Hello to all! Ancient architecture is a treasure trove of history. Each religious building is unique in its own way. St. Nicholas Cathedral is the oldest temple in the region, which, according to archival documents, was built in 1600. At that time, the city of Bobruisk was a small settlement with a population of 2 to 5 thousand people. But during the war with Napoleon, the church was moved to another place. But in the late 1800s, the Temple was rebuilt.
The new building of the Nicholas Cathedral was built in a retrospective Russian architectural style. It is a popular style of the time that included elements of Byzantine architecture. Nicholas Cathedral was built on donations from the church and government funds. It took two years to build it. A large wooden cross carries a message from the Bible.
The building is five-domed with a dominant large golden dome in the center. The highest point of the cathedral is the central three-tiered tower reaching a height of about 32 meters. There is a small bell tower in the tower, which is mainly used during Orthodox holidays.
After power passed into the hands of the Soviet regime, religion became illegal throughout the country. Nicholas Cathedral was closed and plundered. All valuables were removed from the church. But this did not last long. During the occupation of Bobruisk, the Germans allowed the resumption of services in the Nicholas Church. One photo of the early 1940s has been preserved in the church's archives.
After the end of World War II, St. Nicholas Cathedral was closed again. But this time it was converted into a swimming pool. And only in 2003, the gradual restoration of the previous appearance of the temple began, which was completed in 2007. Since then, the building of the cathedral has opened its doors again in front of the parishioners.
I managed to go inside and took some photos of the worship room. The central space is an altar that is decorated with icons of saints on all sides. The drum of the central dome and the open tier of the prayer hall are supported by an arched system and large pylons.
In the central part, next to the altar, there is a huge ancient chandelier. However, it was redesigned and now it shines thanks to many small lamps decorated in the form of candles.
The rear silhouette of the cathedral is a three-bladed semicircular apse. Such a solution expands the internal volume of the inner hall and gives the external appearance of the cathedral an unusual look. Domes are located above each of the semicircular apids. There is a large dome above the central one, and two small domes above the side ones.
The cathedral is plastered in white and has traditional decorative elements such as highlighted arched openings, scalloped friezes and other elements.
St. Nicholas Cathedral gives the impression of a majestic place of worship. Believers from all over the region come here. Baptism and wedding ceremony of newlyweds are held in the Nicholas Cathedral. This place is popular among guests and residents of the city of Bobruisk. A very long and long-suffering history has made the cathedral a unique and admirable place.
Photo information:
Author:
Camera: Xiaomi Redmi note 9 pro
Location: Bobruisk, Belarus
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