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Prof. Dr. S.V. Zagraevsky

Problems of the reconstruction of the original view

of the Cathedral of the Nativity of Virgin Mary in Suzdal

of the beginning of the 13^th century

Published in Russian: Заграевский С.В. Вопросы реконструкции первоначального вида суздальского собора Рождества Богородицы начала XIII века. Электронная публикация: электронная научная библиотека «РусАрх», 2014 г.

Annotation

The study is devoted to the original forms of the Cathedral of the Nativity of Virgin Mary in Suzdal of 1222-1225. The author's version of a graphic reconstruction is offered.

Attention!

The following text was translated from the Russian original by the computer program

and has not yet been edited.

So it can be used only for general introduction.

RUSSIAN VERSION

When the Grand Prince Vladimir Monomakh at the beginning of the XII century (formerly 1125¹) in the city of Suzdal of time was built six pillars, three-aisled, three-apse of the Cathedral, dedicated to the virgin Mary². In 1222, Grand Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich began the construction of a new temple, as reported by Laurentian chronicle: "the Great Prince of Gurgi founded the Church caminino of the Holy virgin in Were discussing, in the first place, zazdrosci the old building as Ocala baie Rositsa old age and her top fell BAA; TA Bo cerci created by his great-grandfather Volodymyra Monomakh and blessed by Bishop Ephraim"³. The Cathedral was consecrated in 1225 year⁴.

Il. 1. Combined plans for Monomakh's Cathedral and temple of 1222-1225 ( P. L. Zykov).

The questions of existence in Suzdal "intermediate" Cathedral, built by K. N. Tikhonravov, A. D. Varganov, G. Wagner, V. M. Anisimov and some other researchers⁵, by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky in 1148, is considered in detail the author of this study in the treatise "About the hypothetical "intermediate" the construction of the Cathedral of Nativity in Suzdal in 1148 and the original form of Suzdal temple of 1222-1225"⁶. In the given work the author after N. N. Voronin⁷showed loyalty, consistency and compliance of the architectural and archaeological data the above message Laurentian Codex that Yuri Vsevolodovich destroyed it is the Cathedral, built under Vladimir Monomakh, and built a new white stone Church. Accordingly, there is no "intermediate" Cathedral in 1148 in Suzdal was built.

In 1445 the second tier Cathedral of the beginning of the XIII century above the arcature-columnar zone collapsed and in 1528-1530, he was rebuilt, of brick.

Il. 2. Cathedral The Nativity of the virgin in Suzdal. General appearance.

On the lower parts of the Cathedral 1222-1124, it is possible to judge that he was a three-nave, six pillars, three, trepetnym (ill. 3).

Il. 3. Cathedral The Nativity of the virgin in Suzdal. Plan.

N. N. Voronin in capital work "the Architecture of North-Eastern Russia XII-XV centuries"⁸variants the reconstruction of the original appearance of the temple did not offer. Currently in the scientific circulation are detailed graphic reconstruction G. Wagner⁹ (ill. 4) and V. M. Anisimov¹⁰(ill. 5).

Il. 4. Cathedral The Nativity of the virgin in Suzdal. Reconstruction G. Wagner.

Il. 5. Cathedral The Nativity of the virgin in Suzdal. Reconstruction V. M. Anisimov.

Let us give their views regarding the reconstruction of the original appearance of the Cathedral from the beginning of the XIII century.

First of all you need notice that part of the walls of the first tier of the existing Cathedral is faced with tuff-like limestone (ill. 6), not in use now rightly referred to as TUF¹¹. N. N. Voronin considered a primary clutch, though coupled with well-treated white stone slabs¹². Archaeological research has shown that white stone slabs - traces of the escarpment¹³, and, therefore, the whole Church is the beginning of the XIII century was faced with tuff-like limestone.

Il. 6. Cathedral The Nativity Of The Virgin. The South-East corner.

In the laying of tuff-like limestone embedded this modern clutch is shaped and ornamented details of well-treated white stone portals, basement, arcature-columnar belt, other elements of decor. (Complex and covered by a thin thread details architectural decoration was usually cut separately and then inserted into the clutch, otherwise it would have been greatly complicated the process of elimination poorly hewn parts: they were to be removed from masonry).

Thus, the temple, built by Yuri Vsevolodovich, had a unique appearance: it roughly processed tuff-like lining was combined with richly ornamented decor of high quality white stone.

