The Holy Dormition Pskov-Caves Monastery
The most mysterious and unusual male monastery in our country. Essentially, it is a fort situated in a valley rather than on an elevation. And the reason for this is the caves. Or rather, as the inscription says, the 'caves bestowed by God'.
Passing through the arches of St. Peter's tower reveals a view of the cloister's adornment.
Since 1473, the monastery has never been closed, despite numerous wars and raids.
Gothic style walls and towers. Like one culture guarding the other. The central tower has an interesting name 'Tower of Upper Grates'; its height is 25 meters.
The inner structure of the ancient fortification walls
Petrovsky Tower and the Holy Gates
From the main gates there is a descent called the 'Bloody Path'. According to the manuscript kept in the Trinity Sergius Lavra, when Tsar Ivan IV Grozny (the Terrible) arrived at the main gates, he was greeted by the abbot Korniliy (Cornelius). Suspecting treason, the tsar killed the abbot. Repentant, he personally carried the blood-soaked body down this road to the Uspensky Cathedral.
'Bloody Path' Along the road, rowans are planted, reminiscent of the red drops of blood.
The main temple of the monastery is the Uspenskaya cave church. It was not built, but excavated in the hill by Father John from sandstone. Its entrances open the way to the caves. Above the Uspenskaya church was built The Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos.
The domes resemble the domes of the Assumption Cathedral of the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra.
The main monastery bell tower is the Big Bell Tower, which consists of seven bells (six on one tier and the seventh higher up). In total, there are more than thirty bells on the monastery grounds, making it one of the largest bell assemblies in Russia. To the right of the bell tower is the Clock Tower.
On the monastery grounds there are two holy springs: the Holy well in honor of the Monk Martyr Cornelius and the artesian well in honor of the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary Life-Giving Spring
From left to right: Blagoveschensky Temple, chapel with artesian Holy spring, Sretensky Temple, Riznitsa, Saint Well.
Grand Staircase
Without a blessing, there is no way.
The artesian Saint spring in honour of the icon of the Blessed Virgin Mary Life-Giving Spring
Brotherhood corps. On the lower floor - kitchen, and on the upper - refectory and cells for the brothers.
The Mikhailovsky Cathedral in the Classical style. Construction began in 1815 to commemorate the liberation of Pskov from Napoleon. The temple was consecrated on June 29, 1827. The Mikhailovsky Cathedral contains the great relic - the right hand of the martyr Tatiana.
On the territory of the monastery there are 9 towers. On the site of one of the ruined towers the Mikhail Archangel Cathedral was built.
The Cathedral of Michael the Archangel stands in the place of one of the towers of the Kremlin.
Tailous Tower
The Prison (Strict) Tower. Its walls are 2.5 meters thick.
The Tailous Tower outside the monastery
The Nikol'sky and Korniliyevsky Temples. The Nikol'sky Temple has a unified roof with a bell tower.
Lazarus of the Four Days Orthodox Church
On the territory of the monastery you can see a carriage (wheelchair), which seems alien here. According to legend, Anna Ioannovna came to the monastery in it in 1732. She had to return on sledge, and the carriage became a gift to the monastery.
Anna Ioannovna's Stroller
I want to particularly mention the scents and colors. Incredible beautiful arrangements of flowers with equally wonderful fragrances from them. The combination of the two is incomparable. It must be experienced first hand.
This place is amazing. It is full of incredible energy. For many, it is a place of power and faith. It is captivating and overturns the familiar perception of monasteries. Highly recommend!
March 19, 2024 03:31 pm
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