In the south-west of the Novgorod region, among the vast wasteland, which is occupied by almost impenetrable swamps, there is a mysterious lake Rdeiskoye. It is interesting in itself, they say that its waters have a healing effect. But the most amazing thing is what is located on its shore. An ancient temple, still beautiful, despite the fact that it has long been abandoned, but not forgotten. The Rdeisky Monastery is a real mystery of the Russian land. Why is there such a huge temple here, in this impenetrable wilderness? In fact, today the entire population of the region does not even number 5,000 people, and earlier the city of Kholm and the surrounding region were considered quite rich and populous, several tens of thousands of people lived here.
A bit of history
The Rdeisky Monastery was founded in 1880, with funds allocated by the merchant Mamontov. At that time, there was already a wooden church on this site, it was reconstructed and a new monastery was erected. Some of the buildings were made of stone, and some were made of wood. The very place where the Rdeysky Monastery was founded is awe-inspiring. This is a real place of power, of which there are many in Russia,This is where the tectonic plates meet. Rdeyskoye Lake is another mystery. When viewed from the air, it forms an almost regular figure eight, a sign of infinity. It is located from north to south, two rings are separated by two capes, and connected by a strait, about 200 meters wide.
It was not for nothing that the temple was once laid here. It is washed on three sides by the waters of the lake, and on the fourth side it is covered from prying eyes by a marsh swamp. After 1880, construction began around the monastery. A bell tower, barns, stables, warehouses and a wall are being built. But wooden buildings are dilapidated, and in 1898 the grandiose construction of a stone monastery began. Tiles from Poland and marble from Italy were ordered for its decoration. The crown of the temple was an iconostasis made of Venetian marble, similar in beauty to which there was not even in Moscow. Icons and stained-glass windows were made by Moscow craftsmen. The temple was striking in its beauty. In 1937, the Rdeisky Monastery was closed and no longer worked. After the war, the surrounding villages were practically empty, apparently, therefore, it was no longer taken to restore it
The shrines that used to be here
The first monastery was founded on this site in 1666. During the entire existence of the monastery, spiritual values and relics were accumulated in it, to which parishioners came to bow. Judging by the ancient records, the miraculous icon of the Dormition of the Mother of God, as well as the icon of Zosima and Savvaty of Solovetsky, were kept here. Healing properties were attributed to them, but both of these icons werelost during the looting of the monastery.
The parishioners paid special attention to the altar cross, silver gilded, chased work, eight-pointed. Its value increased from the parts of holy relics and other sacred objects invested in it, as evidenced by the inscriptions. Three temple eight-pointed crosses are the legacy of the three churches that existed on this site. All of them were made of linden wood. More information about this can be found in the program "Russian trace". The directors were interested in the Rdeysky Monastery, and they undertook an exciting journey. They showed not only the whole way to the temple, but also its interior decoration, as well as the beauty of these places.
Rdeysky Monastery, how to get there
Any guide will tell you the address of the monastery: Novgorod region, Kholmsky district, Rdeisky state natural reserve. But getting here is not easy. Once upon a time, monks built wooden roads that even carriages could drive on. Today they have completely gone into the swamp, only the direction that can be seen from the air remains. The swamp swamp stretches for many kilometers, it occupies an area of one and a half Moscow. True, there is an option to get there by air, but most often lovers of Russian history prefer the way on foot.
Not far from the main road is the village of High, now completely deserted. From there, about 16 kilometers through an impenetrable swamp. For an unprepared person, this is a disastrous place, apparently because of this there are legends that not everyone is allowed to Rdeiskymonastery. How to get to it, the locals will gladly tell, but everyone will warn that it is almost impossible, because this place is holy.
Travel by local transport
The nearest highway runs 12 kilometers from the temple. But this does not stop lovers of antiquity and just believers. In the off-season, when the swamp is especially difficult to pass, such trips are not recommended. The rest of the time, it is better to leave wheeled vehicles in the city and then go on a caterpillar all-terrain vehicle or swamp. An expedition to the temple is sometimes sent from the Hill, so you can go on a trip with them. The locals will tell you many interesting stories about this place. Not everyone knows the swampy surroundings well, but those who grew up here know how to find secret paths and go through the most difficult routes. If you talk to them, they will tell you how during the war the entire area was destroyed and mined by the Germans, only the Rdeisky Monastery remained intact. History saved it for posterity, who ruthlessly plundered and today continue to destroy its former splendor. They say that in order for the monastery to reveal its miraculous properties to you, you need to come on foot. Not everyone will overcome this path the first time, which serves as a kind of strength test.
March on foot
There have already been many such trips, examples can be seen in a series of programs from the My Planet cycle. Rdeisky Monastery still excites the minds of people. Why so beautifulthe cathedral was built in such a God-forsaken place? But time passes, and the wonderful creation of human hands is increasingly yielding to the onslaught of nature. Although the walls only frame the power of these places, it will exist without them.
