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For more than
150 years a unique monument of
Russian art moulding of XVIII century - a well-known Emperor Bell has been
standing on the white -stone pedestal at the bottom of the Bell
Tower of Ivan the Great. Large bells were cast in the
Gun Court in Moscow in 16-17 th
centuries, but they did not remain to these days. Sometimes they
broke from time, from too strong impacts, but more often were
damaged by fires. During a great fire in Moscow in 1701 the Bell
fell down and broke into pieces.
The Emperor
Cannon, cast by Andrey Shchokhov is the oldest and the largest
cannon in the world. It was cast in 1586 in the Gun Court in Moscow
during the reign of Fyodor - son of Ivan the Terrible. The
appearance of such unique work was a natural result of the
development of the oldest branch of Russian craft - foundry
business, which was known in Russia from X century. The length of
this huge gun makes 5 meters 34 centimeters. The external diameter
of the barrel is 120 centimeters, diameter of the barrel pattern
zone is 134 centimeters, calibre is 890 millimeters.
For 400 years
of its existence the Emperor Cannon changed its location for several
times. In 18th century it was displaced to the Moscow Kremlin and at
the beginning was located in a court yard of the Arsenal building
and then at its main gate. In 1835 iron gun carriages, decorated
with splendid ornaments, were cast at St. Petersburg Berd Factory
under sketch of architect A.P.Brullov and drawings of engineer P.Y.
de Vitte. Now the Emperor Cannon, placed on a gun carriage, was
established opposite the Arsenal. Four iron decorative cannon -
balls, each 1000 kgs, were placed by the cannon side. In 1960,
following the construction of the Kremlin Palace of Congresses, the
Emperor Cannon have been solemnly moved to the Ivanovskaya Square to
the Cathedral of Twelve Apostles, where it stands until now.
RED SQUARE
As ancient
chronicles assert, the Red Square appeared at the end of 15th
century, when Ivan III ordered to ruin all wooden buildings,
surrounding the Kremlin and threatening with the fire, and to allot
this area for a market. That's how the first name of the square -
Trade Square ("Torgovaya") appeared. However, in 16th century the
Square was renamed into "Troitskaya (Trinity) Square" after the
Church of Saint Trinity. Later the
Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed was erected at the place of St.
Trinity Church.
In Russia the
same object might have several names. Thus, The Red Square was
officially given its modern name in 19th century, though the name
was mentioned in the documents of 17th century. Different centuries
left their traces:15th century gave the Kremlin's Wall with
Spasskaya, Senatskaya and Nikolskaya towers; 16th - Place of
execution. (Lobnoe mesto), and the Cathedral of Vasily the Blessed;
19th century - the monument to Minin and Pozharsky, the building of
Historical museum and Upper Trade Rows (GUM), 20th century - Lenin's
Mausoleum.
POKLONNAJA
MOUNTAIN
Poklonnaja
mountain is the most significant monument constructed in honour of
victory in the Great Patriotic War. Solemn opening of the Victory
Memorial in Moscow was held in May, 9, 1995. In February, 23, 1958
on Poklonnaya mountain a memorable granite sign was established with
the inscription: " Here there will be a monument to the Victory of
Soviet people in Great Patriotic War". Trees were planted around the
place, park was layed named the Victory
Park. In 70-80s 194 million
roubles were collected. For the whole complex a site of 135 hectares
was allocated. A great work on designing, discussion and choosing
the best project of the main monument to freedom began. At that
time, however, the question remained unsolved as none of the
projects submitted was accepted. Everything remained without changes
until the general management of the construction of the Memorial was
undertaken by the mayor of Moscow J.M.Luzhkov. And the construction,
threatened to be broken, was completed for three years.
ST. BASIL'S CATHEDRAL
In 16th
century a stone church of the Trinity with a small cemetery was
situated on this place. The Blessed Vasily, who has dyed in August
2, 1555, considered to be foolish, was buried near this stone
church. In October 2, 1552, Russian troops took Kazan - the capital
of the Kazan khanate. In commemoration of this event tsar Ivan the
Terrible ordered to construct 7 wooden temples on the Red Square,
where in 1555-1561 a stone temple, named after the Feast of the
Protective veil, was erected (the assault on Kazan began the day of
the holiday of the Protective veil, after two months siege). The
church, situated in the central tower, was devoted to this holiday.
Four towers-churches are located on different sides of the world.
The northern - in the name of St. Kiprian and Ustina; that was the
day of the complete capture of Kazan. In 1786 under petition of rich
investor Natalia Hruscheva the church was consecrated in the name of
St. Adrian and Natalia. The southern church is consecrated in the
name of Nicola Velikoretsky, that is also connected with the Kazan
campaign. The western church is consecrated in the name of the Input
to Jerusalem, it is connected with solemn returning of the army to
Moscow. Eastern church is consecrated in the name of Trinity, that
is, the church, which was before situated at the cathedral place,
was transferred into it.
