One of the oldest churches in Kaluga was erected in the second half of the 17th century on the site of a wooden church. During the Soviet era, the church was closed, and the building was used as an incubator. Today it has been completely restored and pleases tourists who travel to the cities of the Golden Ring of Russia.
Temple history
For a long time in the center of the city there was a two-altar wooden church of the Most Merciful Savior and the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God. Near it there was a cemetery, where the residents of Kaluga were buried, who died in the Time of Troubles in battles with the troops of the Poles.
Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos, which is on the moat from a bird's eye view
According to the Scriptures of 1682, when the dilapidated building was demolished, he was 80 years old. On the site of the former temple, the townspeople erected a memorial stone pillar, and in 1685-1687. in four fathoms to the south, a new temple was built - in the tradition of Russian ornamentation.
The parishioners of this church were many famous people in Kaluga - the provincial architect, the mayor and wealthy merchant families who constantly donated to the church. It is not surprising that in the 18th-19th centuries the church was reconstructed several times. At first, the builders completely redesigned the five-domed, then they erected a bell tower and a beautiful chapel next to the temple.
In 1894, the merchants Sapozhnikovs, who lived nearby, brought an ancient icon of the Peter the Great Mother of God to the church. The day of the acquisition of the shrine - November 22, began to be celebrated by parishioners as a holiday of the miraculous image. This continued until 1930, when the temple was closed by the decision of the Kaluga authorities.
The old church was very lucky, since other Kaluga churches were simply blown up. From 1935 to 1989, the solid building was used as an incubator for chickens. Later it was transferred to the local branch of the All-Russian Musical Society.
In 1960, the church received the status of a republican monument, which are protected by the state, and this saved it from destruction. The acoustics inside were great, so after 30 years the former temple was turned into a concert hall. In 1994, it was handed over to the faithful, and in March 1998, Archbishop Clement re-consecrated the main altar, and divine services began to be held here.
Architectural features
The Kaluga church "ship" towers over the Berezuisky ravine and looks great. White walls, a delicate blue roof and textured finish make it stand out from the surrounding buildings.
The five-domed temple in Kaluga is an excellent example of Russian ornamental architecture, in which harmonious proportions are combined with an abundance of decor and complexity of composition. The one-storey building has high windows with curved brick frames. Above them there is a picturesque cornice, which turns into kokoshniks with a keeled end.
Slender chapters stand in the corners of the main volume. The entrances from the sides are designed in the form of sloping arches, which rest on low pillars-pods and form covered porches. The corners are decorated with bunches of thin columns without capitals.
An octagonal bell tower can be seen nearby. The lower quadrangular tier bears traces of old architecture. On it there are traces of the laid arch, through which people used to get into the temple.
The restorers have done a great job. They renovated the black domes with gilded crosses, whitewashed the walls and restored old stucco.
Useful information for pilgrims and tourists
The territory of the old church is fenced and carefully arranged. Tourists celebrate the lovingly made flower garden and the old linden tree, which was planted near the temple at the end of the 19th century.
Two side-chapels have been consecrated in the church - the Protection of the Most Holy Theotokos and John the Warrior. Regular church services are held here, and since 1998 a library of Orthodox literature and a Sunday school for parishioners' children have been operating.
How to get there
The temple stands on the street. Marata, 4. From the railway station and bus station, take buses No. 2 or 3, trolleybuses No. 1, 2 or 3 and get off at the stop "Stone Bridge". From here, a stone's throw to the church.
Information sources:
- Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos on the moat, Kaluga
- Wikipedia, Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary "on the moat"
- Sobors.ru, Church of the Intercession of the Most Holy Theotokos "on the moat"
- Tourist Information Center "Kaluga Region", Church of the Intercession "on the Moat"
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