Such unprecedented architectural solution - the combination of the Cathedral from the beginning of the XIII century veneer of tuff-like limestone with shaped and ornamented details of white stone - in any case, was not the recourse of construction equipment. On the contrary, it the solution combines two essential qualities: efficiency and aesthetics.

Roughly processed tuff-like limestone in the upper layers of deposits of stone (probably open way, unlike quality limestone quarried closed method¹⁴), was much cheaper than well-treated white stone. This fully reflects the desire of the builders of the Cathedral to the maximum savings. In turn, this desire is confirmed by the fact that the walls Cathedral of 1222-1225 were in a large part zabutovany the ruins of the first Cathedral (and sometimes instead of filling entirely used fragments of the walls of the temple of Monomakh). Also it is significant that the builders were not fully to coat tuff-like limestone wall of the Cathedral, covered Western the porch, and used the fragments of masonry of Monomakh and, probably the tile of their own making (as was rightly put N. N. Voronin, this was due to the fact that this section of the wall still intended for plastering and painting¹⁵).

Most likely, the need for economy was caused by turbulent political atmosphere (in 1216 was the infamous Lipicky battle, Yuri Vsevolodovich again became the Grand Prince only in 1218 and hardly had time to 1222 quite approved of Vladimir the table) and numerous military trips on the Volga Bulgaria and Novgorod. As you know, war is the worst enemy architecture. Both because of the direct destructive impact on the monuments architecture, and due to the inevitable economic complications¹⁶.

Aesthetics such architectural solutions of Suzdal Cathedral of the beginning of the XIII century was due to the fact that "sloppy" the laying of tuff-like limestone profitable richly shaded off ornamented profiled parts made from high quality white stone. In General the temple looked very "elegant".

It should be noted that this solution is a combination of rough hewn brick walls with well-treated profiled details of architectural decoration is widely the spread in the first third of the XIV century, when in a difficult economic climate of the times Mongol yoke in the same technique were erected the Church of the conception of John The forerunner to the Settlement in Kolomna, St. Nicholas Church in Kamenskoye Naro-Fominsk district of the Moscow region (ill. 7), Church of the Nativity of the virgin in the village of Gorodnya Tver region, the first assumption Cathedral in Moscow (reconstruction the author is shown in ill. 8) and a number of other temples¹⁷.

Il. 7. St. Nicholas Church in Kamenskoye.

Il. 8. Assumption Cathedral in Moscow (1326-1327 years). Reconstruction of the author.

Thus, in the reconstruction of the original form of Suzdal temple of 1222-1225 you need to make tuff-like masonry walls and blades. Accordingly, no planar ornamentation on the walls, shown G. K. Wagner, V. M. Anisimov and their reconstructions (apparently, by analogy with George Cathedral in Yuriev-Polsky) if such laying it could not be.

The next most important the question of the reconstruction of the original form of Suzdal Cathedral of the beginning of the XIII century - the completion of the temple.

N. N. Voronin gave unpreserved the pre and first post-Mongol temples stepped arch and tripoline towering end, making the conclusion that low structural reliability of these completions resulted in a quick the destruction of the temples¹⁸. Accordingly, stepped arches and tripoline completion was expected in the St. George's Cathedral in Yuryev-Polish¹⁹, the first assumption Cathedral of Moscow²⁰, the Nativity Cathedral in Suzdal and The assumption Cathedral in Rostov beginning of the XIII century, as well as in pre-Mongol brick the churches of Yaroslavl²¹. Such a conclusion were depicted on his reconstruction of Suzdal Cathedral and G. K. Wagner (see ill. 4). (V. M. Anisimov from such termination in its reconstruction refused, see Il. 5).

The author of this study in the book "Yuri Dolgoruky and the old white-stone architecture"²² showed that the presence of the stepped arches and tripolino (towering) complete in itself does not lead to the reduction of the structural reliability of the temple. Archaeological data show that St. George's Cathedral in Yuryev-Polsky such termination had not²³. Because other evidence tripolino complete nor N. N. Voronin nor G. K. Wagner did not, we can not consider this the end of Suzdal Cathedral of the beginning of the XIII century proved and not driven it on our reconstruction.

An important clarification concerning architectural features and low reliability of Suzdal the virgin Nativity Cathedral of 1222-1225, we can infer white stone blocks over the arcature-columnar zone, which depict female (probably mother) faces. These blocks - a three-faced, i.e. faces depicted on them from three sides (front and side). These blocks are in situ, i.e. the bottom side connected with walls of the XIII century²⁴. When you rebuild the top of the Church in the XVI century, they were neatly lined brick. Probably, they were treated as sacred objects and therefore retained.