The towers,
located along the diagonals, are devoted to various events of the
Kazan campaign: north - west church of the Grigory Armyansky (day of
capture of the Arskaya tower). South - east church of
Alexander Svirsky (rout of
30-thousand group tatar cavalry under the command of the tatar
prince Japanchi); north -east church of the Three patriarchs of
Alexandria - the memory day of these saints is marked the same day
as the memory day of Alexander Svirsky. South - west church of
Varlaam Hutynsky is the only
church, which is not connected with the events of the campaign.
The central
temple consists of tetrahedron, octahedron and is completed by an
octahedral light drum with gilded head. There is a covered promenade
(gallery) around the bottom circle. Vaults of the promenade lean on
the massive columns with decorative pediments on the top. Transition
from the octahedron to a tent is decorated with the set of
kokoshniks. Four towers - churches, located on the sides of the
world, consist each of three octahedrons, narrowed by ledges, and a
drum with the figured head. Four small churches on diagonals are
tetrahedrons, transition to a drum is made out by three rows of
semicircular kokoshniks. The building has no expressed main facade
and is designed for an all-round viewing, for circular detour.
Interiors of churches are simple. The cathedral is interesting in
its appearance. As though it represents the fantastic "paradise
town". The temple is fairly considered to be a monument of
architecture and construction art of world value. Till now the
cathedral is a branch of the State Historical museum. The first
divine service was held in October, 14, 1991, however regular divine
services are not made.
THE CATHEDRAL OF CHRIST THE SAVIOUR
The temple was
constructed on a vow given by sovereign Alexander I in gratitude for
saving fatherland "from the Gauls invasion". The temple was supposed
to be built on Vorobyovy mountains under the project of architect
Vitberg. Subsequently "on intrigues against the builder" the project
of a temple and a place of construction were changed. The new place
was chosen not so close to the Kremlin, so that the temple was
dissonant to its ensemble, but at the same time so that connection
of the temple with ancient constructions of the Kremlin and the Red
Square was felt.
September, 10,
1839 the solemn laying of the present temple in Russian-Byzantian
style took place. It was constructed under the project of architect
K.A.Ton, at the expense of treasury with attraction of people's
donations. Two cemeteries and mammoth remnants were found during
digging a foundation ditch. The temple was consecrated in April, 10,
1883 during the days of crowning of the emperor Nikolay I. Side -
chapels were consecrated later: in June, 12 - the side-chapel of
St.Nikolay Chudotvorets and in July, 8 - of St. Alexander Nevsky.
K.A.Ton has created the project of a five-domed temple with big
central and four angular turrets with 14 bells.
The banners
and keys of the conquered cities were transferred to the temple. 640
candlesticks were built in a dome for illumination, and 600 more
around the lattice on choruses. First electric street lamps in
Moscow appeared on the square
in front of the temple. The height of the temple was 103 m. In
December, 5 1931ã. the temple was blown up. Subsequently the
foundation ditch was used for the construction of swimming - pool "
Moscow ". In 1994ã. the pool was closed. In January, 1995, the
solemn laying of the revived temple took place. Now the construction
is completed. The temple has active museum, excursions are held and
the viewing platform is arranged.
NOVODEVICHY CONVENT
One of the
most beautiful Moscow convents, founded at the beginning of 16th
century, for 400 years the Novodevichy Convent was the witness and
the participant of important historical events, connected with the
names of Ivan the Terrible, Boris Godunov, Sofia and Peter I. The
architectural ensemble of the convent was formed by the end of 17th
century and till now remains one of the best in Russia. In the main,
Smolensk Cathedral, there is a valuable wall fresco of 16th century
and a magnificent carved iconostasis with icons of famous imperial
masters of that time. Representatives of noble families and tsar
relatives, the hero of the Patriotic war of 1812 D.V.Davydov, the
writer I.I.Lazhechnikov, the historian S.M. Solovyev and others are
buried on the convent territory.
The
construction of the convent was a result of a large military and
diplomatic victory of Russia. The founder of the convent, grand duke
Vasily III, his son Ivan the Terrible, other tsars and boyars showed
a great interest in the Novodevichy convent, rendering it all
possible financial and legal support.
Its nuns were,
as a rule, representatives of the supreme feudal nobility. Among
them - members of families of Ivan the Terrible, Boris Godunov,
Peter I. The architectural ensemble of the Novodevichy convent,
existing nowadays, began to develop in 16th century, and got the
further development and completion in 80s of 17th century.
