In one of the cities of the "Golden Ring" of Russia - Uglich, a unique historical monument has been preserved. A beautiful men's monastery stands near the banks of the Volga, within walking distance from the ancient Uglich Kremlin. In 1999, the monastery was returned to the church, and today its doors are open to pilgrims and tourists.
History of the monastery
Voskresensky is one of the oldest monasteries in Uglich. The exact date of its foundation is unknown. According to one version, the monastery appeared in the XIII century, during the reign of the Uglich prince Roman Vladimirovich - from 1261 to 1285. The first mention of the Resurrection Cathedral is found in the description of the life of St. Paisius of Uglich - October 1, 1485.
View of the Resurrection Monastery from the Uglich Hydroelectric Power Station
For a long time, all monastery buildings and temples were made of wood. In the second half of the 17th century, Russia was actively recovering from the difficult Time of Troubles, and active stone construction began in the cities. In 1674-1677, by order of the Rostov Metropolitan Iona Sysoevich, the monastery was completely rebuilt.
Due to the fact that the Troitsky brook severely destroyed the bank of the Volga, they decided to build the architectural ensemble in a new place, which was popularly called "Luzhitsy". For the first time, glazed tiles with images of various scenes from battle and genre life, animals, emblems and ornaments were used to decorate the walls in Uglich.
Resurrection Monastery from a bird's eye view
In the 1760s, Empress Catherine II initiated a large-scale church reform in the country. The Resurrection Monastery was abolished, the monks left their home, and the churches received the status of parish.
During the Soviet years, no church services were held in the former monastery. All buildings were in charge of the local museum and this saved them from destruction.
View of the Resurrection Monastery from Spasskaya Street
It took many years to completely restore the monastery. In the 1950s and 1970s, restorers strengthened the ground under sagging foundations, repaired cracks in the walls, and renewed the interior decor. During the complex earthworks, the project of the famous Soviet specialist in foundations, Professor Boris Aleksandrovich Rzhanitsyn, was used.
View of the holy gates from the territory of the Resurrection Monastery
Architectural monuments
The main temple, the five-domed Resurrection Cathedral, looks austere and dominates the entire territory of the monastery.
The building is adjoined by two side-chapels, which are connected by a covered gallery. The southern one is consecrated in honor of the Apostle James, and the northern one - in honor of the Archangel Michael.
From left to right: Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, the belfry with the Church of Mary of Egypt, the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God
The walls of the cathedral are decorated with figured bricks, a decorative belt, picturesque platbands, in the arcade of the gallery - magnificent glazed tiles. A staircase and west porch lead to the temple and gallery.
In addition to the cathedral, the architectural ensemble includes the Church of Odigitria, a refectory and a small belfry. All buildings were built at the same time and connected by covered passages - gulbisches. The ancient monastery looks monumental and looks like a fabulous palace from the outside.
View of the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God (left) and the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (right) from Academician Oparin Street
The small temple of Odigitria was badly damaged during the years of Soviet power. It was hardly looked after, so only fragments of the luxurious paintings made by the Kostroma masters remained. The external decoration of the church is much more modest than the decoration of the monastery cathedral.
The refectory stands on a high basement, which previously served for household needs. The vault of the building is supported by a massive pillar.
View of the Church of the Smolensk Icon of the Mother of God (left) and the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ (right) from the rear
An unusual belfry rises between the temple of Hodegetria and the refectory. Previously, there was a gateway to the monastery on the ground floor. The second floor represents part of the gulbisch, and at the top you can see the small church of Mary of Egypt, an open arcade for bells and a neat onion dome.
Useful information for pilgrims and tourists
The monastery is active, the monastic community constantly resides in it. Visitors are allowed in any day from morning to evening. Tourists are asked to respect the monastery charter, not to interfere with the conduct of services, economic life, and without permission not to photograph monks and novices.
How to get there
The monastery is located in the historical part of the city, on Spasskaya street, 31 / 2a. If you came to Uglich by rail, take a bus that goes to the center and from the Assumption Square walk to the monastery along Spasskaya Street. From the city bus station to the monastery a little more than a kilometer. You can easily cover this distance in 15 minutes.
Information sources:
- Wikipedia, Resurrection_monastery_ (Uglich)
- Monastic Bulletin, Resurrection Monastery Uglich
- Temples of Russia, Resurrection Uglich Monastery
- Sobors.ru, Uglich. Resurrection monastery
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