Il. 9. Female (mother of God) the face. The topography of the southern facade of Cathedral of the Nativity of the virgin.

N. N. Voronin believed that and in the Cathedral of the beginning of XIII century the side faces of the wall were laid masonry, i.e. work masters in their filing down was excessive and illogical²⁵. We believe that the logic of the ancient masters did not differ from modern (one three-faced block could still be "extra" turned "on error", and to be used as a regular wall, but the six "extra" and "erroneous" three-faced blocks is too many). We believe that each of these blocks all three faces were open and the blocks were joined with brick walls only the bottom and the rear.

G. K. Wagner assumed that these blocks served as the bases of the columns of the second tier²⁶. This assumption is justified, but if the blocks were speakers, the walls of the second tiers were to be significantly narrower than the walls of the first tier, and the transition from first tier to the second was to be issued by the tide. However like the tide at its reconstruction (ill. 4) G. K. Wagner has not shown, and column it look like the semi-columns or flat pilasters.

With a view to reconstruction G. Wagner themselves a three-faced blocks also cannot agree, as they are actually the width is not equal to the blades, and significantly already (see ill. 9).

Reconstruction V. M. Anisimov (see ill. 5) none of these blocks, the speakers do not shown.

In our reconstruction we show the blocks as they are in reality, i.e., a width of about 60 cmsignificantly already blades. These blocks serve as bases for round columns.

If the side faces were open, not laid stonework, and their width is approximately equal to the width Central face, the walls of the second storey walls are already the first tier about 60 cm. Accordingly, when the thickness of the walls of the first tier around 180 cm the thickness of the walls of the second - 120 cm.

Probably as sharp narrowing of the walls could become the first cause soon (after 220 years) collapse the top of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the virgin.

The second reason is so imminent collapse is the excess in the Suzdal Cathedral of Nativity of the virgin "the limit of reliability" old white-stone construction. This limit reliability, calculated by the author in the book "Yuri Dolgoruky and old white-stone architecture" on the basis of the collected statistical material²⁷, as follows: the side of the dome of the temple square to 6 m's internal space - before 200 sq m. And in the Nativity Cathedral of the side of the dome square - about 6.5 m, interior space - about 330 sq. m. Apparently, Yuri Vsevolodovich couldn to build in Suzdal Cathedral of the smaller reasons Grand prestige - too much pulling in the eye of constructive regression at comparison with plinthite Monomakh's Cathedral. But the white stone as a building material reliability was significantly below the tile²⁸.

Returning to the questions reconstruction of Suzdal Cathedral of the beginning of XIII century, pay attention to the corner animal reliefs on the arcature-columnar zone (ill. 9). Reconstruction V. M. Anisimov (ill. 5) they are absent on the reconstruction G. Wagner (ill. 4) they just fixed into the vanes. But we attract as base analogues the columns of the southern portal (ill. 10), and we believe that over animal corner the reliefs were the same columns, as over three-faced blocks, and depicted them on our reconstruction. Missing up to three-faced blocks the height of the animal blocks, we complement fragment of an ornament, as is done in the bases of the columns of the southern portal.

Thus, in contrast to from the reconstruction G. Wagner, we portray column on the second tier the same height and level.

Il. 10. Animal relief on the southwest corner of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the virgin.

Il. 11. Base the columns of the southern portal of the Cathedral of the Nativity of the virgin.

The height of the second tier the Church of the Nativity of the virgin beginning of the XIII century N. N. Voronin²⁹ and G. K. Wagner³⁰ is conventionally equated to an existing (in the restructuring of the XVI century), do this and we.

About the size, location, the form and decoration of the Windows of the Cathedral from the beginning of the XIII century, we can judge only hypothetically, both the shape and the masonry of the jambs of the Windows of the first tier is talking about that they were Rusticana (perhaps even punched again) in accordance with the shape and location of Windows completely rebuilt the second tier. On reconstruction G. Wagner window seeing unreasonably simple and strict in comparison, for example, with the decoration of the portals. We conventionally give Windows more complex profiling (as in the top tier of reconstruction V. M. Anisimov) and decorate the slopes carving.

Apse Suzdal the Cathedral, we conditionally accept the same height as on the reconstruction G. Wagner. A large proportion of the head as we conditionally accept corresponding to the large proportions of the head of Vladimir assumption Cathedral, as it is the only pillar of the pre-Mongol Vladimir-Suzdal temple, which survived the Central  Chapter.