MAUSOLEUM
The composite
centre of the Red Square - the Mausoleum - is a monument-tomb, in a
Mourning hall of which there is a crystal sarcophagus with
V.I.Lenin's body. When it became known about his death it was
decided to build a Mausoleum by the Kremlin wall. The project was
carried out by architect A. Shchusev. By January 27, 1924 a
temporary Mausoleum was erected. It was a cube, crowned with
three-level pyramid. In spring of the same year it was replaced by
another temporary Mausoleum, also wooden.
The modern
stone Mausoleum was constructed in 1930, also designed by A.
Shchusev. It is a grand scale building tiled with dark-red granite,
porphyry and black labradorite. Red and black shades give the
Mausoleum distinct and sad austerity. Over the entrance, on black
labradorite the name "Lenin" is inscribed in red porphyry. At the
same time at both sides of the building along the Kremlin wall guest
tribunes for 10 thousand people were constructed.
MAUSOLEUM
The composite
centre of the Red Square - the Mausoleum - is a monument-tomb, in a
Mourning hall of which there is a crystal sarcophagus with
V.I.Lenin's body. When it became known about his death it was
decided to build a Mausoleum by the Kremlin wall. The project was
carried out by architect A. Shchusev. By January 27, 1924 a
temporary Mausoleum was erected. It was a cube, crowned with
three-level pyramid. In spring of the same year it was replaced by
another temporary Mausoleum, also wooden.
The modern
stone Mausoleum was constructed in 1930, also designed by A.
Shchusev. It is a grand scale building tiled with dark-red granite,
porphyry and black labradorite. Red and black shades give the
Mausoleum distinct and sad austerity. Over the entrance, on black
labradorite the name "Lenin" is inscribed in red porphyry. At the
same time at both sides of the building along the Kremlin wall guest
tribunes for 10 thousand people were constructed.
BOLSHOI THEATRE
The
foundation of Bolshoi Theatre traditionally dates back to the 6th of
January of 1825, when a fine classical building with 8-columned
portico crowned by the carriage of Apollon appeared in the Theatre's
Square. The new theatre is considered to be the second largest of
Europe after the famous "La Scala" Theatre of Milan. However, the
theatrical company had already existed for a half of century. And in
honor of the inauguration of the theatre this company performed "The
triumph of Muses".
The company
was created by a province public prosecutor Petr Vasilievich Ursov
in 1772. Later the company was headed by his partner energetic and
enterprising Englishman Michael Medox. Thanks to him on the
abandoned ground regularly flooded by Neglinka river the new theatre
was built. The second half of the 19th century is a period of
national originality of Russian Art and Moscow Theatre. The creative
activity of such composers and directors as Alexis Verstovsky and
Alexander Varlamov contributed to the unusual raising of the
theatre. They formed Russian Opera repertoire. The most favorite
operas of that time were works by Michael Glinka "The Life for the
Czar" and "Ruslan and Lioudmila", which could survive and win the
italianomania tendency of that time. And till now traditionally
every Theatre season begins one of the operas of Glinka.
As for the
Ballet the performances based on Russian themes were replaced by
Western romantic themes in the middle of the 19th century. "Sylphide",
"Gizel", "Esmeralda" were performed in Russia very soon after
premieres in Europe. In 1853 the building of the Theatre was badly damaged by fire. In May
of 1855 the construction works based on the sketch of the architect
Albert Cavos began. And already in August of 1856 the inauguration
of the new theatre was celebrated by the premiere of the opera
Bellini. The Italian performance was symbolic, because the real
holder of the Bolshoi Theatre became Merelli who brought from
Italy a very gifted theatrical company. Russian public admired the Italian
troupe very much.
The season
usually began in September and lasted till the end of May (as now).
However, the performances used to be presented twice a week. And
only in the middle of the winter when all the nobility came back to
Moscow, the operas and ballets were put on the stage more often.
That was also a time of masked balls. Today the ballet and opera
fans attend the theatre every night. The radical turn of the tastes
of public happened in 1870, when gradually appeared the Russian
operas "Demon" by Rubenstein (1881), "Eugeny Onegin" by Chaikovsky
(1881), "Boris Godunov" by Mysorgsky (1888), "The Prince Igor" by
Borodin (1893) and other. In 1899 Fedor Shaliapin, great Russian
singer, became a member of the company. Great Russian Opera Theatres
are not only musical cultural centers, but also academies of
professional acting technique. Trainees' group of Bolshoi Theatre is
still existing to crown the joy of young singers, conductors,
directors, leaders of a chorus.
It is situated
on two territories, separated from each other by several city
districts. It gives the opportunity to represent the whole history
of Russian art from the ancient period to our contemporaries.
Besides, the structure of the Tretyakov Gallery includes memorial
museums: A. Vasnetsov's flat, V. Vasnetsov's |
