Vitebsk assumption Cathedral: photos and history

Holy assumption Cathedral in Vitebsk is one of the most unique architectural structures in Belarus. Orthodox Church is located on the banks of the Western Dvina at assumption hill. From her and got the name of the Cathedral.

History

Most famous in Belarus and abroad is the assumption Cathedral (Vitebsk). The history of this place begins from the fifteenth century. The mountain which used to be called Bald, for many centuries it was used for construction of religious structures - sanctuaries.

The First mention of a wooden Church erected on the mount, belong to the early fifteenth century. Then it was called the Church of the assumption of the blessed virgin. In the seventeenth century it was transferred to the Uniates. After a few years, the Uniate Archbishop was killed, and the temple ruined by the townspeople. Church the decision of the court was dismantled, and later the residents of Vitebsk had restored it at his own expense.

According to some reports, the Church burned down around the middle of the seventeenth century, and after some time on its place was built a new wooden Church. But the structure quickly lost its original appearance. Then the resident of Vitebsk, judge Adam Kissel, at their own expense built a Church and founded therein the Basilian monastery. But in the eighteenth century the town was burnt together with the temple. Adam Kissel again restored all the buildings.

Unfortunately, this was not the only fire in the history of the Cathedral. Soon he got burned again. The place remained deserted for nearly twenty years.

The First stone Church

Holy assumption Cathedral in Vitebsk were in no hurry to recover. Only in 1743 it was decided to build a stone Church. The project was developed Grodno architect Joseph Fontani. The temple had become a valuable building of the city's architecture, as it was believed that the author of the development took one of the temples of Rome and virtually copied it. But construction almost immediately stopped, and only after the reunification of Vitebsk, Russian Empire appeared first shifts. Built in 1777 the Church was consecrated only after ten years.

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The assumption Cathedral the Church was named after the order of Paul I on the transfer of the monastery to the Orthodox Department. But the difficulties in the way of the Cathedral is not over. During the Patriotic war of 1812 in the temple was a French hospital, was destroyed everything of value. After the war it was restored and has become a bright landmark of the city.

In the mid-twentieth century, the Soviet government came to Vitebsk. The assumption Cathedral was closed and in a few years very early in the morning blown up.

At the same place was built the shop of the plant for production of machines, but soon it was abandoned and demolished.

The Restoration of the Holy Dormition Cathedral

In the early nineties of the twentieth century, the Belarusian architects have developed a plan for the restoration of the Cathedral. In 1998 the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Alexy II on the ruins of the temple the capsule was laid and consecrated the first stone.

The Archaeologists were able to accurately determine the location of all the parts of the temple. Also at the same location was found human remains that likely belong to victims of the NKVD or the German Gestapo. The remains were buried near the Cathedral. On one of its walls a memorial plaque and a cross.

The Restoration of the temple began in the summer of 2000. After three years under construction in the lower level of the Cathedral held the first Liturgy. In 2005, this tier was completed, and a year later was ready the first floor. By the end of 2007, built the walls of the second floor and bell tower.

In the Summer of 2008 was consecrated and installed it on one of the towers ten bells, the largest weighed up to two tons. Was soon established domes and crosses.

Later, work began inside the temple, there was mood lighting. Another tower was installed eleven bells. Among them is the heaviest bell in Belarus, he weighs over five tons. Great help in the restoration of the Church was provided by the Russian sponsors. During the construction of the Cathedral was visited by Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill.

In 2011, triumphed entire Vitebsk. The assumption Cathedral was completely renovated. The Grand opening took place on the eve of the great holiday - the Annunciation.

Residents and tourists enjoy coming to the temple, because only here you can hear the sound of more than 20 bells. Proud of his construction of Vitebsk. The assumption Cathedral was consecrated on 30 September 2011 by Metropolitan of Minsk and Slutsk Filaret in concelebration of all bishops of the Belarusian Orthodox Church.

Legends

There are many legends associated with the temple. One of them says that under the Cathedral there is a tunnel that leads to the Western Dvina.

Due to the fact that in the eighteenth century during the construction of the temple was the established system in order to divert the accumulated groundwater from the basements in the river. The taps were so high that people could pass through them in full growth. Over time, the taps stopped to clear, so the basement had a large amount of water.

Features of the architecture of the Cathedral

The Original temple was built in the Baroque style. Due to the volume of the naves (elongatedspace, bounded on two sides by columns or pillars from nearby) formed the bulk structure of the Cathedral. The silhouette of the building was decorated with three lights, one located above the main dome, the other two over the towers.

For the decoration of the facade used arches, niches, cornice belt. The composition was finished in the nineteenth century. On the second floor gallery. Extreme aisles were divided into chapels. The total height of the Cathedral is more than fifty meters.

A Masterpiece of architecture

Surprising tourists with its architecture of Vitebsk. Uspensky Cathedral - one of the unique Belarusian structures. This is the only temple of Vitebsk, the lower tier of which is placed under the ground. After experiencing many difficulties, the Church was revived and became more beautiful. Vitebsk residents really appreciate this wonderful place.

One of the Soviet demolition of the temple, Peter Grigorenko said that, seeing this miracle, many knelt.

Transformed modern Vitebsk. Cathedral of the assumption changes with him. It attracts not only with its external solemnity, but also interior decoration, which creates in the Church a special atmosphere of warmth, blesses good works.

Many historians compare the Belarusian Cathedral, Russian buildings and appreciate its beauty. Some call it a masterpiece of architecture.