View of the now-abandoned Dünamünde fortress nearby Riga, Latvia.
Emerging as a fortified German monastery, the fortification reached its peak under Russian Empire, being turned into a huge star-fortress to defend one of the most important northern cities of the country.
Under Nicholas II, it was further developed - but in revolutionary chaos still defendable fortress was blown up and abandoned, and despite various efforts continues to decay.
Emerging as a fortified German monastery, the fortification reached its peak under Russian Empire, being turned into a huge star-fortress to defend one of the most important northern cities of the country.
Under Nicholas II, it was further developed - but in revolutionary chaos still defendable fortress was blown up and abandoned, and despite various efforts continues to decay.
❤14😢4
The Assumption Cathedral of Penza fascinates with its historical decoration, but it does not feel solemn - rather a quiet, calm beauty fills the temple vaults.
And there's a reason for that - before the revolution it was just a cemetery church, albeit not a small one, but it was the one that was almost never closed during the Soviet years and became the city cathedral until the recreation of the Cathedral of the Saviour.
And there's a reason for that - before the revolution it was just a cemetery church, albeit not a small one, but it was the one that was almost never closed during the Soviet years and became the city cathedral until the recreation of the Cathedral of the Saviour.
❤🔥9❤2
An early-Christian Martyrium of Saints Ermil and Stratonik, found in the village of Brestovik near Belgrade.
Saints were martyred in the IV century in Singidunum - the Roman predecessor of Belgrade.
Saints were martyred in the IV century in Singidunum - the Roman predecessor of Belgrade.
❤13✍1👍1🙏1
Today, according to the Julian calendar, the Orthodox Church celebrates the Nativity of St John the Baptist - the only such feast after the Nativity of Christ and the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos. And not for nothing - it celebrates not so much the miracle revealed by the Lord at that time, as the very appearance of the great prophet - the last of their number.
Although not so many great churches are dedicated to this holiday, there are interesting ones among them - for example, the princely Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist, which had almost became the city cathedral of the ancient Moldavian town of Piatra Neamț in Romania. Built for the court of Stephen the Great, the church has no dome, which only emphasises its monumentality and Gothic elevation, although the decoration is non-Gothic austere - perhaps the temple was originally intended for defence.
Although not so many great churches are dedicated to this holiday, there are interesting ones among them - for example, the princely Church of the Nativity of John the Baptist, which had almost became the city cathedral of the ancient Moldavian town of Piatra Neamț in Romania. Built for the court of Stephen the Great, the church has no dome, which only emphasises its monumentality and Gothic elevation, although the decoration is non-Gothic austere - perhaps the temple was originally intended for defence.
❤🔥11🔥8❤2😍2
Now I propose to take a look at a baroque beauty from Serbia - the church in Sombor dedicated to today's holiday.
❤18🔥1
Finally, at the end of today's selection is one of the most beautiful churches of ancient Uglich, dedicated to the Nativity of John the Baptist and built in the heyday of the city's church building - in the XVII century.
Its history is sadly intertwined with the history of the most famous saint of the town - Prince Demetrius, because it was built in memory of another murdered boy - the son of local merchant Nikifor Chepolosov, who was killed at the age of six by a Nikifor's clerk.
Its history is sadly intertwined with the history of the most famous saint of the town - Prince Demetrius, because it was built in memory of another murdered boy - the son of local merchant Nikifor Chepolosov, who was killed at the age of six by a Nikifor's clerk.
❤🔥11❤7😢4