Zvenigorod is one of the ancient cities in the suburbs. It was founded in the sixteenth century under Yuri Dolgoruky. Over time, a small settlement turned into a cultural, commercial and religious center. The city reached its heyday already under the rule of Prince Yuri Zvenigorodsky, who built his country residence in the local Kremlin. From ancient times, this settlement performed guard functions on the approaches to the Russian capital.
Zvenigorod
There are many versions about the origin of its name. The most common one was associated with bells. It is them that Zvenigorod has long been famous for. In the chronicles it is said that the ringing of the bell, especially the Great Evangelical, was heard even in Moscow, which is sixty kilometers away. According to another version, this signal always warned residents about a fire. There is another opinion according to which Zvenigorod is so named after the numerous streams located on its territory that ring everywhere. Against the backdrop of such beautiful assumptions, one more version is not perceived in any way: supposedly earlier pigs were bred here in every yard, and therefore the settlement was called Pig Town, and over time the name was transformed into Zvenigorod.
sights
Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery is rightfully considered the first place that tourists are invited to see. In addition, the ruins of the Kremlin, for example, its earthen ramparts, have been preserved in Zvenigorod. Many people find it interesting to see the stump left from that linden under which A. Chekhov always liked to rest. In addition, the hospital still operates here, in which the writer got a job in 1884.
In general, many other celebrities lived in Zvenigorod. For example, the famous painter Levitan spent his best years here. Many of his paintings are painted here, for example, the paintings “Under Zvenigorod”, “Bridge: Savvinskaya Sloboda at Zvenigorod”, etc. Actress L. Orlova was born here. Today, the center, named after her, presents a huge collection of photographs and personal items.
There are many churches in Zvenigorod. Of these, Voznesenskaya experts are especially distinguished - built in an unusual style for Russian architecture. Ancient estates built in the vicinity of Zvenigorod deserve considerable attention for tourists.
Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery
Considered a masterpiece of Old Russian architecture, this magnificent cathedral ensemble, dating from the fifteenth century, is already initially surrounded by tall walls decorated with towers. The monastery of amazing beauty is located three kilometers from the city of Zvenigorod.
The Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery was built on a hill at the confluence of the Storozhka tributary into the Moscow River. It was founded in the middle of the fourteenth century by the Monk Savva at the behest of Yuri Dmitrievich - heir to Prince Dmitry Donskoy. The complex has recently been completely restored, and today it is considered operational.
History
Some experts argue that it was thanks to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich that the Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery (Zvenigorod) received the status of the first Russian laurel, both in importance and in terms, and only then the Trinity-Sergius and Kiev-Pechersk Convents were awarded the same title. . At first, a wooden church was built in honor of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The main transport route to the west from Moscow to Zvenigorod was chosen as a place for it. The Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery became the place where its founder, the monk Savva, a follower of St. Sergius of Radonezh, sought solitude. To this end, he even dug up a small cave, spending many hours in it in prayer.
At first, the monastery was small in number of flocks and in area. However, when over time the monks began to increase in number, the Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery in Zvenigorod expanded territorially.
Architecture
Zvenigorod has many interesting architectural monuments. The Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery is the main one. The reason is that this complex, built many centuries ago, stands on a hill and, as it were, rises above the rest of the sights. Its dominant is considered the Nativity Cathedral. Interesting architectural solutions typical of the seventeenth century are presented in the bell tower and the royal chambers.
The Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery in Zvenigorod is painted by thirty icon painters. Church of the Nativity of the Virgin - a unique monument of monumental painting. The surviving fragments of the earliest paintings of its walls date back to the fifteenth century and belong to masters from the circle of Andrei Rublev. Disclosure of the painting layer and work to save the most ancient paintings of the cathedral, for example, the altar barrier, was carried out by restorers of the highest category, including Bryafgin and Burov. Under the guidance of the latter and the technology developed by him, it was possible to remove the painting from the internal galleries from the completely corrupted state, the Savvinsky side chapel and its vestibule, which the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery in Zvenigorod is proud of today, were also restored.
How to get there
Those who come here by electric train need to get from the Belorussky railway station to Zvenigorod station, and then by bus to the Monastyr stop. Suburban minibuses depart from Moscow from the Kuntsevskaya metro station. Those who come to the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery in Zvenigorod by road need to get to the junction along Novorizhskoye Shosse. In the city itself, from the Zvezda sports complex, turn right and then from the intersection turn right to the sign pointing to the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery. In Zvenigorod, it is considered the main attraction. The monastery's address is Verkhny Posad, Lapinsky Lane, building 27.
Worship services
One of the main shrines of this temple of God is the relics of the Monk Savva. It was he who founded the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery (Zvenigorod). The schedule of services here is compiled twice a month. A public prayer service is held at six in the morning, the Divine Liturgy and Akathist according to the Monk Savva of Storozhevsky are held at 7.45, and Vespers and Matins at seventeen. The rector of the Savvino-Storozhevsky monastery is His Holiness Moscow Patriarch Kirill, and the governor is Archimandrite Savva.
One of the main aspects of the ministry of this monastery was the creation of a spiritual school under it. This tradition dates back to 1775, when, by decree of Catherine the Second, a lower seminary was founded here. She was subsequently transformed into a spiritual school, which has four classes. Pupils of the monastery are not only teachers, mentors or clergy. Many representatives of the episcopate came out of the walls of the seminary.