And again, looking through the chronicles, we see confirmation that this monastery does not immediately let people near it. Expeditions went out more than once and circled endlessly through the endless swamp, never reaching the place. You have to return to the village and take a long journey on a caterpillar all-terrain vehicle, if the time of year allows it. Already at the entrance it is felt that this place is not easy, and any person understands this, no matter how skeptical he may be.
Here, inside the temple, lies another mystery. The altar of any Orthodox church is oriented to the east. But even this rule does not work here. The altar of this monastery is oriented to the north or northwest. This cannot be an accident, because chapels and churches have stood here since time immemorial, one in place of the other. And each time the altar repeats the location of its predecessor. Why, nobody knows.
Winter road
When frost and ice fetter swamps, the Rdeisky Monastery reveals its secrets most easily. How to get there in winter, we will tell you now. Impenetrable swamps become a convenient route for any type of vehicle. The direction for movement will be the summer track from the caterpillar all-terrain vehicle, it is very convenient to drive along it, you do not have to collect all the bumps. But each such journey harms a unique biologicalobject. Remember that the swamp after the passage of heavy equipment is restored for many years, and the abundance of tourists simply does not leave him a chance. Therefore, it is better to take a wonderful walk, now the legs will not fall into the swamp, and you can go much more fun. If in summer these 16 kilometers are almost insurmountable, then in winter they can be cheerfully walked in three hours. It is best if you choose the time for a trip in late autumn, when the frost has already hardened the swamp, but there is still little snow, and the trees have retained some of the foliage. This time of year brings out the mystical charm of the abandoned monastery.
Legends associated with this place
They are the ones that most often motivate people to take this journey. Local residents warn: you should not visit the Rdeisky Monastery for the sake of curiosity. Legends tell many stories about the loss and the miraculous return of repentant people. It is much better to meet here pilgrims who go for knowledge in order to feel the history of the Russian land and Christianity. You will be happy to tell about miraculous healings that happened to people after visiting these places. But not only to heal, but also to punish can sacred forces. According to rumors, misfortune awaited everyone who participated in the destruction of the monastery, even just by scratching a memorable inscription on the wall.
Therefore, the locals are very kind to their shrine, and every time they visit the temple, they leave a donation for its restoration. They all hope that someday the Rdeisky Monastery will return to its former glory. Legends emphasizeand the miraculous salvation of the temple during the Second World War. He suffered, was left without a bell tower, but survived, as if some irresistible force took him under its protection. But here battles thundered to match the battles of Stalingrad. From the first days of the war, the Germans fought for every piece of this swampy land. And even today, the Rdeisky Monastery does not appear in its best form before the visitors. The photo will still remind you of an extraordinary place that lies beyond time and space. It belongs to a higher power.
Why come here
And indeed, many tourists would like to ask this question. For a thoughtful traveler, a visit to a place of such power can serve as an impetus for profound change, but those who come to write their initials on the wall are quite difficult to understand. This place is considered a cult place, and the honors given to it should be appropriate.
Monks live here, for whom the Rdeisky Monastery became the beginning of a new life. The road to the temple for them is the personification of their path to God. Despite the current state of the temple, they do not give up hope of restoring it. Their efforts created a small iconostasis where you can put a candle. Services have recently been held here.
The current state of the monastery
Today the temple is still beautiful, but as you get closer, you can see how dilapidated it is. In fact, these are already ruins with fragments of a stone wall. The monastery cemetery with cast-iron crosses has also been preserved. Once a white, marble-clad monasterybecame almost red, brick. On the inner sides of the wall, elements of painting are still preserved, but the domes are in a deplorable state. There are huge holes in them, the gilding has been removed, and trees grow on the roof. The last paintings and the remains of the marble iconostasis are being destroyed and taken away by tourists.
Stop at the Hill
Surely, after reading the article, you firmly decided to visit the Rdeisky Monastery. The road to the temple can be a path of real healing and transformation for you. As the locals say, you don't need a map to get to it. If necessary, the road itself will lead you to the place. To start your journey light, you can rent a room or a room at the Hill Hotel. On the way back, this will give you the opportunity to change, wash and go home. The city has lost its importance and today is of no interest to tourists.
Reviews
Tourists note that the Rdeisky Monastery is one of the few places on Earth that is endowed with such power. Many talk about their own healings and life changes. All pilgrims agree that this is a holy place, it will remain so even when the current temple crumbles from time to time. Experienced travelers say that while he lives, it is worth visiting here, feeling the local atmosphere and feeling the incorruptibility of something that is much older and higher than us. Having been here, I would like to believe that a large number of pilgrims who annually go to these places will become a new step in the life of the monastery.
