Usually the Kremlin is the center of cultural and spiritual power, the place from which the cities “begin”, where citizens and tourists flock. Ryazan is no exception: the Ryazan Kremlin - the Cathedral bell tower - is visible from either side at the entrance to the city.
History
The Kremlin in Pereyaslavl-Ryazan is not just the oldest part of the city, it is a museum, one of the five oldest in the country, it was founded on June 15, 1884. On a high hill, protected by rivers from three sides, the Ryazan Kremlin is located. The cathedral bell tower is its main decoration. To protect him, a moat was dug from the fourth side, filled with water during the flood season. At such moments, the structure turned out to be insular.
Like most cities, Pereyaslavl-Ryazan was not formed in the open field. The first settlers came here in the Mesolithic, the Slavs appeared in the VI-VII centuries. The fertility of the land, its favorable location gave birth to several settlements. After a short time, a city nearby became known as Pereyaslavl-Ryazan.
The very first Kremlin was rebuilt in the 11th century. It was located a little north of the place where the modern Ryazan Kremlin is located, the cathedral bell tower of which is visible to the traveler from afar - today the Church of the Holy Spirit was erected in that place. The Kremlin owned an area of about two hectares. The site where the church is located today was intended for the prince's tower.
As the city grew, the Kremlin expanded, occupying the entire Kremlin hill by the twelfth century. New towers and walls were erected, in a place without natural protection, a rampart and a dry moat were erected.
It is likely that the town would have remained one of many similar, if not for the events of 1236. It was then that the devastating campaign of Batu to the main city of the Ryazan principality - Ryazan took place. The city was never able to recover, so in 1285 the episcopal department was moved to Pereyaslavl-Ryazan. By the middle of the 16th century, quiet Pereyaslavl turned into the capital of the principality.
After such changes, the city began to grow rapidly. The Ryazan Kremlin, whose history, culture and traditions span more than centuries than most other similar structures, has also undergone changes. In the 15th century a fortified fortified fortress appeared, then next to it were Trading, Upper and Lower Posad. Numerous settlements were already stretched behind them.
After some time, the city and guest builders mastered the masonry, as a result of which stone buildings began to appear. The Nativity of Christ Cathedral was the first brick-built building - this is the oldest building in the modern Ryazan Kremlin. Specialists found that the altar was made using the white stone masonry technique in the 15th century. Alterations of subsequent centuries completely changed the appearance of the cathedral. He changed his name - he was originally called the Assumption.
The fortress walls of the Kremlin were surrounded by archbishop's chambers, the governor’s courtyard, and the diocesan office. They were neighbors with stables, a cooper's workshop, malt houses, warehouses, and mills. In the place where the Cathedral bell tower is located today, in the old days there was the Glebovsky Tower with the city prison adjoining it, the Order of Detective Affairs, and weapons workshops.
It is surprising that the Kremlin initially housed three monasteries: the Epiphany women, the Spassky men and the Dukhovskaya. In addition, there were nine churches, food depots, more than two hundred yards, and three cemeteries on the territory. In the east, Merchant Posad adjoined the Kremlin, while on the west side were located Rybatskaya Sloboda and a trading port. There were fruit trees around - in spring, during flowering, the sight was simply magnificent!
By the 18th century, the main buildings were ready. They are intact to this day: the Consistory Corps, the Epiphany Church and the Singing Corps. In the same period, the expansion of the Bishops' Chambers began.
In 1684, the Assumption Cathedral was founded, since the number of believers exceeded the capabilities of the previous cathedral. By 1692, the construction was almost completed, but the irreparable happened: the entire structure collapsed. In January of the following year, new tenders began; as a result, Y. G. Bukhvostov was received in a row. By 1699, construction was completed.
Over time, the buildings dilapidated. Until the 17th century, fortress walls surrounded the city, but after the middle of the century the need for defensive structures disappeared, as the country's borders expanded significantly.
In 1789, it was decided to make changes to the Ryazan Kremlin: the cathedral bell tower replaced the Gleb Tower. Its construction was carried out until 1840. Four architects took part in this process: Voronikhin, Russko, Vorotilov and Ton. Surprisingly, such a number of leaders did not prevent the bell tower from becoming the best example of classicism, striking with its harmony. The cathedral bell tower, the Ryazan Kremlin, whose history dates back centuries, can boast of "acquaintance" with the most famous people of different times.
sights
Assumption Cathedral, Glebovsky Bridge, Church of the Holy Spirit, Cathedral Bell Tower - The Ryazan Kremlin is filled with attractions to the maximum, so a visit to this place will be very interesting.
