For those who first get to the banks of the Ob, it is difficult to imagine that the city of Novosibirsk - the largest industrial, scientific and cultural center of Siberia - is a little over a hundred years old. The city, of course, has its own unique architectural appearance. And expressive Orthodox churches of Novosibirsk occupy far from the last place in its visual image. Even despite the fact that they cannot boast of antiquity.
From the history of Novosibirsk
Some historians explain the emergence of this settlement as a historical accident. The city of Novonikolaevsk gradually grew from a working village, which was founded in the last decade of the nineteenth century. Then the builders of the bridge across the great Siberian river Ob lived in it - a water barrier for the Trans-Siberian railway under construction. This road connecting the central regions of the country with the Pacific coast was of great importance in Russian history. And one of the consequences of its construction was the city on the banks of the Ob. The oldest temples of Novosibirsk are almost the same age as the city. Without an Orthodox church in the center of the city in Russia were not built. It has traditionally been the architectural dominant of any locality. It should be noted with regret that not all the churches and churches of Novosibirsk erected at its foundation have survived to this day. A lot was destroyed in the thirties of the twentieth century.
Cathedral in the name of Alexander Nevsky
The Orthodox churches of Novosibirsk can pleasantly surprise guests with the expressiveness and non-triviality of architectural solutions. One of the most striking historical monuments is the red brick cathedral in the name of Alexander Nevsky in the historical center of the city. This majestic and powerful building, made in the Neo-Byzantine style, was one of the first stone structures of Novonikolaevsk. Its construction was completed on the eve of the onset of the new century, in 1899. Like other temples in Novosibirsk, the cathedral was significantly damaged in the first half of the century. In the Soviet period of history, it underwent a redevelopment and was used for other purposes. Even attempts were made for its final demolition, but the Bolsheviks failed to blow up the building. The cathedral lost only the bell tower. On the eve of a significant date - the Millennium of the baptism of Russia, a powerful public campaign was launched in the city for the transfer of the historical monument of the Russian Orthodox Church. Which was done.
Ascension Cathedral
One of the oldest churches in the city is also the Ascension Cathedral. The date of its construction marked the eve of World War I - 1913. The fate of the temple is quite typical - in 1937 it was closed as part of the country's anti-religious policy. The building served as a warehouse and granary. However, during the war, the Bolsheviks were forced to change their attitude towards the Orthodox Church. In 1944, the Ascension Cathedral again received parishioners. Since then, temple services have not ceased. It functioned even during the cardinal restoration of the building, which took place before the celebration of the Millennium of the baptism of Russia.
