Such a unique structure as the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, dating from the sixteenth century, and today retained the image of a medieval fortress thanks to its deaf towers in several tiers and impregnable walls with narrow slots for loopholes. This military engineering ensemble was built with the aim of protecting the southeastern borders of the state of Moscow using the most advanced technologies at that time.
general information
In plan, the chain of fortifications is an irregular polygon, at the corners of which towers are located. Initially, this defensive ensemble included fourteen, including a diversion archer. The latter was an additional fortification and was located in front of the Dmitrievskaya Tower. Today, the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin consists of thirteen similar structures. The fortress, which withstood numerous enemy sieges and never surrendered to the enemy, was repeatedly reconstructed. The most grandiose restructuring was carried out already in our years - in the twentieth century. Thanks to the efforts and enthusiasm of the local resident and architect Svyatoslav Leonidovich Agafonov, the beauty and pride of the city not only did not disappear from the face of the earth, but was also restored. Work was started in 1949 and lasted until 1977. And in November 2012, the Zachatievskaya tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin was restored.
Description
It was destroyed by a landslide in the middle of the eighteenth century. The Conception Tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin was a two-tiered square structure, which was crowned with a back roof. In its height, this fortification did not exceed the surrounding fortress walls. Due to the fact that this site was more likely than other slopes of the hill to be landslides, and also due to the fact that the Volga River belonged to the Rus, medieval architects did not attach fortifications to defensive significance. Therefore, the Zachatievskaya tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin was used more as a passage, or rather, an exit: through its gate it was possible to very quickly go to shore. However, they soon ceased to be used due to the emergency condition, and already in 1622 the gates “made them stand still”. Somewhere in the fifties of the eighteenth century, the tower, shifted by a landslide to the Volga, collapsed. Soon, the Kremlin itself lost its significance as a military fortress. And then, by the decision of the Nizhny Novgorod governor I.M. Rebinder, his towers were converted into military and food warehouses and utility rooms.
Kremlin Integrity
For the first time in more than two centuries, the ring of walls has finally closed. The Zachatievskaya tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, erected on one of the most unfavorable sites, was destroyed not because of constant enemy raids, but for reasons much more prosaic. Clay soil and the high content of loose rocks in it, which filled all the former ravines and ravines, landslides and ground and surface water flowing down to the northern walls of the fortress, all these conditions led to the fact that it and the walls adjoining it collapsed. Like the Borisoglebskaya tower, the Zachatievskaya tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin was constantly deformed. For this reason, it was constantly rebuilt. And finally, in the eighteenth century, during the reign of Catherine the Great, the first provincial architect Jacob Ananyin began work on the analysis of the northern walls of the fortress, as well as both long-suffering towers. They were completely eliminated. The walls were replaced with lower ones. Nevertheless, the process of destruction of this section of the fortress continued. And even today, after the reconstruction, terrible cracks are visible in the wall near the Borisoglebskaya tower. The destructive process continues.
History
The Conception Tower was built in the Middle Ages without investing any special meaning in it. Over time, she began to serve only as an exit from the fortress. But in 1622, due to its emergency condition, this function ceased to be performed by the Zachatievskaya tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. How to get to the Volga from the fortress, the townspeople no longer bothered. After all, when in 1750 this site was destroyed, the remaining parts were dismantled. And on the site of the tower itself appeared "Descent to the Picturesque source." But he, having suffered a destructive landslide, was bombarded.
Excavations carried out in the sixties of the last century showed that the Zachatskaya, or, as it is also called, the "Zachatievskaya" tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin, shifted by almost five centimeters towards the river. According to the architect who led the reconstruction, this happened at the end of the seventeenth - first half of the eighteenth century. Since 2012, the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin has gained its original appearance.
Zachatievskaya tower where is it located?
Under Agafonov, this thirteenth head - the last of its majestic sisters - was never recreated. Moreover, its genuine fragments were found only in 1961, after the collapse of the masonry covering them dating back to the eighteenth century. Archaeologists have discovered the top of the vaulted passage that led from the tower to the furnace through the thickness of the fortress wall and several white stone steps above it. Their sizes were 34-36 in height and 27 centimeters in width. This is significantly cooler than the usual stairs for the Kremlin.
The Zachatskaya (Zachatievskaya) tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin is located between the Belaya and Borisoglebskaya heads, on the lowest part of the fortress hill facing the banks of the Volga River. It, according to the preserved chronicles, was built in 1500-1514, almost simultaneously with the walls of the fort.
Recovery
The nearby convent was the reason that, in honor of the conception of St. Anna the Martyr, the Zachatiev Tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin was similarly named. How to get to this holy monastery, each old-timer of the city will show. It was founded under the fortress hill, on the very banks of the Volga, by order of the wife of Nizhny Novgorod Prince Andrei Konstantinovich. This monastery still exists, however, now it is called the “Holy Cross Exaltation".
Svyatoslav Agafonov, having analyzed the cleared preserved parts of the tower’s premises, began to carry out theoretical and design reconstruction. It was he who put forward the hypothesis about the similarity of the Zachatievskaya and Nikolskaya goals. The case of the father, who did not live to see the restoration, was continued by his daughter, Irina Svyatoslavovna. It was under her leadership that the Zachatievskaya tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin was rebuilt.
Today
Currently, a museum is arranged here. It presents truly unique exhibits of great historical value and not previously exhibited anywhere. For example, on the ground floor you can see elements of the old walls of the stone Kremlin and the Zachatsky tower. The second-level exhibition, consisting of amphorae, elements of a wooden fortress and weapons, was collected as a result of lengthy archaeological research. On the third floor there is an exposition dedicated to the militia of 1612. There is also an observation deck. The opening hours of the Zachat tower of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin are from ten in the morning to six in the evening. The museum is closed on Monday.
Interesting Facts
The Zachatievsky tower is considered the most mysterious structure of the Nizhny Novgorod Kremlin. Moreover, some even consider her damned. According to legend, the Italian architect who designed it was buried in the foundation pit of the tower. Legend says that an overseas architect, falling in love with a local resident's bride, tried to kiss her. A fight ensued between him and the groom, as a result, both rivals died.
The Conception Tower was restored on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the Nizhny Novgorod militia. And then the Kremlin, having acquired the appearance of a completed building, appeared before visitors in the form in which its brilliant architect had conceived it.