention to an in-depth contemplation of the universe.

Although many architectural features of Byzantine churches have been preserved, churches built in Russia from ancient times had many distinctive unique features.

White stone rectangular churches in Russia

This type is closest to Byzantine variations. Such buildings are based on a square, which is complemented by an altar with semicircular apses, domes on a figured roof. Spheres here are replaced with a helmet-like coatingdomes.

There are four pillars in the middle of the small buildings of this type. They serve as support for the roof. This is the personification of the evangelists, the four cardinal points. In the center of such a building there are 12 and more pillars. They form the signs of the Cross, divide the temple into symbolic parts.

Wooden temples in Russia

In the 15th-17th centuries, a completely peculiar style of construction of religious buildings appeared in Russia, which was radically different from its Byzantine counterparts.

Rectangular buildings with semicircular apses appeared. Sometimes they were white stone, and sometimes brick. The walls were surrounded by crevices. The roof was figured, domes in the form of domes or bulbs were placed on it.

The walls were decorated with elegant finishes, windows with stone carvings, tiled platbands. A bell tower was placed near the temple or above its narthex.

Very many unique features of Russian architecture manifested themselves in the wooden architecture of Russia. In many ways, they manifested themselves due to the characteristics of the tree. It is quite difficult to form a smooth shape of the dome from the boards. For this reason, in wooden churches, it was replaced by a pointed tent. In addition, the entire building took on the appearance of a tent. This is how unique buildings appeared, which had no analogues in the world - churches made of wood in the form of large pointed wooden cones. The temples of the Kizhi churchyard are known, which are the brightest representatives of this style.

Stone tent churches in Russia

Soon, the features of wooden churches influenced stone architecture. Stone tented temples appeared. The highest achievement in this style is the Intercession Cathedral in Moscow. It is known as St. Basil's Cathedral. This intricate building dates back to the 16th century.

This is a cruciform structure. The cross is formed by four main churches, which are located around the central - the fifth. The last one is square while the others are octagonal.

The tent style was popular for a very short period of time. In the 17th century, the authorities banned the construction of such buildings. They were disturbed by the fact that they were very different from ordinary ship temples. Hip architecture is unique, it has no analogues in any culture of the world.

New stylistic forms

Russian churches were distinguished by their diversity in decoration, architecture, and decorations. Colorful glazed tiles became especially popular. In the 17th century, baroque elements begin to dominate. Naryshkin baroque based everything on symmetry, the completeness of multi-tiered compositions.

The creations of the capital's architects of the 17th century - O. Startsev, P. Potapov, Y. Bukhvostov and a number of others stand apart. They were some kind of harbingers of the era of Peter's reforms.

The reforms of this emperor affected, among other things, the architectural traditions of the country. The architecture of the 17th century in Russia was determined by the fashion of Western Europe. There were attempts to achieve a balance between Byzantine traditions and new stylistic forms. This is reflected in architecture. Trinity-Sergius Lavra, which combined the traditions of antiquity and new trends.

During the construction of the Smolny Monastery in St. Petersburg, Rastrelli decided to reflect Orthodox traditions in the construction of monasteries. However, the organic combination did not work. In the 19th century, a revival of interest in the architecture of the Byzantine era began. It was only in the 20th century that attempts were made to return to medieval Russian architectural traditions.

Church of the Intercession on the Nerl

The world-famous architecture of the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl. It is notable for its lightness, lightness, it is a true masterpiece of the Vladimir-Suzdal architectural school. The grace, manifested in the architecture of the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl, became possible due to the perfect combination of the building with the environment - Russian nature. It is noteworthy that the temple is included in the UNESCO list of world monuments.

The building reflects the way up to God, and the road to it is a kind of pilgrimage. Information about the church is preserved in the Life of Andrei Bogolyubsky. It was erected in 1165, it was a memorial for the prince's son Izyaslav. He died in the war with the Volga Bulgaria. According to legend, white stones were brought here from the defeated Bulgar principality.

It is noteworthy that the descriptions of the architecture of the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl contain many comparisons of this building with a white swan floating on the water. This is the bride standing at the altar.

From the building directly from the 12th century, there was a square - a skeleton with a head. All the restbecame destroyed over time. The restoration was made in the 19th century.

The descriptions of the architectural monument of the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl contain information about the verticality of the walls. But due to the measured proportions, they look slanted, due to this optical effect, the building looks taller than it really is.

The church has a simple, no frills interior decoration. The frescoes were knocked off the walls during the 1877 restoration. However, there is an iconostasis with icons.

There are many wall reliefs left on the outer surface. There are biblical figures, birds, animals, there are also masks. The central figure is King David, who reads the psalms. On his side is a lion, the personification of his power. Nearby there is a dove - a sign of spirituality.

Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye

The first stone tent-type temple in Russia is the Church of the Ascension in Kolomenskoye. Its architecture reflects the influence of the Renaissance. It was erected by Vasily III in honor of the birth of his heir, Tsar Ivan IV the Terrible.

The architectural features of the Church of the Ascension were manifested in the cruciform shape of the building, which turns into an octagon. On it, in turn, rests a large tent. He overshadows the interior of the church. It is noteworthy that there are no pillars in it. The temple, distinguished by the expressiveness of the silhouette, is surrounded by a gallery, which has stairways. They are executed quite solemnly.