The question about the number of heads Cathedral of 1222-1225 solved: according to the message of Ananias Fedorov and Supraslska chronicle he was a three-headed³¹, earlier the sources did not report. But the question about the location of two small chapters is controversial.

N. N. Voronin³² and G. K. Wagner³³ believed that the small heads were located to the East from the big head. The researchers drew as peers later Suzdal churches - Pokrovsky cathedrals and the monasteries in the sixteenth century, which could have an impact the Cathedral of the Nativity of the virgin. As depicted small heads on its reconstruction V. M. Anisimov.

This view of the location of the small domes of the Cathedral questioned VL.In. Sedov³⁴. This researcher believed that because the four pillars Pokrovsky cathedrals and The monasteries belong to a different type than the Cathedral of the Nativity The virgin, the impact on the location of their heads had not Suzdal Nativity Cathedral and the Annunciation Cathedral of the Moscow Kremlin (1482-1489 gg.). According To VL.In. Sedov, more than adequate analogue of the location of small chapters is the Cathedral of the Ivanovsky monastery in Pskov, where the small heads are to the West of the big head and not illuminate the altar and the side chapels of the choir.

Reconstruction the original form of Suzdal Cathedral of the beginning of the XIII century in OTL.In. Sedov (repeating the reconstruction G. Wagner in everything except location the small size of the heads and interpretation tripolino completion, shown in ill. 12.

Il. 12. Cathedral The Nativity of the virgin in Suzdal. Reconstruction Of Overhead Lines.In. Sedov.

Unlikely question the location of the small domes of Suzdal Cathedral of 1222-1225 can be clearly resolved in principle: the researchers have too little data. But based on the fact that local - Suzdal - analogues is far preferable Pskov, we reflect on our reconstruction position VL.In. Sedova, and N. N. Voronina and G. Wagner.

Here you can do significant clarification regarding the size of the small chapters. Reconstruction G. Wagner he unduly low compared to, for example, with the relative small size of the heads of the galleries of the assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, the diameter of which is equal to the squares of the respective compartments. These the head of the Vladimir Cathedral, we also attract the analogue (the same depicted little domes of Suzdal Cathedral on their reconstructions V. M. Anisimov and VL.In. Sedov).

Small heads on our reconstruction was more severe than presented on reconstruction G. Wagner, and they (in combination with the relatively thin walls of the second tier and large dome side of the square, which was located appropriate large and heavy Central drum) could also accelerate drop the top of the temple.

Given all the above in this study, the author developed a graphical reconstruction of Suzdal the virgin Nativity Cathedral of the beginning of the XIII century, presented at the Il. 13.

Il. 13. Cathedral The Nativity of the virgin in Suzdal. Reconstruction of the author.

NOTES

1. Details on Dating Cathedral, built in Suzdal at Monomakh, see: Zagraevsky SV About a hypothetical "intermediate" the construction of the Cathedral of Nativity in Suzdal in 1148 and the original form of Suzdal temple of 1222-1225. In the book: Materials interregional studies conference (April 28 2008.). Vladimir, 2009. S. 218-235.

2. Of the architectural features of the Cathedral from the beginning of the XII century, see: O. M. ioannisyan, P. L. Zykov, Torshin E. N. The work of architectural and archaeological expedition in 1996. In the book: The State Hermitage Museum. Reporting archaeological session for 1996. SPb, 1997. P. 57-60; Zykov P. L.. To the question of reconstruction of Suzdal Cathedral of the end XI-beginning of XII V. In the book: Medieval architecture and monumental art. Rapporteuse reading. Theses of reports. St. Petersburg, 1999; Glazov, V. P., Zykov P. L., O. M. ioannisyan Architectural and archaeological research in The Vladimir region. In the book: Archaeological discoveries in 2001. M., 2002.

3. PSRL 1:445.

4. About the consecration of the Cathedral Laurentian reports the chronicle under 6733 year: "Created there was cerci Holy mother of God were Discussing in and Holy was by Bishop Simon in the 8th day of September" (PSRL 1:447). Note that in if in the Laurentian chronicle no date is specified on the March, and on the September theme, the year of consecration is not 1225, 1224, because from 6733 we will not deduct 5508 and 5509 (L. V. Cherepnin Russian chronology. M., 1944. P. 28). But as unambiguous evidence of the use of a particular style, we do not, we see no point in questioning traditional date - the year 1225.

