Photo: architectural monuments, temples and places of worship, cathedrals and churches, other places, Cathedral of Saint Demetrius, Vladimir

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Cathedral of Saint Demetrius and its famous stone carving

Architectural Monuments • Temples and places of worship • Cathedrals and churches • Other places

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The construction of the Cathedral of Saint Demetrius began in Vladimir in 1194, when Vladimir, the son of the Grand Duke Vsevolod the Big Nest, was born. This small single-domed church was built and consecrated in honor of the patron of Prince Vsevolod - Dimitry in the baptism – Saint Demetrios of Thessaloniki. The temple was built in three years, and in 1197 rare relics were brought here: а fragment of the deathbed of the martyr Demetrius and a piece of clothing soaked in the blood of the saint. In 1380 Prince Dmitry Donskoy moved the shrine to the Moscow Assumption Cathedral.

The Cathedral of Saint Demetrius impresses with graceful proportions, wonderful decoration and famous stone carvings that adorn the whole of its upper part. Here on bas-reliefs one can see the biblical characters, fairy animals and floral ornament. One can see King David or King Solomon on all facades. The ascending to heaven of Alexander the Great is depicted on the southern façade. On the northern - a sculptural portrait of Prince Vsevolod with children. The prince is holdings his newborn son. Plots of the western facade recall the exploits of Hercules. In the XV century the temple ceased to be princely, and in the XVII-XVIII centuries it was repeatedly burned. By the will of Tsar Nicholas I in 1837-1839 the galleries and stair towers were dismantled and the plaster was removed inadvertently, as a result of which the ancient frescoes were damaged. In 1919 the church was closed. Since then it does not work. The iconostasis of the XIX century was removed, and the building was given under the warehouse. Now there is no iconostasis inside, only an ancient openwork cross. From the mural there is a fragment of the fresco "The Last Judgement" of the 12th century. The current exposition tells about the history of the cathedral. In 1992 the cathedral was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. From the observation deck of the Cathedral of Saint Demetrius one can see the Klyazma River, the Nativity Monastery and the railway station.

Cathedral of Saint Demetrius and its famous stone carving

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