Church of the Savior in the center of Kostroma

The history of one of the main attractions of Kostroma

Today I want to tell you about another important historical site of my city. This is the Church of the Savior in the Rows.

This story began in the 17th century. Old account books mention this church as early as 1623. It was in the place where trade was organized, so the church became known as the Church of the Savior on the Market.

At first the church was wooden, but in the sixties of the XVIII century, instead of a wooden church, a stone temple was erected here. The money for this construction was donated by the wealthy merchant Stefan Semenovich Belov.

The church was consecrated in 1766. Then a strange event happened. A new church was made and named in honor of the Life-giving Cross, but the name did not take root. Traditionally, the new building was called the same as the old and Spasskaya. Or just the church of the Savior.

Time passed and at the end of the 18th century a grand construction began in the center of Kostroma. They built a large complex of so-called shopping arcades. And the church turned out to be built into the new architectural environment.

At the same time, our local Kostroma architect Stepan Andreevich Vorotilov planned to build a high bell tower above the gates of the shops. The project was approved and the bell tower was built. This tower very effectively fit into the complex of rows and became an adornment of the city.

With the advent of Soviet power in Russia, the state attitude towards religion and the church has changed. In 1929, church services ceased and the building was closed. An antireligious museum was organized on the territory of the former temple. In the early thirties of the XX century, the mains were removed from the roof of the building. The bell tower was also partially destroyed. And then instead of a museum, a warehouse was built at this place.

After the Great Patriotic War in Kostroma, and throughout Russia, they began to think about the cultural heritage and began to restore the lost temples and ancient monuments.

So, in 1970, the building of the Savior in the Rows was transferred to the city historical and architectural museum. Four years later, it was possible to restore the bell tower and the five-domed roof of the church.

The restoration was very difficult, since no construction project has been preserved. The work was based only on some measurements and photographs taken in 1908.

Crosses appear on the spiers of churches and belfries only in 1992. In addition, the bell began to sound again on the bell tower.

By the way, as you know, on Easter week, anyone can climb into the bell tower and ring. The doors to the bell tower at this time are always open. This is an ancient tradition.

Once I myself went through the gate under the bell tower and saw that a small wooden door located in the dark corner of the passage was open.

I decided to drop by. There was a staircase that led up to the bells. I decided to get up. The bell tower was tiered and after a narrow uncomfortable passage I got into a large well-lit room of the first tier. There were windows and there was a lot of light.

Above there was a large wooden staircase. She was very simple and plain. Apparently, the interior decoration of the bell tower has not yet been completed.

Climbing to the second tier, one could already ring the bells.

Come to our city on Easter week and call your health. Ringer and physicists say bell ringing is good for your health.

---

---

My related posts:

Disclosure: Posts on TravelFeed may contain affiliate links. See affiliate disclosure.