The former trading square of Uglich is decorated with a church built in the Baroque style in the 80s of the 18th century. The picturesque church on the banks of the Volga is one of the notable monuments of the "Golden Ring" of Russia. The two-storey building and the three-storey bell tower have light forms, correct proportions and an upward-looking architecture.
Temple history
In the XIV-XV centuries, next to the Uglich Kremlin there was a crowded trading place, and there was a wooden church of the Great Martyr George of Cappadocia. At the beginning of the 17th century, a temple of the Passionate Icon of the Mother of God with the side-chapels of Michael Malein and the Great Martyr George was built here.
The Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God from a bird's eye view
After the death of the last of the Rurikovichs, the Time of Troubles began in Russia. During the invasion of the troops of Jan Sapieha, 40 thousand people were killed in the ancient city, 12 thousand residential buildings were destroyed and burned. Orthodox shrines were damaged - 10 monasteries, 150 cathedrals and temples of Uglich. The wooden church near the Kremlin has not survived either.
After the expulsion of the Poles, life in the city was gradually restored. In 1639, with the permission of Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich, the arbitrarily built shopping arcade was demolished and a new three-hipped temple was erected in honor of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. Unfortunately, this church did not last long. In 1644, there was a massive fire that almost completely destroyed the wooden building. Everything had to be rebuilt.
View of the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God from the Volga
In the 1780s, under Archbishop Samuil (Mislavsky), a stone baroque church was erected in Uglich, which has survived to this day. He also suffered from the fire. In 1793, the bell tower and the upper floor burned out in tongues of flame. In 1808-1814, during the reconstruction, a new bell tower was built in the classical style, which perfectly fit the baroque church.
Throughout history, the Kazan Church did not have its own parish and was supported by the city's money and private donations. She stood in a busy place, so Uglich merchants and artisans, wishing to enlist support in trade, willingly brought money to the temple.
View of the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God from Lenin Street
It is known from documents that the church was distinguished by its rich decoration and was famous for its gilded carved iconostasis with a beautiful blue background. The paintings on the walls of the upper church were made by a talented isographer, a serf Count Sheremetyev - Nenastiev.
After the revolution, many shrines of Uglich were closed or destroyed. Divine services in the Kazan Church were banned in 1935. The formal reason was the start of the construction of Volgostroi, but in fact there was an active anti-religious campaign in the country, and the authorities did not need an Orthodox church in Uglich.
For almost 70 years, the church building was used for household needs. Initially, it was occupied by workers who built the Uchlich hydroelectric power station. Then in the former church there were a water tower and warehouses.
View of the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God from the side of the Uglich Kremlin
In 2000, the temple was handed over to the faithful, and a large-scale restoration began. After 6 years, new bells were hung on the bell tower. The largest bell weighing 50 pounds was cast in Tutaev by master Nikolai Shuvalov.
Architectural features
Each floor consists of a temple part, an altar, a refectory and a rectangular vestibule. The church ends with graceful decreasing octal shapes and a gilded cupola. The facades are decorated with platbands with a semicircular top, patterned cornices and protruding shoulder blades.
The bell tower rises to 37 m. Perhaps this is the tallest church building in Uglich, so it can be clearly seen from different parts of the city. Before the bell tower was crowned with a narrow spire, but then it was replaced by a small dome. Three tiers are decorated with beautiful arched openings, pediments and columns, and the roof is decorated with round lucarnes.
Useful information for tourists
The doors of the temple are open to pilgrims and tourists every day from 8:00 to 20:00. On the ground floor there is a throne in honor of the Meeting of the Lord, and around the building there is a square with a playground. It is very interesting to climb the bell tower and look at the historical buildings of Uglich.
How to get there
The old temple is located next to the river pier, 0.8 km from the Uglich bus station. Tourists who come by train get to the church by taxi or buses. You need to go to the stop "Uspenskaya Ploshchad".
Information sources
- Parish.ru, Temple of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God (Uglich)
- Sobors.ru, Uglich. Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
- Tourist Information Center "Uglich", Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
- Temples of Russia, Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God
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