Savior Transfiguration Cathedral, Chernigov

In Chernigov, there are many interesting sights, one of which is the Transfiguration Cathedral. History of the Transfiguration Cathedral The cathedral has a long history and is one of the oldest monuments of architecture in Ukraine. Construction of the shrine was started in the 11th century.

In Chernigov, there are a lot of interesting sights, one of which is the Transfiguration Cathedral.

History of the Transfiguration Cathedral

The cathedral has a centuries-old history and is one of the oldest monuments of architecturein Ukraine. Construction of the shrine was started in the 11th century. The original appearance of the building is strikingly different from its modern appearance. You can see the changes of the temple bypassing it from all sides.

The shrine combines elements of the Romanesque basilica. The temple has a Byzantine cross-dome type of structure. Its walls are built of natural stone, the combination of materials can be explained not only by the mixed type of construction of the temple, but also by its reorganization in the period of almost thousand-year history, which dates back to 1036.

The next moment in the life of spiritual relics is connected with the name of Svyatoslav Yaroslavich. At that time, reconstruction was carried out. The walls of the temple were raised, changed and the face of the facade, he, like other architectural elements, absorbed the traditions of stone architecture of his contemporaries.

Scientists believe that it was here that Prince Igor was buried, which is mentioned in the text of the chronicle "The Lay of Igor's Host". In 1246, the relics of martyrs - Prince Michael and boyar at his court Feodor - were brought to the temple. More than 300 years later, the shrines were taken to Moscow by the decree of Tsar Ivan the Terrible.

Interesting facts about the Transfiguration Cathedral

The interior of the Transfiguration Cathedral combines many elements of different styles. All this is explained by the terrible fires and battles that erased the true shape of the temple and caused its restoration. In 1239 the cathedral was partially destroyed and looted by Mongol-Tatar troops.

In 1675, the church was rebuilt under the leadership of Bishop Lazare Baranovich, but in 1750 the building was seriously damaged in the fire, which erased from its walls the surviving ancient Russian murals and completely changed the interior of the church returned to the shrine in 1783.

The reconstruction of the cathedral is connected with the name of Potemkin, who was passing through Chernigov and became interested in the history of the majestic church, whose appearance was practically erased by a centuries-old history and a violent fire. Potemkin ordered the restoration of the cathedral, in the course of repair work, spiky towers were added to the church building, which allow to compare the building with the church.

For 900 years since its foundation, the church belonged to the Chernigov diocese. The modern history of the temple begins in 1818, when the artist Y. Yurinov painted the walls inside the cathedral with oil, depicting scenes from the life of the church, saints and historical events. In 1891 the cathedral's domes were gilded. The original gilding still decorates the building. In Soviet times, the cathedral was converted into a museum of the history of the region, after a while the building was returned to the church. To date, the temple is active. It is the center of public and spiritual life of the inhabitants of the city.

How to get to the Savior's Transfiguration Cathedral

The cathedral is located in the historical center of the city on the Chernigov shaft. You can get to it by driving along Gorky Street or standing at a public transport stop at the intersection of Preobrazhenskaya Street and Mira Avenue.