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White church with black domes

White church with black domes

The remarkable estate in Boslhie Vyazemy was acquired by the most powerful boyar in Muscovy (Moscow Region; the principality in those time), Boris Godunov, in the late 16th century. On the place of this splendid royal estate only the beautiful Church of the Trinity built in the 1590s and later renamed the Transfiguration has survived.

Royal churches of this antiquity are rare in the Moscow Region. The massive cube rises high from the broad terrace and is crowned by picturesque gables, round drums and seven hemispherical domes (predeccession of onion domes) topped by tall gold crosses. It is built of white limestone up to the double cornice and then of brick. The three main facades are devided into three bays articulated by pilasters, lopatki, and surmounted by round gables, zakomary, in the manner of the Archangel Cathedral in the Kremlin. The two side chapels that close off the eastern end of the open terrace display three rows of decorative gables, kokoshniki.

As a child the great poet, Alexander Pushkin visited his grandmother's eastate every summer at nearby Zakharovo (on the way to Zvenigorod) and attended church at Bolshie Vayzemy. The grave of his little brother, Nokolai, who died in the age of seven, can still be seen behind the apse. Perhaps Pushkin's childhood memories of Bolshie Vayzemy are reflected in his fine drama "Boris Godunov".

I hope that you liked this picture and information about this place, which I took from the excellent book "Discovering the Moscow Countryside" written by Kathleen Berton Murrell.

Oh, by the way, here is interesting info about the colors of the domes on Orhotodox churches:
- Golden dome - devoted to Christ the Saviour;
- Blue dome - devoted to Virgin Mary (Mother God);
- Green dome - means "submission";
- Black dome - means "survitude";
- Silver dome - means "not finished yet, the color was not specified"

With BEST Regards,
Arthur Lookianov
Personal Guide & Driver in Moscow
Nov 11th, 2006

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Random customer's Responses & Recommendations.
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Kip & Camela Johnson
Email: By Request
From: Indiana, USA
Date: 2006-07-11 20:31:48

We booked Arthur for an entire day of sightseeing around Moscow. He gave us a grand tour and really brought the buildings and sights alive with his knowledge of their history. We had no trouble understanding his English. We enjoyed and trusted his services so much that we booked him on the spot for an airport transfer as well. We look forward to seeing him again on our next trip to Moscow.





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