5. For details see: K. Tikhonravov N. Suzdal Cathedral Nativity of the mother of God at the end of the XVII century. In sat: Yearbook VGSC. Vol. I. VLadimir, 1975. S. 142-143 (reference to the work of K. N. Tikhonravov courtesy T. P. Timofeeva); A. D. Varganov To history Vladimir-Suzdal architecture. In Phys.: "The Soviet Museum", No. 2, 1938; A. D. Varganov To the architectural history of Suzdal Cathedral. CIIMC, vol. 11, 1945. P. 99-101; A. D. Varganov New data to the architectural history of Suzdal Cathedral of the XI-XIII centuries. In the book: SA, No. 4, 1960; A. D. Varganov History a single building. In the book: On the native land: the people, the history, the life, the nature of the earth Vladimir. Yaroslavl, 1978. P. 21; Anisimov, V. M., History and architecture ancient Suzdal Kremlin Cathedral. Vladimir, 2001. P. 20; Anisimov V. M., T. O. Bachurin Some comprehensive research data Suzdal Cathedral. In Phys.: Restorer, No. 1 (8), 2004. S. 112.

6. Zagraevsky SV About a hypothetical "intermediate" the construction of the Cathedral of Nativity in Suzdal...

7. Voronin N. N. The architecture of North-Eastern Russia XII-XV centuries. M., 1961-1962. Vol. 2. S. 26.

8. Ibid.

9. Wagner G. K. white stone carvings of ancient Suzdal. M., 1975. S. 33.

10. Reconstruction V. M. Anisimov is the exhibition of Vladimir-Suzdal Museum-reserve.

11. Strictly speaking, in the Suzdal Cathedral, as in several all other monuments of pre-Mongol Suzdal land, not used tuff and low limestone originating from younger sediments, than the white stone. Tuff in its classic sense, the limestone is tuff was postponed at the bottom of ancient rivers or were the product of ancient volcanic activity, and limestone, including white rock, is product bottom sediments of ancient seas). But because low quality limestone is used in the ancient temples, its porosity and grayish shade looks like a tuff, historical and architectural use for him stuck just such a name, is a simpler, but making certain ambiguity.

12. Voronin N. N. The decree. CIT. Vol. 2. S. 28.

13. For details, see: Zagraevsky SV About a hypothetical "intermediate" building of the Cathedral of Nativity in Suzdal...

14. For details, see: Zagraevsky SV extraction and processing of white stone in Ancient Russia. M., 2006.

15. Voronin N. N. The decree. CIT. Vol. 2. S. 24.

16. Note that immediately preceding Suzdal the construction of Yuri Vsevolodovich popenoe temple construction Konstantin Vsevolodovich in Rostov and Yaroslavl, most likely, was caused by the necessity savings. It is significant that Constantine was unable to complete recovery struck in 1204 assumption Cathedral in Rostov in white-technology, and Yuri did it much later - only in 1231 year.

17. Read more about these temples, see: SV Zagraevsky. The architecture of North-Eastern Russia the end of XIII-the first one third of the XIV century. M., 2003.

18. Voronin N. N. The decree. CIT. Vol. 2. S. 109.

19. Ibid. Vol. 1. S. 157.

20. Ibid. Vol. 2. S. 104.

21. Ibid. S. 109.

22. Zagraevsky SV Yuri Dolgoruky and old white-stone architecture. M., 2001.

23. Zagraevsky SV architecture and history the reconstruction of St. George Cathedral in Yuriev-Polsky. M., 2008.

24. Voronin N. N. The decree. CIT. Vol. 2. S. 28.

25. Ibid.

26. Wagner, G. K. The Decree. CIT. P. 33.

27. For details, see: Zagraevsky SV Yuri Dolgoruky... CH. 5.

28. For details, see ibid., Chapter 5.

29. Voronin N. N. The decree. CIT. Vol. 2. S. 27.

30. Wagner, G. K. The Decree. CIT. P. 33.

31. Voronin N. N. The decree. CIT. Vol. 2. S. 27.

32. Ibid.

33. Wagner, G. K. The Decree. CIT. P. 33.

34. Sedov VL.In. Unusual shape of Suzdal The Cathedral of the Nativity of the beginning of XIII century): the Archaeology of the Vladimir-Suzdal land. Proceedings of the seminar. Vol. 4. M.-SPb., 2012. P. 184-196.

© Sergey Zagraevsky

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