All buildings are compact enough, so you won’t need to walk a lot. It should be borne in mind that the temples are still operating, so to visit them you need to dress appropriately.
Cathedral bell tower
The cathedral bell tower, the construction history of which is worthy of a separate story, is a truly stunning and elegant building. The height of the building is 86 meters; a spire of 25 meters is installed on its top. With a careful examination of the bell tower, the tourist can see changes in architecture over the years of its construction.
The construction of the first tier lasted from 1789 to 1797. The architect of this stage was V. A. Vorotilov. The second stage was built in 1816 - its leader was I.F. Russo. From the third tier to the spire, N.I. Voronikhin was engaged in construction using the Ton project.
Oddly enough, for all that, there is no sense of stylistic disagreement. The building is very organically blended into the surrounding ensemble. The cathedral bell tower is an architectural monument that allows you to admire other attractions as well, since the third tier is equipped with an observation deck, which offers stunning views of the Kremlin, the city and the surrounding area.
Glebovsky bridge
In order to be in the Kremlin, you must overcome the moat. Today it is very easy to do this - the bridge, called Glebovsky, leads across the moat. In the form in which it can be observed today, it has existed since the 18th century. Until that time, the bridge leading to the Kremlin was made of wood.
Church of the Transfiguration
Not only the whole country knows about the Cathedral bell tower of the Ryazan Kremlin - the Church of the Transfiguration of the Savior on Yara is no less known. It was erected in 1695. This is a very elegant temple; special completeness is given to it by bundles of columns in different directions.
Church of the Holy Spirit
Visits are not only the Cathedral bell tower of the Kremlin. Sights make up a rather impressive list, each item in which deserves a visit. For example, the Church of the Holy Spirit is built on the very edge of the cliff, above the Trubezh River. Vasily Kharitonov-Zubov took up this construction in 1642. The master from Soligalich managed to create the rarest example of a two-hipped temple, with two aspids. By the end of the 18th century. The refectory was added to the church, and in 1864 the tent bell tower was reconstructed. Today the building belongs to the library of the museum.
Epiphany Church
The refined Epiphany Church was built in 1647. Located between the Transfiguration Cathedral and the Assumption Cathedral. This representative of the early Moscow Baroque is a five-domed pillarless temple with a tent bell tower and a refectory. In the 18th century, the image of this church was slightly changed.
Assumption Cathedral
This monumental building cannot but admire. From anywhere in the Kremlin you can see this cathedral. Its area is 1600 squares, its height is 72 m. It belongs to the Naryshkin baroque style, and it is its largest representative.
The building has a completely traditional structure - a six-pillar five-domed temple. Nevertheless, due to its unusual size, it can be considered innovative. Initially, the walls were decorated with gables, but later they were knocked down and replaced with a gable roof. Portals and platbands are decorated with white stone carvings with patterns on the theme of plants, which were carried out under the leadership of Bukhvostov.
The Holy Synod in 1800 decided to dismantle the cathedral, but the inhabitants were able to defend the decoration of the city. An architect, invited from the capital, said that the temple is to be restored. The richest merchants of the city became the sponsors of the restoration - it was thanks to them that in 1804, after a complete reconstruction, the cathedral was consecrated again.
Gallery
The Assumption, Arkhangelsk Cathedrals are connected to the Oleg's Palace Gallery. This place stands out among similar ones in that it connects more than two buildings. The Gallery offers breathtaking views.
Cathedral of the Archangel
This is one of the oldest temples in the Kremlin. It was built in the 15-17 centuries. Initially required as a tomb and house church of the princely family and Ryazan bishops. One of the most famous religious figures of Peter's times - Stefan Yavorsky - rests here.
Singing corps
After passing through the gallery, the traveler enters the courtyard, which is formed by several buildings. Right in front is the Singing Corps, an architectural heritage of the 17th century. Today, an ethnographic museum is located within the walls of the building.
Oleg's Palace
This is the largest building of the Kremlin, owned by the civilian population. This is a beautiful building, an architectural monument of the 17-18th centuries. The area of the building is 2.5 thousand square meters. The second floor houses the Church of St. John the Baptist. He built both lower floors in 1651-1655. Yuri Ershov, referring to the early Baroque. Forty years later, with the help of Gregory Mazurin, the church was rebuilt and the third floor was built on - this part turned out to be in the developed Baroque style. A hundred years later, an extension was made on the east side in the style of Peter's Baroque. The length of the building increased to 94 meters.
Today Oleg’s Palace is a museum-reserve, its western part belongs to the Ryazan diocese.
