In the very center of Vologda there is a historical and architectural ensemble, which was founded by the Decree of Ivan IV as a fortress (1567) and played a defensive role in the 16th-17th centuries. At the beginning of the 19th century, its walls and tower were dismantled. 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 Sosipater and Jason. Humphrey Locke, a visiting engineer from the UK, 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 moat was dug, which today is known as the Zolotukha River, from the west the border ran along the current Leningradskaya Street.
In 1571, construction work was suspended due to the departure of the king. By this time there wasa stone wall and eleven towers were erected, two of which, with whorls, were in the southwest corner.
Later, a cathedral church appeared on the territory of the Kremlin - a magnificent stone structure, St. Sophia Cathedral. At the same time, the royal palace, made of wood, and the church of Joachim and Anna appeared. A wooden prison and a 21-hipped tower were built. The stone wall was only from the southeast and from the northwest. Despite the fact that the Vologda Kremlin had not yet been completed, already at that time it was striking in its huge size.
The next three wooden towers and four intermediate ones were built during the reign of Alexei Mikhailovich.
The streets inside the Kremlin were planned taking into account the direction of the main roads that were laid from the Spassky Gates and led to the St. Sophia Cathedral. Residential streets and driveways were created between highways. The central square began to be called the Cathedral. Sophia Cathedral, the royal palace and the bishops' chambers were located on it.
The Vologda Kremlin had public services located along the eastern wall, which led to the Zolotukha River. Opposite stood a small writing hut - clerks sat in it. In the neighborhood there was a disgraced prison, and behind it were eight granaries, in which grain collected from the county people was stored. A little south of Pyatnitsky, a labial hut was organized, in which the labial elders met. They investigated criminal cases. There was also a prison yard surrounded by a high fence.
The famous Torgovaya Square was organized on the territory of the Kremlin. In 1711, twelve rows were built on it. Later, when there were not enough of them, shopping arcades began to be built on the banks of Zolotukha.
Between the Spasskaya and Vologda towers there was the Gostiny Dvor, which in 1627 occupied an area 98 meters long and 92 meters wide. Here were the 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 presented in the form of ponds and ditches in the museum park and near the Zolotukha River.
History of the Museum
The first museum in Vologda appeared in the 19th century. It was the house of Peter I, which received the first visitors in 1885. Eleven years later (1896), a diocesan Ancient Repository appeared in Vologda, which contained antiquities of cult significance and important documents of the Vologda diocese.
The first art gallery in Vologda appeared in 1911. The creation of the Museum of Motherland Studies dates back to the same time.
In March 1923, according to the decision of the local authorities, all the museums of the city were united.
The Vologda State Historical and Architectural Museum-Reserve was organized on the basis of the regional museum of local lore.
Today it unites the Vologda Kremlin and 9 branches. This is:
- Architectural and Ethnographic Museum.
- Museum of Lace.
- House of Peter I.
- Vologda Link (museum).
- House-Museum of Mozhaysky A. F.
- Museum-Batyushkov's apartment K. N.
- “Literature. Art. Century XX” (museum).
- Forgotten Things (museum).
- "Vologda at the turn of the XIX - XX centuries" (exhibition).
St. 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 are 38.5 meters long and over 59 meters high.
Sophia Cathedral is an example of Russian church architecture of the 16th century. Such structures were common in cities, they were built according to the type of the Assumption Cathedral in Moscow. At the same time, the Vologda Cathedral differs from other analogues in its laconic architecture, which gives the cathedral a specific northern severity.
Building features
Sophia Cathedral has a characteristic feature. In accordance with the ancient church canon, the altar of the temple should always face east. By order of Ivan the Terrible, the altar of the cathedral was built in such a way that it is directed to the northeast. According to the researchers, Ivan IV wished that the altar of the temple was facing the river, although this was contrary to the traditions of church building.
To our time, a five-tier wooden gilded iconostasis has been completely preserved. It was created in 1738 and became the third since the construction of the cathedral. Icons for him were painted by the Polish painter Maxim Iskritsky.
For its long historySophia Cathedral has been reconstructed many times. It acquired its modern look only in the 20th century.
Vologda Kremlin Bell Tower
In 1659, an octahedral stone hipped bell tower was erected on the territory of the Kremlin.
In 1869, Bishop Pallady, who believed that the bell tower of the cathedral should be higher than all the bell towers in the diocese, ordered the architect VN Schildknecht to rebuild it. The tent was dismantled, and the bell tower, which still exists today, has lancet chime arches, was built on the old one.
The main feature of this bell tower was the chimes, which were made in Moscow, at the factory of the Gutenop brothers (1871). Today they are the main clock of the city.
Unique belfry
Here is a unique collection of ancient bells. The bells of the 17th century are well preserved. Some of them received original names - "Sentry" (1627), "Big Swan" (1689), "Small Swan" (1656) and others.
There is a small observation deck at the base of the chapter. 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 done was in 1982. Then it took 1200 g of gold leaf.
House of Peter I
This museum started working 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 house of the Gutmans. This is the only surviving building of Dutch merchants. Peter I often visited here.
NowThe museum's collection consists of hundreds of exhibits. All of them are silent witnesses of that ancient era. These are pieces of furniture on which the engraving "A. G." (Adolf Gutman) belonging to the owners of the house.
Especially valuable exhibits are the orders established by Peter I. This, of course, is the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. At that time, 38 people were awarded it.
Tours
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 monuments of architecture, the total area of which is 9000 square meters. m. Guests are offered literary, artistic, natural science, historical and ethnographic expositions. The museum's collection includes more than 500 thousand exhibits - priceless paintings of Ancient Russia, graphics, manuscripts, ancient coins and much more.
More than 60 thousand exhibits are shown at various exhibitions. Many samples from the museum's collections were exhibited in England and Germany, the Vatican and France, Finland and the Netherlands, Hungary and Austria. All those who come to the Vologda Kremlin can visit both personal and group excursions. Moreover, excursion programs are created for different age groups, starting from preschool children. More than 80 excursions are regularly held on the basis of the museum and its branches.
Museum opening hours
Today, many tourists go to the Vologda Kremlin. Museum opening hours - every day from 10.00 to 17.00. The museum is closed to the public forMonday and Tuesday. Admission to the territory of the Kremlin is free every day.
