In the very center of Vologda there is a historical and architectural ensemble, which was laid down by decree of Ivan IV as a fortress (1567) and played a defensive role in the 16th – 17th centuries. At the beginning of the XIX century, its walls and tower were demolished. Today, the Vologda Kremlin is the State Museum-Reserve. We will tell you about this monument of history and architecture.
Vologda Kremlin - history
The construction of the Kremlin began in the spring of 1566, on the eve of the day of the apostles Sosipatra and Jason. Humphrey Locke, a visiting British engineer, supervised the work.
Ivan the Terrible planned to use the Vologda Kremlin as his own residence. The territory allotted for construction from the north was limited by the Vologda River, from the south a ditch was dug, which today is known as the Zolotukha River, from the west the border ran along today's Leningradskaya Street.
In 1571, construction work was suspended due to the departure of the king. By this moment, a stone wall and eleven towers had been erected, two of which, with yards, were in the southwestern corner.
Later, a cathedral church appeared on the territory of the Kremlin - a magnificent stone building, St. Sophia Cathedral. At the same time, the royal palace appeared, made of wood, and the church of Joachim and Anna. A wooden prison and a 21-pitched tower were built. The stone wall was only from the southeast and from the northwest. Despite the fact that the Vologda Kremlin was not yet completed, already in those days it impressed with its huge size.
The next three wooden towers and four intermediate towers were built during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich.
The streets located inside the Kremlin were planned taking into account the direction of the main roads that were laid from Spassky Gate, and led to St. Sophia Cathedral. Between highways residential streets and driveways were created. The central square was called Cathedral. On it were St. Sophia Cathedral, the royal palace and the bishops' chambers.
The Vologda Kremlin had government services along the eastern wall that led to the Zolotukha River. Opposite stood a small writing hut - the clerk sat there. In the neighborhood was a disgraced prison, and there were eight granaries behind it, in which grain collected from county people was stored. A little hut was organized a little south of the Pyatnitsky, in which labial elders sat. They investigated criminal cases. There was also a prison yard surrounded by a high fence.
The famous Trade Square was organized on the territory of the Kremlin. In 1711, twelve rows were built on it. Later, when they began to be missed, trade rows began to be erected on the bank of Zolotukha.
Between the Spasskaya and Vologda towers was the Gostiny Dvor, which in 1627 occupied an area 98 meters 92 meters wide. There were sovereign barns built under one roof, the church of Peter and Paul.
Today, the Vologda Kremlin is the historical and cultural center of the city. The remains of many defensive structures today are represented in the form of ponds and ditches in the museum park and near the Zolotukha River.
Museum History
The first museum in Vologda appeared in the 19th century. It was the house of Peter I, which received its first visitors in 1885. After 11 years (1896), a diocesan Ancient Depository appeared in Vologda, in which there were antiques of religious significance and important documents of the Vologda diocese.
The first art gallery in Vologda appeared in 1911. The creation of the Museum of Homeland Studies dates back to the same time.
In March 1923, according to the decision of local authorities, all the museums of the city were united.
On the basis of the regional museum of local lore, the Vologda State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve was organized.
Today it unites the Vologda Kremlin and 9 branches. It:
- Architectural and Ethnographic Museum.
- Museum of lace.
- House of Peter I.
- “Vologda Link” (museum).
- House-Museum of Mozhaisky A.F.
- Museum-apartment Batyushkova K.N.
- "Literature. Art. Century XX "(museum).
- “Forgotten things” (museum).
- "Vologda at the turn of the XIX - XX centuries" (exhibition exposition).
Sophia Cathedral
This is the oldest stone building in the city. The Vologda Kremlin and St. Sophia Cathedral are magnificent monuments of architecture and history of the 16th century. The temple has a very impressive size. The walls have a length of 38.5 meters, a height exceeding 59 meters.
St. Sophia Cathedral is an example of Russian church architecture of the 16th century. Such structures were common in cities, they were built like the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow. At the same time, the Vologda Cathedral differs from other analogs in the laconic architecture, which gives the cathedral a specific northern severity.
Structural features
Saint Sophia Cathedral has a characteristic feature. According to the ancient church canon, the altar of the temple should always be facing east. At the behest of Ivan the Terrible, the altar of the cathedral was built in such a way that it was directed to the northeast. According to researchers, Ivan IV wished that the altar of the temple was facing the river, although this was contrary to the traditions of church construction.
The five-tier wooden gilded iconostasis is completely preserved to our time. It was created in 1738 and became the third since the construction of the cathedral. Icons for him were written by the Polish painter Maxim Iskritsky.
Over its long history, St. Sophia Cathedral has been reconstructed many times. It acquired its modern appearance only in the 20th century.
The bell tower of the Vologda Kremlin
In 1659, an octagonal stone hipped bell tower was erected on the territory of the Kremlin.
In 1869, Bishop Palladium, who believed that the bell tower of the cathedral should be higher than all the bell towers in the diocese, instructed the architect V.N. Shildknecht to rebuild it. The tent was dismantled, and on the old one the existing bell tower was built today, which has lancet arches of ringing.
The main feature of this bell tower was the chimes that were made in Moscow at the Gutenop brothers factory (1871). Today they are the main hours of the city.
Unique belfry
Here is a unique collection of ancient bells. Well preserved bells of the XVII century. Some of them received original names - “Sentinel” (1627), “Big Swan” (1689), “Little Swan” (1656) and others.
At the base of the chapter is a small observation deck. From it you can admire an unusually beautiful view of the city, the river.
The head of the bell tower is gilded. The last time this work was carried out in 1982. Then it took 1200 g of gold leaf.
House of Peter I
This museum began to work in Vologda back in 1872. It is located in the historical part of the city, on the banks of the Vologda River, in the former Gutman house. This is the only surviving building of Dutch merchants. Peter I often visited here.
Nowadays, the museum’s collection consists of hundreds of exhibits. All of them are dumb witnesses of that old era. These are pieces of furniture on which the engraving "A.G." (Adolf Gutman), owned by the owners of the house.
Particularly valuable exhibits are the orders established by Peter I. This, of course, is the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. In those days, 38 people were awarded.
Excursions
Today, many of our compatriots come to see the Vologda Kremlin, a photo of which you can see in our article.
The museum includes 40 architectural monuments with a total area of 9,000 square meters. m. Guests are offered literary, artistic, natural-scientific, historical-ethnographic expositions. The collection of the museum has more than 500 thousand exhibits - priceless paintings of Ancient Russia, graphics, manuscripts, ancient coins and much more.
More than 60 thousand exhibits are displayed at various exhibitions. Many samples from museum collections were exhibited in England and Germany, the Vatican and France, Finland and the Netherlands, Hungary and Austria. All excursions to the Vologda Kremlin can be attended by both personal and group. Moreover, excursion programs are created for different age groups, starting with preschool children. More than 80 excursions are regularly held at the museum and its branches.
Museum working hours
Today, many tourists go to the Vologda Kremlin. Opening hours of the museum - every day from 10.00 to 17.00. The museum is closed to visitors on Monday and Tuesday. Entrance to the Kremlin is free every day.