Man is a creator by nature. At one point in its development, mankind crossed the stage at which its activity was aimed at creating something functional, practical, and the beauty, the external attractiveness of the created began its history. People began to make their world around them so that every minute they could please their eyes. And for this purpose, there is art, an integral part of which is architecture. This is a great thing, because when building entire cities you need to observe one style, the same motives in its main buildings, but at the same time give each of them a special feature, individuality. Russia is rich in cities, walking along the streets of which you forget to look at the road, not allowing yourself to take your eyes off the beauty of its buildings. One such place is Saratov. The architecture and urban development of this city originate many centuries ago, but the whole history and character of different periods of time have been preserved on the facades of local structures.
Architecture of Saratov
There are many reasons that make tourists visit Saratov. Architecture takes pride of place among them. The entire history of urban development of this city, all changes in the styles and moods of its streets can be traced as a kind of time line that flows through its streets. For example, the Baroque preserved the Holy Trinity Cathedral near the Volga, the first quarters of Moscow clearly reflect Russian classicism, then - the eclecticism of the mid-19th century, the Imperial Nikolaev University as a representative of neoclassical modernism and the railway station in all the beauty of neo-Russian modernism. Unfortunately, for more than 400 years of the city’s history, its architectural heritage reflects only the last two centuries. The Committee on Architecture and Urban Planning of Saratov is working to preserve historically valuable structures.
Holy Trinity Cathedral
Saratov, whose architecture is full of history, can represent the oldest building in the area - the Holy Trinity Cathedral, or the Cathedral in the name of the Life-Giving Trinity. It was erected at the end of the 17th century and still retains the sophistication of a new style for Saratov then. At the beginning of the XVIII century, the main extension was made to the main building - the bell tower. Later Holy Trinity Cathedral changed many times, but in each case remained an interesting monument of church architecture. His style can be defined as "Naryshkin" or "Moscow" baroque.
It is from this cathedral that the research of Old Saratov should be started. Throughout history, a considerable number of architects “had a hand” in creating what can be seen now. Among them are Suranov, Uryupin, Lyushkin, Babenkov. Each of them saw this cathedral in its own way, but at the same time everyone sought to preserve its primitive appearance and, at the same time, its value to the whole people.
Saratov Conservatory
At the beginning of the last century, architect Jung from St. Petersburg completed his creation - a music school, which is now the Saratov State Conservatory. After ten years of its existence, this building succumbed to changes at the initiative of the architect Kallistratov, as a result of which obvious elements of the Gothic architecture of southern Germany appeared. After that, the history of the Saratov Conservatory changed many times, but outwardly it always remained the same.
The neo-Gothic style makes this building a monument to the history and artistic culture of the city. Outlet windows depicting vines and owls singing chimeras make the building of the conservatory truly attractive to the eyes of tourists and local residents.
Department of the Ryazan-Ural Railway
The architecture of the city of Saratov is so diverse that it is easy to get lost in time. One of the main attractions of this city is the management of the Ryazan-Ural Railway. It was built at the beginning of the last century, in the era of eclecticism, and absorbed all the charms of that time. The office is a large five-story building with two main entrances.
Worked on it by the local architect Salko, who made excellent use of classical forms. The building reveals all the beauty of its architectural appearance from an angular view. Five-part facades, three risalits, superstructures of towers and parapets, a bold color scheme (white and red) - all this was preserved with each restoration, which allows you to return in time and look at the management of the railway through the centuries.
City Public Bank
The unique architectural appearance of the city Public Bank is a great example of a combination of architectural scope and small details of the sculpture. The bank itself for a long time did not have its own separate building. Wandering from one room to another led to a decision that was a turning point in its history. At the beginning of the 20th century, a small house was put up for sale on Teatralnaya Street. This place was immediately bought by the Public Bank and prepared for the erection of the building, which will later be included in the monuments of architecture of Saratov.
A competition for future construction projects was held among Saratov architects, among which stood out the work of Zybin, on which the board of the bank stopped. For three years, the building was completed and appeared in all its glory to the residents of the city. It attracts not only the Art Nouveau style, but also sculptures, the stucco molding of the facade, on which Pozdnikov and Kazantsev worked. The type of building corresponds to its purpose. General rigor and symmetry, a pair of columns, a portal loggia, side pylons - all this is perfectly combined, as befits a jar.
