The majestic architectural ensemble of Кirillo-Belozersky Monastery is one of the largest in Russia. It has kept architectural monuments of XV-XIX centuries, massive walls and towers.
The Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Preserve of History, Architecture and Decorative Arts was established in 1924 and comprises monuments of stone architecture - the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery (1397), Ferapontov monastery (1398), Goritsky Nunnery (1544) and a wooden Prophet Elijah Church (1775).
The museum-preserve is noted for its architectural monuments, the interior walls of five of them are covered with invaluable frescoes including those by the great medieval painter Dionisy. The museum houses 15-17th-century iconostasis that features many ancient icons, arranged in five tiers, a collection of handicrafts of Belozero, painted pieces of furniture, ceramics, and a unique collection of manuscripts and hand-written books.
The Kirillo - Belozersky Monastery won an international renown owing to the effect of stateliness and an artistic work of exceptional value. Laid out and built in the traditions of early Russian design, they are preserved as monuments of church architecture.
Now the Kirillo-Belozersky monastery astounds everybody by the enormous size of its fortified walls and towers. The length of the monastery’s walls is about 2 km. The architectural monuments laid out and built in the traditions of early Russian architecture are mainly productions of the 15th-17th centuries. Among the structures that merit special attention are the Cathedral of the Assumption (1497), the Church of the Archangel Gabriel with a bell-tower and a refectory. Their distinctive traits lie in the simplicity and accuracy of the external décor.
The museum of icons located in the monastery is a really impressive collection. The iconostasis of the Cathedral of the Assumption, in its modern construction, has been preserved to our days. It is a unique fact in the history of the Russian art. In the museum there are several icons belonging to the brush of Dionisius from the Ferapont monastery.
Besides the icons of the museum, works of "silver" embroidery are worth seeing. An extensive library of the monastery has been preserved to our days. In the 15th-17th centuries it was one of the largest in Ancient Rus.
The Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Preserve undoubtedly belongs to Russia's richest museums and greatest attractions. By a presidential decree of 1997 it was included in the State Register of Russia's priceless cultural heritage.
Теги: Kirillo-Belozersky Museum-Reserve