The church has a lot of additional details,who migrated here from the Renaissance. At the same time, there are many features from the Gothic. Italian bricks, the connection of the building with the centric form of the temples of Italy give a hint that this project was created by an Italian architect who worked at the court of Vasily III. Accurate information about the author has not been preserved to this day, but, according to assumptions, it was Petrok Malaya. It was he who was the author of the Church of the Ascension in the Moscow Kremlin, the walls and towers of Kitay-gorod.

Pskov-Novgorod churches

In addition to the generally accepted world classifications, it must be taken into account that architecture in each principality has acquired its own unique features. There is never a pure style in the art of architecture, and this division is also only conditional.

The following distinctive features appeared in the architecture of Novgorod: most often the temples here had five domes, but there were also buildings with one dome. Their shape was cubic. They were decorated with arches and triangles.

Vladimir-Suzdal churches

Architecture flourished here during the times of Andrei Bogolyubsky and Vsevolod III. Then churches with a palace were erected here. They glorified the capital of the principality. Stone was skillfully processed here, techniques from wooden architecture were used.

In the 12th century, first-class buildings made of high-quality white stone - limestone - rose here. The most ancient of them had simple decorations. The windows in the temples were narrow, they rather resembled the slots of loopholes than windows. From the 12th century, the decoration of churches with stone carvings began. Sometimes init reflected folklore stories, sometimes - the Scythian "animal style". Romanesque influences are also noted.

Kyiv-Chernihiv churches

The architecture of this principality reflects monumental historicism. It is divided into the architecture of the cathedral and tower-like genres. In the cathedral churches there are circular galleries, the uniformity of the rhythm of facade divisions. The architecture of this type is quite figurative, the symbolism is complex. For the most part, the buildings of this principality are represented by the princely court buildings.

Smolensk-Polotsk churches

When Smolensk architecture was just developing, there were no real architects here yet. Most likely, the first buildings here were raised thanks to the participation of the people of Kiev or Chernigov. In Smolensk temples there are many hallmarks on the ends of bricks. This indicates that, most likely, Chernihiv residents left their mark here.

The architecture of these cities is notable for its scope, which speaks in favor of the fact that in the 12th century they already had their own architects.

Smolensk architecture was popular in Russia. Architects from here were called to many other ancient Russian lands. They also built buildings in Novgorod, which was the largest center in the country. But this rise was short-lived - it lasted 40 years. The thing is that in 1230 an epidemic broke out, after which the political situation in the city changed dramatically. This ended the work of local architects.

Godunov style

Temples in the style of Godunov's classicism are conventionally singled out separately. These were churches built inthe period when Boris Godunov (1598-1605) sat on the throne of Russia. Then building techniques were canonized, reflected in the symmetry and compactness of buildings.

In addition, Italian order elements have become popular. The Russian style turned out to be canonized in the Italian manner.

Variety of structures has decreased. But stylistic unity came to the fore. This manifested itself not only in Moscow, but throughout Russia.

Patterned

Notable is the style called patterned. It appeared only in the 17th century in Moscow. It is characterized by intricate forms, decor, complex compositions. Silhouettes in this style are unusually picturesque. The pattern is associated with pagan roots and the late Renaissance in Italy.

For the most part, buildings in this style are churches with closed vaults, without pillars and high refectories. The covering in them is tent. The interior is unusually rich in color ornaments. There is a lot of decor inside.

Stroganov temples

Churches built in the Stroganov style also gained great fame. It appeared in the 17th and 18th centuries. This style acquired its name thanks to G. Stroganov, since it was he who ordered such buildings. Here the traditional five-headed silhouette appeared. But over it is baroque decor.

Totem style

Baroque, which manifested itself most clearly in St. Petersburg, was also reflected in the buildings of the Russian north. In particular, in the city near Vologda - Totma. The uniqueness of the architecture of his buildings led to the emergence of "Totem Baroque". This style appeared in the 18th century,already in the next century there were at least 30 temples built in this style. But in the same century, many of them were rebuilt. At the moment, they are mostly destroyed or remain in disrepair. The features of this style were adopted during the sea voyages of local merchants. They were the customers of these churches.

Ustyug style

One of the earliest places of worship in Veliky Ustyug were buildings dating back to the 17th century. It was at that moment that the foundations of stone architecture began to appear here. The heyday of the architectural style of this area came in the 17th century. Construction continued with its features for a little over 100 years. During this time, many local architects appeared in Veliky Ustyug, who were distinguished by their great talent and unprecedented skill. They left behind many unique churches. At first, five-domed temples with side chapels were common. And in the 18th century, temples with a longitudinal axis gained popularity.

Ural temples

The Ural architectural style deserves special mention. It appeared in the 18th century, in the era of Peter the Great. He strove for transformations, including in architecture. The main feature of this style was manifested in the five domes on a tiered basis. For the most part, he borrowed features of the Baroque and Classicism. In the Ural cities, buildings in the style of ancient Russian architecture were often erected. This showed the uniqueness of the Ural architecture.

Siberian style

Modernist traditions reflected in their own way in the Siberianstyle. In many ways, the peculiarities of the climatic conditions of the region itself manifested themselves here. Craftsmen have formed their own special vision of the Siberian schools of modernity - Tyumen, Tomsk, Omsk and so on. They have created their own unique mark among the monuments of Russian architecture.